Show Placings
Windsor Championship Dog Show
1st Jul 2022
Judge: Mr David G Winsley (Davmar)
I last judged the breed in 2017 so most of the dogs were new to me. I felt that the breed is losing that ‘ otter head’ appearance, fore-faces appearing to be too long. Poor front construction in many was a deciding factor in my placing, our ring didn’t help, but the conditions were the same for everyone.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Blue/tan with a pleasing head, keen expression. Good neck & shoulders, lean well ribbed body. Correct tailset in good coat, needs to firm up in movement both ways.
East of England
9th Jul 2022
Judge: Mr Bob Blackley (Vaevictus)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss Rebecca Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you very much to the committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this show, it is a club that is very dear to me having been a member for over 30 years and I very much enjoyed my day. Thank you to my three stewards Laura, La and Richard for doing an amazing job of looking after me and keeping me well fuelled! Thank you also to all of the exhibitors who made the decision to enter their beautiful dogs under me, I know that we have to be selective in this current climate and I was absolutely delighted with such a fabulous entry. I felt overall that the dogs were of excellent quality and the majority were turned out beautifully. Heads are good in the main, we are getting away from that bulbus rounded skull and teddy bear expression and going back to a more traditional look. I would say the things that need addressing the most are front angulation, there are still quite a few dogs lacking in upper arm and also poor rear angulation appears to be creeping in a little. However, I found some beautiful dogs and I was very pleased with my main winners, some classes were extremely competitive and some good dogs had to go cardless. I thank you all for persevering in the heat, it was a tough day for me judging in such intense heat, so I am sure it was difficult for the exhibits too. I hope my winners appreciated our crochet efforts with the personalised rosettes, which mum and I took a lot of pleasure in making.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Sheringham & District KA Open Show
18th Sep 2022
Judge: Mr Tan Nagrecha (Chandlimore)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Great Yarmouth Gorleston & District Canine Society Premier Open Show
25th Sep 2022
Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
My sincere thanks go firstly, to the Committee for inviting me to judge at their Premier Show, at which the Border Terrier classes were also being kindly supported by the East Anglia Border Terrier Club. Secondly to the exhibitors for such a marvellous entry and for giving me the opportunity of going over their dogs and last, but not least, to my Steward, Karen Bridge, for her invaluable assistance in keeping the ring running smoothly. Movement today was sometimes difficult to assess, especially with the youngsters, as the ring surface was full of delicious smells both from the horses and the previous days dog show.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Boston & District Canine Society
8th Jan 2023
Judge: Tracy Butler (Ycart)
Firstly I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge there well run show,also many thanks must go to my very capable stewards on an excellent job in keeping the ring running smoothly.
The biggest thanks must go the exhibitors for there entries,and there sportsmanship on my decisions.
In my opinon,my findings where as follows,the standard asks for “essencially a working terrier”,this is a statement that is very close to my heart.
Unfortunatley some do not fit this,short upperarms are still very present,restricting reach in movement.Some dogs would benefit from less food and more exercise.
Muscle tone varied greatly,some dogs lacking,these dogs are bred to do a job.
With the rising costs of entries,some exhibits would benefit greatly from a good tidy up and the mud removed from there under bellies.
I was pleased with my overall winners,some nice quality exhibits.
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2023
Judge: Mrs Patsy Hollings (Gunalt)
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Feb 2023
Judge: Roger Mann (Lynsett)
My thanks go to the committee of Midland Border Terrier Club for their invitation to judge the February Open show. I had some lovely dogs to judge & would like to thank the exhibitors for their entries. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Almost 14mth Blue dog with a good head having strength of muzzle, correct eye shape & neat well set ears. Nice reach of neck into level topline with well set & carried tail. Narrow all through with a harsh textured coat. Easily spanned with a thick loose pelt. Moved out well
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
11th Feb 2023
Judge: Mr John Scanlan (Pantycelyn)
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Good moving youngster,well placed ear dark eye with correct bite. Clean front easily spanned tail carried well.
