Show Placings
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
26th Feb 2011
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
May I take this opportunity to thank the Officers and committee for inviting me to judge their show and for their warm welcome and hospitality. My two stewards, Eddie Houston and Jimmy Gilpin had the ring running like clockwork, which enabled me to get on with the job of judging a quality entry of 141 dogs making 177 entries.
My sincere thanks to all exhibitors, who entrusted me with their dogs and accepted my placings in a sporting fashion, the day was a most memorable experience.
The North can be proud of their dogs, as there were many quality examples on display, all temperaments appeared steady, with just an occasional bored one! Not unusual, as most, I think, would rather be out chasing vermin!!
A handful of kinked tails didn’t surprise me, but youngsters with poor mouths did! Having said that, there were some lovely dogs in the puppy classes and placings were hotly contested with very little to separate them. My interpretation of the standard for balance ie: fairly long, is slightly longer than tall.
I feel that a border needs length as well as narrowness to negotiate a fox earth, but still retaining heart/lung room to enable it to follow a horse. Coats were at varying stages, but as long as I could find evidence , I didn’t let it rule out, an otherwise, good exhibit.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Class Critique
A super class to start the day, with much quality on offer.
Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I would like to express my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Club for inviting me to judge their show, my second opportunity at a Breed Open Show.
I was struck by the wonderful atmosphere in the hall with every result being greeted with spontaneous, enthusiastic applause. The exhibitors in Scotland certainly are a very sporting lot!
I found no bad mouths but front movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired. However my class winners did not disappoint me
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union
18th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Tony Tomlinson
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
strong head, soundly built, in good coat, moved OK.
Scottish BTC Championship Show
12th Nov 2011
Judge: Mrs K Wilkinson
Thank you to the Members for inviting me to judge what has been for me and many others, one of the favourite shows on the calendar every year. Having won the Bitch CC and Best in Show here at the very first ScBTC Ch show in 1985 with Otterkin Blue Bouquet JW, perhaps I am slightly biased by good memories, but I think most people who attend consider it one of the most popular shows of the year, as there is always a warm welcome guaranteed from the Officers and Committee of the Scottish Border Terrier Club to exhibitors and spectators alike and a good atmosphere at all of their shows.
Many thanks to Marjorie Wanless who officiated as an uncomplaining and efficient steward all on her lonesome all day; what a star! Thanks too for the lovely gift from the Club.
It is good when decisions are accepted with grace, be it win or lose and I thank the exhibitors for that. It is not easy being a judge, knowing you disappoint some but please others, but one has to just judge the dogs and go with your instincts, please yourself, select those you like the best and hope others appreciate that you did your best, to your ability, without fear or favour.
Overall, the quality was high, with a lot to like. There were only a couple who felt too thin, so I will not dwell on this too much this time, except to say that a working dog needs some substance, some strength and endurance and this is NOT achieved when you starve a big dog to try to make it look smaller, as any judge fooled by that is not to be applauded. Going over a dog on the table, I hate to feel all the backbone and see the ribs sticking out. It is cruel and unkind to keep your dog too thin. Borders like their food. Not as many thin ones here as were at Crufts in 2007, just a couple. This is just something for people to watch please.
Teeth were not a big problem – only one slightly undershot and a couple with one tooth out of line. I will not penalise a dog/bitch for one tooth out of line and refuse to put that in the individual dog/bitches critique – that is for me to know (I am sure the exhibitors already know) and for other judges to find (or not) and do as they will. For me, there is so much more that is important than one tooth out of alignment. If such a dog/bitch with one tooth out of line still had a scissor bite and all other good attributes, then it was placed accordingly. I have seen critiques which say “Only one if” – I will not lumber any dog/bitch with that and have everyone wanting to know what it was.
I was surprised to find a couple with kinks in their tails, as exhibitors can feel this easily themselves. This has been touched upon in the 2007 BTC Year Book and judges (including me) have their own views on this, although there is nothing in the UK breed standard about it.
