Show Placings
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
26th Apr 2024
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Many Thanks to WELKS for asking me to judge at their show, it was an honour, also thank you so much to everyone that entered under me, I had some great dogs to go over. Congratulation to all my winners. Thanks also go to my very competent stewards for keeping my ring running smoothly.
All the males were entire. Apart from 3 level bites all mouths were correct and teeth of good size. Temperaments were all sound except one or two that really didn’t like being in the noisy hall and were a little bit subdued. It’s hard to judge true movement on a slippery concrete floor and in some classes the placings could have changed if we had been outside on grass.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Yeovil & District Canine Society Open Show
5th May 2024
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
Firstly, my thanks, as ever, goes to the committee and helpers of the shows whose efforts cannot be underestimated. Today it was the turn of Yeovil and District Canine Society whose sterling efforts despite the persistent and often heavy downpour,resulted in a well-run show with ever helpful and smiling faces- Bravo! Secondly my appreciation to Jan Russell de Clifford whose stalwart efforts as steward in our ring for the whole (freezing) day resulted in an efficient and well run ring. My thanks must also go to the exhibitors who primarily turned up on the most inclement of days, and accepted my decisions with good grace and not a little humour as the heavens opened.
The wind and rain did influence the performance of many of the exhibits unfortunately; but some rose to the challenge, and several were simply oblivious to it. Coats, as ever, were in various stages of growth; some great movement noted in many of the exhibits; all teeth clean and with correct bites and no kinked tails to note; feet on the whole were tidy and correct.
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Marlborough & DCS Premier Open Show
6th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Firstly, I would like to thank the organisers of the show for the warm welcome and hospitality. I had some lovely dogs to go over.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
Taller puppy, nice eye and expression, short strong muzzle, good reach of neck, spannable. Coat just coming through, moved well.
National Dog Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mr Patrick Glover (USA)
I wanted to thank the committee for the honour of judging your show. I sincerely apologize for the delay of the critique due to ill health. Coming from another country it was especially grateful to have such excellent Stewards to help guide me. And I thank all the exhibitors that came to exhibit under me. It was a pleasure to see so many quality Borders, and have them in hand. I was very satisfied with my final lineup. I enjoyed the depth of type that you have in the UK. Part of that may be seeing Borders with a proper coat. Unfortunately, Borders in the USA are not shown in such coat anymore which I do not understand. I only saw two bad bites, and I see you are battling some of the same issues we are in the US, one being straight fronts. A good Border must have some prosternum to be constructed in a proper way where the legs are under the dog rather than in front of it. The second being is the loss of rib. Your standard states “ribs carried well back” Our standard states the same thing, only adding the word deep “deep ribs carried well back. Both proper fronts and rib are essential to a working terrier, and attention must be paid to both. Overall, I enjoyed going over so many good Borders and again I thank you for the opportunity
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Scottish Kennel Club (May)
16th May 2024
Judge: Miss Rebecca Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you to SKC for inviting me to judge at their show, I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I was very pleased with my entry, thank you to all the exhibitors who value my opinion enough to enter their dogs under me. There were some very strong classes and some very pleasing youngsters. I was very pleased with my principle winners and I was delighted to see my BOB get shortlisted in a strong group and my BPIB get TPG3 in the puppy group. It was also an honour to make up two new well deserving champions, making it three new champions in one day over the two shows, which I believe is a new breed record.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Scottish Kennel Club (Ocober)
16th May 2024
Judge: Mr. Stewart Golding (Beaconpike)
Sorry for delay in critiques, work commitments had to take priority. Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge the October show which was brought forward in conjunction with the May show. Thank you to my two stewards for keeping the ring running smoothly, which wasn’t easy with two shows running side by side. Thank you to the Exhibitors for a lovely entry and accepting my decisions in a sportsmanlike manner. I had some difficult decisions especially in the bitch classes where I just didn’t have enough cards to hand out. Coats from last time I judged had improved and it was a pleasure to see so many in correct double coat of depth. On the whole movement was good. I did find a couple of incorrect bites and one kinked tail
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Bath Canine Society
26th May 2024
Judge: Mr Ian Higham (Comberdown)
I would like to thank Mr. Lee Cox and the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for making my wife and I feel so welcome at their show. Also my two amazingly competent stewards Mark and Joyce who were just brilliant at their job.
