Name:Foxcraig Jester 
Gender:Dog 
DOB:06-02-2006 
Colour:Grizzle and Tan 
Owner(s): Mr G R Sugars  
Breeder:Mr G R Sugars 
CH Ashbrae Poacher (D)
29-04-2003
Colour: Red
CH Ashbrae Ghillie (D)
21-01-2001
Colour: Red
CH Rossula Symphony (D)
30-11-1999
CH Holcombe Jack Daniels (D)
Dandyhow Magic Eye At Rossula (B)
Kenswith Delft Blue At Ashbrae (B)
09-04-1998
Ashbrae Hickory (D)
Candy Peach (B)
CH Ashbrae Salsa (B)
07-08-1999
Colour: Red
CH Digbrack Rambler (D)
26-07-1989
CH Ashbrae Jaffa (D)
Digbrack Bramble (B)
CH Irton Hogmanay At Ashbrae (B)
01-01-1993
CH Ashbrae McNally (D)
Opinan Baubo By Irton (B)
Foxcraig Fern (B)
26-07-2002
Colour: Red
Foxcraig Tobermory (D)
20-05-2000
Colour: Red
Ashbrae Fraser Among Manx (D)
23-08-1997
CH Holcombe Jack Daniels (D)
CH Irton Hogmanay At Ashbrae (B)
Foxcraig Gold Finch (B)
27-10-1995
Matamba Magnus (D)
Little Friend (B)
Foxcraig Bluetit (B)
27-10-1995
Colour: Blue and Tan
Matamba Magnus (D)
09-05-1993
CH Valmyre Magician of Dandyhow (D)
Matamba Millicent (B)
Little Friend (B)
23-03-1993
Mint Edition (D)
Misty Madness (B)

Show Placings

Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
30th May 2009
Judge: Mr Brian Aubrey (Jenabeck)
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Border Union Agricultural Society
20th Jun 2009
Judge: Mr Ernie Hill (Tynecourt)
Limit - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Blackpool & District CS
26th Jun 2009
Judge: Miss Sarah Dandy (Dandale)
Limit - Dog / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Border Championship Show
19th Jul 2009
Judge: Mr Gerald Baker (Jaslou)
It was an honour to have been asked to judge the Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show, I wish to thank the officers and committee for their great hospitality and catering, Special thanks to my stewards Doreen and Claire, Overall the dogs were in better coat and condition than the bitches, with some short of coat or none at all, Although level bites are acceptable in the breed there were more today than expected, I was very pleased with my class placing. And final line up.
Mid Limit - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
These two could change places on another day, Otter head, correct bite, big strong teeth, good thick coat and pelt easy spannable, narrow ribs carried well back, 1 was just a little tighter on movement.
Leeds Championship Show
24th Jul 2009
Judge: Miss J Singh (Vandamere)
I would like to express my appreciation to the exhibitors for their support. On the whole, rear movement was satisfactory. However I observed front movement on some exhibits was unsatisfactory. I found one mouth with a misplaced tooth and another with a just passable level bite. Presentation of most dogs was of a high standard but some exhibits shown today would benefit greatly from regular daily exercise.
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
11th Oct 2009
Judge: Mrs M Wanless (Thorneyburn)
It was a great honour to judge my first breed club show here, at Otterburn, heart of the country where the Border terrier originated. My thanks to the Club, and to all entrants. I enjoyed my day, and was very pleased with my final line up.
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Border Terrier Club Open Show
31st Oct 2009
Judge: Mrs. Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the committee for the invitation to judge, and to them and my stewards, Frank Nicholls and Paul Cheeseman for looking after me so well on the day, and lastly to all those who exhibited and accepted my decisions so graciously. It was a long, exhausting but very enjoyable day for me. I absolutely loved my best dog, best bitch and best puppy, they were all lovely and narrow, well balanced with small tight feet, sound movement and not overdone in any way. I would take any of them home in a heartbeat.
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Border Terrier Open Show
27th Feb 2010
Judge: Mrs Marylynne Winder (Appleside)
My thanks to the Border Terrier Club for giving me the opportunity to judge the Club Open Show at Jedburgh and the Officers and Committee for their hospitality on the day. Sincere thanks to the exhibitors for an excellent entry of 194 from 158 exhibits. Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions which prevailed the previous day north of the border, the number of dogs present was greatly depleted. A special thank you to my tireless ring stewards, Glenise and Maurice Hyslop for the quiet and efficient way they organised my ring.
Limit - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Another well constructed dog with a good head. Lovely expression. Super bone. Nice outline. Shown in excellent condition, just short of coat.
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
10th Apr 2010
Judge: Miss Claire Tutin (Riseburn)
The NBTC held an open show at Belmont on 10/04/10 which I was very honoured to judge and would like to thank the club for the invitation.I would also like to thank my stewards and the exhibitors for their entries and accepting my decisions.I was very pleased with all my winners and had a very enjoyable day.
Limit - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Jun 2010
Judge: Moira Barrass (Gallondean)
It was a great privilege to be invited to judge the Scottish Border Terrier Club open show at Gretna. My thanks go to the committee, the wonderful ladies who did the catering, my very efficient steward Eddie Houston and all the exhibitors for giving me the pleasure of judging their dogs. The atmosphere was wonderful, win or lose you all clapped for 1st to 4th. I found most of the dogs easily spanned, set down in good coats, clean scissor bites and neat feet. One or two dogs could lose a 1lb or 2 but all had good temperament and great muscle tone.
Limit - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
another dog of quality, well balanced, carrying a lot of the good points of 1st just beaten on the day could change place on another day.