A couple had peculiar coats, with what seemed like some substance in them, which did not make them feel harsh, more sticky and stuck together and although that meant I could not see the skin, it was not because they had good coats and it gave me grubby hands after going over them. Substance in a terrier’s coat fools no-one – please do not do it! On the down side, there were a few more which left my hands dirty after examination. Although they are a working dog, please present them to the judge in clean condition. I didn’t turn up grubby and neither should they!
Overall though, I thought the breed to be in a good place and I was very pleased with all my top winners (well, I would say that, wouldn’t I)?
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Feb 2012
Judge: Mr. Ian Higham (Comberdown)
I had been looking forward immensely to judging my first breed club open show in the UK. I sincerely thank the officers and membership for inviting me and most importantly, I would thank those exhibitors who attended and valued my integrity and opinion enough to give me the opportunity of going over their dogs.
I was looking for Borders that had all the good breed type points as laid out in our standard, combined with the correct physical construction to be able to cover the rough hilly ground of the region from which the breed originated. I thoroughly went through the entry to find these attributes, and judged with these thoughts in mind right down to my 4th placings.
I am pleased to be able to say that I had no dirty oily coats, or smelly dogs and that every dog had clean white teeth. This is all down to good housekeeping (or dog keeping) and I must commend you all on these points.
However, I was very disappointed to find that three exhibitors presented me with dogs, which had kinked bumpy tails.
I only found one tooth problem and that was a set of badly twisted lower incisors, which were slightly obstructing a scissor bite, but unfortunately, I was further disappointed to find dogs with weak muzzles and no strength to the underjaw. A Border needs to be able to force home an attack on its advesary and to do so must use his//her strong jaws and big teeth. This part of the borders anatomy is of immense importance to its function. I would consider this a fault, which would seriously interfere with a terrier’s ability to work.
I found a variety of movement problems. Some had stilted rear movement, with feet in underneath the dog and lacking propulsion. One dog that crabbed. Dogs with fronts toeing in, some more so than others, and some with wide front movement, or flicking one, or other foot.
Ultimately, there were some very good examples of our breed, that possessed all, or most, of the qualities I was searching for. Some of these did not get top awards on the day, but nevertheless had enough breed type and quality of movement to forge ahead and have a promising future I am sure.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Maiden - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union Championship Show
17th Jun 2012
Judge: Mrs Kate Walton (Enterlaw)
After an absence from the Showring and judging for the past 18 months, due to illness I was interested to find almost a new generation in my entry. Not even the appalling June weather and the resultant sudden switch from outdoor to indoor rings could dampen my enthusiasm hut I do apologise to exhibitors for the lack of adequate space in the indoor wet-weather accommodation. Thank you all so much for your sporting patience and to my two excellent stewards for their assistance in moving us under cover so efficiently. After Open Dog. I just could not record legibly in my judging book! I much enjoyed looking over and handling this large entry with relatively few absentees. I was very impressed by the standard and quality of my main winners and in the way the dogs adapted to the change of rings. It was a pity that the benching for the congested indoor ring was so far away. I felt particularly sorry for all the bitch exhibits who were obliged to show in such a small muddy ring, especially those in the big classes which had to be split and the fact that other terrier breeds with smaller entries were given larger rings, Considering the conditions, all temperaments were excellent. Only one level mouth and two slightly out of alignment. All dogs were entire. Movement is still an overall problem. Some exhibits could be tidier!
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Nov 2012
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
It was a real pleasure to be invited to judge this show. Having been a member of the Club since its beginning, it was great to come back to Selkirk, to what I have always regarded as my ‘home’ club. There was the usual happy atmosphere, and everything was so well run.
As to the exhibits, I was impressed with the overall quality of the coats, so many with really harsh substantial topcoats and warm undercoats. Several exhibitors seemed to have had difficulty with the hairs around the neck. I know that they grow in different directions, but it is possible with hard work to get an even look. Borders should not be shown with a ruff. Many tails had not been stripped properly, not being tidy and not flowing from the end of the back. Some even had feathering on the underside. I wish exhibitors would not push the tail upright so that it is vertical to the spine.
