Show Placings
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Jun 2010
Judge: Mr J Bainbridge (Risdene)
A pleasing entry of 231 dogs with 55 absent on the day made for a representative entry without the classes being over sized. Generally the classes produced good winners none of whom looked out of place in the final line-ups. All were spannable and generally those in the cards were correct in this respect. Most exhibitors probably know by now what I look for in a typical Border Terrier and this was generally evident in today's entry.
Dog CC and BIS Hobholt Harrier JW (Mrs M A Wallace) such a lithe, mature 4 year old grizzle dog of impressive outline in super double coat and thick pelt, well presented, has a correctly proportioned otter head with keen expression, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, straight narrow front, ribbed back body into racy rear quarters which he used to move out well with long loping stride that is so economical for a dog that could go all day and get anywhere when required.
Dog RCC Brumberhill Blue Tempest (Mr S A McPherson) super outline and so well made throughout, and well presented in good coat and moved out well to take this award, just loved him for type.
BCC and RBIS, Brumberhill Breeze (Mr S A McPherson) in full, double grizzle coat and well conditioned. She has a super well balanced head, keen expression, terrific outline with correct flowing topline and well carried back ribs, shows a good underline, this bitch won the CC after much deliberation as all 3 bitches under consideration met the standard well and were active in movement and would have been worthy CC winners but today maturity held sway.
RBCC Yeomeadow Heather for Tyrian (Mrs K Dean). A lovely B/T bitch who was on top form today and has an excellent otter head and expression which finally decided the RCC over the yearling bitch winner.
BP Cobstoneway River Magic (Miss C Spencer) a mature dog puppy, shown in good coat and condition, well made throughout with good otter head and body lines, moved so well with long free gait to clinch this award.
BV CH Gameway Kiwi JW (Mrs P Clark) who was not showing his years, well presented in good coat and looking his best and a worthy champion
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
I liked this one for type and condition. Good otter head and expression, narrow with well laid shoulders, ribbed back into racy rear quarters, one of the best movers in this class
Novice - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Border Union
20th Jun 2010
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
Straight front with good angulation and deep in brisket. Not as steady on the move.
Windsor Championship Dog Show
2nd Jul 2010
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the exhibitors for such a super entry of dogs for me to judge, I thought the standard overall was very good and I found it very encouraging to find some really nice youngsters coming up through the ranks. I had to make very tough decisions in some classes and many good dogs went card less but I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was pleased with my winners.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
Very stylish, confident puppy who really caught my eye when he entered the ring. Pleasing head and expression, super teeth, correctly angulated shoulder, neat front and firm pasterns and small neat feet, strong loin, good hind angulation which he used with good effect on the move. Best Puppy.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Leeds Championship Show
24th Jul 2010
Judge: Mrs F A Somerfield
A good entry with lots of quality Borders in both sexes. It was the last time I shall judge the breed at this level & I enjoyed every minute. It was particularly pleasing to see how much movement had improved since the last time I judged.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
little more forward in coat than 2, well coupled with nice neck, shoulders, front, legs & feet, good skull & eyes, very good teeth
Midland BTC Championship Show
1st Aug 2010
Judge: Small & Baxter
I thoroughly enjoyed the day judged outside at Asfordby. The weatherman certainly smiles as all the Club’s Championship Shows to date have been blessed with clear sky’s. Thanks to the committee for the invite, to my two Stewards on the day, for the wonderful roast lamb lunch, but not least, to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity of assessing your Border Terriers. Thanks for coming. (Judge: Mr A Small)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
pleasing grizzle youngster, lovely head & expression, correct bite, nice front & shoulders, spannable with good coat, thick pelt, went well.
Bournemouth Championship Show
14th Aug 2010
Judge: Mr D W Shields (Wilholme)
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
Very promising. Balanced and well made throughout. Pleasing head and expresion, best of fronts, good legs and feet. Very clean over the neck and shoulders, good body shape. Moved well with good reach and drive, BPD.
Welsh Kennel Club
21st Aug 2010
Judge: Mrs D Townsend
Thank you to everyone for a very enjoyable day, it's always a privilege for me to go over other people's dogs. I was pleased with my class winners but overall I felt that the quality of exhibits was somewhat mixed; movement was good but I have to lament the untypical Border heads that are present together with the high number of single coats
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
Lovely fit dog with good body lines, racy with flat rib, ribbed well back. Moved and showed well; fabulous topline maintained on the move. Just the right size and amount of bone.
