Show Placings
The Border Terrier Championship Show
26th Mar 2011
Judge: Miss Jean Singh (Vandamere)
Special Beginners - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Border Union Championship Show
17th Jun 2012
Judge: Mrs Kate Walton (Enterlaw)
After an absence from the Showring and judging for the past 18 months, due to illness I was interested to find almost a new generation in my entry. Not even the appalling June weather and the resultant sudden switch from outdoor to indoor rings could dampen my enthusiasm hut I do apologise to exhibitors for the lack of adequate space in the indoor wet-weather accommodation. Thank you all so much for your sporting patience and to my two excellent stewards for their assistance in moving us under cover so efficiently. After Open Dog. I just could not record legibly in my judging book! I much enjoyed looking over and handling this large entry with relatively few absentees. I was very impressed by the standard and quality of my main winners and in the way the dogs adapted to the change of rings. It was a pity that the benching for the congested indoor ring was so far away. I felt particularly sorry for all the bitch exhibits who were obliged to show in such a small muddy ring, especially those in the big classes which had to be split and the fact that other terrier breeds with smaller entries were given larger rings, Considering the conditions, all temperaments were excellent. Only one level mouth and two slightly out of alignment. All dogs were entire. Movement is still an overall problem. Some exhibits could be tidier!
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
Very smart b/t 6 month old youngster in excellent coat for a baby. Good scissor bite and developing otter head. Moved well, shows great promise.
Blackpool Championship Show
22nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Dan Ericsson (Sweden)
Movement was difficult to assess under these circumstances, but most dogs seemed to cope remarkably well despite knee high mud & a water logged ring – living proof of the hardiness of the breed!
Despite the appalling weather I enjoyed my day with the Borders very much & was impressed with the overall quality of the dogs & the keen sportsmanship of the exhibitors.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Windsor Championship Show
1st Jul 2012
Judge: Mr K Holmes
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
B/t, just 6 months old and full of confidence, real showman, very good type, very good coat and presentation and outline, good otter head, correct scissor bite, sound mover, promising baby.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
East of England Championbship Show
6th Jul 2012
Judge: Mr Brian Baxter (Beenaben)
I thought the quality of the dogs has improved since the last time I judged. They were on a par with the bitches in depth
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
17th Jul 2012
Judge: Mrs. A. C. Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the Northern Club for the opportunity to judge their 40th Championship show and for their wonderful hospitality; to the exhibitors for giving me such a lovely entry and to my stewards Doreen Rushby & Tracy Peacock for their assistance through the day.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my day, as we expect from this club there was a wonderful atmosphere all day with good support for the winners and, of course, very impressive rosettes!
I was pleased with the entry and thought the Veteran class outstanding. In general exhibits were good types of Border, presented clean and reasonably well muscled. I dislike over handling and excessive stacking of exhibits, these are working terriers and if made right they will – eventually – stand right. In general heads were typical, some with excellent expressions. Coats, of course, were all over the place but where present were of good quality and in the main pelts were OK with some very good examples. Feet generally were OK but good tight well padded feet were definitely in the minority. Similarly ears were generally OK but small, well set, well shaped thick ears were scarce. Tails and tailset were very much a plus with some very good examples, just a few rather long or thin ones. I was pleased to find enough well made dogs who covered their ground cleanly without fuss and flicking but good movement was definitely one of the major problems, particularly in the bitches.
Shoulder placement was a problem in a significant number of exhibits, mostly these were upright shoulders out at the withers giving big problems with front movement. These may look good standing but these dogs are not sound on the move, a vital requirement for a Border.
I accept that an older dog can lose teeth or have a bite move but I was disappointed to find a number of young dogs with incorrect bites, missing and broken teeth. I thought a number of heads were weak, particularly across the jaw and these seem to go with rather small teeth, I wonder if these are related problems?
