Show Placings
National Dog Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
Thank you to the Committee for the invitation to judge at this show; I had received an invitation to judge the breed here in 2007 but was unable to accept due to a previous appointment so was very pleased to be offered the opportunity again. Thanks to my stewards for all their hard work during the day and also to the exhibitors for entering some lovely Border Terriers. There were some wonderful quality exhibits but I was particularly pleased with my line-up of unbeaten bitches with 4 or 5 in contention for the top honours, a very difficult but enjoyable decision.
It is 50 years since I won my first CC in the breed and at that time it was emphasised to novices by the experienced exhibitors that the most important part of the breed standard was the first line “essentially a working terrier” and I have always had this at the forefront in my mind when judging the breed. Not, does it work, but could it do so; meaning could it follow a horse and go to ground when needed; also could it get out again.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
nice size grizzle puppy with a good head and expression; just turned 6 months and needs time. Good coat and pelt and moved very well.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of The Midland Border Terrier Club for the invite to judge the Open Show held in conjunction with The Birmingham National. The hospitality showed by both clubs on the day was tremendous plus the wonderful gift received with many thanks – I will remember my first club show appointment for a long time.
I could not of been more pleased with my entry on the day so a big thank you for all of the exhibitors that gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs and the quality presented. Junior Bitch, Limit Bitch and Limit Dog classes were of real quality and on another day placings could of easily been switched. That aside I was really pleased with my Bitch/Dog line ups having some real quality to pick my main winners from.
Also a special mention to my two stewards Sharon and La for keeping my classes going and to Bev who co-ordinated between the two rings whilst the judging was going on.
It was nice having the opportunity to see Terrier Group at the Birmingham National at the end of the day and see my Best Dog go on to represent the Border Terrier by getting short listed in a really big group, he had his 3 CC today and I was delighted to see he has become a Champion in his own right.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Chesterfield & Pinxton KA Open Show
14th May 2022
Judge: Mr Adrian Marett (Greyteckels)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
taller than 1, kind eye, good head, well bodied, good pelt, moved out well
Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Open Show
1st Jun 2022
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Jun 2022
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My sincere thanks to the officers and committee of the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge at this show on such a special occasion as the Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebration day, I am sure the celebration cakes were enjoyed by all. Thanks also to the various stewards who organised the entries on the day and kept the classes running smoothly. Having been show manager of this show for the past 12 years I appreciate the effort that was made by the committee members present on the day. A final thank you to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to assess your dogs.
With showers forecast and cool blustery weather outside it was decided to judge inside using a good sized ring that had good lighting with exhibitors/visitors able to view from 3 sides. I thought the entry was of a high quality, with several entries of both dogs and bitches deserving higher honours. In general the entries were in good condition. All males were entire and I found no kinked tails. Bites were of a good standard with just a few misplaced teeth, although teeth size varied considerably. Several exhibits would benefit from attention to feet to produce the small feet as required. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front. As usual coats were at various stages, with some exceptionally thick pelts to examine.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
7 month g & t, he carries a well proportioned head with strong muzzle, little stop and well placed ears. Correct shoulder placement, nicely shaped rib of length and strong through the loin with a thick tail. In decent coat he moved out nicely both ways.
Three Counties Championship Show
9th Jun 2022
Judge: Mrs M J Alexander (Glenbucket)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
good broad skull good bite small well set on ears good reach of neck leading to level top line thick loose pelt short carrot shaped tail moved well both ways BP
Blackpool & District Canine Society
26th Jun 2022
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to the exhibitors for a lovely entry, much appreciated in these difficult times. Thanks also to my stewards who not only kept the ring moving well but proved very adept at fielding judging slips, ring cards and prize cards and miscellaneous other bits and pieces flying across the ring in a very blustery wind. I thought it would be better to judge outside, the wind did upset a few dogs and those with a lot of coat were truly blown. The Border is essentially a working terrier that should combine activity with gameness – I thought that worth repeating since some seem to have forgotten it! I managed to find good heads but in general they were not strong, the head and jaw is not a cosmetic addition but an essential part of the terrier’s make up. Feet and pelts were OK but very few could be regarded as really good, again they are an essential feature required for the work the dog was bred for. Coats were all over the place very few being presented in a good sharp deep coat, however most were acceptable.
Movement remains a problem, there were feet flicking out, plaiting in front, bouncing up and down or rocking on the front – all problems with shoulder construction. The best move with that lovely unfussy ground covering drive that is so typical of the breed.
I was surprised to find several exhibits with level bites, I know the standard allows for this but it is undesirable, particularly in young dogs.
Having said all that I did find a good number of excellent very typical dogs, Limit & Open classes in both sexes were excellent and there were some promising puppies coming along.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Best Puppy
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
Light red grizzle of a very nice type, very good head, strong jaw and well set ears. OK for bone, shown in a good coat and moving out very steadily, BP
East of England
9th Jul 2022
Judge: Mr Bob Blackley (Vaevictus)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society Open Show
16th Jul 2022
Judge: Anne Speake
I would like to thank the officers and committee for the invitation to judge at their show. Thank you to my steward Michelle for keeping the ring running smoothly. The day was very enjoyable and I thank the exhibitors for attending on what was one of the hottest days of the year, and for allowing me the privilege of going over your dogs.