Newark & DCS Open Show
25th Feb 2023
Judge: Mrs V Mann (Lynsett)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
14mth Blue dog. Smart boy with a masculine head, strength of muzzle, good bite, correct width of skull & well set ears carried close to his cheeks. Stands on straight legs & tight feet. Balanced angulation with width of second thigh. Not too deep. Ribs reach well back. Narrow all through with a level topline held on the move & correctly set & carried tail. Good coat texture with a thick loose pelt & spannable. Moved out well. BOB
Woolwich, Bexley & District Canine Association Open Show
19th Mar 2023
Judge: David Burrage (Sametova)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
15 months blue tan dog of good proportion and nice in overall outline with good harsh coat, moved with some drive, front will harden with time.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2023
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
What an absolute honour and a privilege to be invited to judge this show, my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Border Terrier Club, and my two excellent stewards for the day, Judy and Marina.
My sincere thanks also, to ALL the exhibitors for making it truly memorable, with 196 dogs, 233 entries.
Some very close decisions had to be made!
On the down side, I found some very short muzzles and small teeth, and quite a number of filthy teeth!! Temperaments were generally good, there were 2 kinked tails and 1 suspect mouth, a lack of muscle tone and condition in some exhibits, which is essential for a terrier to do it’s job.
That said, it was an absolute joy to see so many super dogs.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
National Terrier Club
1st Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Sarah Dandy (Dandale)
There was a good depth of quality overall across both sexes which proved for good competition and some very close decisions especially in the larger classes. Thank you to all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly. Temperaments were excellent especially the youngsters with the added challenge of the tannoy right overhead. There were some very promising youngsters which is always pleasing and positive to see, and I was delighted with my winning line up in both sexes, with top honours closely contested. I was disappointed that some exhibits who looked so good standing fell apart on the move, there were quite a few upright shoulders and I felt that efficient ground covering movement so essential for the breeds ability to follow a horse was somewhat lacking. It is encouraging to see quite a few younger handlers taking an interest in our breed today, so positive for the future. Thank you to both my excellent stewards who most competently kept the ring moving all day.
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Classy B/T of racy build and narrow throughout with correct ribbing, easily spannable. Liked his length of body with a flowing topline, croup and tailset and an excellent underline with firm loin, standing on good straight legs and neat feet. Pleasing typical head of good proportions. Very eye-catching, he presents a good profile both standing and on the move. Impressed me moving freely around the ring with a ground covering stride. Well-honed and in fit order. Smart dog with much to like.
Crystal Palace Canine Association Dog Show
8th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
16th Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
A bit thank to the committee of EABTC for inviting me to judge their championship show. I really enjoyed my day and when I later looked at the catalogue to see my winners I found it interesting reading, as all my major winners were of similar lines.
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
up standing b/t, masculine head, good topline and ribs carried well back. Not in the best of coats. Needs time to mature.
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
27th Apr 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Walshaw (Janmark)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge at WELKS, it was quite a few years ago now, as I was due to judge them at the beginning of lockdown. Due to the heavy rain that had fallen over the preceding days, all judging was inside. It was slightly draughty, but we were allocated a double ring, so plenty of space, to see the exhibits stride out. I must thank the two stewards Lynn Jones and Celia Vines who kept the ring flowing beautifully and the exhibitors for making prompt appearances, we did well for time, starting approx. 0930 and finishing around 14:45. I thank all exhibitors for a wonderful entry (123 dogs making 172 entries} for a Thursday in Malvern and appreciate their time and expense for entering under me. There was plenty of quality to choose from and I was happy with my final decisions. Dentition was very good and a pleasure to judge dogs with clean teeth. I did find muscle tone to be poor/average in a lot of the exhibits, which must be one of the key areas for any working terrier. Jackets were mixed as was movement.
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
A very big thank you to the SBTC for inviting me to judge this very well run show, to Marina for stewarding and to the exhibitors for entering under me.
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
BL/T with ticking, coat just coming through, ok in head, again I would like a shorter muzzle, a lovely slim dog right through his body, ribs are well back, straight narrow front, standing on thick pads. Up to size, movement was free flowing.
National Dog Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Brigitte Belin Bernaudin (France)
First, I thank the committee for the invitation to judge this prestigious show. Thanks to my stewards for making a super job and keep my judging running smoothly. It was a real honour and privilege as foreign judge and breeder to have the opportunity of this 1st appointment to give CC in my breed, and thank to exhibitors to allow me to go over so many good Border.