They are not Airedales, and it spoils the topline. Front movement was very varied, but cow hocks were almost absent. Teeth were good. Far too many, in my opinion, were too big, and I had difficulty in spanning them. (Though looking back in the literature, this has been a complaint since the beginning of the breed!)
Novice - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Feb 2013
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
I had a most enjoyable day judging the Border Terrier Club’s Open Show at Jedburgh and would like to thank the members and committee for affording me the opportunity to do so. I would also like to thank the club for their hospitality and thanks also to my two stewards, Margaret Warren and Jane Morton-Shaw for their help in keeping everything running along smoothly. Thanks must also go to the exhibitors for a super entry of 190 from 132 dogs and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions.
I was pleased with my winners and, in some classes, decisions were close. All dogs were entire, I found no kinked tails, only one suspect mouth and temperaments were good. Coats were at varying stages however, thick, loose, pliable pelts with dense undercoat were in the minority – an essential quality for the work required of a Border Terrier.
Maiden - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union Championship Show
15th Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
Showers, wind and sunshine made for a tactically difficult day for my solo steward, Elaine Waddington, who managed to keep the paperwork dry and get dogs moving in and out of the ring very smoothly. My grateful thanks to her and to all the exhibitors who stoically remained outside as the rain continued to plague us throughout the judging. Not weather the dogs enjoyed much either while standing about.
The entry was very mixed. The dog classes were marginally better and more consistent than the bitches. Fronts are improving but movement still needs attention, both fore and aft, with some hackney front action creeping in. Most heads were breed typical with one or two exceptions which were rather boxy and out of proportion. I was surprised and dismayed to find a large number of dentition problems in both puppies and adults. There were very small teeth, dirty teeth, teeth misaligned and one undershot mouth. Several lacked any depth of coat and were in their undercoats or single coated, with no undercoat at all. Feet were mostly good, but a couple of exhibits were down on their pasterns; claws were in need of attention on one or two exhibits.
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
Another strong headed male. Dark eye with good width between; strong jaw. Topline just falls away at the croup. Well muscled, but again, rather deep chested.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Nov 2013
Judge: Mrs S Williams (Hollybridge)
I would like to thank the Scottish Club for the invitation. It was an honor to judge at this friendly and hospitable club’s show. Huge thanks must go to my very capable & experienced Steward Joyce Orr and her excellent helpers, Jim Stewart in the morning and Helen McKenzie in the afternoon. All did a super job.
Thanks too to the kitchen ladies for the amazing lunch.
I was very pleased to have such a super quality entry. I could have easily given out more tickets if they had been available. Some close decision at times, a true reflection on the high quality of the entries. Presentation of the dogs was very good, mouths too on the whole were correct with only the odd exception. Feet, I was pleased to see a vast majority of neat cat like feet on the dogs, no long hare feet. Tails again seem to be improving, not as many of the over long sickle ones that I have noticed in the past. Coats and pelts: while coats are transient and of course some had more than others on the day, texture was very good and the vast majority had good thick and loose pelts. I think the breed overall is in a good place.
Just one point I noticed, some dogs had to take a lot of steps to cover the ground, watching out that our dogs move with drive is very important and I was happy with my winners in that they, in my opinion, covered the ground well.
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
Great topline on this dark red grizzle dog, in good coat and he has a thick pelt.
Tweedmouth Canine Society Open Show
18th Apr 2014
Judge: Mrs Helen Davenport-Willis
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union Agricultural Society
15th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr J R Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
Grizzle, nice otter head, correct bite, lovely coat and condition, pleasing front & slim stomach giving a nice profile, moved true.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Hawick and District Canine Society Open Show
29th Jun 2014
Judge: Mrs M Winder.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Selkirk & District Canine Society
21st Sep 2014
Judge: Mr Geoff Sugars (Foxcraig)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Nov 2014
Judge: Mrs P McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the Scottish Committee for the invitation to judge our prestigious annual Championship Show; to my excellent steward Joyce Orr, and to the exhibitors for such a good entry.