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.
Limit - Dog / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Kennel Club
28th Aug 2010
Judge: Mrs A M Gregory
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and committee of the Scottish Kennel Club for inviting me to judge their championship show. I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for supporting me and accepting my decisions so sportingly. I enjoyed day very much one or two dogs needed a wee tidy up coats were not too bad but movement still needs attention.
Limit - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
nice size of working type Border, nice otter type head, strong jaw, good length of back, level topline, well set on tail, good coat & pelt, moved well
Darlington Dog Show Society
17th Sep 2010
Judge: Mr M King
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Oct 2010
Judge: Mrs A K Bergh (Sweden)
I would like to thank the Northern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge, it was a great honour to be asked. A big thank you also to the exhibitors who gave me the opportunity to go over your dogs. Many thanks to my able stewards Doreen Rushby and John Todd, they were a great help to me and kept everything running smoothly throughout the day. I found the general quality very good and I had some hard decisions. Temperaments were very good. Movements are difficult to judge in a small indoor area, but I noticed some exhibits that really stood out in hind action. Coats and pelts were certainly better than I have seen in Sweden lately, as well as toplines. I liked my winner very much and wish her good luck for the future! The entry was good for this time of the year I was told, 120 dogs making 129 entries, with some absent.
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Oct 2010
Judge: Mrs. Barbara Roderick (Barterhound)
My thanks go to my efficient stewards Eddie Houston and Mark Lowry and of course to the exhibitors for the sporting way in which they accepted my placings. I was pleased that mouths were good and only found one kinked tail. Feet on some exhibits were not very well padded, not sufficient in my view to do a day’s work. Most terriers were in good coat.
Limit - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
This grizzle dog covers the ground well. Good strong head in good coat and thick pelt. Overall a well balanced terrier looking fit for a days work.
The Border Terrier Championship Show
26th Mar 2011
Judge: Miss Jean Singh (Vandamere)
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Joint Border Terrier Clubs Championship Show
1st May 2011
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling
My thanks to my two excellent stewards who kept exhibits moving along, making my task easier, and to the Yorks, Lancs and Cheshire Club for inviting me to judge. Coats were generally very good with undercoats evident and few showed signs of scissoring and shaving. I was pleased that all the puppy dogs were of a sensible size for their ages and almost all exhibits were spannable; however, shoulder construction problems remain an issue, with short upper arms and poor shoulder angulation resulting in wide, or tied fronts, spoiling otherwise quality exhibits. I noticed that some were roaching over the loin, creating bouncing back ends on the move with the loss of level toplines, and many had a distinct lack of stifle bend, resulting in a lack of driving action on the move. Consider feet - a few needed claws trimming (or more road work). Some heads were untypical and snipey; there were a number of suspect mouths and one undershot puppy, but I was impressed with the overall condition of the entry in general and the winners were a credit to their owner/breeders. The well filled Limit bitch class was outstanding and it was a pity not to have more awards to present. My thanks to everyone for accepting my decisions so sportingly and congratulations to the top winners, whose dogs were so deserving of their wins. Here’s a plea - please use bait sparingly, and not while your dogs are on the judging table. It’s a pity that a number of exhibitors are slaves to baiting their dogs on the table, making the dogs move around and become unsteady, while making it difficult for judges to access mouths and assess facial features. Baiting also affects movement round the ring, with exhibits “crabbing”, watching for the treats.
Limit - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
First and second were much of a type. This rich grizzle dog is a credit to his owner/breeder. He has matured well and was shown today in top form , steady on the move, composed and a typical dour little brown dog, but none the worse for that. Great head with lovely dark eye, plenty of fill underneath and good brow over. Good ear placement, excellent teeth and good, large nose leather. Good topline on the move, narrow body lines, crisp double coat, good neat feet.
Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I would like to express my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Club for inviting me to judge their show, my second opportunity at a Breed Open Show. I was struck by the wonderful atmosphere in the hall with every result being greeted with spontaneous, enthusiastic applause. The exhibitors in Scotland certainly are a very sporting lot! I found no bad mouths but front movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired. However my class winners did not disappoint me
Limit - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
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.
Limit - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Class Critique
One of the closest decisions of the day between these 2 dogs.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Oct 2011
Judge: Mr. Stuart Plane (Stuane)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this show and I was truly grateful for such a very good entry
Limit - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
a touch longer dog of good type he was a little fuller in coat than the winner well balanced head lovely expression good topline well set and used tail moves well behind
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Oct 2011
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
A big thank you to the committee for giving me the opportunity to judge this show and to my stewards on the day for making things run smoothly. Also thanks to the exhibitors for their support and making it an enjoyable day. On the whole I thought the standard of the exhibits was high and I was happy with both line ups. I was delighted with my main winners as they could hold their own in any company. Coats were of various lengths, but when top coats were in the vast majority were what is required, dense and harsh. Although a working terrier, some tidying up, especially around the feet could help some exhibits go further when pressing for top honours. Most dogs were in fit hard condition but two or three adult dogs were lacking any substance whatsoever and would be no match for Charlie on any day of the week.
Limit - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Apr 2012
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston
It was a great pleasure to judge at this show and I would like to thank the Club for their hospitality and the exhibitors for the excellent entry of 130 dogs. Thanks also to my stewards, Mark Lowry and Angela Cranson. I was very impressed with the number of quality dogs present and I found all males to be entire and no major mouth faults, just a couple of misplaced incisors. Many dogs were sporting good, tweedy jackets and temperaments were excellent. Although I could span almost all, size is a concern, many, particularly in bitches, being up to size. Front movement in some was a bit erratic. My thanks again to everyone who afforded me the privilege of going over their dogs.
