Show Placings
Southern Counties Canine Association
27th Jun 2021
Judge: Mr Kevin Green (Terabyte)
I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee of the Southern Counties Canine Association for inviting me to judge their show for Border Terriers. It was my first judging appointment for a CH Show and I was very pleased with my entry also I would like to thank all the exhibitors who entered and for allowing me to go over their dogs. They all showed and behaved very well. Last but not least I would like to thank my steward who did an excellent job keeping everything flowing very well.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Another attractive young dog behaved lovely in ring, he had a good coat on him and good bend of stifle as well.
East of England Championship Show
8th Jul 2021
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
My thanks go to the East of England committee for inviting me to judge the show. Thank you to my two stewards who efficiently helped exhibitors to follow the corvid regulations in place for the show.
For quite a lot of the younger dogs it was there first show due to the lockdown they all handled it well.
All teeth were ok a few of the dogs were just spannable there was no problem with the bitches
I was pleased with my final line ups for dogs and bitches and the main winners I feel could still carry out the work they were bred for if required.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
3rd in minor puppy dog good size, teeth ok, moved better in this class
Bath Canine Society
1st Aug 2021
Judge: Mr T Ball
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
8 mth old who needs to gain confidence. Masculine headpiece with very nice eye, short strong muzzle and correct dentition. Neck of moderate length, firm topline and fair croup. Correct ribbing with strong loins. Standing rather untidy in front which reflects on the move but moves out well in profile and true when going away.
Bournemouth Championship Show
16th Aug 2021
Judge: Mr J Horswell
I very much enjoyed tackling this entry and found the breed to be in pretty good shape. Quite a relaxed and friendly atmosphere I thought. I did take coats into account, there were quite a lot who were rather naked on the day and as a result went further down the line that they might otherwise have done – you have to judge what you can see, and a good coat is important in a working terrier.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Kent County CA Open Show
22nd Aug 2021
Judge: Mrs Mandy Kenna (Cynetkoy)
Junior /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Grand Boy
Richmond Championship Show
11th Sep 2021
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to the committee of the Richmond show for granting my first appointment to award CC’s, I was well looked after on the day and had great support from my stewards which was very much appreciated. It was a real privilege to judge some wonderful examples of the breed and the future looks bright as there were so many wonderful puppies and juniors. I really appreciated all my entries and rewarded those in the best condition on the day, I also acknowledge that many had good breed type and quality even amongst those not in the challenge and some that were not placed in the stronger classes.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Liked the head, expression and neat ear of this young man, he was short coupled and perhaps a wee bit round in rib but a strong loin and well set on tail made for a pleasing prospect who will likely mature into a very nice dog.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
18th Sep 2021
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Congratulations to the committee on finding a splendid new venue. It is so nice to be able to evaluate exhibits in natural surrounding and this was ideal. I understand some did not care completely for the ground but while some exhibits did not excel on the terrain those that did displayed good conformation and moved accordingly.
Generally: there were some mouth faults present today which affected some results in the context of the classes they were in and the degree of the fault. Fronts came in many shapes and sizes not all straight and narrow unfortunately and I was surprised at the number of large and rather thin, spreading feet. Finally I just want to get off my chest that for me the term racy hindquarters does not carry with it a high tuck up.
The unexpected heat, especially in the earlier classes, was a little overwhelming and I thought both exhibits and exhibitors coped admirably. I loved my line ups and very much appreciated my entry, thank you.
Thanks also to my stewards who in these strange times were really kept at it all day.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Grand Boy
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Grand Boy
Crystal Palace Canine Association Dog Show
16th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr Jack Wood (Nasabe)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Guildford & District Canine Society
28th Nov 2021
Judge: Anne Speake
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Woolwich, Bexley DCS Open show
5th Dec 2021
Judge: Mr A Bicknell (Shimano)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Grand Boy
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Crufts
11th Mar 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Crufts has always been a memorable experience for me, from sitting ringside to winning top honours in this breed, and to retire from judging with my last appointment being Crufts was a special occasion. Many thanks to all the exhibitors for the entry of 233 dogs making 257 entries with 28 absentees.