I was happy with my class winners which were super examples of the breed. On the down side a number of exhibits were short in the leg and in the body, giving an unbalanced appearance and it’s very unlikely that they would be capable of following a horse, as the breed standard requires. Some pelts were too thin and too many dogs were single coated.
Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Feb 2015
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Firstly I would like to say thank you to the Border terrier club, committee and its membership for allowing me to judge their show. Many thanks to my two ring stewards Ken and Paul who helped the proceedings run smoothly. Last but certainly not least the exhibitors who sportingly accepted my decisions many thanks to you who allowed me to judge your dogs.
I was more than happy to present my main winners with their relevant top awards. Many of the terriers shown were in fine fettle and we can look forward to a positive future.
Temperaments seemed to be sound. Mouths on the whole were generally good. Coats were at various stages many had good texture and thickness to them with ample undercoat. However I did find a few kinked tails some of which were quite severe some also quite long and thin.
As custodians of the breed as well as breeders and show people a like we must take a careful look at some of the issues creeping into the breed, Foreign head shapes with ear sets which would not go amiss on a working Lakeland terrier. Weak muzzles and skulls which fall away under the eye.
Front assembly’s wide fronts, bad shoulder placement weak pasterns and poor feet were in evidence on some exhibits and they paid the price in the ring for this. Bodies and rib shape are another concern the breed standard states "deep, narrow, fairly long ribs carried well back" not short bodies and sprung ribs! Condition and muscle tone are key factors along with many of the other points in the breed standard which all contribute to the overall picture of a working terrier. After all the breed standard starts with the first sentence "essentially a working terrier" a sentence which must be adhered too now and in the future...
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
Dark grizzle ok for head and body thick pelt moved ok
Tweedmouth Canine Society Open Show
4th Apr 2015
Judge: Mrs Sandra Johnstone (Burnvale)
Open /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Northumberland County Show
25th May 2015
Judge: Mrs Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My thanks to the committee for inviting the invitation to judge at this friendly and well run show.
My thanks to the exhibitors for showing their dogs under me and the sporting manner they accepted my placings on the day
To be judging in the County where the Border Terrier originated from felt quite special, the landscape certainly gives you an appreciation of the environment that the breed was built to work in.
I was pleased to find the majority of exhibits, presented in the correct tweedy jackets, which I’m sure they appreciated being in , with the inclement weather we experienced on the day.
I found most exhibits to be of correct size and with typical heads, on the flip side I found some exhibits quite heavy in the front giving a somewhat ‘beefy’ appearance and also some round eyes giving a rather untypical expression.
I felt that my winners fitted the criteria of essentially a working terrier.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
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.
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Tweedmouth Canine Society Open Show
25th Mar 2016
Judge: Mrs Margaret Armstrong (Carrickfarm)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for offering me this appointment and for their excellent hospitality . I had a lovely entry and would like to thank the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs.
Open /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union Agricultural Society
19th Jun 2016
Judge: Mrs M Wanless
My sincere thanks go to the officers and committee of Border Union for this appointment, this is such a well run, friendly show, with outstanding hospitality!
My thanks also to my two Stewards on the day, Ella Linton, and Alan Small. Thank you too to all those who entered under me, and came, and accepted my decisions with good grace. I was pleased with my winners. I do wish though that dogs were shown on a loose lead, and stacked freely. Big ears are becoming prevalent, not as in the standard. Presentation and condition played a large part in my decisions.
Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Scottish BTC Championship Show
12th Nov 2016
Judge: Mrs. Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
Thank you for inviting me to judge this show. If my memory serves me correctly this was the very first Border Terrier show I exhibited at……30 years ago.
It really was a pleasure to go over so many good examples of the breed. Coats were at various stages and some paid the penalty with either little top coat or totally blown. Mouths were good. Some movement, especially front. Not so good. Size was better than I have seen in the past. Temperament on every exhibit was really good I am pleased to say. No noise from the cage area either that I was aware of. I was delighted with my main winners.
Special thanks must go to my very able steward and to the kitchen ladies for a lovely meal and coffee.