Open - Dog / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Kennel Club
19th May 2012
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge
A small but interesting entry with many good quality exhibits a pleasure to judge after the challenge of my previous two huge entries. The BOB and Dog CC winners are excellent examples of the breed with otter head, good length neck into well laid shoulders, correct length of body, flowing top line, well ribbed back into strong loin and well angulated rear quarters, short hocks and good feet, narrow throughout and spannable making for a dog that can run with the horse and go to ground on arrival. Both were in double full coats but the bitch presented better in hers and relaxed in the final challenge to show her full quality to take BOB.
Open - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr David Mitchell (Paleside)
The Scottish Border Terrier Club held an open show where BIS was Lairehope Lord Of The Glen at Tweedburn; RBIS, Picer Gilliflower; & BP, Keycharm Phantom by Ridgebow.
Open - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
grizzle, showing signs of his working life, strong in head, good neck into well placed shoulders, good spring of rib, coat harsh & thick
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Feb 2013
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
I had a most enjoyable day judging the Border Terrier Club’s Open Show at Jedburgh and would like to thank the members and committee for affording me the opportunity to do so. I would also like to thank the club for their hospitality and thanks also to my two stewards, Margaret Warren and Jane Morton-Shaw for their help in keeping everything running along smoothly. Thanks must also go to the exhibitors for a super entry of 190 from 132 dogs and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. I was pleased with my winners and, in some classes, decisions were close. All dogs were entire, I found no kinked tails, only one suspect mouth and temperaments were good. Coats were at varying stages however, thick, loose, pliable pelts with dense undercoat were in the minority – an essential quality for the work required of a Border Terrier.
Open - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs. Doreen Rushby (Dormic)
The Border Terrier Club held a Championship show at Low Hesket on 30 March 2013. I felt very honoured to judge at this show and my thanks go to the Committee and Exhibitors for such an enjoyable day.
Veteran - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Kennel Club
19th May 2013
Judge: Mrs M J Alexander (Glenbucket)
I would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for their kind invitation to judge this my first championship appointment. I would also like to thank my stewards who kept things running smoothly and the exhibitors for their sporting acceptance of my decisions
Open - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
broad skull racy outline short of coat moved ok
Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
1st Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs M Wanless (Thorneyburn)
I would like to thank the ScBTClub for their hospitality at this show. I enjoyed my day, and despite the disappointing number of absentees, I had some lovely dogs to go over. I was very pleased with my main winners, and interested to find that myBIS, and my BPIS are full brother and sister!
Open - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Smart red dog, good for bone, spannable,level topline, correct tail and tailset. Moved Ok
Border Union Championship Show
15th Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
Showers, wind and sunshine made for a tactically difficult day for my solo steward, Elaine Waddington, who managed to keep the paperwork dry and get dogs moving in and out of the ring very smoothly. My grateful thanks to her and to all the exhibitors who stoically remained outside as the rain continued to plague us throughout the judging. Not weather the dogs enjoyed much either while standing about. The entry was very mixed. The dog classes were marginally better and more consistent than the bitches. Fronts are improving but movement still needs attention, both fore and aft, with some hackney front action creeping in. Most heads were breed typical with one or two exceptions which were rather boxy and out of proportion. I was surprised and dismayed to find a large number of dentition problems in both puppies and adults. There were very small teeth, dirty teeth, teeth misaligned and one undershot mouth. Several lacked any depth of coat and were in their undercoats or single coated, with no undercoat at all. Feet were mostly good, but a couple of exhibits were down on their pasterns; claws were in need of attention on one or two exhibits.
Open - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Open Show
22nd Sep 2013
Judge: Anne Higham (Comberdown)
Open / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs. Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
Thank you to the Northern Border Terrier club for my invitation to judge at my first breed club show. I was honoured to receive such a fantastic entry both in quality and quantity Thanks go to the committee who made me feel so welcome on my arrival and at lunch, special thank you to my two able stewards Alan Horner and Norma Todd who kept the ring running so smoothly My findings on the day were mostly positive ,there were some excellent coats and thick pelts, typical heads, good bone ,movement was mostly very good, though a couple of otherwise quality exhibits had to sadly drop down the line due to poor movement on the day. There were a few with large flat feet ,some with small teeth ,I also found presentation on a few disappointing -particularly untrimmed feet and full long beards, a handful of dogs lacked condition with thin pelts and no meat on their ribs and more worryingly some lacked muscle tone, but these were few and far between . All the males were entire , all bites good bar one, broken or the odd missing tooth does not concern me. I was taken back by both of my line ups and was pleased to be able to present dogs and bitches who were what I considered to be excellent examples of the breed and who were on form , both challenges were very close up and it was a delight to be able to select from any of the winners
Open - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
19th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs. Chris Davis (Hesslemere)
Many thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge this show. I was very pleased with my entry and thank all competitors who entered under me. I really enjoyed my day and thank you for the opportunity to judge your dogs. All temperaments were good, as were mouths. No kinked tails.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Heavier than 1st with more coat. Good head with very hairy face, nice feet.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Nov 2013
Judge: Mrs S Williams (Hollybridge)
