Show Placings
Southport and Birkdale Open Show
30th Nov 2014
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG3, Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
Dark grizzle and tan puppy dog. Typical head with strong muzzle excellent bite and flat skull with well set ears. Good bone and standing on well padded feet. Well ribbed back and nicely angulated front and back without being overdone. Lovely short thick tail and good coat with excellent thick pelt. Would have like to have seen a bit more animation on the move but hopefully this will come with his confidence. BOB & BPIB
Ladies Kennel Association
14th Dec 2014
Judge: Mr David G Winsley (Davmar)
Though the standard calls for a narrow body I found many dogs who were too skinny & I could easily feel their ribs! Heads were quite disappointing, many had long weak muzzles not the proportions one associates with an Otters head. Many exhibits lack the small round foot & I doubt if they would cope with the exercise it needs to follow a horse. Coats were mixed & many just a seasonal problem.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Manchester Championship Show
15th Jan 2015
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
This was my first Championship Show appointment and I would like to thank the Society for the invitation and generous hospitality. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Attwood and Anne Speake who did a sterling job keeping the good sized, well appointed ring running smoothly throughout the day. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over some very high quality dogs. Generally the standard was good with the majority of exhibits showing and moving well. I was concerned by the number of short rounded ribs I found, especially in the bitch classes. There were several noses lacking pigment, some very long thin tails, and I found a few broken or out of line teeth. Coats were at various stages and some otherwise good dogs had to be penalised for lack of coat in the stronger classes. Whereas others with little coat made it into the line up on overall quality. I was very pleased with my main winners, and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
an 8 month old grizzle with masculine head, short strong muzzle, dark eye, broad skull, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, straight front, good bone and tight feet. Good length of rib with level top line with good tail set. Super coat and pelt, moved and showed well. Up to size for his age.
Crufts
7th Mar 2015
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
First of all I would like to thank the Kennel Club for the honour and pleasure of judging this prestigious show. I must then thank my efficient and capable stewards who kept me on track and looked after me through the day. Most of all I would like thank the exhibitors who rose from their beds at early hours and drove many miles to give me an entry of Border Terriers to be proud of and one which is was a delight to judge. It was not only strong numerically strong but also in depth of quality. It is a cliché to say that there were not enough cards to go around but in this entry it was certainly true. Determining all the final line up in each class was difficult and also in many deciding who should make the short list was also a challenge. Good dogs went without a card, ones who in a different entry I would have been happy to see as winners. In the challenges decisions remained tough and more than those that took the top honours were worthy of doing so and I would have been very pleased to have had more awards to give out.
In the days following this year’s show Crufts, dog shows and those who participate in them came in for some criticism. The picture painted by the media at this time was certainly not my experience. Before, during and after the show I found show people to be nothing but good natured, genuine and supportive. I enjoyed every minute of my day and hope that those that supported me with an entry or as spectators at the ringside did so too
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
Typical masculine puppy with a good strong head with a short muzzle, good skull and neat dark ears. Good top line finished by a well set on tail. Moved out well.
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!!!
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
Nice pup with good head and expression, nice angulated and moves well.
National Terrier
4th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Overall, I felt there was reasonable quality in those forward. Some exhibitors continue to have their dogs underfed and/or carrying little muscle, both to the detriment of a terrier expected to put in a day’s work. There were a number of untypical heads – lacking width to the skull and strength to the muzzle. Please keep in mind the shape of an otter’s skull.
I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
The Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
3rd May 2015
Judge: Miss Julie Price (Oxcroft)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club committee for the opportunity to judge this year’s Joint club show. Many thanks to my two ring stewards Bob and Liz Wright for the smooth running of the ring and the cups of coffee. It was an experience to go over so many dogs of different types; this made my job difficult at times, as each one had different attributes to the next. A few classes I found very hard to decide who my winners would be for this reason. Is the breed getting better or worse? I do not think I am the first to mention that there are too many foreign heads and plain faces with no expression. The breed standard states “a head like that of an otter” and “essentially a working terrier”. Confirmation and movement, I think has improved a little, but the heads and strength of the dogs has declined. When I looked at some of the dogs, I liked them but then had to remind myself that they where dogs not bitches. Thank you to all exhibitors for letting me go over your dogs and the gracious way most of you accepted my decisions.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
National Dog Show
9th May 2015
Judge: Mr John Dace (Cassacane)
I must begin by saying a very sincere thanks to the Kennel Club and the officers and committee of the Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd for giving me this most prestigious appointment to award Challenge Certificates for the first time.