I found nothing obviously untoward or concerning, apart from, surprisingly, a few too heavy ones, which cost placings. We need to remember functionality.
In general, overall, this was an entry of terrific in-depth quality. What an absolute privilege it was to go over them. Thank you all so much!
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
G & T with nice head. He had a good coat and he moved well fore and rear with good top-line and nice tail set. Narrow and easily spanned.
Southern Counties Canine Association
1st Jun 2024
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gabybryl)
This was my first-time awarding Challenge Certificates in Border Terriers and many thanks to those that entered under a non-breed specialist, and well done for braving what was a bitter wind. If this was a representative entry, then I am heartened by the general health and condition of the breed. Good coats, good pelts and super large dentition were the majority. There are some nice youngsters in the lower classes. Just two points as a non-specialist if I might be permitted, firstly the standard calls for a small ear and I found quite a few otherwise nice exhibits with large houndy ears which did somewhat detract from the overall expression. Secondly several dogs broke quite markedly at the front pastern which spoilt the overall impression on the move, these points need watching.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Class Critique
This was a lovely class and the depth of quality augers well.
Three Counties Agricultural Society
8th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my very capable stewards, Bill and Tricia for their efficiency and helpfulness and especially to the exhibitors who afforded me the honour of going over their dogs.
The weather was kind and the ring of sufficient size to allow dogs to get into their stride.
Overall I felt that there was more quality in the bitches but was more than pleased with my main winners in both sexes. Size and front movement continue to be problems and coats were at all stages of growth-this did affect some placings. I only found one undershot bite and all males were entire. Several dogs were carrying rather too much condition but more worrying were the few who were almost painfully thin which also meant that these dogs couldn’t possibly possess the muscle needed for work. A number of dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
Another 7 month old grizzle. Rangier pup with a masculine head and good angulation front and rear. Well ribbed back, harsh outer coat but a bit lacking in undercoat today. Front movement rather loose but only a baby.
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
Outmoved by his brother in this class.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge their show, it was an honour. Also for making David and myself so welcomed and the enjoyable lunch. The quality of the Borders were pleasing to go over. Big thank you to my stewards Julie and Robert, keep the classes running smoothly all day. Finally thank you to all the exhibitors who braved the cold weather, it did stay dry and allowing me to go over their dogs. All the males were entire, as usual the coats were at various stages which cost some dogs higher placing. Some wide fronts let them down, large ears were a problem in some exhibits. I was delighted with all my winners such quality.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Best Opposite Sex Puppy
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
Nice head & expression, up to size, good front & rear angulation moved out well for one so young, in excellent coat BPD
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
See MPD
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to the officers and committee of Windsor Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time at such a prestigious show. I must also thank my two very experienced stewards Bill & Trish Gray who were a great support to me with their calm, friendly and pleasant manner. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors who entered their border terriers under me and accepted my decisions in a sporting manner.
The weather became very hot as the day progressed with some dogs flagging a little on the move. Fortunately we had some shade via the marquee, the grass had got quite dried out and I felt a few exhibits didn’t move as well as others on it but generally movement was better than I have observed in the past. I must also mention how disappointed I was to find so many exhibits with dirty teeth, cleaning them should be part of a dog’s care and grooming routine.
I was so delighted with my top winning border terriers that I felt had exceptional breed quality and were presented and shown to best advantage.
Many quality exhibits were in some classes down the line or unplaced due to the depth of quality present and on another day may change places.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
I would like to thank the Committee for offering me this appointment, I was honoured to be given this opportunity. Thank you also to my stewards for all their hard work keeping the show running as smoothly as possible, for which I was very grateful. There were some lovely dogs present but front movement and lack of correct length and angulation of the upper arm continues to be a problem in some exhibits as well as size and correct coat . We should not forget the first line in the breed standard “essentially a working terrier”.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
up to size puppy with a decent head and keen expression. Good coat and pelt. Moved soundly .
Boston & District Canine Society
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Julie Green (Breckgreen & Stowthorney)
I would like to thanks the officers and committee of Boston and District Canine society for inviting me to give my first set of tickets in Border Terriers. It was such a well-run show and in such a lovely setting. I would also like to thank the exhibitors who entered under me. Thanks also to my two stewards who kept the ring moving for me on the day.