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Leeds Championship Show
29th Jul 2012
Judge: Mrs M Sneddon (Kersfell)
Many thanks to my stewards who were well organized and efficient. We were allocated a large ring, conveniently placed for the wet weather tent, although fortunately we did not need to make use of this facility as the weather was good with only a few spots of rain – a nice change during this rather poor summer.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
5th Aug 2012
Judge: Nicholls & Dean
*Dog Critique*
An excellent entry at this my first club championship show. There were quality exhibits in all classes and overall, if this entry can be used as a yardstick, the dogs are now almost as good as the bitches, which couldn’t be said only a short while ago. This must bode well for the future of the breed.
I have been very critical of movement in the past, but I found a distinct improvement here and most of the class card winners had good parallel movement going away and back, and plenty of drive with economical front action. Coats were generally very good and heads were much improved with only a few weak snipey muzzles and apple skulls.
Many thanks to my hard working stewards, Sharon Pickering and Ray Bryan, who succeeded in keeping me out of trouble.
*Bitch Critique*
A very satisfying day, I had many good bitches to go over. My thanks to the MBTC for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors for entering. All were capable of being spanned, there was a good number of typical jackets and overall quality was such that this was a factor in the placings. No bad mouths and many with good strong teeth. Construction has improved but be careful not to overdo the hind angulation and remember we look for narrow fronts. A few round ears and several larger than I prefer. Racy lines preferred but be careful as some lacked substance. I though the principal winners were all very good. BIS, RBIS and BOS were all worthy winners.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
One I have noticed before from the ringside. Excellent blue and tan coat, similar in build to 2, well constructed throughout, should do well.
Class Critique
Three very good puppies.
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr W Browne-Cole
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
lovely sound moving puppy, good feet, moved well
Novice - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Welsh Kennel Club
18th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr Jack Watson
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
b/t, good head & expression, straight front, nice reach of neck, shoulders well laid, level topline, nice bend of stifle
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
An interesting entry. I found some very good class winners. I was disturbed by the frequency of poor hindquarters, often a result of poor croups & tailsets & lack of angulation & second thigh resulting in lack of drive.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
8½ months bl/t, racy, spannable with excellent pelt. Not the strength of foreface or front assembly of 1
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
City of Birmingham
1st Sep 2012
Judge: Mrs Marion Reeves (Baywillow)
Thank you for the lovely entry.
The breed standard describes the body as ‘deep, narrow and fairly long’. Just how long may well be debatable as no proportions are suggested. However the standard surely infers that a Border should be longer than square. The standard also describes the border as ‘essentially a working terrier’. A working terrier needs sufficient length and flexibility to enable it to turn underground. It is difficult to imagine a square terrier achieving this easily. I think the above is not generally appreciated by all rounders.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Class Critique
An excellent class with all 5 placed dogs having something to offer the future of the breed.
Richmond Championship Show
5th Sep 2012
Judge: Miss Diane Swales (Grabbist)
My thanks to Richmond Dog Show Society for the opportunity to judge at this prestigious show, where I awarded CCs for the first time many years ago. Thank you to my two excellent stewards who kept the ring running so smoothly. In general, mouths were good and there was only one kinked tail. I was disappointed to find how many Borders have been bred with thin, tight pelts & there were too many upright shoulders resulting in stilted movement. I was really pleased to find that more dogs were shown free standing & on a loose lead.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Darlington Championship Show
14th Sep 2012
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
Thank you to the committee of Darlington Dog Show society for inviting me to judge, with special thanks to my sole steward who worked tirelessly throughout the day to keep both me organised and the ring running smoothly. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for their good entry despite having to face the often long and tiring journey home on a Friday afternoon. Thankfully the weather remained dry for my judging however with a constant strong wind blowing this proved testing for exhibitors handling dogs in full coat.