Being able in my country to work my dogs, I have been looking for the right conformation as asks in the standard, making dogs able to do their original work underground and was happy many could do so.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Blue and Tan , very typey. Narrow all through. Good head and bite. Good reach of neck in well placed shoulders. Straight and narrow front. Ribs well back and easily spannable. Very nice length of body. Excellent topline and underline. Well setted tail, well carried on the move. Lovely profile. Like his free movement a lot with reach and drive, covering his ground. Just build to do his job.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Mr Keith Baldwin (Nightstorm)
I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their club open show.
It is now 17 years that I have been judging Border Terriers and it was the 6th August 2011 that I attended the Midland Border Terrier Club breed specific seminar when Jena Tuck was the secretary.
I was very pleased with my entry of 112 quality dogs and bitches, also I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors who entered and for allowing me to go over their dogs. They all showed and behaved very well. I can report back to you that you have overall one of the soundest breeds that I have judged.
Last but not least I would like to thank my stewards who did an excellent job keeping everything flowing smoothly between the two shows in the Margaret Everton Pavilion
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Great Yarmouth Gorleston & District Canine Society Premier Open Show
8th May 2023
Judge: Jane Eyeington (Meadowdale)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of this well-run show for their kind invitation to judge. I was delighted with the super dogs that I had the pleasure of judging, all a real credit to you. A huge thank you to the exhibitors for the honour of your lovely dogs. A huge thank you to my 2 very efficient stewards, who also had a very long day, the show could not go on without you, so thank you.
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Smart 17 month old B/T dog, so balanced and unexaggerated, with a lovely flow to his outline. Built on racy lines. Good otter head, width to the skull, strong short muzzle, good bite, dark eye with a keen expression. Pleasing length of neck, clean and straight front. Right amount of depth to be able to span, good length to the ribcage with a firm level topline. Not quite the width of thigh of his kennel mate, but strong hindquarters. A lovely true mover in all directions. Shown in a harsh jacket – RBOB
Gravesend and Medway Towns Canine Society Open Show
14th May 2023
Judge: Mr Paul Richardson (Weisel)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Coventry & District Kennel Society Open Show
21st May 2023
Judge: Mark Atkinson (Raedwulf)
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Bath Canine Society
29th May 2023
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for inviting me to judge today. A big thank you to my two very efficient stewards, Mark and Joyce, who kept the ring running smoothly and efficiently. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, it is always a privilege to do so. I was disappointed not to have been able to stay and watch the groups but circumstances outwith my control prevented me from doing so.
While there were plenty of good ‘otter’ heads in evidence, I found some heads lacking in muzzle strength and some with stops that were too deep, neither of which is desirable. Some exhibits were too heavy in frame and consequently didn’t come to hand easily. Some dogs had weak pasterns and feet that could have been tighter. Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, some just going over the top, and in some cases, this was a deciding factor. Overall, movement was good with correct tracking, plenty of drive off well angulated hindquarters and good length of stride. Some dogs could have benefited from more ring training and, at times, baiting on the table was excessive. A dog scrambling to get to bait makes it more difficult to assess. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners and final line-up. I was also pleased to see my Best Veteran win the Terrier Veteran Group, my Best Puppy shortlisted in the Terrier Puppy Group and my Best Special Beginners, Special Beginners Terrier Group 4
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Three Counties Championship Dog Show
9th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Three Counties Championship Dog Show. My appointment was originally for 2020 but it was worth the wait to be able to judge at this lovely showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Many thanks indeed to my stewards Bill and Trish who kept everything moving ringside in an efficient and pleasant manner. My thanks go to all the exhibitors who brought their dogs under me. It was a real privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There were some close decisions and I would like to thank all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly.
Based on my entry I felt that the overall quality of the breed was good. Most were fit and I thought that fronts and heads had improved from the last time I judged. There were only a few that I was unable to span and a couple who had missing teeth and one that had a kinked tail. I was particularly pleased with my bitch line-up and I thought there were some very good quality exhibits who on another day could be ticket winners.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Very well presented B/T Balanced outline. Very good head with moderate width of skull, shallow stop and keen expression. Large teeth. Well laid shoulder, good length of body, top line and tail set. Narrow all through and easily spannable. Shown in very good double jacket with harsh top coat. Very good movement covering the ground well in profile. Accurate coming and going.