All in all, I was happy with my entry. I found all males to be entire and no kinked tails on the day. A couple of mouths that were not quite correct.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
Slightly taller dog than first. He has a nice head. A bit short of coat today but what he had was harsh. Narrow throughout. Moved out well
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
Many thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge. Everyone worked hard throughout the day to ensure it ran smoothly. There were a few clashes with the main Boston Championship show but these were well managed. Thanks also to the competitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner and creating a wonderful atmosphere around the ring.
There was a super entry of 172 dogs making 217 entries which I found both exciting and daunting, having had a total knee replacement operation just weeks before!
Overall, I found the standard of exhibits was good. Coats were a mixture ranging from pure undercoat to absolute perfection. The majority of exhibits were spannable. All dogs were entire. I found just one undershot mouth. I forgave loose movement in some of the younger dogs which will hopefully tighten as they mature, but adults moving wide or close had to be penalised. Several lacked bone and substance, being on the leg as well as short coupled making the outline somewhat squarer than I was looking for. Handling was generally good, with one very professional young handler who really impressed me with her skills. My main winners were presented in stunning condition, and I had some difficult decisions to make in the higher classes, wishing I could award more than just one Challenge Certificate.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
grizzle, good head, dark eye and big teeth, on the leg, racy .
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
3rd PD
Southampton & DCS Open Show
21st Jul 2024
Judge: Gillian Knight (Talanors)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Arunmere Bullet Proof
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Wiveliscombe DCS Open Show
28th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs J. Fairweather (Ock)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Paignton Championship Show
2nd Aug 2024
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the officers and committee for my first-time appointment at this level. This show is my ‘local’ which made it even more special, If you have never been it is worth the trip down the M5 a warm welcome will meet you.
I was thrilled with the quality of my entry, one observation I did find a lot of untidy feet, splayed toes, long nails and thin pads, I did however find no kinked tails and only one mouth fault.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
Grizzle of 10 months, build on different lines than 1st being slightly larger all round but still spannable, he has a very masculine head with a keen expression that houses a correct strong scissor bite. Covered the ground with his reach in front could be better behind. Just couldn’t match 1 for overall type and presence.
Wealdstone & Northolt Canine Society Open Show
9th Aug 2024
Judge: Sarah Richardson
My thanks for the committee for their kind invitation to judge at this combined Premier Open Show with Bournemouth Canine Association Premier Open Show. My thanks also to the exhibitors for their entry.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG3, Arunmere Bullet Proof
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Arunmere Bullet Proof
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
9month Grizzle male. Liked him for size, shape and bone. Masculine head with good eye and ear. Straight front. Presented in good order, promising youngster. BOB & BP
Bournemouth Championship Show
12th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Wendy Mooney (Chesterton)
Thank you to my stewards, Hayley and Malcolm and to all the exhibitors who endured the heat and accepted my decisions sportingly, on what must have been one of the hottest days of the year. Overall the quality of the entry was good with some lovely dogs. Mouths, tails and size were generally good. Coats varied (as they always do) in both quality and the stage of growth. There were a number of pelts that could have been thicker and loose which was disappointing as this is mentioned in the standard and important from a working point of view. I was surprised and disappointed to see evidence of scissorwork on some coats and grooming was not always done to the dog’s best advantage – this does not affect the ability to work but this is a dog show and presentation therefore does count to a degree when placing the dogs. Compared to the last time I judged, I felt that size had improved and in most cases the dogs today were closer to the standard.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Mid Somerset Agricultural Society Open Show
18th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Laurie Hunt (Setthornes)
Special Yearling /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
City of Birmingham Championship Show
31st Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Clare Sansom (Tarkaswell)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the City of Birmingham Canine Association Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time.
With storm Lillian resulting in the abandonment of Driffield, the JBTC were also able to hold their show in an adjacent ring. Hall 3 at the Royal Kennel Club building was light, spacious and an ideal venue. A certain amount of flexibility was required when classes clashed, and I am very grateful to my experienced stewards Chris Woolner and Caroline Wise for their hard work. They were calm, efficient and kept the ring running smoothly. With their help we finished in time to ensure that all those who had won major awards could get to their groups.