City of Birmingham Canine Society
4th Sep 2010
Judge: Miss A D Swales
This was a lovely entry, I send my good wishes for a speedy return to the ring to the scheduled judged Miss E D Rumsan. Coats were at all stages & I have to say that there were some which had no evidence of a second coat. Mouths were good except for, unusually, one overshot, Temperaments appeared to be OK, although a few lack confidence & were hesitant. The green carpet helped to show up some wide fronts & movement which did not extend & lacked drive, needed to follow a horse. All my placed dogs spanned comfortably. I was not happy with some exhibitors who were constantly feeding their dogs, even on the table.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Richmond Championship Show
11th Sep 2010
Judge: Miss Michelle Barnett (Brockfox)
My thanks to The Richmond Societies officers and committee for the warm welcome and the super lunch provided. Gratitude also to my stewards who organised the ring most capably. Thanks also to the exhibitors for their entries at a time in history when finances are truly stretched in this difficult and uncertain financial climate. To judge is always a privilege and on this occasion it was particularly appreciated. Overall I was very impressed with the exhibits, and when judging we are required to find the dog that most fulfils the breed standard and with the increasing variety of types present in the breed it made for some thought provoking decisions. Sadly the continuing trend to show all year round with few exhibits remaining at home to grow a decent double jacket proved that once again there were fewer exhibits shown in the requisite depth of jacket. Therefore I had to face the difficult task of placing some exhibits higher than I would as a rule. As justifiably construction and type being the foremost factor in placings, as coats naturally will come and go. But where as in lots of other breeds the coat can be considered a glamorous adornment please remember that in the Border (terriers in general) it is their essential protection whilst carrying out their job of work. On a positive note I was pleased to see today's entry lacking of the dogs presented in the recent improper fashion of clippering, razor and scissoring which as the true diehards of the breed know is totally unacceptable and exhibitors are to be strongly discouraged in this undesirable practice.
The correct and only way to present a Border terrier is by hand stripping thus achieving the beautiful natural tweedy look synonymous with our breed.
And I quote an extract from an old Border terrier yearbook ?Exhibitors and judges should be reminded that it is not in keeping with the sporting traditions of the breed to have the coat trimmed. The coat should be of a natural weather resisting character. Old dead coat may be stripped off by hand when necessary. The use of a razor or a strip comb embodying a razor in the preparation of dogs for show is strongly objected to?
Dogs that I had previously admired unfortunately paid the penalty today as on closer inspection they did not come to hand so well .Some due to weight, which can be easily remedied with an alteration of diet, exercise and plenty of regular road work. Others sadly due to wide fronts and heavy shoulders, subsequently when running the rule over them they were too coarse and cloddy. Therefore not displaying the lithe supple bodies required in an earth dog ,this is a breed characteristic which of course has to be bred for. Borders are a breed that enjoys longevity, health and well being and this was particularly evident in my DCC and DRCC winners today being a 7 year old and 9 yr old respectively. Perhaps this being true testimony that these males have been bred for the correct narrow body lines that will inevitably stand the test of time.
Temperaments as to be expected were excellent. Overall a most enjoyable day, I was delighted with both my final line ups and to find admirable representatives of the breed for top honours.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Darlington Dog Show Society
17th Sep 2010
Judge: Mr M King
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Driffield Championship Dog Show
2nd Oct 2010
Judge: Mr P J Greenaway
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
very promising grizzle pup, well balanced, good angulation, topline, set on, neck, head, comprehensively proportionate throughout, moved well. BPD
Midland Counties CS
29th Oct 2010
Judge: Phil D Sharp
A magnificent entry, the highest in the terrier group. Some exhibits did not have a good otter head & appeared too coarse. Movement was also an issue, as it should be the hindquarters that provide the propulsion, with the topline remaining reasonably level as the dog moves. Tails were somewhat better than when I last judged at this level. I was pleased with my final line-up for both dogs & bitches.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman
Placing Critique
racy hindquarters contributed to good movement, appeared very fit & had a good loose hide, was in good coat. Would have liked a more ottery head
Class Critique
Disappointing class, with several exhibits not moving well.
Midland BTC Open Show
21st Nov 2010
Judge: Mrs K Newsome (Kighills)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge, it was a great honour to be asked. I would like to say a big thank you to the exhibitors who gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs. I would also like to say many thanks to my stewards for the day Margaret Bailey and Chris Wallace, they were a big help to me and kept everything running smoothly throughout the day. I was told that for the November show that the entry was very good, having 120 entries and a total entry of 165 minus absentees.