Class Critique
Close decision between first 3 in this class.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Julie Price (Oxcroft)
Thank you to all at the Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge your championship show this year, it was a great honour and privilege. The weather was hot and the venue was good to gain some shade for the dogs and myself! I had two very capable stewards who kept things running smoothy throughout the day, so thank to Kathleen Haugh and Sophie Liggat for their support. I really enjoyed my day and was more than happy with my winners. Thank you again for your hospitality.
I was looking for type, gameness, soundness and dogs that were fit to do a day’s work whilst not losing any attributes of the breed standard. Some exhibits were rather well muscled around the shoulders which made it difficult to feel the lay of the shoulders and this would also restrict their ability to go to ground. As a breed I think we are losing the otter heads and keen expressions which distinguishes the Border Terrier from other terrier breeds. A lady contacted me a week after the show and explained that she had attended the show during some of the bitch classes as she was looking to purchase a puppy having recently lost two of her old Borders. She explained she was now thinking of buying another breed as the dogs in the show ring did not look like the Borders she had had previously. She felt that they did not have the characteristic otter heads, and sadly I had to agree with her.
Overall, most dogs were fit for purpose and I am sure you all took the best dog home with you. In the current financial climate, all your entries were valuable to the club and it was a pleasure and an honour to go over your dogs.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Blue and Tan dog with moderate width of skull, shallow stop and keen expression, just lacked power in his bottom jaw. Well laid back shoulders, good length of body, level top line and good tail set. Narrow throughout and easily spanned. Shown in a good double jacket with harsh top coat. Movement not as true as 1.
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2023
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for giving me the opportunity to judge Border Terriers in their spiritual home territory. My stewards, Audrey & Judith did a great job in running the class changes efficiently on a hot humid day. It was a lovely entry, with many exhibits that I had not judged before – thank you all. I found some exhibits which could have been better prepared with attention to coat, body condition and clean teeth. A few level bites a couple of kink tails influenced placings but all dogs were entire and overall a nice group of BT’s to go over. My main winners had breed qualities that outweighed any imperfection, that in my opinion wouldn’t impact on its ability to perform its traditional work.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
A young Blue and Tan lad, with a great top-line maintained on the move, striding out well, presented in super condition to win his class. A good otter like head with well-placed ears, moderate neck that flowed into narrow body with well laid back rib. As he matures and settles on the move, he will improve to achieve his potential.
Eastbourne & DCS Open Show
25th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Felicity Snook (Pitcombe)
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2023
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
My thanks to Windsor Dog Show for the judging appointment. Delayed by Covid, it is a sensible moment to retire from judging at Championship level, especially as the day was very enjoyable and a fine memory to end with. It was in fact a superb entry of high quality border terriers and my thanks to all the exhibitors, especially those who travelled long distances.
It was a delight when my BOB, Ch Otterbobs Tolsen, won the terrier group and an additional pleasure when my Best Veteran, Ch Cynetkoy Pillow Talk, placed third in the Veteran Group. Overall the borders proved to be sound and it was particularly enjoyable to find several dogs with large, strong teeth. Many were in a fit condition with firm muscle and active drive on the move. The majority had good shoulders coupled with hind quarters that looked capable of a day’s work. This correct construction translated into to good movement. The Border Terrier should remain a workmanlike terrier and future breeders need to keep that in mind.
The top decisions were decided by some of these less obvious merits and indeed my personal preferences but, in the end, I was pleased to see an entry of border terriers with so much quality. This bodes well for the future and has left me with memories of a most enjoyable day.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Close up. B/T in full coat. Strongly built on racy lines. Strong head and muzzle, preferred the smaller ear of 1. Well made throughout, finished with nice tail set. Good showman on the move.