I would like to thank the Scottish Club for the invitation. It was an honor to judge at this friendly and hospitable club’s show. Huge thanks must go to my very capable & experienced Steward Joyce Orr and her excellent helpers, Jim Stewart in the morning and Helen McKenzie in the afternoon. All did a super job. Thanks too to the kitchen ladies for the amazing lunch. I was very pleased to have such a super quality entry. I could have easily given out more tickets if they had been available. Some close decision at times, a true reflection on the high quality of the entries. Presentation of the dogs was very good, mouths too on the whole were correct with only the odd exception. Feet, I was pleased to see a vast majority of neat cat like feet on the dogs, no long hare feet. Tails again seem to be improving, not as many of the over long sickle ones that I have noticed in the past. Coats and pelts: while coats are transient and of course some had more than others on the day, texture was very good and the vast majority had good thick and loose pelts. I think the breed overall is in a good place. Just one point I noticed, some dogs had to take a lot of steps to cover the ground, watching out that our dogs move with drive is very important and I was happy with my winners in that they, in my opinion, covered the ground well.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
What a super head this dark grizzle dog has, lovely outline and in super coat, very fit and a happy showman. 7yr old
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Feb 2014
Judge: Mrs Karen Stockley (Foxfactor)
My thanks to the Officers and Committee for giving me the opportunity to undertake my first Breed Club judging appointment and my stewards Ken Mackenzie and Margaret Warren for their assistance in the ring. My enjoyable day started with the picturesque drive to the venue, in the sunshine, a rarity lately! Grateful thanks also to the competitors for an entry of 111 (5 NFC) making 141 entries affording me the opportunity to go over some lovely dogs and sportingly accepting my choices. The majority were in good coat and condition, a couple difficult to span, due more to being a little plump rather than in construction. All males were entire (a few would have benefited from a hygienic wipe for better presentation !), no kinked tails, one incorrect mouth and a couple of 'acceptable' level bites and some teeth really needed cleaning. I was surprised by the amount of untidy feet and overlong claws considering how claws can ultimately affect posture, balance and movement. I was pleased with both my line ups and had some close decisions to make.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
7yo grizzle lovely type of dog with a super head,good dentition with large teeth, very little stop to a flat skull,neat ears close to cheeks,well put together,he stands over the ground filling the eye is a handy size,,spans easily under yet another very good harsh jacket with good thick pelt,a sound mover also with great ring presence,close decision,I've no doubt both these dogs could do the job they were bred for.
Class Critique
a lovely class,3rd placed a credit to her owner belying her age at 13 years.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Mar 2014
Judge: Mrs Jane Parker (Conundrum)
I would like to thank the BTC club, for giving me a second chance to judge this, the most prestigious of the breed clubs championship shows. I was judge elect in 2010, but caught the awful Noro virus the night before I was due to judge and spent the next two days flat out. The new venue that the committee has found, has to be lauded. It is large, airy, light, the flooring is excellent. The car park looked huge. From a judges point of view I could see all the dogs clearly at any time. Congratulations on a super venue. My two stewards, Chris Davis and Liz Barratt were so very organised and kept me informed and on time throughout the day, with good humour lots of smiles and attention to detail. With such a lovely entry numbers wise, it was a long day. Thank you both. Living in Canada now, it was a real pleasure to judge dogs that I had mostly not seen. Obviously some of the older ones were mere youngsters before I left and it was nice to see how they had progressed through the years. I found no missing testicles, mouths on the whole were good, with only a few missing teeth or one or two misaligned. Heads were in general better overall than when I left, with more who carried a moderately broad backskull and also a lot more with very good underjaw, something one had to look hard to find a few years ago. Coats were on the whole, good, there were a very few however, who had greasy and dirty coats, this I feel is completely unnecessary. A few arrived without their coats, this is just unfortunate as dogs do not know about our ambitions in regard to shows, and if the coat needs to come out then so be it! Feet in some instances were weak, with some flat footed and others harefooted, this breed needs to have really good tight feet, small with thick pads and be well knuckled, poor feet make the whole outline of the dog look wrong. The worst fault I found, as usual were fronts, all the usual suspects were there, wide fronts, narrow fronts, flicking wrists etc. I do begin to wonder if we will ever get this completely right, but if we are breeders looking to the future, we must be hard on this most prevalent fault, and do not use these dogs and bitches in our breeding programmes. Bitches had the most quality through the entry, again, this is usual, however the dogs that were good, were very very good, and the best, were exceptional. Size does need to be watched, this is a somewhat cyclical thing, but there were some big dogs and bitches in the ring. The first and most important words in our standard...”Essentially a working terrier”...if it cannot be spanned, it is too big. In general I feel the breed in the country of origin is in pretty good shape, the top percentage of the dogs I judged were quite lovely and had breed type to spare. In my critique you will no doubt notice expressions I use again and again. I find certain things are ubiquitous (but none the less hugely important to breed type) and have my pet ways of describing them, I hope you forgive my industrial repetition in some regards.
Veteran - Dog / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
19th Apr 2014
Judge: Mrs. Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank the Northern Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge at this show, my first breed club appointment. I was well looked after by the committee and their hospitality was wonderful. I would like to thank my 2 ring stewards - Tracy Peacock and Allen Horner - who were very efficient in keeping me right and kept everything running smoothly. It was a great privilege for me to have such an excellent entry and of such good quality to go over. Thank you to all those who gave me this opportunity and for taking my decisions so sportingly.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
This dark grizzle and tan was shown in one of the harshests of coats today, plenty of it with plenty of loose pelt. Like the winner he has a super head that is typical of the breed. Another 8 year old, he is of good body length and in fit condition. He moved soundly round the ring and his tail never stopped wagging!