The overall quality was good and I had some hard decisions. Temperaments were very good. I was pleased to see good mouths with correct bites and good large teeth, only a couple were found with poor teeth development and incorrect bites. My only criticism on the day would be that not enough attention is being paid to the dog's feet and nails. However, I really enjoyed my day and was very pleased with my winners.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2010
Judge: Mr. Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
My thanks go to the exhibitors who provided an excellent entry in spite of the appalling weather conditions in many parts of the country recently, and the almost inevitable problems to be expected on the M6 motorway. Good quality dogs were present in most classes and I was pleased with both line ups for the CC?s. Coats were generally pretty good with just a few taken out for that ?other show?, and one or two soft coats. I found movement again a problem with a good percentage knitting or pinning at the front, and a lack of drive from the rear. The open dog and junior bitch classes were of the highest quality and some excellent exhibits went away cardless.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
A happy character built well on narrow lines, lovely head and excellent coat. Didn't move as well as 1 at the front.
Manchester Dog Show Society
20th Jan 2011
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
A curate's egg day with some great border terriers and some disappointments too. My winners were typical and not only had the heads to win but moved soundly and had the coat and pelt so desirable in the breed. On the downside, although bites were generally good, there are too many with pathetically weak teeth and several with shoulders set too far forward so they looked narrow but had no fore-chest at all. A terrier needs fore-feet under its chest.
I was looking for borders that were soundly made and could therefore cover ground and I found them but there are some with short choppy actions. However I do not intend to be too pessimistic for the breed put on a good show today and there were some really promising youngsters in the puppy classes. Thank you to those who exhibited dogs with the typical thick harsh coat and pelt, these were all much appreciated.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
14 m.o. Overall good head and expression, ear carriage needs to settle. Coat approaching end but harsh with thick pelt. Straight front, good shoulders with appreciable length of body. Good turn of stifle. Tail set on well. Conformation translated into good movement.
Crufts
12th Mar 2011
Judge: Mrs Elaine Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this prestige show, and a privilege to be able to handle so many good borders. With an entry of 254 dogs, 306 entries, and with the help of my very efficient stewards this enabled me to finish on time for the BOB to go forward into the group. With the large classes it would have been nice to have had more time and more prize cards.
Many borders were in very fit condition and in gleaming coats, others sadly were not. I was very surprised at the numbers that were overweight, a few under and some in poor coat. There is a difference of being short of coat and being untidy which some were, several having scissor cuts in evidence which is totally unnecessary.
Some nice otter type typical heads were in evidence, some with quite large ears which seems to be creeping into the breed, and close set eyes giving an alien expression. Quite a few were upright and heavy in shoulder, with a shorter back than desired. Most were spanable although many had a rounder rib than required. This reflected in my placing's as the fitness and welfare of the dogs is of the uppermost importance, as the breed standard states, the breed being essentially a working terrier.
I thought my principle winners were excellent representatives of the breed, and I enjoyed seeing my BOB being short listed in the group.
Special Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
Nice headed dog with keen expression and good teeth. Okay in shoulder and rib, well coated. Steady showman.
The Border Terrier Championship Show
26th Mar 2011
Judge: Miss Jean Singh (Vandamere)
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
WELKS
29th Apr 2011
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon
Many thanks to my stewards who had everything running smoothly in a calm and good-humoured manner, it makes judging such a pleasure. I had a good entry of 132 dogs with a lower than usual absentee rate of 14%, which was good for a Friday in the present economic climate and I was very pleased to be able to judge outside, although I understand some of the exhibitors found it rather chilly. Quality was rather varied but some of the classes were closely contested and I was delighted with my top winners. Front construction is still a problem with some and coats were rather varied but that could be due to the unseasonal weather which we have had recently. I was also pleased to see a number of the dogs moving freely, with reach in front and good drive from the hindquarters, Border Terriers could not work as they were intended to do without this asset.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
National Dog Show
7th May 2011
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge, I thoroughly enjoyed my day. My two stewards were very efficient and experienced; they managed to keep my ring running smoothly. I found the quality in the dogs overall to be higher than last time I judged, with in both sexes a slight improvement in movement. Although there are still some that are not driving from behind and covering the ground, and some with short, choppy, odd front movement, sometimes coupled with too narrow fronts and lack of muscle tone. Maybe more road walking would help in some cases to build up muscle, but in others is down to a problem with shoulder construction and pasterns. I found no incorrect mouths, there were a couple with broken teeth, hopefully indicative that we still work some of our show dogs. But there was a shortage of those lovely strong big teeth that the breed is known for and small teeth are on the increase. What also did disturb me was that large heavy ears seem to be creeping into the breed, which affects that lovely typical expression. In a lot of classes places could alter on another day, in fact in some classes I was spoilt for choice and would have liked more than one red card. I was delighted with my top winners who all fitted my criteria very well, every one of them displaying correct Border type coupled with sound and true movement.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Bath Championship Show
27th May 2011
Judge: Mr B Rodgers
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
Very similar to 1st. Nice head with good expression. Good shoulders with good coat. Good tail - set-on well. Just preferred head on 1st.