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Totherend Argus
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
typical head and expression on this 8 half month old dog, strong muzzle, dark eye with a keen expression. Straight front leading in to a well laid shoulder, with ribs well back. Easily spanned, good angulations and strong loin, Shown in full coat, with thick skin and a loose pliable pelt. Moved out well keeping his topline on the move BP RBOB TPG3
Leeds Championship Dog Show
22nd Jul 2022
Judge: Mrs J Fawcett (Carrock)
My thanks to the Leeds City & District Canine Association for their kind invitation to judge their Championship show, enabling me to award my first set of Challenge Certificates. Thank you also to my two stewards, Mags & Bob, who kept the ring running smoothly throughout the day which meant we managed to finish by 3pm before the rain came. My biggest thanks go to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted – I had a fantastic entry for a show taking place on a Friday and in the holiday season – I was absolutely delighted.
Just a comment about the ring – the rather large metal tent fixings that took up quite a lot of the ring were a bit of a hazard. However, I believe we managed to work around them well and I was able to see the movement of all the exhibits.
As you would expect, coats were at various stages but on the whole most were acceptable. All dogs were entire, there were no kinked tails and just one or two untidy mouths. When I last judged in November 2019 my main concern was size and this still remains an issue - I was unable to span quite a number of both dogs & bitches on the day and this was reflected in my decisions. Poor front angulation also seems to be an issue – a number of upright shoulders and a lot of very wayward front legs. I thought it also relevant to mention the number of long, thin muzzles, particularly in the younger classes, that seem to be creeping into the breed - Border Terriers should have short, strong muzzles.
That all said, I had some quality dogs to judge – I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
Lighter red grizzle, slightly heavier I build than 1. Shown in a full jacket with good pelt. Nicely proportioned head and good jaw with neat ears. Straight front leading into well laid shoulders, nice length of body. Moved out steadily keeping a good top line. Just preferred the overall balance of 1.
The All Terrier Association Group Championship Show (Ireland)
13th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss C Neill
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Clonmel and DCC Championship Show
14th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr A Sotoca Santos
Reserve Green Star Dog
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Killarney and DCC Championship Show
16th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr R McCoy
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Green Star Dog
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Limerick and DCC Championship Show
18th Aug 2022
Judge: Thomas Hehir
Reserve Green Star Dog
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Tralee DCC Championship Show
20th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr S Taggart
Green Star Dog
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Darlington Championship Dog Show
17th Sep 2022
Judge: Miss Tracey Peacock (Ragatam)
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for their invitation to judge Border Terriers. Huge thanks to my two efficient stewards Laura Jordan-Smith and Julie North who kept me on track and finally the exhibitors for a super entry. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front as there were too many swinging fronts, wide movement and toeing in. There was a good selection of quality dogs and bitches for me to choose from and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
g/t of nice size, super headed lad with strong jaw, pleasing to go over with good front and rear angulation. Moved out well holding his shape and topline easily. Close between 1 ad 2.
Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge the show, also making me feel so welcomed. A big thank you to my 2 stewards Tracey and Kathleen who kept me on track, also to all the exhibits and exhibitors, who gave me a lots of quality Borders to go over. I wish I had more CC’s especially in the dog classes. My concern with in the breed, is their fronts, straight shoulders, with very little angulation, which effects the front movement. All dogs had a good bite, a couple with level bite, but not a problem. All males were entire. Grooming needs to be addressed, tidying their underneath, also the feet need to be neatly trimmed and the nails cut correctly, it makes such a difference when presenting them to the Judge. 1or 2 needed ring craft classes. However, overall what a great representation of the breed. I was very pleased with my main winners.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
Pleasing head and expression, short muzzle, well laid shoulders, level topline held on the move, good rear angulation. Nice size, in good harsh coat. Moved with drive.
Midland Counties Canine Society
30th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr Alan Small (Bethane)
I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging the Border Teriers at Midland Counties Champ. Show. Thanks to the Officers & Committee for the invite & especially to the exhibitors who presented me with such a wonderful entry of 230 from 174 dogs. It was a quality entry overall and I was particuarly impressed with the quality of the young stock which augers well for the breed. There's no Puppy or Veteran Groups at the Midland, which is a pity because I feel both would have done well. Must not be too greedy, as it was nice to see my BOB, Ch. Otterbobs Tolson top the Terrier Group and my Best Special Beginners, Thistlemead Sundance, take her respective Group as well.....Well done.
Special thanks to my Ring Stewards, Penny Lloyd & Gavin Argyle, who kept things moving along nicely. Border Terriers are dear to my heart having owned & bred them over a number of years. Thanks again for such a wonderful entry, I enjoyed your dogs and a nice atmosphere prevailed.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Argus
Placing Critique
pleasing head on this grizzle dog, good eye & correct bite, good front, ample bone with nice feet, correct neck to well laid shoulders, spanable body & in good coat, nice bend of stifle on good quarters. Went well.