The ring was large with lots of room for the dogs to move, although the grass could have been cut much shorter. In general all exhibits were in reasonable condition, but as always I was surprised to find 3 dogs with incorrect bites being shown at this level. A working terrier should have coat on the undersides but I was surprised to find some with bellies that had obviously been trimmed/shaved to enhance their underlines. No problem temperaments.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2012
Judge: Mr Alan Hedges (Ramblix)
I considered it a great honour to be invited to judge this show. I looked forward to it greatly and I was not in any way disappointed. A classy club with a classy committee. My stewards were great and we had some interesting moments through the day, but we coped. Thank you to all involved with the club and most of all the exhibitors for doing me the honour of having me judge your dogs. Thank you.
Whenever I judge Staffords, which is my own breed I always make the point that exhibitors should rid their dogs of any reasons to get beaten. Long pointed nails are not a good look, nor are they good for the dog. Even I can make a decent fist of a borders coat and as a singular part of the breed and its identification a bit more attention would not have gone amiss in some. Excess weight is not good for anybody, least of all, what is ostensibly a working terrier. I think there may well be some stars of the future in some of the lower classes and I shall watch with greater interest now when I am at the border ring. Thanks again to you all for coming and entering into the spirit of the day. I had a brilliant day and I hope you did too.
Novice - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
This is a bl/tan who shows well, he has a dark eye, enough bone and goes well
Driffield Championship Show
22nd Sep 2012
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th Oct 2012
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the Northern Border Terrier Club for the kind invitation to judge their open show at Otterburn. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted with my winners. Many thanks to my stewards Lesley Gosling and Allen Horner who kept everything running smoothly throughout the day. I would also like to thank all exhibitors for the privilege of judging their dogs.
Driving across to the venue on the morning of the show was a timely reminder of the terrain that Borders Terriers were bred to encounter whilst out hunting. Bearing this in mind I was looking for fit dogs whose structure and movement allowed them to cover the ground economically.
Positives were that the dogs were generally fit, they were shown in coats that had not been over trimmed and temperaments were good. A couple of negative points that I felt applied to a number of exhibits: there were few dogs with really big teeth and also there were rather a lot of thin tight skins. Really thick pliable skin was a rarity.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
Well grown 10 month blue and tan dog. Very well presented. Liked his overall body lines and presented a balanced picture. Strong head and one of the few with really big teeth. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Good length of body Moved with drive on neat well padded feet.
Midland Counties
25th Oct 2012
Judge: Mr. Gerald Baker (Jaslou)
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Nov 2012
Judge: Mrs Gill Hunt (Ottaswell)
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
11month b/tan. Decent head, large teeth. Moved well at the back with nice tail, but rather loose at the front. Coat harsh, preferred the size of the winner.
Special Challenge - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
As above
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Nov 2012
Judge: Mrs Eileen Cole (Towden)
I would like to thank the club for inviting me to judge their open show and what an enjoyable day I had, also for the lovely present and flowers, and to my two stewards who were very efficient and kept the ring running smoothly. I had a very good entry of dogs thanks to the exhibitors with some good quality dogs to go over although rear movement on some could be better but I was very pleased with my top winners.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
11mth blue and tan, nice outline standing and profile, correct tail carriage, moved ok from rear but needs to tighten up in front.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Boston & District Canine Society Championship Show
13th Jan 2013
Judge: Mrs Janice Johnson
My thanks firstly go to Boston & District Canine Society Committee for giving me this opportunity to judge the breed again, for looking after me on the day and providing my excellent stewards who gave me great support throughout the day with their efficiency and unobtrusive discretion.
Secondly the exhibitors, who travelled many miles for my judgment, thank you all for taking my decisions sportingly. Thank goodness we didnâ??t have the following weekend when we were all had over 6 inches of snow!
I was extremely pleased with my main winners who all deserved their placings and I was delighted when I received the news that my BOB winner had gone G2 in Terrier Group under Ernie Darby and my best puppy had gone G1 in the Terrier Group under Peter Clifton.
I had some really good examples of the breed to go over and it is a pleasure when you find an exhibit in a class that really meets all your requirements. Movement in the younger classes was inconsistent some may settle others will not. I had a number of very nice quality borders who I know will go on to greater things and some promising puppies, I will watch their futures with interest. Coats on the whole were good with most of the exhibits having thick pelts.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
10th Feb 2013
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the Club for their kind invitation to judge this show, my third opportunity at a breed club show.
