Show Placings
Retford & DCS Open Show
17th Mar 2024
Judge: Kathleen Haugh
I would like to thank the committee for letting me judge the borders at their open show. It was pleasure and a lovely day with good atmosphere with good dogs to go over. I would also like to thank the stewards for doing a fabulous job on the day.
Puppy /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lynda Ward (Roundtown)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this, our parent club’s show. My thanks to the committee who ran such a lovely event with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. My judge’s gift is much appreciated and will be a treasured momento of the day.
My superstar stewards, Janice Johnson and Liz Barrett, worked hard and unobtrusively whilst keeping the classes moving smoothly over a long day – well done ladies.
Many thanks of course to the exhibitors who made the journey on a major bank holiday weekend giving a large and quality entry of 190 dogs making 229 entries plus 10 NFC.
I had some lovely sound and typical Borders to go over and, had I had them, I would have had no qualms in awarding 4 dog tickets and 5 bitch tickets.
Unfortunately there are always downsides in a big entry and today size was an issue with some overly large exhibits who were not spannable and very heavily built.
There were a number of youngsters which were obviously unused to having their mouths examined and more practice in a calm atmosphere would help to make them comfortable and avoid stress for them and their handlers.
Ears need watching as some were quite large and spoiled the head.
Sadly, as in the past I must complain about long tails. Tails are an integral aspect of the overall picture of a typical Border outline and long is simply wrong. Our breed standard is spartan compared to many others but for tails the description is clear and begins with, “Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering.” Hopefully the issue will be addressed before the untypical becomes the norm.
On a positive note …
Feet were overall small and thickly padded although some would benefit from trimming and shorter nails.
There was a good number of lovely otter-like heads of correct proportions with well placed dark eyes and a keen expression.
As is usual these days coat presentation was generally good and today there were plenty of dense coats of correct texture and thick skins.
Do I think the quality shown in this entry bodes well for the breed? Yes.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
6 months old with dark eye and keen expression. Narrow front and moving well for age.
National Terrier Club
6th Apr 2024
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
Thanks to the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this prestigious show and to the exhibitors who did me the honour of judging their dogs. I was lucky to have two efficient stewards who kept things running smoothly, thank you Laura and Dave.
The entry showed a good depth of quality. In many classes the places were hotly contested with decisions needing to be made on the narrowest of margins. I was very pleased to find that there were some good coats on thick pelts and the nice thick short tails which set off a good border so well.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
20th Apr 2024
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee of the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the honour of inviting me to judge your Championship show and for your great hospitality on the day. It was hit-and-miss as to whether or not I would be judging inside or out, and I’m pleased that the committee took the decision to hold it outdoors. It is far nicer for the dogs to be outside, even with the biting wind, and we are not to forget that they are designed to be outside in that type of weather, which reiterates the importance of a good coat. I hope everyone at ringside managed to keep the chill away, myself having Cumbrian bloodlines, found it rather pleasant. Thank you to my stewards Tracey, Dave and Mike who worked tirelessly to keep the ring moving. My biggest thanks are to the exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry and took all my decisions in a sporting manner. I know it is always said there are too many good dogs for the number of cards and that was especially true of the limit and open classes. I was spoiled for choice in a number of classes and had to split hairs on a number of occasions. Dog’s are never static and can have good days and bad days just the same as us, and condition and coats can change dramatically. Some dogs were out of top coat or had no harshness to their coat on the day which cost them on this occasion. Repeating myself from my last judging appointment, I made mention that true movement isn’t necessarily conducive to good movement if no ground is covered at the same time, ideally of course we want both but I would rather see a dog with a good outline in profile than one very accurate that’s going nowhere. Good construction should be a given, I know not much mention is made to that in our breed standard, but to constitute soundness to follow a horse, the construction must be balanced and correct with no exaggeration. Thankfully, there were not many exaggerations on the day. One or two were big ribbed and not quite spannable, and surprisingly they were not necessarily the ones that looked up to size. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs presented.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
Fairly well grown but narrow grizzle and tan puppy, Res in MPD. Good bite and nice dark eye. Good in neck and shoulders. Not too heavy in bone with straight front legs and small well padded feet. Easily spanned with a nice length of rib, and stands with a good topline and tailset. He was a little short of topcoat today, but has a good undercoat and pelt. Free moving and true coming and going.
