Show Placings
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Oct 2011
Judge: Mr. Stuart Plane (Stuane)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this show and I was truly grateful for such a very good entry
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Oct 2011
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
A big thank you to the committee for giving me the opportunity to judge this show and to my stewards on the day for making things run smoothly.
Also thanks to the exhibitors for their support and making it an enjoyable day.
On the whole I thought the standard of the exhibits was high and I was happy with both line ups. I was delighted with my main winners as they could hold their own in any company.
Coats were of various lengths, but when top coats were in the vast majority were what is required, dense and harsh.
Although a working terrier, some tidying up, especially around the feet could help some exhibits go further when pressing for top honours.
Most dogs were in fit hard condition but two or three adult dogs were lacking any substance whatsoever and would be no match for Charlie on any day of the week.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
6 month bitch that took my eye for type when she entered the ring. Pleasing head with nice reach of neck, good top line and tailset. No coat today. One to watch.
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)?
Best Puppy
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
A quality puppy of lovely size with a fabulous rib, so easily spanned and an excellent topline and tailset. She has just the right amount of bone, not overdone, and has a very pretty otter head, with lovely neck leading into good shoulders. Short, carroty tail and good small, tight feet. She is a very honest, unassuming bitch and combines those qualities of type with good movement which draw the eye. Pleased to award her Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in show
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Class Critique
A very hard decision here in this excellent class. I would have been happy to give this class to each one of the first 3 placed and indeed, each of them had already won a class!
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.
Best Opposite Sex Puppy
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan of 10 months of age. She has a very good head which was strong yet feminine. Her mouth was correct. Good tight harsh coat. Very pleasing outline. Easily spanned with ribs well back. Good for bone. Moved well. Just piped at the post for best puppy in show. A very good prospect. BEST PUPPY BITCH, RBPIS AND BOSPIS.
Crufts
11th Mar 2012
Judge: Mr Stewart McPherson (Brumberhill)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge at Crufts, possibly the pinnacle of anyone’s judging career. My thanks must go to the exhibitors for the entry of 264 dogs, making 304 entries, by far the largest entry for a single judge in the Group, which made for a very long day. Thanks also, must, go to my Stewards, Kim Lathaen and Eddie Bishop, for their efficient services, which ensured we finished just in time for my BOB to make the Terrier Group.
I last judged the Breed at LKA, just over three years ago. This was always going to be an interesting entry, after my preamble then, which was a bit “fire and brimstoneâ€, where I stated my deep concerns about the, in my opinion, untypical heads that were creeping into the Breed, gradually being accepted, as being correct, particularly the excessively broad skulls and high set ears. Therefore, knowing my preference for the otter like, MODERATELY broad skull, asked for in the Standard, I have to say, not without a little amusement, the “lollipop on a stick†type “Teddy Bear†heads with deep stops were almost conspicuous by their absence today!
While upper arm length was a major problem last time, in the younger classes, I found far fewer today that were totally unable to stand with their front legs underneath them, perpendicular to the floor, which, hopefully, was a good sign that Breeders are recognising and attempting to remedy the problem.
Movement, on the whole was pretty acceptable, behind especially. Front, maybe not quite as good, a small minority being rather less than accurate, flicking out, or toeing in. Most covered plenty of ground on the move.
The majority were spannable.
Most were in good, harsh coat, or evidence of texture coming through. I realise it’s the start of the show season, so those short of coat weren’t unduly penalised. My reasoning being, that, coats are transitory, whereas poor conformation will always be poor conformation, regardless of the wrapping.
I know they are a working Terrier, but, I have to say, considering the occasion, I was shocked at how dirty some of the dogs were. Some were thick with grease and would certainly have benefited from a bath, if only for their own comfort!
I was very pleased with both my line ups in the challenge for the CC’s, indeed, the first three in most classes. I felt that they all fitted my interpretation of the Standard and could, if required, do the job of a working Terrier.
Special Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Class Critique
Strong class, thought all five placed were very promising.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
24th Mar 2012
Judge: Miss Tracey Peacock (Ragatam)
My Thanks To The Officers And Committee For Inviting Me To Judge Their Show, To The Stewards, Mrs. Doreen Rushby And Mrs. Tracy Butler For Keeping The Ring Running Smoothly And To The Exhibitors For Allowing Me To Go Over Their Dogs.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
Smaller Grizzle Bitch. Nice Size With A Good Coat And Pelt. Feminine Head. Well Balanced. Lost Out To 1 Today On Confidence On The Move.
Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr David Mitchell (Paleside)
The Scottish Border Terrier Club held an open show where BIS was Lairehope Lord Of The Glen at Tweedburn; RBIS, Picer Gilliflower; & BP, Keycharm Phantom by Ridgebow.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
well balanced grizzle, sweet feminine head, correct bite, narrow all round, showing signs of coat coming in, best mover in class
Three Counties Championship Show
10th Jun 2012
Judge: Mrs P McLellan
I enjoyed my day very much and must thank the exhibitors for an excellent entry. I was pleased with my principle winners. Some dogs were penalised today for lack of coat. I know coats will grow but at this level of showing dogs really need to be in good coat and in good coat condition. Movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
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!
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
Most attractive bitch with good balance. Harsh coat and very keen feminine expression. good strong jaw and as with most of the bitches, heads were superior to those of the dogs.
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
21st Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Bill Gray (Pontbeck)
I would first like to thank the Club for the invitation to judge one of the most prestigious shows in the calendar. I have looked forward to the appointment for several years and I must say I was not disappointed with my day. The entry was full of quality, especially in the bitch classes, with the open bitch class being the best class I have ever judged.
I have been concerned, over the past few years, on how the breed would develop after the fox hunting ban. If todays entry is typical of the breed as a whole, I can only say it is in safe hands. Movement is still a problem but a much smaller problem than the last time I judged. The number of exhibits with short carrot tails pleased me greatly and the majority of the entry had good double coats, some exceptional and thick pelts. There were a few exhibits with level bites and one with a crowded mouth. One exhibit had a kinked tail.
The show was very quiet with little noise from the exhibits, well done everyone, terriers need a bit of spark but should not show aggression to each other and the temperaments here today were to be commended to the dog`s owners.
I didn’t have any under fed dogs showing all had a good covering of flesh but there were a number of poor, soft muscled dogs which needed more exercise.` The ability to follow a horse` is there in the breed standard, get the dogs out and get them fit.
I thank my stewards for their unobtrusive efficiency and attentiveness which made the day run smoothly.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Blackpool Championship Show
22nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Dan Ericsson (Sweden)
Movement was difficult to assess under these circumstances, but most dogs seemed to cope remarkably well despite knee high mud & a water logged ring – living proof of the hardiness of the breed!
Despite the appalling weather I enjoyed my day with the Borders very much & was impressed with the overall quality of the dogs & the keen sportsmanship of the exhibitors.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
17th Jul 2012
Judge: Mrs. A. C. Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the Northern Club for the opportunity to judge their 40th Championship show and for their wonderful hospitality; to the exhibitors for giving me such a lovely entry and to my stewards Doreen Rushby & Tracy Peacock for their assistance through the day.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my day, as we expect from this club there was a wonderful atmosphere all day with good support for the winners and, of course, very impressive rosettes!
I was pleased with the entry and thought the Veteran class outstanding. In general exhibits were good types of Border, presented clean and reasonably well muscled. I dislike over handling and excessive stacking of exhibits, these are working terriers and if made right they will – eventually – stand right. In general heads were typical, some with excellent expressions. Coats, of course, were all over the place but where present were of good quality and in the main pelts were OK with some very good examples. Feet generally were OK but good tight well padded feet were definitely in the minority. Similarly ears were generally OK but small, well set, well shaped thick ears were scarce. Tails and tailset were very much a plus with some very good examples, just a few rather long or thin ones. I was pleased to find enough well made dogs who covered their ground cleanly without fuss and flicking but good movement was definitely one of the major problems, particularly in the bitches.
Shoulder placement was a problem in a significant number of exhibits, mostly these were upright shoulders out at the withers giving big problems with front movement. These may look good standing but these dogs are not sound on the move, a vital requirement for a Border.
I accept that an older dog can lose teeth or have a bite move but I was disappointed to find a number of young dogs with incorrect bites, missing and broken teeth. I thought a number of heads were weak, particularly across the jaw and these seem to go with rather small teeth, I wonder if these are related problems?
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Yorks, Lancs & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Sep 2012
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
My thanks to the officers & committee for their invitation & hospitality , I thoroughly enjoyed my day with them , the border folk & their dogs .Thanks too to my stewards for the day who kept the ring running smoothly . It is 28 years since I attended my 1st YLCBTC Ch show , watching Ch Dandyhow Crofter gain his title & Ch Thistycroft Candlelight take top honours . I remember clearly the heavy fall Ted Hutchinson had due to lack of mats , thankfully no-one slipped today , though some dogs did.