My heartfelt thanks to my two stewards, Kathy Newsome and Jem Thomas who, by their calm organizing ability ensured that the show ran smoothly and finished in good time for the exhibitors to beat the inclement weather.
Finally the exhibitors for braving the threatened snow storm and allowing me to go over their dogs.
I only found one bad mouth. The quality of coats varied as would be expected in the run up to Crufts. Of concern to me is that a few of the exhibits were much too large for the standard. To be able to go to ground it is essential that the breed does not get oversized. Overall the quality of the exhibits was good and decisions in some of the classes were very close.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
nice blue and tan dog, unfortunate to meet 1 in such form, good head, coat and pelt, level topline, moved a little close in front today spoiling the good movement that I have seen in this dog before. Tail set good.
Special Challenge - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Newark & District Canine Society Open Show
23rd Feb 2013
Judge: Jo Dowdy (Denzilly)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG4, Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs. Doreen Rushby (Dormic)
The Border Terrier Club held a Championship show at Low Hesket on 30 March 2013. I felt very honoured to judge at this show and my thanks go to the Committee and Exhibitors for such an enjoyable day.
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
up to size but balanced, liked his head, good front & feet, good coat & pelt, moved well.
National Terrier
6th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Many thanks to all of the exhibitors who gave me such a nice entry of 201 dogs, giving 245 entries. My thanks go to my two stewards, with some large numbers in the classes they kept everything running smoothly and helped me to finish on time. Many decisions were difficult and some decent dogs went unplaced.
There were things that came to hand while going over the dogs on the table, short ribs and over long in the loin and long hocks. Some of these short ribbed dogs were not over sprung and quite narrow through the body, but our standard states ‘ribs well back‘, something to be watched in your future breeding programs. Some dogs looked on the heavy side when I first looked around the ring, but on the table I was surprised how so many of these dogs came to hand no problem. Upright shoulders were noticeable and front movement in some classes was a problem, along with some very straight stifles and sickle movement. Puppies and youngsters you would expect to be forgiven for movement, along with the size of ears - within time the head develops and things start to balance out.
Jackets were at all stages, spot on, starting to blow - with some owners trying to scissor or part strip them into shape, other coats were coming through with harshness and one or two had just undercoat. There were some that could have done with just a tidy up which would have helped the overall picture.
General overall condition and the spanning on most dogs was acceptable, with good thick pelts. I did feel some of the puppies were thin and were quite hollow behind the ribs. I only had one bad mouth but plenty with strong jaws and large teeth. In general the shape and length of tails were good. A few low set tails, which when a dog is in a full jacket you can feel the low set when on the table but not necessarily see it on the move.
Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Birtley & District Canine Society Open Show
7th Apr 2013
Judge: Mark Johnston (Joncroft)
Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Mountsorrel & District Canine Society
14th Apr 2013
Judge: Mr Chris Wallace (Hobholt)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
16mth, B/T Dog, good head, dark eye, in plenty of coat, thick skin and loose pelt, moved OK.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
as Junior
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge
Placing Critique
as Junior
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Apr 2013
Judge: Mr. Mark Ord (Marnadee)
It was a great pleasure to be invited to judge this show and I wish to thank the committee for their great hospitality, a superb home cooked lunch and pleasant show. The gift was lovely and will be treasured. Special thanks to my stewards today Allen Horner & Norma Todd.
I was pleased with my overall entry of dogs and glad to see size is becoming more uniform with not so many oversized dogs. Mouths & tails were better than they have been but feel front movement needs watching, as does the loose pelt. I was able to span most exhibits. Thank you to the exhibitors who gave me the privilege to go over their dogs and accepting my decisions on the day in a sporting manner.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
National Dog Show
9th May 2013
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Thanks to Birmingham National for giving me the opportunity to judge this show and for providing me with two excellent stewards, who kept the ring running smoothly, also to all the exhibitors that gave me the pleasure of going over their dogs.