It was a long day and with only one steward for almost all of the classes my sincere thanks must go to Robyn Burnett. Plus a special thanks to Judy Carr for stepping in to help Robyn in those last big classes to help us finish just in time to get the BOB to the Group. Also to Joyce Martin the photographer who worked hard throughout the day to get those special pictures, thank you. I enjoyed my day judging but found some of the classes quite challenging.
I was pleased with the lineup and my principal winners, but a little disappointed with what I was finding when the dogs came to the table. The standard reads “Head like that of an otter moderately broad in skull and small ears dropping close to cheek” but some were so untypical of our breed with narrow skulls, weak jaws and small teeth, with ears that were too big and standing away from the cheek.
In every class there were some that just could not be spanned - being too deep in the chest and strong in the rib. Movement was better behind than in front. Finding dogs with a short upper arm, this not only restricts the movement but when standing almost gives a Fox Terrier type front which I was seeing, to start accepting these deviations as acceptable would be a sad day for our breed as we know it.
General condition of the dogs was good, jackets came in all stages mostly acceptable with some good thick pelts. One problem I found today was the baiting of dogs on the table. In some cases it made it hard going for dogs and judge - no need to top and tail and bait all at the same time - personally I just needed the dogs to stand still.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Guildford & District Canine Society Open Show
19th Mar 2022
Judge: Ruth Gee (Watercroft)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Grand Boy
Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
2yr old masculine dog better head than first with a good eye and neat ears. He was in excellent coat and possibly carrying a bit too much condition, moved well.
Crystal Palace Canine Association Dog Show
10th Apr 2022
Judge: Janet Robertson (Renevis)
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
WELKS
25th Apr 2022
Judge: Mr S A Mcpherson (Brumberhill))
Thank you to the WELKS committee for the invitation to judge their show and to my stewards, who did a sterling job, keeping everything moving, to get through the entry.
Wasn’t sure what to expect, being on a Monday, in the current financial climate, so was delighted to receive an entry of 126 dogs, making 181 entries, topping the Terrier Group, by quite a margin. Thank you to those exhibitors, for bringing their dogs, and wanting my opinion. There were very few I’d actually judged before, having last judged at Blackpool ’19.
We were blessed with a lovely sunny day, and a huge double sized ring, giving everyone full chance to show their dogs to full advantage.
I felt it was a high quality entry, especially the bitches, where, I felt, my final bitch challenge line up was one of the best I’ve judged. There were a number of bitches, both there, and in the placings, I have no doubt will gain their crowns, given a fair chance.
Main points of concern, as last time I judged, at Blackpool ’19, are still deep stops, with a rounder eye, giving an untypical expression. A few, with this problem, also had tighter, untidy bites, as they were very short in muzzle.
A few knobbly tails, some too long, carried high, but most were ok and well carried.
On the whole, I thought movement had improved, although still a few high steppers, due to incorrect shoulder and upper arm. Toplines were good, on most. Presentation, on the whole, was good, as most were in good coat, or evidence of texture.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Grand Boy
Special Beginners - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Tunbridge Wells & District Canine Society Open Show
7th May 2022
Judge: Simon Burton (Glencorrie)
I enjoyed judging this breed for the first time. All dogs were spannable (a couple only just) and had the correct thick, pliant skin.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
R/gr dog of 17 months with a good otter head and preferred the less pronounced stop to 1. Lovely eye and expression but ears a bit on the large side. Good neck and another good fronted dog with straight forelegs nicely under the withers, denoting correct front angulation. Good depth of chest, nicely narrow, gentle tuck up to loin and has a good level topline and neat, well angulated quarters exactly balancing the front. Tail a little lower set than 1 which also shows on the move. Has an excellent harsh coat and although he has the construction to move well, not the confident performer that 1 is standing or moving and needs to learn to make the best of himself.
Southern Counties Canine Association
3rd Jun 2022
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to award my first set of CCs. Although my appointment was originally for 2020, it was worth the wait. Thank you to my stewards Doug and Sue for keeping me in line and the ring running smoothly. And most of all, thank you to all of the exhibitors for your entries and for allowing me to go over your dogs. I also want to thank anyone who made unsporting comments, for doing so out of my earshot.