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 - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th May 2024
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
Red/Grizzle Dog dark eye and good earset into nice lengthed neck,narrow front and body ,level topline nice rear angles,moved ok
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Firstly thanks to the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their show, and to all the exhibitors for the massive entry which would of been hard to get through without the help of my two stewards Sharon Pickering and Margaret Bailey who did there best to make sure no exhibitors missed there classes
The quality of the exhibits was exceptional, Most dogs were in fit hard condition and presented well, the old saying many good dogs went without a card was only too true, We were blessed with good weather and a nice sized ring.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
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 - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
8mth old grizzle male, well put together, narrow, good depth of chest and well ribbed back, came off the hand nicely. Pleasing head with flat skull and strength to jaw. Came into his own on the move with an effortless stride. Shown in good jacket with a thick pelt. Pleasing youngster, will watch him with interest as he matures.
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 - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Coventry & District Kennel Society Open Show
19th May 2024
Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws)
Thank you to the club for the invitation to judge and the exhibitors for their entries. Thank you to my stewards Lynn and Bruce.
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
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 - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Novice - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
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 - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Class Critique
This was a lovely class and the depth of quality augers well.
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.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
8 months red grizzle. Taller dog, decent head though slightly longer in muzzle. Very good coat and pelt, narrow throughout. Moving soundly on neat feet, maintaining topline well.
Novice - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
The Royal Cheshire County Premier Open Show
19th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
a 9 month male grizzle and tan puppy of different type to the first. He has a lovely head and expression, with large teeth and a correct bite. His front is straight with enough bone and his feet are small and tight with thick pads. He has a good rib which is carried back to a strong loin. Not quite the rear angulation of the first, and his movement was slightly loose in front today.
Northwich & District Canine Society Open Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Linda Ford (Selvina)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Louajak Thats Amore
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
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.
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
Another young dog that is a little on the leg but still good to span. He has a pleasing masculine head, good top line with racy hindquarters and good tail set. He was shown in a very good harsh and dense grizzle/tan coat with a thick pelt. He moved well.
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”.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
rather tall puppy of a different type being short in length in relation to height and finer in bone. Has a nice head and expression and moved very smartly with enthusiasm.
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
Many thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge. Everyone worked hard throughout the day to ensure it ran smoothly. There were a few clashes with the main Boston Championship show but these were well managed. Thanks also to the competitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner and creating a wonderful atmosphere around the ring.
There was a super entry of 172 dogs making 217 entries which I found both exciting and daunting, having had a total knee replacement operation just weeks before!
Overall, I found the standard of exhibits was good. Coats were a mixture ranging from pure undercoat to absolute perfection. The majority of exhibits were spannable. All dogs were entire. I found just one undershot mouth. I forgave loose movement in some of the younger dogs which will hopefully tighten as they mature, but adults moving wide or close had to be penalised. Several lacked bone and substance, being on the leg as well as short coupled making the outline somewhat squarer than I was looking for. Handling was generally good, with one very professional young handler who really impressed me with her skills. My main winners were presented in stunning condition, and I had some difficult decisions to make in the higher classes, wishing I could award more than just one Challenge Certificate.
Novice - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society Open Show
17th Jul 2024
Judge: David Alcorn (Lourdace/Comalegy)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
East of England Ladies Kennel Society Open Show
23rd Jul 2024
Judge: Heather Chaplin
A huge thank you to the Secretary and Committee of EELKS for their kind invitation to judge Border Terriers for the first time and to my three stewards for keeping the ring moving to ensure that my main winners could take part in the Group. Last but definitely not least, my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors who kindly entered their lovely Borders under me and gave me such a super quality entry from which to select my main winners. All bites were sound, all dogs entire. Coats were a bit mixed as usual, as was movement, some front movements being better than others and some covering the ground with more ease and economy, but all the dogs were spannable. I was delighted that my BOB was awarded TG4 and that my RBOB obtained RBOB G5 under Group Judge Cara Davani. Congratulations!
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
Placing Critique
Taller 10 month old grizzle/tan dog. Litter brother of the 2nd in Puppy above. Good overall shape and angulation. Masculine head and expression. Neat ears. Narrow throughout. Shown in good, tight coat and condition. Tail held a little high on the move but good overall movement around the ring.
Walsall and DKA Open Show
10th Aug 2024
Judge: Louisa Henry (Trinsy)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Thats Amore