The quality in some classes was superb especially the limit and open of both sexes, leaving me with more dogs I liked, than cards to award. Temperaments and presentation were good.
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Placing Critique
larger type good jacket with correct double coat, pleasing head with dark eye moved and showed well
Bath Canine Society Championship Show
24th May 2013
Judge: Mr Martin P Phillips
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Placing Critique
17 mth old blue dog, very smart & pleasing shape, good typy male with good bone, rather heavy in ears which spoilt his expression giving him a plain look, very positive on the move.
Blackpool & District Championship Show
21st Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
What a lovely day, no rain in sight!!
Thank you to all the exhibitors and especially my steward Alisan, she was excellent at her job. I enjoyed judging many dogs that I had not be over or seen before. Many dogs had little or no coat at all, Border Terriers must have a harsh double coat when showing not just stripped out and in their under coat, also there was hardly any muscle tone, no level backs, no slim straight narrow fronts and the movement should of been better. In a few of the older classes I could not span a few dogs and they were heavy when I lifted them up off the table, I found all the mouths clean with full dentations and I *placed those that were nearest the standard in each class*. Very pleased with both dog and bitch winners and their reserves and best puppy.
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Placing Critique
another blue/tan, not the head of 1st but he had a level back, correct set on of tail and racy hindquarters, coat preparation could be better.
Derbyshire County Show
23rd Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Karen Stockley (Foxfactor)
My thanks to the show Committee for the opportunity to judge at this lovely County Show and to my steward who kept things running smoothly inspite of the wet weather.Although it was light rain I chose to judge outside in a more than adequate ring where some exhibits especially in the puppy class weren't moving their best possibly due to the wet fairly long grass and some going cardless who on another day would have been placed.I found my main winners to have enough bone and substance without being too big therefore able to do a days work in the terrain they originate from.Quite a few exhibits needed their claws trimmed.I was disappointed as I'd waited to find that my BOB and BPIB didn't stay to represent the breed in the BIS ring.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Placing Critique
bl and t dog that I have previously liked as a puppy.He's matured into a good sound type of Border Good for size and bone,well constructed,easy span,shown in good harsh coat and condition,a close decision but today I just preferred the head of 1st
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
21st Jul 2013
Judge: Mr. G. Pickering (Picer)
I was honoured to be asked to judge the Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I had an excellent entry, but was a little disappointed with the number of absentees. However the weather has been a challenge of late with some very high temperatures which I understand prevented some exhibitors from further afield attending.
I would particularly like to thank the NBTC committee for looking after me so well and also for my expert stewards, Allan Horner and Doreen Rushby, who ably assisted me ensuring that everything ran smoothly. I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for their entries and for accepting my decisions so gracefully.
As for the dogs on the day, coats varied as you would expect, but I do think movement is improving and although there were a few ‘flicking’ fronts, rear movement was in the main correct. I had one dog with a bad mouth and a few with misaligned teeth. This, I believe, is to be avoided in the show ring. All the dogs were entire and I could span all the exhibits. All in all, I was very pleased with both the dog and the bitch line ups, which meant that I had some real quality Border Terriers to pick from. All the winners looked the part – all in hard condition, with good heads and coats – able to do the job that they were bred for.
Mid Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Aug 2013
Judge: Sharp & Bailey
*Dog Critique*
My thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge the Championship Show for the second time, the first being 10 years ago, and thanks to my Stewards for their efficiency. The entry of 103 with only 9 absentees was pleasing.
Some judges concentrate on heads, others on shape of eyes, or on small dark ears, some on presentation, others on neat accurate movement. As for me – I judge on a whether a dog is “fit for function†as a working terrier plus whether it looks like a Border Terrier and no other type of terrier.
