Show Placings
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Jul 2025
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Thanks go to the Northern Border Terrier Club for inviting me judge their 53rd Championship Show, and to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over the good entry of Borders. Thanks also to my stewards Nicki Cummins, Julie Leckenby and Sarah Eccles who really did a fantastic job and kept everything running smoothly, I enjoyed my day immensely.
It was an extremely hot day and I was thankful we were inside the hall, the committee made sure doors were opened to ensure a through draft which made for a pleasant environment for the task in hand. No dogs appeared stressed by the heat when they were being shown, although some dogs did seem less than enthusiastic in the ring.
I found some really good profile movement, but good movement fore and aft was in the minority, and in some classes non-existent.
Overall some very good coats and pelts and good presentation, some really good tails too, just a few long thin tails. Although found three kinked tails on this occasion, teeth seemed cleaner and only a few feet spoilt by overly long nails.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lairehope Emerald
Class Critique
A class very similar to MPD, immature babies most enjoying their first show, in most cases movement was erratic and some hard to assess as they were carrying a bit too much weight. Winners could easily change places on another occasion.
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Nov 2025
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
Thanks to Scottish Border Terrier club for inviting me to judge at their 2025 Ch show , hospitality as ever was excellent . My two Stewards kept things running smoothly , so thanks to Judy & Pam too .
I enjoyed my day with some very nice borders and only one or two folk were obviously unhappy , the rest took my decisions sportingly & I thank all for coming .
Overall the good dogs & bitches pleased me a lot , but some were simply not workmanlike enough to easily get to ground and back out again . Feet were very flat and thin in quite a few , one kinked tail , 2 rather poor bites & several lacking any muscle …. Active and game , capable of following horse or hounds , with the lithe build to enable earthwork in tight places is what we need …. I found a few good quality males & slightly more top quality females that could do the job if given opportunity , some however were too big in rib & wide in front and weighed well over standard . So some adjustment in future breeding plans may be necessary I felt , to return to a smaller narrower frame .
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lairehope Emerald
Scottish Border Terrier Club Limit Show
25th Jan 2026
Judge: Nicola Howard (Tyneotter)
I would like to thank the club and committee for the invite to judge their show, this was my first judging appointment for several years so I particularly appreciated of my stewards, Katrina and Liz in keeping the ring running smoothly.
Thank you to all the exhibitors for making the journey and allowing me to go over their dogs. There was a lovely friendly atmosphere around the ringside.
On the day I thought the quality of the bitches surpassed the dogs overall. Movement seems to be an issue, particularly coming but I did find some lovely exhibits who covered the ground effortless.
Fitness and muscle tone was lacking in a few of the exhibits which I was surprised about and did factor into my decision making, they are ‘essentially a working terrier’ after all.
Coats were varied with a number in full coat, some in between and a few with little coats. Bites were good .I found one kinked tail.
Best Bitch
Name at show: Lairehope Emerald
Best In Show
Name at show: Lairehope Emerald
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lairehope Emerald
Placing Critique
Good sized rich G&T bitch shown in full coat . Nothing overdone about this bitch .She had a Iovely feminine expression and dark keen eye and correct scissor bite. She handled so well once you got under that super double coat which was harsh in texture with plenty of undercoat, she was another from this kennel with a fantastic thick pelt. She is moderate throughout without exaggeration, well angled front and behind with a level topline and well set on short carrot tail. I found her easy to span. She was in good fit condition with a firm 2nd thigh. She was just right for bone and had neat feet.
She really came alive on the move driving from the rear with a good reach in shoulder, she looked fantastic in profile covering the ground effortlessly. My eye just kept coming back to her in the lineup which secured her BB and BIS
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Feb 2026
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Firstly, my sincere thanks to the Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge at this prestigious show. I am also grateful to my stewards, Sue and Kat, for keeping the ring running efficiently, and to my husband, La, for his support throughout the day.
The majority of exhibitors accepted my decisions in a sporting manner, which is always appreciated. However, a small minority saw fit to make unsportsmanlike remarks whilst still in the ring. If one is unwilling to accept a judge’s opinion, then entering under them is perhaps ill-advised. There is no place for such behaviour either in or around the ring.
On examination, tails were correct and all males were entire. I was disappointed to encounter several suspect mouths, particularly among younger exhibits. Whilst a level bite was not penalised, it does raise concern that such mouths may deteriorate with age. Greater attention to dentition is required overall, with a number showing tartar build-up and, in some cases, signs of gingivitis.
Condition was variable. Encouragingly, few exhibits were overweight; however several were too light and lacking in condition. This often results in poor muscle tone and thin pelts. While there is understandable awareness regarding increasing size within the breed, a dog must be fit, well-muscled, and in proper body condition to perform its intended function. There is little value in a lighter dog if it lacks the strength, stamina, and resilience to carry out a full day’s work.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lairehope Emerald