As I would expect, the entry was on the whole very pleasing. Thankfully, I didn’t have many exaggerations, such as ultra short muzzles or over-angulated hindquarters. Unfortunately though, good fronts, and in particular clean, well laid, shoulders and good front angulation, were few and far between. Movement, with both good reach and drive and accuracy was hard to find, so I did find myself forgiving the odd wayward front legs on dogs that otherwise had good construction and an easy ground covering stride. I would rather see a dog a little loose and covering the ground than one very accurate that can only take a three inch stride. All dogs were entire. There were only a couple of less than perfect bites and an ever so slightly kinked tail. Only a select few had a good short carroty tail, and some were very long, something we need to look out for. A few, including some bitches, were big in the rib and far too heavy to pick up and quite a number had very little undercoat and thin pelts. I looked for good construction and movement, balance and no exaggeration. I found several dogs that I would happily award CCs to on another day and had the privilege of having to really nitpick, especially in the dog challenge.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Unplaced in yearling dog. Richly coloured grizzle and tan. Not as typical in head as 1 being short in skull and ultra short in muzzle. Not the best bite. He has a lovely neck and shoulders with good angulation. Good topline and tail set and a strong loin. Good hindquarters which he used well. Very sound on the move.
Windsor Championship Dog Show
1st Jul 2022
Judge: Mr David G Winsley (Davmar)
I last judged the breed in 2017 so most of the dogs were new to me. I felt that the breed is losing that ‘ otter head’ appearance, fore-faces appearing to be too long. Poor front construction in many was a deciding factor in my placing, our ring didn’t help, but the conditions were the same for everyone.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Nice type, good for size & shape. I liked his head & expression. Good neck & shoulders with a straight front. Good depth of body & level back. Nice turn of stifle, correct tailset. In good coat & moves well both ways.
East of England
9th Jul 2022
Judge: Mr Bob Blackley (Vaevictus)
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Strong headed dog, with good rear angulation, good coat, moved ok.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Paignton Championship Show
6th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
It was an honour to be asked to judge at Paignton & District Fanciers Association. My thanks go to the officers and committee for their kind invitation to judge Border Terriers and their excellent hospitality. I had a lovely day at this well organised show and would like to also thank the stewards, Helen & Norma, for keeping me on track and in order. The weather was exceptionally hot and although I do like to judge outside, I am sure exhibitors, and their dogs were grateful for the shade and cool that being inside gave us.
Although I did not have a huge entry, I was fortunate to have some real quality dogs entered and had some very hard decisions to make, however, at the end of judging I was delighted with my winners. On the downside, I did find some mouths that were not as they should be and some dogs who were deep in chest and therefore difficult to span. However, the most disappointing element was the lack of detail that some exhibitors pay to feet. The standard states that feet should be ‘small with thick pads’, however, quite a few exhibits had untidy feet with long nails. Although this seems minor point, long hair around the feet detracts from the overall look of the Border Terrier.
I was disappointed that I could not stay to watch the group, but unfortunately, I had to leave due to other commitments. I was delighted that all my top winners were shortlisted in the group and very pleased that my Special Beginner winner went Group 1 and the Best Puppy winner went Group 3.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Similar to 1st place in general appearance, which meant it was a close decision. Straight front and correct shoulder placement. Ok movement front and back. Lost out today on coat.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Critique as 2nd in Special Beginners Dog class.
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr. David Matthews (Tojamatt)
Many thanks to Bournemouth Canine Association for asking me to judge, and also thanks to my two more than able stewards. It was a really hot day topping 35 degrees C, if I had entered I wouldnt have attened so I understand perfectly why we had quite a few absentees, and a outbreak of covid from a previous show, added to this ,many thanks to everyone who entered. I had some really nice examples of the breed to go over, and some hard decisions. The tent provided us with some much needed shade, and the dogs behaved very well and coped with the heat admirably. I had a couple of dogs not move as well as I know they can so gave them another opportunity to move again, and they put in a much better performance .The dogs were all presented in good order, clean teeth, short nails and tidy coats. A few coats were outstanding, harsh and dense, among the best I’ve come across.