A good proportion of the entry had major faults of construction which would render them, not useless, but inefficient at the job Border Terriers are designed to perform. For instance, short rib cages do not allow for lung room for the stamina a terrier needs to run all day, and these short rib cages (often sprung) were very much in evidence in the entry. Some were accompanied by long loins which might give the impression to the ringside that the dog had good length.
Secondly, upright shoulders, often with steep upper arms are a major design fault. A well laid shoulder with well angulated upper arm which brings the elbow under the body is not just a pleasure to look at – these act as shock absorbers when the dog is running so that his joints are not jarred, leading to wear and tear, thus shortening his effective life as a working terrier.
Finally, wide fronts, often associated with the previous construction – a Border should be able to creep into any space occupied by a fox, and these, despite their chunky appearance have very little body under that fur.
Coats were mixed as to be expected – and there were some really good pelts, only a couple with paper thin pelts. Undercoat was often missing on the back, but present on the sides. A handful of bad mouths, perhaps some all rounders might accept these but I could not. Few really outstanding otter heads which stay in one’s memory for years, but most were adequate.
My critique will not contain descriptions of the dogs, but will give an indication of why they were placed as they were. If your dog was not as high in the placings as you had hoped, take a good objective look at him, and you might find out why.
*Bitch Critique*
A big thank you to the MBTC committee for asking me to judge the Ch. Show it was a great honour. Thank you also to my stewards Ray & Sharon for making the classes run so smoothly. A nice entry of 144 bitches. I enjoyed the day; it was lovely to judge the bitches. The depth of quality in most of the classes was very pleasing. However, the fronts are still a problem within the breed & need to be addressed in future litters. Some quality bitches went cardless, unfortunately there is only 5 cards & many went without being placed. I was so delighted that my fellow judge Marie, agreed that my BCC & BRCC, should win the top honours, Best in Show and RBIS.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Placing Critique
B/T in good coat and condition. Pleasing head and expression. Had a tendency to stand wide in front, but moved OK.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Sep 2013
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
It is always an honour to be invited to judge a club show and my first job here must be to thank Club, Officers, Committee and Members for asking me to judge their show. The hospitality shown to my Mother and myself made it a very enjoyable weekend. Thank you to my capable Stewards Les Moss and Ian Higham for their help on the day.
Thank you all for the great entry both in terms of number and in depth of quality I had to judge. There were some very tough, but enjoyable decisions to be made and in most classes and in the challenges the top honours were fiercely contested. .
I must repeat the often used cliché of not having enough cards on the day. Many who were down the line or even cardless today I would have been happy to have as winners in another entry.
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Sedgley & Gornal CA
24th Nov 2013
Judge: Callie Harris (Nickeltweed)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
West Midland Terrier Society
7th Dec 2013
Judge: Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Placing Critique
Rangier dog than one. He has a strong head, and a good blue coat. He has a good topline which he held on the move. Moved well.
Mansfield & District Canine Society
12th Apr 2014
Judge: Margaret Davies (Glenorchy)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Cheltenham & District Canine Society
8th Feb 2015
Judge: Mrs Tina Jones (Otterholme)
I would like to thank the committee for the invitation to judge at this well run show. My thanks to my steward for keeping things running smoothly and to the exhibitors who entered their borders under me and the sporting manner they accepted my decisions on the day. We had a lovely big ring which I made full use of. Coats were mixed as to be expected, pleasing to find all exhibits of correct size and spannable. Some quality exhibits making for difficult decisions.
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
Placing Critique
quality b/t dog, excellent head, correct ear placement, liked his length of body, pleasing outline. Plenty of pelt in his undergarments today.
Derbyshire Agricultural & Horticultural Society Open Show
24th Jun 2018
Judge: Mr Colin Gullon (Barnfall)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
7th Nov 2021
Judge: Frances Chapman-King (Inzievar)
It was a pleasure to spend a day with the Borders. Thank you to the committee for inviting me, and to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs. By way of general comment I found fronts and front movement to be an issue; and size variable with some too big or heavy – making it difficult to span. There was quality too and some promising youngsters.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Poco For Borderbridge JW