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2017
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the Officers, Committee and members of the Club for this appointment. It was a privilege to judge, with a very nice entry and sporting atmosphere throughout the day.
My thanks for the hospitality, gift and excellent lunch, and to my steward Shona.
I was pleased with the entry overall, coats varied throughout. My main concern not only today but with the breed in general would be size with many being too big and something that must be considered in future breeding. Front movement with pinning in lost some dogs placings today. It was rewarding to start two youngsters off with their first CC’s and I wish them well for their future.
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
Nice dog with thick double jacket, good shoulder and spannable. Nice length with good body lines. Typical alround border with good straight front.
Cheviot & Bewick CS Open Show
17th Mar 2018
Judge: Kerrie Picolo
Open /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2018
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of the Border Union Agricultural Society for inviting me to judge today. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me, by far, the biggest Terrier entry of the day. A big thank you to my two stewards, Nev and Liz Holmes-Leak, who kept things running smoothly and efficiently thus ensuring that we finished in time for my BOB to make the Group.
Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, and in some cases this was the deciding factor. Some exhibits were too fine in bone, particularly in the earlier classes. Some heads had ears set too high, some had deep stops with muzzles that were too short which gives a foreign expression. There were more than a few exhibits which would have benefited from having their feet tidied and nails cut. Soundness of movement in some dogs gave cause for concern. If a Border is to be fit for the function it was intended, it needs to be sound on the move. I found varying degrees of unsoundness in front movement from toeing in, crossing in front to paddling and out at the elbows. Hind movement in some exhibits was also less than desirable with hocks too close together when going away, cow hocks, lack of drive from hindquarters and, in some cases, lack of muscle tone. All of which would not allow a Border to be ‘capable of following a horse’ over rugged terrain. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners. I was also pleased to see my BOB shortlisted in the group.
Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Hawick & DCSOpen Show
1st Jul 2018
Judge:
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Nov 2018
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
My sincere thanks to the Scottish Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their Championship show, one of my favourites. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to judge their dogs.
My main concern is size and weight, it really does matter, there were a number of exhibits that were too heavy/big, and at the other end of the spectrum, not enough muscle/bone/condition, which is essential for a working dog. However, I was very happy with the main winners, and both line ups.
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
8 years old lovely otter head with typical expression, a little deeper than 1, kept a level topline on the move, preferred the front of 1.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Feb 2019
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
May I take the opportunity to thank the Club and its members for inviting me to judge at this show, and for the super warm hospitality I received. Special thanks to my ring stewards Carolyn Richardson and Janice Johnson, for being so efficient and keeping me on track.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
A few observations from the day, I felt rear movement on the whole was good but a few lacked the drive that I looked for, whilst in others it was their elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal. Today I saw too many that were far too wide in front, lacking the narrowness to go to ground. I like to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
Heads which are such a defining aspect of this breed, varied greatly, I found some too exaggerated and coarse for my liking, whilst others were narrow and somewhat snipey in muzzle, neither are correct.
Today I found coats at all stages, perhaps a sign that Crufts was not far around the corner, so perhaps not the best month to find a thick double jacket, so I found myself forgiving a lack of coat if the construction and balance I look for was there.
I found temperaments superb, dentition all good and all dogs entire. I felt the depth of quality was in the bitches, and in some classes I was spoilt for choice. Both puppy bitch classes were high in quality, and I look forward to seeing how they mature.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Placing Critique
old fashioned type of dog, which was why he appealed. Has pleasing head and expression, good topline and underline, excellent thick pelt. Not quite as positive in front as 1 on the move.
Border Union Agricultural Society
15th Jun 2019
Judge: Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank Border Union Agricultural Society for the invitation to judge my first CC appointment in Border Terriers and to my ring steward Alicia Wilson for keeping me right and the smooth efficiency of getting each class in the ring to keep things going.
I was delighted with the super entry of 123 dogs making 142 entries and appreciate all the exhibitors that gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs and the sporting way they accepted my decisions.
The overall quality was excellent, I was privileged to judge so many lovely dogs and I was pleased with my main winners, all looking in tip top condition on the day.
