Show Placings
Pontypool & DCS Open Show
21st Apr 2024
Judge: Mr T Harrison (Glenbrows)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Bluebabel A Good Heart
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
Lovely 6mth bitch, very feminine with keen expression, balanced, Ribs well back, good angles front and rear which helped her move with ease round the ring. Coat harsh, pelt loose easy to span. Well set tail carried well on the move. Please to award her best puppy bitch.
Class Critique
My favourite class of the day with some top quality young bitches, it will be interesting to follow their progress.
Oakhampton & DCS Open Show
4th May 2024
Judge: Lee Cox (Vanitonia)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Bluebabel A Good Heart
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Yeovil & District Canine Society Open Show
5th May 2024
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
Firstly, my thanks, as ever, goes to the committee and helpers of the shows whose efforts cannot be underestimated. Today it was the turn of Yeovil and District Canine Society whose sterling efforts despite the persistent and often heavy downpour,resulted in a well-run show with ever helpful and smiling faces- Bravo! Secondly my appreciation to Jan Russell de Clifford whose stalwart efforts as steward in our ring for the whole (freezing) day resulted in an efficient and well run ring. My thanks must also go to the exhibitors who primarily turned up on the most inclement of days, and accepted my decisions with good grace and not a little humour as the heavens opened.
The wind and rain did influence the performance of many of the exhibits unfortunately; but some rose to the challenge, and several were simply oblivious to it. Coats, as ever, were in various stages of growth; some great movement noted in many of the exhibits; all teeth clean and with correct bites and no kinked tails to note; feet on the whole were tidy and correct.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
Another wellconstructed grizzle and tan youngster of 7 months. She has a feminine ottery head with good fill under eye and strong muzzle and large teeth. Good reach of neck into good shoulder set, and correspondingly correct angulation fore and aft. Narrow throughout with good coat on the rise, and correct lose pelt.Easily spanned with good length of rib. Another pup with who kept their topline on the move. Not as positive on the move as 1 today.
Marlborough & DCS Premier Open Show
6th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Firstly, I would like to thank the organisers of the show for the warm welcome and hospitality. I had some lovely dogs to go over.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
National Dog Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mr Patrick Glover (USA)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Class Critique
A very nice class of quality puppies, I am sure my top 3 will change places many times
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
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
VHC in the minor puppy bitch class, good headed pup with nice dark eye, just right for size and bone, nicely angulated, she just lost out due to being unsettled on the move today.
Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Premier Open Show
18th May 2024
Judge: Mr John Scanlan (Pantycelyn)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Bluebabel A Good Heart
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
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!
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Class Critique
Both minor puppy and puppy were very promising bitch classes of baby girls. The future looks good.
Southern Counties Canine Association
1st Jun 2024
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gabybryl)
This was my first-time awarding Challenge Certificates in Border Terriers and many thanks to those that entered under a non-breed specialist, and well done for braving what was a bitter wind. If this was a representative entry, then I am heartened by the general health and condition of the breed. Good coats, good pelts and super large dentition were the majority. There are some nice youngsters in the lower classes. Just two points as a non-specialist if I might be permitted, firstly the standard calls for a small ear and I found quite a few otherwise nice exhibits with large houndy ears which did somewhat detract from the overall expression. Secondly several dogs broke quite markedly at the front pastern which spoilt the overall impression on the move, these points need watching.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
Quality typey bitch with many attributes. Very pleasing head and expression. Good overall shape and well balanced throughout. Nice neck and shoulder. Correct topline and tail set. Pleasing hindquarters. Not quite as positive as 1 going away and in need of a new jacket
Three Counties Agricultural Society
8th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my very capable stewards, Bill and Tricia for their efficiency and helpfulness and especially to the exhibitors who afforded me the honour of going over their dogs.
The weather was kind and the ring of sufficient size to allow dogs to get into their stride.
Overall I felt that there was more quality in the bitches but was more than pleased with my main winners in both sexes. Size and front movement continue to be problems and coats were at all stages of growth-this did affect some placings. I only found one undershot bite and all males were entire. Several dogs were carrying rather too much condition but more worrying were the few who were almost painfully thin which also meant that these dogs couldn’t possibly possess the muscle needed for work. A number of dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
Pretty red grizzle of 8 months. Correct size, well proportioned. Makings of a good feminine head, fine for pelt, coat coming through. Moving soundly on neat feet.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge their show, it was an honour. Also for making David and myself so welcomed and the enjoyable lunch. The quality of the Borders were pleasing to go over. Big thank you to my stewards Julie and Robert, keep the classes running smoothly all day. Finally thank you to all the exhibitors who braved the cold weather, it did stay dry and allowing me to go over their dogs. All the males were entire, as usual the coats were at various stages which cost some dogs higher placing. Some wide fronts let them down, large ears were a problem in some exhibits. I was delighted with all my winners such quality.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Best Puppy
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
Very feminine puppy nice size for age, super head short muzzle, neat straight front, moderate length of neck into level topline, excellent rear angulation. Moved out well. Showed with confidence good harsh coat BPB BPIS
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
1ST MPB
Chepstow & DCS Open Show
16th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr David Nightingale (Knowbury)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Bluebabel A Good Heart
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
I would like to thank the Committee for offering me this appointment, I was honoured to be given this opportunity. Thank you also to my stewards for all their hard work keeping the show running as smoothly as possible, for which I was very grateful. There were some lovely dogs present but front movement and lack of correct length and angulation of the upper arm continues to be a problem in some exhibits as well as size and correct coat . We should not forget the first line in the breed standard “essentially a working terrier”.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to the officers and committee of Windsor Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time at such a prestigious show. I must also thank my two very experienced stewards Bill & Trish Gray who were a great support to me with their calm, friendly and pleasant manner. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors who entered their border terriers under me and accepted my decisions in a sporting manner.