Also again sincere thanks to the exhibitors for their splendid entry and acceptance of my decisions on the day, and to my very efficient Stewards who ensured that classes moved along which helped in a timely finish.
On reflection of the exhibits I found that teeth and mouths were very good on the whole, feet were variable as was movement. Temperaments were good. All dogs were entire. My main concerns were in the condition of some exhibits who could have been fitter and harder in muscle tone but where has the consistent “head like that of an otter” gone? The variance in head shape and therefore expression was quite evident. I was pleased with my final awards and again many thanks to everyone for making this one of my most memorable days.
The depth of quality particularly in the bitches bodes well for the breed in the future but as already mentioned concentration on heads to achieve the “head like that of an otter” should be one of the paramount objectives.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Blackpool & District Canine Society
26th Jun 2015
Judge: Mr. Ian Higham (Comberdown)
I had been looking forward immensely to judging my first UK championship show. I sincerely thank the Blackpool and District Canine Society for the invite and also thank my two friendly, competent and helpful stewards, Mandy and Robert Geary for keeping everything right.
I would also give my deepest gratitude to those who exhibited under me for trusting my knowledge of the breed and my integrity to judge without fear or favour and further thank them for following my lead to stay in the outside ring through the numerous showers that were on and off all day. I feel privileged that you brought your dogs to me for my opinion.
As usual I was looking for Borders that had all the good breed type points as laid out in our standard, combined with correct physical construction to be able to cover the ground well.
I had no dirty or smelly dogs and only two or three of them could have done with having their teeth brushed so I can commend you all for that. I had only one dog that was slightly undershot and I found no tail deformities at all, which is excellent.
I found a variety of movement problems. But it has to be said that in general, movement seemed to have improved since I last judged the breed. I noticed a few more Borders with lighter colouring to their noses since I last judged, but, as instructed by our standard, I treated this as not a serious fault.
As often heard said, the term “on the day” always applies. I had to give my awards to the dogs that stood out on this day. So for those who may be a little disappointed, remember that on another occasion your dog could well have a better coat stage, move a little more positively or be more “on its toes.” Do not be disheartened and enjoy your showing and your dogs!
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
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.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
smart looking grizzle, lacking a bit of coat but showed his natural outline, moved very well front and rear.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
The Yorkshire, Lancs & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
26th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs Kathy Wilkinson (Otterkin)
What a privilege to be invited by the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club to judge their Diamond Jubilee Championship show, marking 60 years since the Club was first incorporated. The event was tinged with sadness that their long time Secretary, Mrs Cynthia Knight, could not be here to witness this special occasion. A minutes silence in her memory was called at the beginning of the show. I like to think she would have been looking down on the Club and the show with satisfaction with the way her team have continued to run the Club, always remembering the great influence and impact she and her husband Gordon ("Tag") had on their Club. Also being remembered at the show, were recent sad losses to the breed of Eva Heslop and Kathy Fell and to terriers in general, the redoubtable Maureen Micklethwaite.
Congratulations to the Acting Secretary, Tina and her husband and Chairman, Kevin Green and the rest of the team on a well run show and thanks to my ring stewards, Graham Richardson and Sharon Pickering for keeping everything running smoothly.
A show is not held for the benefit of a judge or a society; it is held for the dogs to be assessed and their owners and exhibitors to have a good day out, win or lose. I therefore hope that everyone enjoyed their day.
Very pleased with the entry of 211 dogs making 242 entries, both in terms of numbers and in depth of quality of the entry. Class entry numbers shown are give or take some catalogue changes during the day, which are reflected in my numbers below. Absentees in new dogs gave an absentee rate of 34%.
Given that I have previously had to talk about dogs being kept too thin, it was good that there were only one or two dogs who could have done with more weight on them (one especially where I could feel the pin bones protruding), but most of those shown today were in good body weight and condition. While it is a real thrill, it is also a sadness to me to be judging well filled classes of quality dogs or bitches, knowing that some of those I really like have to go card-less, just because of the excellence of the entry.
