Show Placings
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
A big thanks to The Northern Border Terrier Club for there invitation to judge their club show, my first club open show was for the Northern many years ago, and the friendliness and hospitality has not changed. Thank you to the exhibitors for such a good entry and great atmosphere around the ring, and most especially to my two capable stewards Carolyn and Graham Richardson for keeping every thing flowing, and not putting a foot wrong all day. The quality of exhibits was second to none and many good dogs had to go home without a card, teeth were excellent and not one kinked tail or missing testicle all day, nice to see so many of the borders looked capable of doing a days work.
Maiden - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Leeds Championship Dog Show
26th Jul 2019
Judge: Mr T Tuck (Nettleby)
Thanks to all exhibitors for providing a really good entry, and thanks also to my calm and efficient steward for helping to make this a thoroughly enjoyable appointment. The heatwave temperature had thankfully dropped and the covered half of the ring provided very comfortable conditions.
I was thrilled with my final line up in dogs and bitches. In particular, I thought the Reserve CC and CC winners were very typical, high quality and honest all round border terriers. It is always very exciting and satisfying to see borders of such a high calibre at the top end of the range.
It is difficult to make generalisations, as strengths and weaknesses varied considerably across the total entry. I found numerous decent, moderately broad heads, some of which had the classic otter-like appearance, strong muzzle and keen expression. Overall size and correct balanced proportions seemed reasonably consistent, and I don’t recall any of the well over-sized and coarser types that one sometimes encounters. I thought hind quarters were good overall, though straight fronts and well laid shoulders were less common. Coats varied, as they always do, though I would have liked to find a few more that combined the really harsh topcoat, good undercoat, and thick pelt. Was this just due to the state of individual coats on the day, or is the weatherproof coat and jacket receiving less attention?
Any of the above observations are, of course, based on the entry on the day and are not necessarily a pronouncement on the breed as a whole!
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Aug 2019
Judge: Dogs: Diane Bullen (Fevstone) Bitches: Sally Leslie (Risdene)
*Judge: Dogs: Diane Bullen (Fevstone)*
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their show and making me feel most welcome. I would also like to thank my Stewards for a sterling job.
A good exhibit entry on the day with couple of them forgetting to remove their carpet slippers judging by their feet, and also a couple that I felt they were impersonating Austin Powers international man of mystery judging by the amount of chest hair left on! But on a more serious note, yet again underweight dogs with some having barely a covering of flesh which was disappointing, some dogs also un-spannable.
Both of the above reflecting in my placing’s. On a more positive note some excellent specimens shown today both in coat, movement and good old fashioned strong otter type heads.
*Judge: Bitches: Sally Leslie (Risdene)*
Thank you to the Committee and Exhibitors for a super day. It must always be a pleasure and honour to judge at a club show where the depth of quality is clearly high and this was especially appreciated after so many had also made the long journey to Devon the day before.
I’m not going to lecture. After all we are all on the same side and want our breed to thrive. However I think I should mention that movement is not generally true and accurate fore and aft. I did see some strange limb and joint placement. Notwithstanding less than perfect gait I still sought something that did not make me uncomfortable to watch and importantly for me exhibited easy freedom using the whole of the foot and leg assembly to take energy from the ground not jolting or with feet flipping limply but fluid placement with reach and drive. That does not imply exaggeration and wasted energy just simple low to the ground daisy cutting propulsion and economy which is a thing of beauty to behold.
Mouths and jaws generally were pleasing. The small pearly dentition of a while ago were not in evidence and I enjoyed the large teeth that never fail to surprise and please. For this reason I have not felt the need to remark individually.
I never penalise stacked exhibits but I Ioved the preponderance of handler’s free showing. Relaxed, well made examples do stand nicely naturally and it often seems to me that exhibitors know less than their charges when it comes to limb placement and balance.
Coats - I really appreciated those exhibitors who felt able to leave coats in place even though a little past their sell by date. I can happily judge through a good coat which enables me to ascertain texture and quality whereas however neat an outline the lack of any evidence of coat in this working breed must be a negative.
Happily my fellow judge and I agreed on most of the main placings and I did not trouble the Referee as for me the prime consideration for any exhibitor must surely be the CC.
Maiden - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell **
Placing Critique
not as outgoing as 1 and 2 and therefore does not make the best of herself as yet tending to stand a little wide at the top with her feet together
Class Critique
(*) this exhibit was subsequently disqualified by the Kennel Club as per KC Journal December 2019 and the exhibits marked ** were each moved up to the next higher award
Stanhope Agricultural Society Open Show
15th Sep 2019
Judge: Mrs Katrina Golding (Beaconpike)
Many thanks to the society for asking me to judge what a wonderful warm welcome from the committee, thank you to the exhibitors for a lovely entry.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Placing Critique
Lovely otter shape head on this 10 month old blue and tan puppy bitch, she is a lovely old fashioned type with lots to like unfortunately I struggled to go over her on the table, when she settles she moves out well.