The weather became very hot as the day progressed with some dogs flagging a little on the move. Fortunately we had some shade via the marquee, the grass had got quite dried out and I felt a few exhibits didn’t move as well as others on it but generally movement was better than I have observed in the past. I must also mention how disappointed I was to find so many exhibits with dirty teeth, cleaning them should be part of a dog’s care and grooming routine.
I was so delighted with my top winning border terriers that I felt had exceptional breed quality and were presented and shown to best advantage.
Many quality exhibits were in some classes down the line or unplaced due to the depth of quality present and on another day may change places.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Newport & District Agricultural Society Open Show
13th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Davies (Glenorchy)
Thank you to the Society for their kind invitation to judge at their annual agricultural show, thank you also to my steward, Dave Harrison, who kept the ring running smoothly and finally the exhibitors who entered under me, thank you.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
another nice bitch but she was short of coat today. Nice head, good expression, easily spannable, level topline which she held on the move. I just preferred the overall picture of 1
Wiveliscombe DCS Open Show
28th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs J. Fairweather (Ock)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Paignton Championship Show
2nd Aug 2024
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the officers and committee for my first-time appointment at this level. This show is my ‘local’ which made it even more special, If you have never been it is worth the trip down the M5 a warm welcome will meet you.
I was thrilled with the quality of my entry, one observation I did find a lot of untidy feet, splayed toes, long nails and thin pads, I did however find no kinked tails and only one mouth fault.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
Grizzle puppy who just didn’t settle at all in the ring. Recently stripped coat just coming in with some texture evident. Ok in head and expression, spannable but more rounded in rib than the winner.
Wealdstone & Northolt Canine Society Open Show
9th Aug 2024
Judge: Sarah Richardson
My thanks for the committee for their kind invitation to judge at this combined Premier Open Show with Bournemouth Canine Association Premier Open Show. My thanks also to the exhibitors for their entry.
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Bournemouth Championship Show
12th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Wendy Mooney (Chesterton)
Thank you to my stewards, Hayley and Malcolm and to all the exhibitors who endured the heat and accepted my decisions sportingly, on what must have been one of the hottest days of the year. Overall the quality of the entry was good with some lovely dogs. Mouths, tails and size were generally good. Coats varied (as they always do) in both quality and the stage of growth. There were a number of pelts that could have been thicker and loose which was disappointing as this is mentioned in the standard and important from a working point of view. I was surprised and disappointed to see evidence of scissorwork on some coats and grooming was not always done to the dog’s best advantage – this does not affect the ability to work but this is a dog show and presentation therefore does count to a degree when placing the dogs. Compared to the last time I judged, I felt that size had improved and in most cases the dogs today were closer to the standard.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show
16th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Stuart Plane
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Sep 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan/Sulan)
I must start by thanking the committee for the invitation to judge at this lovely venue. The weather was kind to us and judging was able to take place outside , a fact I know so many exhibitors enjoy. My thanks also must go to my stewards , Rachel and Rhianne Mitchell , they certainly kept things running smoothly and were a big help keeping me on track ! Thanks ladies!
As usual , my gratitude to all who gave me entries and were able to turn up on the day , all very much appreciated .
I was presented with an array of lovely specimens and some classes made for some tough decisions .Several times I wished there were more red cards to award. The standard , I found, was very good and there was quality in depth in most classes. All males were intact , I found no kinked tails and most mouths were acceptable , coats , as usual , were in differing stages of growth and texture . All were spannable.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Placing Critique
11 month , trim looking grizzle girl . Very nice head and expression with good ear size and placement . Elegant neck transitions into nice shoulders , narrow body, good length of rib .Really nice tail set and topline . Excellent new jacket . Moves well and gives 100% to her handler.
Tredegar DCS Open Show
19th Oct 2024
Judge: Miss Felicity Snook (Pitcombe)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Dave Lee (Socksdown)
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
3rd Nov 2024
Judge: Mrs Eileen Cole (Towden)
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Bluebabel A Good Heart