My sincere thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a quality entry and accepting my decisions in a sporting manner. We had very few absentees and I often had difficult decisions to make. In several classes, I would have liked some additional prize cards to award.
Coats did have an influence on the results, with those presented at their best, in a harsh, dense double jacket with thick pelt, being rewarded. A few exhibits would have benefitted from having their feet tidied to have achieved a neater picture. I found two kinked tails, two with incorrect dentition and all male dogs were entire.
I was delighted with my principal winners, who all fulfilled my interpretation of the breed standard on the day. It was a privilege to judge such an entry, and the lovely atmosphere, with applause and cheers for the winners, made it extra special.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
A 10 month old grizzle dog, with a masculine head, broad skull, dark eye and correct scissor bite. He had a good reach of neck, and although larger framed, he was easily spanned. His jacket was not quite at its best today, and he was unable to match the dense coat and pelt of my winner. Good angulation front and rear enabled him to move out with drive and purpose.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Westbury and DCS Open Show
15th Sep 2024
Judge: Mr Stephen R. Goodwin (Lanola)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Arunmere Bullet Proof
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Salisbury & South Wilts CS Open Show
22nd Sep 2024
Judge: Norman Bristow
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG3, Arunmere Bullet Proof
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1,Arunmere Bullet Proof
Special Yearling /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Romsey & DCS Open Show
6th Oct 2024
Judge: Mr John Dare (Bowstaff)
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Special Yearling /
Second Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
I was honoured to accept SWKA's invitation to judge at their championship dog show where I received a warm welcome,even on cold day!
A Big applause to my two fabulous stewards ( I’m so sorry I forgot to make a note of your names – you were so appreciated by myself and the exhibitors)
It was such a very cold day inside the halls ,though myself being on my feet continuously moving,I kept warm.Unsurprisingly some dogs were feeling the chill and shivering on the table which showed how cold it was.
I was honoured and humbled to have such a fabulous entry both numerically and in quality, especially the limit & Open dog classes where I can quite rightly use the old cliche “I wish I had more cards to give out “, it's unfortunate when you have to let some dogs go unplaced that had great appeal, but such was the quality today .
Before my journey back to Cornwall that day I managed to stay and watch the groups where both the BoB & BPIB gave fantastic accounts of themselves, the exciting puppy gaining PGrp 1, he went back for the final day to go all the way to BPIS.
We were sadly unfortunate to have a large Terrier breed crated close by who's owners seemed unaware of the their unattended dogs behaviour ,every time human or dog traffic went by it caused them to “ kick off “frequently .This isn't fair on dogs on the table being examined or dogs on the move, therefore I had to stop judging twice until attempts to quieten the offending dogs were made.
A few points of note were-
A small handful of youngsters lacked body condition, I could feel ribs with no covering teamed with thin pelts. I believe diet & exercise comes into play here so consider what & how much you’re feeding , plus good exercise regime
Mouths were disappointing ,some with very small teeth & more untidy bites than I've encountered in the past.
Movement was ok in the main though it let down some otherwise beautiful exhibits who looked a picture stood but sadly fell apart on the move, we had the odd flicking out front foot , plaiting fronts, crabbing , wide rears & some loosing their top lines.
Lastly a plea – it would help immensely if exhibitors didn’t use excess bait on the table while a judge is trying hard to get a good clear look at bites ,it meant a fight to get a proper view of the mouth while a dog is having bait pushed in or the dog is busily chewing . Holding off baiting until the judge has got past the head would be most helpful.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
Lovely type on this young dog, very appealing Otter like head and expression.
Neat narrow front with good small padded feet.
Ideal length of body with ribs well carried back into correctly set and carried tail.
Good economic length of stride, he gave a lovely account of himself
Presented in good double coat of the correct texture.Spanned easily
Good Citizen - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Placing Critique
see 1st Junior Dog
Tredegar DCS Open Show
19th Oct 2024
Judge: Miss Felicity Snook (Pitcombe)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Arunmere Bullet Proof
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
3rd Nov 2024
Judge: Mrs Eileen Cole (Towden)
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Limit /
First Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2024
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Good Citizen - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
Special Beginners - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Arunmere Bullet Proof