Driffield Championship Show
21st Sep 2019
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Oct 2019
Judge: Mrs. L. Roberts (Mindlen)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge their open show the hospitality was second to none. Thanks must also go to the efficient stewards and sporting exhibitors for their support would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge their open show the hospitality was second to none. Thanks must also go to the efficient stewards and sporting exhibitors for their support
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Maiden - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Placing Critique
Nice head , front and feet. Good coat moved ok
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Open Show
13th Oct 2019
Judge: Mrs Julie Green (Breckgreen) & Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan)
*Judge Dogs: Julie Green (Breckgreen & Stowthorney)*
Firstly, I would like to thank Gill Griffiths and the committee for asking me to judge border terrier dogs at their fantastically well-run show for Northern Sporting Terrier Association. Also, to wish Arthur Cuthbertson a well earnt retirement as Chairman and Show Manager of this lovely show. Secondly, I would like to thank the exhibitors for my fantastic entry of border terriers.
*Judge Bitches Sue Baxter (mySulan)*
Firstly may I say a thank you to the committee for the kind invitation to judge , also the great food and hospitality received on the day . A hearty thank you to all the exhibitors for the super entry, providing me with the opportunity to go over some lovely dogs, also for the sporting way that my decisions were accepted. I am happy to say that all the bitches were easily spannable and there was only one that presented with a less than perfect scissor bite. No kinked tails were found and the overall quality was high. In all of the classes the decisions were very close and on another day placings could possibly change. Thank you again, I thoroughly enjoyed the day
In the final challenge for BOB, after taking a few minutes to discuss with fellow judge, Julia Green the merits of both the lovely specimens before us it was agreed that we call upon the services of the referee judge ( B.I.S judge Mr. R. Garbutt ..Aireview...) who made the decision that the dog was to be awarded Best of Breed and the bitch Best of Opposite. Well done to all the exhibitors....
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Best Puppy
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Placing Critique
Very pretty B&T 10 month pup, still very much a baby but shows promise. Lovely length and ribbed well back . Coat of a good texture, ticking present .Feminine head and expression, neat ears positioned and carried correctly .Narrow throughout . Angles fore and aft are good and she moved well once she settled . Very pleased to agree with fellow judge Julia Green that this puppy was worthy of Best Puppy in Breed.
Selby Canine Society Open Show
26th Oct 2019
Judge: Dogs: Dr. M. Armstrong (Ploughdown) Bitches: Mrs. J. Carr (Wreighaugh)
Saturday was a very rainy day but the inhospitable weather outside contrasted sharply with the friendly atmosphere in the hall and the very warm welcome from committee members. I’d like to thank the exhibitors for braving the awful weather to come to the show, for their very good entry and their sporting spirit. I’d also like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge on the day and my stewards who organised the ring with great efficiency, courtesy and good humour.
Dr Margaret Armstrong
Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge the Border Terrier bitches at this very friendly, hospitable and well run Open Show. Thanks also to my stewards who were a great support. I was very grateful to the exhibitors for giving me a lovely entry of bitches and for the sporting way in which they accepted my, often difficult, decisions. I was pleased that my fellow Border judge, Dr Margaret Armstrong, and I were able to agree on both Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed without reference to our referee.
Judy Carr
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
3rd Nov 2019
Judge: Ms Judith Fawcett (Carrock)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this my second breed club show. Thank you to the committee for their kind hospitality and the lovely gift I received at the end of the day. My two stewards, Sharon Pickering & Beverley Barber, kept things moving along nicely – thank you. I was delighted with the entry – thank you to everyone for giving me the opportunity of going over your dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted. As expected coats were at various stages – some were good, some going over and a couple of exhibits were freshly pulled out. All dogs were entire and there were no kinked tails. There were one or two untidy and a couple of level mouths. I had one main concern on the day – size. There were some exhibits who were just too big to span and weighed heavy and this was reflected in their placings. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted with my main winners - I had some good quality dogs to judge.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Placing Critique
just over 11 months old Blue & Tan bitch with feminine head. A little unsettled on the table and on the move today. Good length of body and narrow throughout.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Placing Critique
2nd in Puppy Bitch.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Jan 2020
Judge: Ms. Suzanne Coldham (Annesuz)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for their very warm welcome and hospitality, and the exhibitors for their entries and generous applause for the winners. There was a fabulous atmosphere throughout the day which made it a real pleasure.
Having last had my hands on the breed at this level in October 2017 I am concerned about just how narrow some of the dogs are. Whilst the breed standard calls for the body to be ‘deep, narrow, and fairly long’ it should not be taken to the point of exaggeration. That being said my winners are very pleasing, well balanced specimens without recourse to any exaggeration and in my opinion fit for the original purpose of a Border Terrier.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Placing Critique
Pleasing blue and tan bitch, a good head with strong muzzle and correct bite. She has a good front, narrow spannable rib with good length, hind angulation good. Her coat is just coming in.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Pherlas Bluebell