Leeds Championship Show
29th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr Brian Aubrey (Jenabeck)
Thank you all for a wonderful entry, I had to make some difficult choices on the day, but as always, I judge the dog on the day friend or foe and not what the dog as done in the past or what it will do in the future.
a few things did concern me on the day (1 ) so Many dirty teeth, (2) a few unfit dogs due to being overweight, (3) and the most concerning is short legs on one or two of the borders,
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2023
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My thanks go to the committee of Bournemouth Championship Show for inviting me to award tickets for the first time, it was a very special day.
Special thanks to my stewards Gentle Lowe and Brian Aubrey for doing such a sterling job, allowing me to focus on the task in hand.
I was delighted with the entry that awaited me, a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and the sporting way they accepted my decisions, on the whole by most exhibitors.
I was told many years ago, by someone well respected in the breed to judge with the hands, not with the eyes, never did this ring true as today. Some dogs I have admired from the ringside, didn’t live up to expectations, whilst others that hadn’t previously caught my eye, surprised me and did.
Being the daughter of a hunt terrier man I could get no better grounding in the requirements of an earth dog, these were the days long before quad bikes, terriers would be expected to be on their feet from the moment hounds drew off until close of the hunting day, working in landscapes not dissimilar to that of that hunt the breed first originated from.
l tried to look subjectively at the exhibit before me to see if they had the confirmation and condition to undertake such duties. I was surprised how quite a number were difficult to span and far too deep in chest and too wide in front and came up heavy, lacking the narrowness to go to ground, a distinct disadvantage in the working arena, legs bend, chests don’t.
I was finding rear movement was better than front, but more than a few lacked the drive that I looked for with elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal.
I look to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
I found temperaments superb throughout the day, dentition was questionable on several exhibits and all dogs entire.
A plea to exhibitors if you bait them on the table, that is fine if they look hypnotically at the treat, but on several occasions, owners were wrestling with their dogs trying to get at the treat, making it difficult to assess them.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill and all sporting decent jackets and pelts and meeting my interpretation of the breed standard.
I was delighted to see my BOB going on to third in the terrier group and my BP winning the terrier puppy group.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Very much appealed for type and balance, and he was unlucky to meet 1 who was in such top form. Pleasing head of correct proportions, lovely dark keen eye, and right amount of fill under eye. Narrow throughout without losing any substance, correct in upper arm that led into well laid back shoulders, pleasing length of rib carried well back, firm topline, strong loin, into well muscled hindquarters. Presented in a super jacket with ample undercoat and pelt and fit condition. Moved very soundly.
Class Critique
A quality class
Crufts
10th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
A tremendous entry of 275 Borders ( 25 absentees on the day)to enjoy handling, judging and placing. I must extend my appreciation to my two valiant stewards for their patience and skill in keeping classes moving. Thank you all.
I do believe our breed is changing, but in subtle ways. The lack of opportunities for true terrier work below ground for some Borders has been replaced by agility and other energetic pursuits, but lack of hard muscle tone has produced a ‘softer’ body on some exhibits. Some feet are slacker, pads are more spread and thinner and some fronts are wide. Movement is not always positive and a ‘driving’ action is lacking. Size is fluctuating too. We have a ‘working’ breed - let’s ensure that features defining the breed are not lost, i.e. ‘spannability’; a hard, harsh top coat and soft protective undercoat (not enough of those today); a dark, expressive eye, a broad skull and strong quarters – ‘the engine is at the back!’. Heads generally were good, but some bitch heads veered towards coarseness.
One thing not lost is the Border’s kind temperament – curious, interested and ready for anything.
Mid Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Blue and tan in correct tight jacket. Good narrow body length with great angulation. Driving out well from strong quarters and neat, well padded feet.
National Terrier Club
6th Apr 2024
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
Thanks to the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this prestigious show and to the exhibitors who did me the honour of judging their dogs. I was lucky to have two efficient stewards who kept things running smoothly, thank you Laura and Dave.