Selkirk & District Canine Society
20th Apr 2014
Judge: Mrs Anna Duxbury
I would very much like to thank the officers and committee for offering me this appointment, and for their excellent hospitality. Thanks also to the ring steward who kept things running smoothly, and mostly, of course, to all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs. Temperaments on the day were excellent; coats were quite varied. I found no dogs with incorrect bites and all male dogs were entire.
Open / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
8 year old dark grizzle dog, shown in good coat. Great head and good dentition, nice neck flowing into well laid-on shoulders. Good length of rib and nice topline held on the move. Strong free-striding action, just preferred the straighter movement of 1
Border Union Agricultural Society
15th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr J R Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Veteran - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
8 year old, less coat than 1st today, masculine head & expression, nice for size & bone.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2014
Judge: Mrs. A. Gregory (Manx)
Veteran - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Oct 2014
Judge: Jeff Luscott
Thank you for the invitation to judge a most enjoyable show, it was good to receive very homely hospitality and I was well looked after by my two very efficient stewards, Norma and Scott. Thank you to the exhibitors for the lovely entry and the sporting atmosphere created around the ring. I enjoyed judging the overall entry with most of the classes having close decisions to be made, with the junior, limit and open classes being particularly strong.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Good honest dog with the balance and shape, well filled in head with the body and strong racy rear end, moves accurately in front and rear, but not quite the easy side action, good harsh coat cover completes the picture.
Class Critique
great turn out for this class, good to see them enjoying their day out.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Oct 2014
Judge: Mr. Paul Cheeseman (Bromscar)
First of all I would like to thank the committee and membership of the border terrier club for inviting me to judge this show. I would also like to thank all those who entered their dogs under me, and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted. I only found a couple of teeth out of position and one level mouth. There were no kinked tails, although there were a lot of long tails. I thought that on the whole movement was somewhat better than I have judged in recent years. There were some tremendous coats but not many thick pelts. The one shock I had was the poor physical condition of some exhibits, although all exhibits were clean, some had no muscular condition at all, and I found two that were severely under conditioned. There were very few exhibits who were in good hard condition, the ones that were, mainly took the top places. A working terrier has to be in good physical condition with plenty of hard muscle in the right places. Some exhibits today would be hard presses to get to ground, never mind stay there and work for a few hours. Please be reminded that this wonderful breed is a WORKING terrier, and therefore, should be shown in a condition that reflects this.
Oldest Veteran
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Nov 2014
Judge: Mrs P McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the Scottish Committee for the invitation to judge our prestigious annual Championship Show; to my excellent steward Joyce Orr, and to the exhibitors for such a good entry. I was happy with my class winners which were super examples of the breed. On the down side a number of exhibits were short in the leg and in the body, giving an unbalanced appearance and it’s very unlikely that they would be capable of following a horse, as the breed standard requires. Some pelts were too thin and too many dogs were single coated.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Another eight yr old veteran in good condition. Nice harsh coat with thick pelt. Pleasing head and expression.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Feb 2015
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Firstly I would like to say thank you to the Border terrier club, committee and its membership for allowing me to judge their show. Many thanks to my two ring stewards Ken and Paul who helped the proceedings run smoothly. Last but certainly not least the exhibitors who sportingly accepted my decisions many thanks to you who allowed me to judge your dogs. I was more than happy to present my main winners with their relevant top awards. Many of the terriers shown were in fine fettle and we can look forward to a positive future. Temperaments seemed to be sound. Mouths on the whole were generally good. Coats were at various stages many had good texture and thickness to them with ample undercoat. However I did find a few kinked tails some of which were quite severe some also quite long and thin. As custodians of the breed as well as breeders and show people a like we must take a careful look at some of the issues creeping into the breed, Foreign head shapes with ear sets which would not go amiss on a working Lakeland terrier. Weak muzzles and skulls which fall away under the eye. Front assembly’s wide fronts, bad shoulder placement weak pasterns and poor feet were in evidence on some exhibits and they paid the price in the ring for this. Bodies and rib shape are another concern the breed standard states "deep, narrow, fairly long ribs carried well back" not short bodies and sprung ribs! Condition and muscle tone are key factors along with many of the other points in the breed standard which all contribute to the overall picture of a working terrier. After all the breed standard starts with the first sentence "essentially a working terrier" a sentence which must be adhered too now and in the future...
Best Veteran
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Red grizzle dog, good head and teeth strong muzzle. Nice length of neck into good shoulders. Narrow front and spannable, good length of body. Good feet, well-muscled and fit. Nice carrot tail. Moved very well, held his topline around the ring and when he stood. Best Veteran
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Carl-Gunnar Stafberg (Bombax) Sweden
I will thank the club and the show committee for inviting me to judge this prestigious show, I feel very honoured to be invited. I really enjoyed my day and was very pleased with huge entries. My winner was really top quality border terriers, excelling in type and heads. The overall quality was very good, but I hoped to see more quality in the younger classes. Size was ok, coats in different stages because of the time of year. It was about 40 years since I judged my first CCshow in England and I still enjoy it so much. My stewards did a fantastic job on the day, keeping both me and the dogs in order. They make it running very smooth and efficient, thank you!!!
Veteran - Dog / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Kennel Club
16th May 2015
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Veteran - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
another nice dog, with a good head, in good body weight, very good coat & pelt, nice profile, moved soundly
Border Union Agricultural Society
20th Jun 2015
Judge: Mrs Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
I thoroughly enjoyed my days judging at Border Union showground. Such a pleasant show. Many thanks go to my two very able stewards. They had the ring (& me) running like clockwork. Thanks also to the exhibitors who entered under me. Had some lovely dogs to go over & some hard decisions to make. Coats were probably the best I have seen for some time. Thick pelts, too, were much in evidence. Mouths were good. Fronts continue to be a problem & movement letting some otherwise promising dogs down.