I was surprised that in some of the exhibits that underneath good coats there was lack of condition and a bit thin and some were lacking thick skin and loose pelt that is important in our breed.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Veteran - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Feb 2020
Judge: Anne Speake
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge the first of their centenary shows this year and for their warm welcome and hospitality. Thank you to my two stewards, Judy Carr and Judith Fawcett who had the ring running like clockwork, which enabled me to get on with the job of judging a large quality entry. Thank you to all the exhibitors for giving me such a wonderful entry of 143 dogs, sadly the serve flooding at the time made for several absentees, but I’d like to thank everyone who braved the floods and made the journey. This was my first breed club appointment, which was a truly memorable experience and one I won’t forget. Thank you for the lovely gifts which I will treasure. I was generally very pleased with the overall quality of the dogs entered under me. Coats were at varying stages, and some dogs paid the price today. The quality in some classes made for some difficult decisions, especially in the limit/open classes, and I would have liked more first places.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union Championship Show
4th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Many thanks go to the exhibitors and my two stewards who kept going throughout a rather damp session during the judging of the bitch classes. One of the essentials of a working terrier is being able to withstand a little rain but there were a few exhibits with thin skins and short of coat. I found that some lacked muscle, particularly behind, which affected the driving movement necessary for the breed’s function. My other main concern was the lack of width in the jaws of some, detracting from the desired, ‘like that of an otter’, head shape. This is a most identifying feature of the breed and needs to be carefully adhered to.
Veteran - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Border Union Championship Show
19th Jun 2022
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe (Pipruda)
First of all I would like to thank the committee for the appointment, the exhibitors for their entry and my stewards for keeping my ring controlled which enabled me to finish judging well in time for the groups. Judy you can steward for me anytime thank you. I was thrilled that my BOB not only won the Terrier Group but went on to Best in Show, my BPIB was placed in the Puppy Group as was my BV in the Veteran Group. Due to COVID this is my first appointment since 2017 and I am pleased to say that I can see a vast improvement in movement since then but overall the quality in bitches was far superior to the dogs, I have large hands and spannability was in the minority in most dog classes. In the standard it says Essentially a Working Terrier, many would be unable to get down a hole let alone get out again!
Veteran - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Nov 2022
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
I won my first Crufts qualifier at this show 25 years ago and it has always been one of my favourites. It was an honour to be invited to judge and my thanks go to the Scottish Club for their hospitality. Thanks also to my very capable stewards Bill Shorthose and Judy Carr.My sincere thanks to all those who entered and allowed me the privilege of going over their dogs.
Today I found there to be a much greater depth of quality among the bitches with there being many promising puppies and some very nice animals in the upper classes,particularly limit and open. This depth of quality was not apparent in a number of the dog classes although I was pleased with my main winners.
As would be expected there was some diversity in size and type.A number of exhibits of both sexes were up to size- I have big hands so if I find them difficult to span they are probably too big. I found all males to be entire, no serious mouth faults and one kinked tail.Of most concern was the number of dogs with very poor front movement and the number with atypical heads; some too long in muzzle and a few where the muzzle was too short, the latter giving a rather cat like look. Coats and pelts were generally good and a few dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.A fairly minor fault, but one which detracts from the overall outline, were the dogs which carried their tails curled over their backs i.e “gay tailed” as opposed to carrying their tails gaily.
Some of these faults are aesthetic but others such as size and soundness are not and we should be mindful that our breed is “essentially a working terrier.”
Veteran - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Feb 2023
Judge: Mrs Julie Fletcher North (Northborders)
Firstly I would like to thank the Committee for my invite to judge my first Club show , also my 2 able stewards Judy and Kathy for keeping me and the ring in order , mostly I thank the exhibitors for their wonderful entry and allowing me to go over their beautiful dogs , I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I was really pleased with both my line ups , I loved all my main winners and look forward to following their futures
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Kalebank Harvester
Class Critique
Really enjoyed judging this class ,great to see so many Veterans still sound and spannable enjoying their day out