The entry showed a good depth of quality. In many classes the places were hotly contested with decisions needing to be made on the narrowest of margins. I was very pleased to find that there were some good coats on thick pelts and the nice thick short tails which set off a good border so well.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Built on similar lines to the first and gave me a difficult job to choose between them. Good neck and shoulder, ribs of good shape carried well back. Straight front and good quarters. On the move the first just had the edge in front.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
20th Apr 2024
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee of the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the honour of inviting me to judge your Championship show and for your great hospitality on the day. It was hit-and-miss as to whether or not I would be judging inside or out, and I’m pleased that the committee took the decision to hold it outdoors. It is far nicer for the dogs to be outside, even with the biting wind, and we are not to forget that they are designed to be outside in that type of weather, which reiterates the importance of a good coat. I hope everyone at ringside managed to keep the chill away, myself having Cumbrian bloodlines, found it rather pleasant. Thank you to my stewards Tracey, Dave and Mike who worked tirelessly to keep the ring moving. My biggest thanks are to the exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry and took all my decisions in a sporting manner. I know it is always said there are too many good dogs for the number of cards and that was especially true of the limit and open classes. I was spoiled for choice in a number of classes and had to split hairs on a number of occasions. Dog’s are never static and can have good days and bad days just the same as us, and condition and coats can change dramatically. Some dogs were out of top coat or had no harshness to their coat on the day which cost them on this occasion. Repeating myself from my last judging appointment, I made mention that true movement isn’t necessarily conducive to good movement if no ground is covered at the same time, ideally of course we want both but I would rather see a dog with a good outline in profile than one very accurate that’s going nowhere. Good construction should be a given, I know not much mention is made to that in our breed standard, but to constitute soundness to follow a horse, the construction must be balanced and correct with no exaggeration. Thankfully, there were not many exaggerations on the day. One or two were big ribbed and not quite spannable, and surprisingly they were not necessarily the ones that looked up to size. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs presented.
Mid Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Upstanding blue and tan. Good head and expression with a keen dark eye and well set ears. Excellent neck and shoulders with good return of upper arm. Lovely bone into well padded feet. Narrow and well ribbed back and surprisingly easy to span for a dog that looks top size. Excellent topline and well set tail. Excellent racy hindquarters which he used well. Shown in an excellent harsh topcoat with good undercoat and pelt. He moved very well in profile with great reach and drive which won him this class
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.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
DCC
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
2 yrs Excellent, balanced male of top size that carries himself so well in the ring. Harshest of coats with a thick loose pelt, spannable. Broad flat skull and good muzzle width. Ribs well back, strong loin. Firm level top line with well set tail which he carries correct on the move. Moved with purpose round the ring. Pleased to award him DCC and BOB.
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
RDCC
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Excellent head and expression, neck flows seamlessly into a very good shoulder assembly, one of the most easily spanned borders of the day, narrow, excellent in topline well balanced, very good in coat and pelt with proper ticking coming in. Very sound. Res Dog CC
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.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Blue and tan male in excellent coat, a true blue. Quality male who caught my eye in this class with his active and game character. Good head with flat skull and a keen alert expression. Excellent level topline and short carroty tail, good rear angulation. A narrow dog, well ribbed back. Moved out well covering the ground with purpose.
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
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Blue & Tan with strong head and correct bite, good length of rib with nice outline, well set on tail, shown in excellent double coat, moved out with drive.
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!
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
B & T with a very good textured coat. He is a lovely headed dog. Strong muzzle with good teeth and correct bite. He moved well and held a level top-line and with a high set tail carried nicely.
Border Union Agricultural Society
16th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr. David Matthews (Tojamatt)
My thanks to the Society for the invitation to Judge one of my favourite shows, it didn’t all go to plan with the weather playing its part. I would like to thank all the exhibitors for going along with my decision to stay outside despite the weather, and my special thanks to stewards Judy Carr and Audrey Coltart for braving the weather also. Also my thanks to Euan for posting my judging book and critique notes and to whomever handed it in.
Sorry for delay, holidays and work have played their part. I had some lovely dogs to go over and thank you all for bringing them.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Placing Critique
Blue and tan dog with masculine head of good proportions, neat ears, eyecatching in outline and on the move with good reach of neck and shoulder placement, flat ribs with plenty of strengthen in the loin, excellent topline and tail set, good rear angulation moved with drive and purpose, double coat of harsh texture and thick loose pelt unlucky to meet 1 today.
City of Cambridge & County CS Open Show
20th Jul 2024
Judge: Derek Pearmain (Delandmar)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Duke of York Fiery Lucifer To Stowthorney