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Horley & DSS Open Show
28th Aug 2022
Judge: Krystyan Greenland
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
City of Birmingham Championship Show
3rd Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs K Newsome (Kighills)
I would like to thank the City of Birmingham committee for inviting me to judge the Border terriers today. It was a most enjoyable day and to top it off I had some quality dogs and bitches to go over. I would also like to thank the exhibitors for their entries and excepting my decisions.
The quality of borders were good and adhered to the breed standard. All mouths were good and all the dogs were entire. Heads on the whole were very good but some lacked a strong broad muzzle. The movement was good and many moved with drive. Many coats were harsh and thick and pelts were nice and loose. I would like to see some exhibitors pay a little attention to trimming the feet and nails.
It would also benefit a few exhibitors to take their young dogs to ring-craft more to socialise them. This would get them use to unfamiliar situations i.e. hands on the dog etc.
To my surprise my main winners Best Puppy Dog, 2nd Grad Bitch, Bitch CC & Bitch RCC were all related to the Glebeheath Kennels so well done to you.
Special Beginners in Breed
Name at show: Grand Boy
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Overall good appearance, nice head, good mouth, straight front and correct lay of shoulders. Correct double coat Movement ok.
Richmond Championship Dog Show
11th Sep 2022
Judge: Mr J A Barney (Romaunt)
Many thanks to Richmond in giving me the opportunity to judge a breed that still has some depth in quality to it. Generally, I felt movement needs to be attended to. It's a breed I've always associated with true movement both ways and a number did tend to pin in front. Coat texture was pretty good throughout but some would benefit from slightly neater presentation. I was able to span nearly all exhibits and pelts good. At the moment I would say that bitches are far stronger than the males.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
Lacked confidence on the move today. Correct depth of brisket and spring of rib. Well made rear construction with moderate angulation. Like a little more refinement in his head.
Novice - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Kent County Canine Association Open Show
19th Feb 2023
Judge: Francis Goldfinch
Post Graduate /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Grand Boy
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Wealdstone & Northolt Canine Society Open Show
24th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs V. Williams-Wegmann (Essvana)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Grand Boy
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Eastbourne & DCS Open Show
25th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Felicity Snook (Pitcombe)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2023
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My thanks go to the committee of Bournemouth Championship Show for inviting me to award tickets for the first time, it was a very special day.
Special thanks to my stewards Gentle Lowe and Brian Aubrey for doing such a sterling job, allowing me to focus on the task in hand.
I was delighted with the entry that awaited me, a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and the sporting way they accepted my decisions, on the whole by most exhibitors.
I was told many years ago, by someone well respected in the breed to judge with the hands, not with the eyes, never did this ring true as today. Some dogs I have admired from the ringside, didn’t live up to expectations, whilst others that hadn’t previously caught my eye, surprised me and did.
Being the daughter of a hunt terrier man I could get no better grounding in the requirements of an earth dog, these were the days long before quad bikes, terriers would be expected to be on their feet from the moment hounds drew off until close of the hunting day, working in landscapes not dissimilar to that of that hunt the breed first originated from.
l tried to look subjectively at the exhibit before me to see if they had the confirmation and condition to undertake such duties. I was surprised how quite a number were difficult to span and far too deep in chest and too wide in front and came up heavy, lacking the narrowness to go to ground, a distinct disadvantage in the working arena, legs bend, chests don’t.
I was finding rear movement was better than front, but more than a few lacked the drive that I looked for with elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal.
I look to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
I found temperaments superb throughout the day, dentition was questionable on several exhibits and all dogs entire.
A plea to exhibitors if you bait them on the table, that is fine if they look hypnotically at the treat, but on several occasions, owners were wrestling with their dogs trying to get at the treat, making it difficult to assess them.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill and all sporting decent jackets and pelts and meeting my interpretation of the breed standard.
I was delighted to see my BOB going on to third in the terrier group and my BP winning the terrier puppy group.
Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Grand Boy
Richmond Championship Show
8th Sep 2023
Judge: Mr Tim Ball (Kaitak)
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
Placing Critique
2yr old red grizzle. This lad is somewhat wider all through than I would prefer but he has a pretty good neck, is firm in topline and tail is good for set and carriage. Balanced headpiece with moderate breadth to skull, nice dark eye and good furnishings. Going well enough on the go around but not fore and aft action of winner. Pelt rather tight.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Grand Boy