Veteran - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
9 years old. Good head. Short, strong muzzle. Liked his expression. Narrow throughout. Good harsh coat, thick pelt. Steady on the move
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
18th Jul 2015
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Thank you to the officers, committee and members for voting for me to judge their Championship show 2015. My stewards were just perfect, even the couple of birds flying around enjoyed the day. As you know it's all too easy to judge from the ringside but when you are in the ring judging dogs of varying sizes, heads, coats etc, I felt I did the best I could with the exhibits shown. All dogs were entire, mouths were correct and teeth were of good size and clean apart from one level bite which is acceptable. Movement needs to be improved front and rear, muscle tone was lacking in quite a few, presentation on some was dreadful, two dogs needed feeding up, but the main winners were of good standing.
Veteran - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
9 1/2 years old, another lovely dog, masculine head, good coat, both moved very well.
Scottish Kennel Club
30th Aug 2015
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the society for my appointment & their hospitality, & to the exhibitors & my steward Bob Potts. Quite a mixed entry today of type & size with some being on the lean side & others rather overweight! I was surprised to find a couple totally oversized & therefore they paid the penalty. The over treating dogs I think is getting worse in the ring & on the table. Trying to assess a dog when it is fidgeting around looking for food is not satisfactory. Surely a dog can stand for a minute while being examined without having to be fed handfuls of food. The standard calls for a harsh & dense coat & the skin must be thick, many today were very short of coat & quite a number with thin pelts. A good coat is essential which seems to being overlooked in the breed today. The breed standard leans towards moderation not exaggeration & I hope this is maintained with the emphasis being on ‘essentially a working terrier’ & not ‘essentially a show terrier’.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Veteran - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
a very fit 9 year old looking great for his age. Lovely type, strong head with big teeth, strong jaw. In thick double coat & pelt. A credit to his owner
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Oct 2015
Judge: Mr J Thomas (Daluce)
It was an honour to be invited to judge such a prestigious show as "The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show " I would like to humbly thank the committee for their invitation and their warm welcome on the day. I would also like to thank my stewards on the day Allen Horner, Anne Maltby and Dave Mitchell, who kept the ring running smoothly for me. Finally would like to thank the exhibitors for giving me the pleasure of going over their dogs and accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
17th Oct 2015
Judge: Mrs. Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank the Border terrier Club for the invitation to judge at the Open Show at Low Hesket. It was an honour and privilege to be offered this appointment. I was delighted with the super entry of 96 dogs making a total entry of 132 and appreciate the turnout of so many fine dogs on the day and the sporting way my decisions were taken. Thank you to my ring stewards Ken McKenzie and Dave Hodgson for keeping everything running smoothly for me. Also thank you to the committee for their hospitality and to Jane Shaw for providing a lovely lunch which I enjoyed very much.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Oldest Veteran
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
10 year old g/t dog in very fit condition. He has a typical otter head, with broad, flat skull and a good strong muzzle with big teeth. He has a lovely outline and strides out well on the move. He has a good harsh jacket and loose pelt. Moved well and looked younger than his age belies.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
14th Nov 2015
Judge: Miss T James (Blackmine)
I was honoured to be invited to judge at the Scottish Border Terrier Club and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. It was concerning that there were a large proportion of exhibits with poor front movement. The other area which I thought needed attention was heads – many lacked strength in foreface. On the positive side all the dogs had good temperaments, were clean and trimmed up to a good standard. Coats were all at various stages (as usual) but I found very few single coated exhibits. It was also pleasing to see so many neat cat-like feet. I felt that the quality of the bitches out-weighed that of the dogs.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
27th Feb 2016
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee, members and exhibitors for the fantastic entry at this, my first club open show. It was a great privilege to judge here on the 50th anniversary of the Jedbergh show and to be able to get my hands on all these dogs. Thank you to my ring stewards, Jane Morton-Shaw and Janice Johnson for their hard work and efficiency. Thank you also, to Carole MacKenzie for going the extra mile with my lunch and plying me with all sorts of gluten free goodies! All the dogs were entire and I found only two or three kinked tails, but mouths were a bit of a concern. There were a lot of level bites, and although “acceptable” we should all be mindful of this when breeding on. Strong scissor bites with typically large teeth is what we should be aiming for. The majority of dogs were in good fit order, but unfortunately a small number of exhibits were rather thin and lacking condition. The two shouldn’t be confused. There were also quite a number of very short, and in some cases, sprung ribs, and quite a few lacking angulation and length of upper arm in front. On a positive note, there were some very promising youngsters, especially in the young bitch classes, which can only bode well for the future.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Open Show
5th Mar 2016
Judge:
Open - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Scottish Kennel Club
22nd May 2016
Judge: Mr Simon Jackson
Veteran - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Border Union Agricultural Society
19th Jun 2016
Judge: Mrs M Wanless
My sincere thanks go to the officers and committee of Border Union for this appointment, this is such a well run, friendly show, with outstanding hospitality! My thanks also to my two Stewards on the day, Ella Linton, and Alan Small. Thank you too to all those who entered under me, and came, and accepted my decisions with good grace. I was pleased with my winners. I do wish though that dogs were shown on a loose lead, and stacked freely. Big ears are becoming prevalent, not as in the standard. Presentation and condition played a large part in my decisions.