Many times, in quite a few classes, hard decisions had to be made. Spanning is to me, one of the most important things after breed type (after all, you can span other breeds of terrier and I was looking for a Border!), but even the best typy dogs cannot win if I am unable to span them. A Border that cannot get to ground and back out, is not "essentially a working terrier". There were so many good ones today who were easily spanned, who also had excellent heads and moved so well and who came to hand well when lifted from the floor. Although some I had loved from ringside, were difficult to span and so paid the price, it is surprising that others, who might have looked on the large side from ringside in earlier days, were surprisingly easy to span. Nothing beats getting hands on. Judging by today's quality entry, I can safely say that the breed is in a good place.
I understand that during the day, a Diamond Jubilee Celebration cake, arranged by Pat and Brian Baxter, was cut into and offered to exhibitors, with a glass of fizz to toast the Club. Special gifts were awarded to each exhibitor/member (one per household) of a glass paperweight bearing the Club's name and notation to celebrate the Club's Diamond Jubilee. I was also pleased to receive one of the paperweights as the judge, along with a nice bottle, thank you!
It was a long day, with a 10am start. In future, the Club may decide to think about an earlier start and while the 2 classes held in the interval were a good idea, I thought, and well received, it did mean that I was not able to ask for the 20 minute or 1/2 hour break I would have preferred, but in the end, while waiting for those classes to be judged, I believe the break lasted around an hour and a quarter (we finished Puppy bitch at 1.25pm but could not get back into the ring to start Junior Bitch until 2.40pm), which put the show's ending back to much later than it might have been. Perhaps if Clubs decide to put on those extra classes, they would best be done either at an Open show, or at a Championship show where the venue is big enough for a separate ring. There was an entry of 26 for the judge of the 2 separate classes. What if it had been 50? Having said that, I offer my congratulations to the society for being innovative and forward thinking on this, but I just think it needs tweaking.
A long day, but a very enjoyable one; thanks again to all who entered under me at this special Diamond Jubilee Show of the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club and thank you to the Club for their hospitality and the lovely gifts.
Thanks again to all exhibitors for a super entry for this special celebration show.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
Loved this dog as well, he had a lovely head, with ears dropping forward close to the cheek. Racy dog with good coat and pelt and a good length of back.
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.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
This dark g/t border is a different type to my winner. He has a good head with his dark eyes giving him a keen expression. He has a much racier outline being built on finer lines than the winner with a lovely topline and tail well set on. I liked his handy size. Moved okay.
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.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
masculine head, good bone, neat feet, good length of rib, good topline. Good pin wire coat. Moved true and with drive. Not as racy as my other winners.
Ladies Kennel Association
13th Dec 2015
Judge: Mrs Melanie Lewis (Tonromel)
Thank you to the Officers and Committee of LKA for the invitation to officiate and to my two excellent Stewards, Barry McCartney and Sue Jones, for their invaluable assistance throughout judging. Thank you to the exhibitors for a super entry of 176 exhibits making 192 entries, the largest entry in the Terrier Group, and also for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted.
Numerically the bitch entry was double the size of the dog entry, but on the whole the standard in both sexes was pleasing with some very strong contenders for top honours. Coats varied from being completely stripped out with only soft undercoat to those that were completely blown, however, many were presented in good jackets of the correct texture. Feet on the whole were good, being firmly padded. On a few exhibits the tails appeared to be overly long which on closer examination revealed that it was superfluous hair. If this had been removed it would have improved the overall picture. All males were entire and the temperaments displayed by all the exhibits was very good. I was presented with some very nice puppy entries, many showing a lot of promise, which can only auger well for the future of the breed.
I was very pleased with both my final dog and bitch line ups, with some tough decisions having to be made when it came to awarding the top honours, such was the depth of quality. All of my finalists were in fit condition; moved with purpose; had good muscle tone; pliable pelts and spanned with ease and I believe that, if the opportunity presented, they would be able to undertake the functions asked for in the breed standard. My one plea to exhibitors is to please refrain from pushing treats into the dog's mouth when the dog is being judged on the table as it makes it very difficult for a judge to assess the exhibit. Reward them by all means if you have to, but only do so at the appropriate time.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Bandicoot Jimmy Choo At Northborders
Placing Critique
a really nice masculine headed dog who was good for bone and has very neat feet. Well ribbed back he held his top line when moving. I preferred his harsh jacket but he was not as positive in his front movement today as my winner.