Three Counties
8th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Ron Wheatley
Thanks for the large and interesting entry. Although quality was variable there were many good entries to examine. Most were of a good size and generally coats were good, feet very variable, particularly hind ones. Although many moved out with drive, movement in many others was a concern. Many would benefit from more exercise and muscle development. There was only 1 kinked tail and mouths were mainly good. Finally, please realise that if you bait your exhibit on the table the judge can't see it!
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Southern BTC Championship Show
11th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Rainer Vuorinen (Finland)
It was a great honour and privilege to judge your wonderful breed. Thanks to all, the committee, my stewards and everybody who made my day so wonderful. Thanks to all the exhibitors for their excellent sporting attitude. The hospitality was outstanding and many thanks for the beautiful present. I have been thinking of the overall standard and I have to say your dogs represent a very high quality.
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Blackpool Championship Show
24th Jun 2011
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald
My sincere thanks to Blackpool & District Canine Society, for inviting me to judge at this level, for the first time. Even the weather was kind to us!!
A special thank you, to the exhibitors for your support, giving me the highest terrier entry, and the sheer joy of going over every exhibit, thank one and all.
It was a fabulous entry, numerically and depth of quality.
On the downside I found one cryptorchidic, one suspect tail, and a lot of dirty teeth, although mouths were generally good.
Coats were at various stages and in some cases they were the deciding factor, movement not too bad, the odd one “pinning in”.
There were some attractive exhibits of both genders, that went ‘cardless’ today, for me, there was just too much of them.
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
light grizzle different type, longer in muzzle to 1, good bone, in full coat, moved out well, a tad heavier.
Windsor Championship Dog Show
30th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Bill Browne-Cole
Since I last judged the breed I do feel movement is a concern. A lot of back ends need to strengthen and capabilities to follow a horse were not always there today. I was however extremely pleased with my main winners who were from the ‘top drawer’ and so very typical of the breed.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
Nice head and skull, ears well set. Looked good on the move but needs to settle in front.
East of England
10th Jul 2011
Judge: Mrs Kate Irving
The entry of 141 was a pleasing one for these days and I thank exhibitors for their entries. By and large I was pleased by the coats of many exhibits and though some were rather short of coat, coat texture was generally speaking quite pleasing. Presentation however left a good deal to be desired in many instances Hindquarters were good in the main. But once again my view was that fronts in the breed require much more attention than they are being given by either breeders or judges. It seems to me that we have in the breed various front faults, mostly I think coming from poor shoulders. There are flicking fronts, loaded fronts, high stepping fronts, horseshoe fronts, bowed fronts and so on and not enough of the dogs have fronts which fit the standard. In the main I was satisfied that there were many more typical heads and expressions than on some previous occasions when I have judged
DCC and Best of Breed went to ORANGEBOX FIRECRACKER (MR M & MRS T ANSCOMBE) a dog with a very pleasing head and expression, good skull and correct eye and ears to complete the picture. He has a good neck and typical outline and is well proportioned with a good tailset. He is OK for size and was shown today in plenty of coat. Moved out really well and scored for showmanship. He has a good deal of quality and type about him.
BCC went was won by BANDICOOT JAZZ (MR G E & MRS V L K DOCWRA) a bitch with an excellent head and a lovely typical expression. She is up to size and was shown in pretty full coat today. She moved very well in front and behind. She shows very well indeed and presented an excellent picture all round. She too has a great deal of breed type and quality and has good body lines and scope.
Best Puppy went to the dog OLDERHILL AFORTUNADO (MRS S WILSON) a very typey dog which excels in head and has a really good eye and expression. He is very good in topline and tailset. I thought that he was good in shoulder and presented a good typical picture all round.
Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Leeds Championship Show
24th Jul 2011
Judge: Mrs Beverley Barber
Thank you for your lovely entry at this fine venue. Thanks also to my efficient and helpful stewards without which we wouldn’t have a show! My main aim when judging is to find a dog that fits as near the breed standard as is possible ,but must have overall good dog conformation. It must be balanced standing and also, most definitely, when it is on the move. This is a hard task because the perfect dog in any breed has yet to be found. When judging on this occasion I did manage to find dogs that had good front angulation, allowing the necessary reach to cover the ground, coupled with adequate rear angulation to give drive to the assembly and so presented a good picture on the move with no change to the dog’s appearance. I had very few short stepping, short backed dogs with such poor construction that the rear becomes noticeably higher than the shoulder when they are on the move. Heads, as always, were very varied, some mouths were out of line, there were some missing premolars which if this perpetuates will alter the head shape. Feet were mostly thick and neat, coats varied and undercoats were in the main a little sparse, but in view of the winter we have just had they have probably spent a long time shedding them. All the dogs I judged today I could span, although chest shape was not always correct. Thank you to all exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of judging your dogs, which I enjoyed immensely.
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
Pleasing dog . Well angulated front and rear. Good topline. Strong through front , spannable with good coat and pelt. Moved okay.
Richmond Championship Show
10th Sep 2011
Judge: Mrs Beverley Jackson
I was incredibly honoured to be invited to award my first CC’s at Richmond. After much anticipation and excitement the long-awaited day arrived. I was thrilled with the size of my entry and wish to thank all exhibitors for giving me the honour of judging your dogs. I totally appreciate how difficult times are now and am humbled that you chose to exhibit. I was delighted with both of my line ups. I have always hated it when judges say oh I wish I had had more top awards, but I can honestly say that I truly now understand where they were coming from. I had some incredibly difficult classes with a lot of quality. This scenario continued when it came to choosing who the CC’s and Reserve’s should go to. There are, however, two distinct “types” of Borders developing, and often classes contained a mixture of both types. The chisled heads with high placed ears are not typical and we need to try to breed away from this as we are in danger of losing the otter head. I found no bad mouths ? just a few where teeth “placement” was peculiar, and some dirty teeth. Presentation on the whole has improved, although please leave the scissoring to other terriers. Our ring was a “bit of a ploughed field” but most exhibitors managed to find a level part and not fall over!
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
Lovely young dog with a typical head and expression I would expect from this kennel. Good on the move. Nice length of back. Good straight front. Coat in good condition. Nice loose pelt.
Driffield Championship Show
1st Oct 2011
Judge: Mrs Jean Willets
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at this show. Also the exhibiters for giving me the top entry in the terrier group and some good dogs went home card less. A big thanks to both the stewards for being so efficient and making everything run so smooth especially on such a hot day.
I was pleased with the temperaments of the dogs, and there wasn't as many short backs. As a working dog they do need to turn in a tight corner so require a flatter rib and longer back, not short and square which has been the fashion recently.
Movement on the whole was o.k., but the ground did not help as it was uneven with dips everywhere. The heat wave did affect some dogs adversely.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
Strong head with keen expression in good condition. Hard coat with good pelt. Moved out well keeping a good topline on the move
Midland Counties
30th Oct 2011
Judge: Mr Alan Small (Timoray)
Thanks for a lovely entry. I thougherly enjoyed my day. Special thanks for the invite and to my two lady stewards who kept things moving along nicely. I was particularly impressed with the young stock which augurs well for the breed. Coats were at all stages, from coming in to on the turn.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
National Terrier
7th Apr 2012
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Thank you for a super entry. At times I felt I had been let loose in a sweetie shop such was the quality of the exhibits before me. Indeed because I was spoilt I was hard on jaw and dentition faults and Borders that were more smart terrier than true Border in type. My experience over the years leads me to believe that such faults are heart-breakingly likely to continue to bite in the future if not stamped on. My main winners were true Borders. You read of “a-ha moments†and happily for me there were some rather nice ones here. Good times indeed.
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
stronger in head than 2 with good skull and foreface and lovely shaped eye producing pleasing expression, ok in neck and shoulder, rear quarters satisfactory
Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Nov 2012
Judge: Mrs Gill Hunt (Ottaswell)
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
Placing Critique
A deceptive dog carrying a full coat who appears heavier than he actually is. Nice flat skull and good eye shape. Nice neck and shoulder, good topline and excellent set tail. Rear end constructed well and used to cover the ground well.
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.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Hobholt Helmsman JW