Veteran - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
10 year old, lovely type. Strong head, good front. In full coat, on a thick pelt. Moved out well , holding a level top line.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
16th Jul 2016
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the Northern Border Terrier Club’s committee for the invitation to judge at this well organised & friendly show, I really enjoyed my day. A big thank you, to my stewards Sharon & Graham, who kept me on track throughout the day. On the down side some poor mouths, some of the males where lacking substance & not very masculine, bordering on thin, not sure they could do a days work. The depth of quality in the bitches was excellent & this meant that some decisions were very close & many lovely bitches missed out on this occasion. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for their sporting acceptance of my decisions.
Veteran - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Neat well balanced dog broad skull, better rear angulation than front, moved ok for a 10yr old
Darlington Championship Dog Show
16th Sep 2016
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Thank you to Darlington Dog Show Society for inviting me to judge their show. Special thanks to my stewards who’s relaxed but competent manner made for an enjoyable show, also a big thank you to all the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. I was very happy with my main winners who I felt were fit for purpose and should have continued success in the show ring. Mouths were good with even the smaller exhibits still having big strong teeth. Coats were of various lengths as to be expected. The two biggest concerns were heavy, almost sprung ribs in some dogs. Even on some smaller dogs and bitches, which in profile appear fine, but when going over, were surprisingly big in rib. This would hinder them when working underground. I am not saying they should be flat ribbed but the standard states deep and narrow and not over sprung. Also I found not many dogs moving without much drive from behind. They should have the soundness to follow a horse. I did think on the whole that dogs were turned out very well and temperaments appeared good.
Veteran - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Oct 2016
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
Many thanks to Officers and Committee of the Northern Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge their Open Show and the exhibitors for the sporting way they accepted my decisions. Thank you also to my Ring Steward Allen Horner and Dave Mitchell. I was very pleased with my winners on the day.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Very smart veteran dog belying his 10+ years. Rangy dog with good head, reach of neck and length of back. Coarse double jacket. Shown in fit condition. Moved ok . Clearly enjoyed his day as he never stopped wagging his tail. BVet
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
9th Oct 2016
Judge: Mrs M Armstrong (Carrickfarm) & Dr S Fraser (Achnagairn)
Open - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Oct 2016
Judge: Mr. Graham Richardson (Staynorwood)
I would like to thank The Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their Open Show . The club and officers were very welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed my day . I would like to thank my very helpful stewards Liz Barratt and Janice Johnson who kept things flowing through the day . I was pleased with my entry with some quality dogs to handle. It was also good to see some promising pups coming through . I was very pleased with my winners on the day
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
10 year old dog , strong otter head and jaw. Scissor bite, well placed shoulders. Good length of rib, short carrot tail , moved well around the ring .
The Scottish BTC Championship Show
12th Nov 2016
Judge: Mrs. Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
Thank you for inviting me to judge this show. If my memory serves me correctly this was the very first Border Terrier show I exhibited at……30 years ago. It really was a pleasure to go over so many good examples of the breed. Coats were at various stages and some paid the penalty with either little top coat or totally blown. Mouths were good. Some movement, especially front. Not so good. Size was better than I have seen in the past. Temperament on every exhibit was really good I am pleased to say. No noise from the cage area either that I was aware of. I was delighted with my main winners. Special thanks must go to my very able steward and to the kitchen ladies for a lovely meal and coffee.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Feb 2017
Judge: Rachel Larner (Hawcoat)
Firstly I would like to thank the club and its committee members for inviting me to judge their show, it was an honour and privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Thank you to my two lovely stewards, Liz Barrett and Anna Duxbury, for their help and assistance and for keeping the show running smoothly. Lastly I would like to thank all the exhibitors for entering and bringing their lovely dogs for me to judge. I have done the majority of my judging, so far, in the south west and wales so it was a real pleasure to go over some dogs that I have not had the pleasure of judging, Northern dogs are a lot hardier than our southerners!! I had some quality dogs to go over which gave me some tough decisions to make and wish I could have given out more cards. I found all dogs to be entire and no bad mouths, apart from the odd missing tooth in the Veteran class! I really did have a fabulous day and just want to apologise for not getting this critique out sooner.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Class Critique
A lovely class of veterans, a joy to judge.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2017
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Thank you to The Border Terrier Club officers, committee and members who elected to give me the privilege of judging their club championship show, and many thanks to the exhibitors who travelled from near and far and accepted my placings sportingly. Thanks to my two stewards Janice Johnson and Judith Fawcett who did a grand job and also thanks to the hard working Joyce Martin for all the wonderful photographs. Today the overall picture and my main concern was that we seem to be losing the "Head like that of an otter moderately broad in the skull, with short strong muzzle". What I was seeing was a narrow skull which does not give that typical Border Terrier expression. Movement was more of a problem in the dog classes, in the bitch classes came the quality and the soundness. When it comes to the showring, presentation is, in my opinion, important. I like to see a dog smart but not over groomed or in full coat but tidy, today attention to ears, tails and feet could have been beneficial to some exhibits.
Veteran - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
11yrs, overall a strong dog good breed type, strong otter head and expression, coat was harsh but was over groomed in parts, very sound on the move.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Apr 2017
Judge: Mr. Stewart Golding (Beaconpike)
Firstly I would like to thank the club for inviting me to judge their open show thank you to my stewards Alan Horner Anna Duxbury and Graham Richardson for keeping things running smoothly. Thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted to judge a show I regularly attend myself. I was very pleased with all my main winners I had some quality dogs to judge on the day my decisions in some classes were made difficult and on another day could easily change places.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
11 year old dog of outstanding quality just my cup of tea, he is a true border through and through, Excellent head with large teeth still with correct bite, still narrow throughout with good length of body with flat rib, his movement is a dream to watch as he moves effortlessly, he was very much enjoying his day, pleased to award him Best Veteran.
Class Critique
What an excellent class and on another day any of these dogs could swap places.
Northumberland County Show
29th May 2017
Judge: Mr Colin Powell (Bowtman)
Open - Dog / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2017
Judge: Mr Phil Sharp (Martec)
I would like to thank the Committee for inviting me to judge at this Show. It was my first visit to Kelso and I was most impressed with the hospitality and organisation there. My two excellent stewards, Gordon and Donald, kept me on the straight and narrow and contributed to a lovely atmosphere in and around the ring. I did not make my usual visit to the SBTC championship show the weekend before as I wanted to see all the dogs afresh, and I am glad I did as many of the exhibits were new to me. In general, mouths were good, with dentition only slightly awry in one instance. I found no kinked tails and all dogs were entire. It was a very hot and sunny day and this affected some dogs, who perhaps lacked their normal animation and were moving lethargically. As usual, there was a wide variation in coats, with some totally lacking top coat, and this naturally had an effect on the placings. I would like to thank the exhibitors for the large entry and for the sporting way in which my decisions were taken throughout my judging stint.
Veteran - Dog / Second Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
moved better than those placed after him. Head could be better, but was fit and in good coat.
Scottish Kennel Club
27th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
My thanks to the committee for their kind invitation to judge at this my local Championship Show. Special thanks to my excellent steward Ben Joiner for keeping everything in order. Thank you to all exhibitors for providing me with a lovely entry to go over. I found a depth of quality in each class with some close decisions to make. Very pleased that my Best of Breed, Best Puppy and Best Veteran went on to do well in their respective groups – well done.
Veteran - Dog / Third Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
7th Oct 2017
Judge: Dogs, MR. S. GRIFFITHS (DRIGOTHE) Bitches, MISS A. DIXON (OTTERPAWS)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at this lovely show. A warm welcome and great catering. Thank you to my steward Barry Merchant for keeping everything running smoothly. Thank you most to those who entered and to the exhibitors who kindly allowed me to go over their dogs and accepted my decisions. All entries had correct bites. Many of the entries struggled to move as well as they might have done due to the hall floor. Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws) From the dogs on show I was able to identify different types and endeavoured to apply my knowledge of the breed to finding the characteristics in the different types which I would be happy to have passed on to future generations, so the better the points of the breed, the higher the placing. Judge Steve Griffiths (DRIGOTHE)
Best Dog
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Open - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
A delight to see a dog approaching 12 years of age in such good fettle, strong, fit and happy. Broad, flat masculine skull, barely any stop, strong muzzle with excellent dentition. Shoulders well laid back, good forefront. Spannable, nice rib cage laid well back and covered with plenty thick pelt, harsh coat and very dense undercoat. Thick carrot tail. Moved well fore and af, with correct rail carriage.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Oct 2017
Judge: Ms. Suzanne Coldham (nee Marwood) (Annesuz)
It was an absolute honour and pleasure to judge the Border Terrier Club’s Open show in Low Hesket and I would like to thank a very hardworking committee for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the exhibitors and spectators for their warm welcome and genuine applause at my placings. There was a good atmosphere throughout the day and good to see so many still ringside to see the top honours at the end. I was greeted with an excellent entry of 104 dogs making 122 entries and from these I was able to select some top specimens truly representative of our breed. I am not going to wax lyrical about the breed in general but suffice to say in my humble opinion a watch needs to be kept on heads, movement and coats/pelt. I was pleasantly surprised to find my Best Dog is the grandsire of my Reserve Best Dog and my Best Bitch and Reserve Best Bitch share the same sire as each other.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2017
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the Officers, Committee and members of the Club for this appointment. It was a privilege to judge, with a very nice entry and sporting atmosphere throughout the day. My thanks for the hospitality, gift and excellent lunch, and to my steward Shona. I was pleased with the entry overall, coats varied throughout. My main concern not only today but with the breed in general would be size with many being too big and something that must be considered in future breeding. Front movement with pinning in lost some dogs placings today. It was rewarding to start two youngsters off with their first CC’s and I wish them well for their future.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2018
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of the Border Union Agricultural Society for inviting me to judge today. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me, by far, the biggest Terrier entry of the day. A big thank you to my two stewards, Nev and Liz Holmes-Leak, who kept things running smoothly and efficiently thus ensuring that we finished in time for my BOB to make the Group. Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, and in some cases this was the deciding factor. Some exhibits were too fine in bone, particularly in the earlier classes. Some heads had ears set too high, some had deep stops with muzzles that were too short which gives a foreign expression. There were more than a few exhibits which would have benefited from having their feet tidied and nails cut. Soundness of movement in some dogs gave cause for concern. If a Border is to be fit for the function it was intended, it needs to be sound on the move. I found varying degrees of unsoundness in front movement from toeing in, crossing in front to paddling and out at the elbows. Hind movement in some exhibits was also less than desirable with hocks too close together when going away, cow hocks, lack of drive from hindquarters and, in some cases, lack of muscle tone. All of which would not allow a Border to be ‘capable of following a horse’ over rugged terrain. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners. I was also pleased to see my BOB shortlisted in the group.
Veteran - Dog / First Place
Name at show: Foxcraig Jester
Placing Critique
Good size dog of excellent breed type, masculine otter head with flat skull, very little stop and strong muzzle, is good in shoulder and length of rib, easily spanned, thickest of pelts with a thick undercoat and harsh top coat, at 12 years of age still moves out soundly.