For me the most important sentence is ˜essentially a working terrier” I fully appreciate a gorgeous otter head & all breed details , but the common factor of all terriers pedigree & crossbreed who go to ground is that they are narrow fronted & eminently spannable , having a flat rib, this is a flattish egg shape , never slab-sided , well sprung nor barrel chested , all equally faulty in a Border . If the frame is too big by being either too deep &/or sprung they will get stuck & die underground as not all places are diggable . I was taught they should resemble a lightweight hunter , legs slightly longer than depth of body & ˜fairly long in body”, i.e. longer wither to end of loin than wither to elbow with no trace of brisket below elbow . These essentials plus positive straight scopy movement were uppermost today . I have no colour prejudice nor pedigree preference at all.
Temperaments were excellent in the ring with only a couple of “outbursts” from outside, a must for a working terrier is an equable nature . All males were entire . A few misplaced teeth & tail faults which would not affect work but do pass on to progeny . Untypical round eyes often too close together are prone to damage & ulceration working , & give a surprised foreign look rather than kind in repose & keen when alert correct expression . Quite a few ran down to the shoulders being either short in foreleg &/or steep in croup . Was pleased my winners have enough scope & soundness to get there & handled well enough in rib & front to be able to get in & more importantly , back out again.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th Oct 2012
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the Northern Border Terrier Club for the kind invitation to judge their open show at Otterburn. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted with my winners. Many thanks to my stewards Lesley Gosling and Allen Horner who kept everything running smoothly throughout the day. I would also like to thank all exhibitors for the privilege of judging their dogs.
Driving across to the venue on the morning of the show was a timely reminder of the terrain that Borders Terriers were bred to encounter whilst out hunting. Bearing this in mind I was looking for fit dogs whose structure and movement allowed them to cover the ground economically.
Positives were that the dogs were generally fit, they were shown in coats that had not been over trimmed and temperaments were good. A couple of negative points that I felt applied to a number of exhibits: there were few dogs with really big teeth and also there were rather a lot of thin tight skins. Really thick pliable skin was a rarity.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
Good head and expression with strong muzzle. Not quite the scope of 1 but another bitch in good order with a balanced outline. Very good coat and pelt. Moved soundly.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Oct 2012
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
This was my first breed club show appointment and I must thank the exhibitors for their support and the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. The show was extremely well organised, with a very pleasant atmosphere. I was given a warm welcome and generous hospitality, together with two very efficient ring stewards; Janice Johnson and Liz Barrett, who kept everything running smoothly throughout the day.
There were some good quality dogs, and a few classes where I wish there had been more prizes. Coats were variable which sadly had to affect the placings in some classes. Some exhibits were on the large side and barely spannable, plus a few short ribs and barrel chests. All dogs were entire and all mouths were good barring a couple of missing teeth in the veteran class.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Midland Counties
25th Oct 2012
Judge: Mr. Gerald Baker (Jaslou)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Carlisle & District Canine Society
6th Jan 2013
Judge: Mr J Thomas (Daluce)
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch. Beautiful otter head. Good size. Easily spanned. Nice rib shape and length. Well angulated with positive movement, especially in profile. Only just coming into coat
Boston & District Canine Society Championship Show
13th Jan 2013
Judge: Mrs Janice Johnson
My thanks firstly go to Boston & District Canine Society Committee for giving me this opportunity to judge the breed again, for looking after me on the day and providing my excellent stewards who gave me great support throughout the day with their efficiency and unobtrusive discretion.
Secondly the exhibitors, who travelled many miles for my judgment, thank you all for taking my decisions sportingly. Thank goodness we didnâ??t have the following weekend when we were all had over 6 inches of snow!
I was extremely pleased with my main winners who all deserved their placings and I was delighted when I received the news that my BOB winner had gone G2 in Terrier Group under Ernie Darby and my best puppy had gone G1 in the Terrier Group under Peter Clifton.
I had some really good examples of the breed to go over and it is a pleasure when you find an exhibit in a class that really meets all your requirements. Movement in the younger classes was inconsistent some may settle others will not. I had a number of very nice quality borders who I know will go on to greater things and some promising puppies, I will watch their futures with interest. Coats on the whole were good with most of the exhibits having thick pelts.
Yearling - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Manchester Championship Show
17th Jan 2013
Judge: Trish Clark (Gameway)
My sincere thanks to Manchester Dog Show Society for the invitation to award C Câ??s to the breed for the first time. The welcome was warm and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I would also like to praise my stewards Anne Speak and Rob Taylor who kept the ring running smoothly. Thank you to all who entered and those who braved adverse weather conditions to get there.
I was extremely pleased with my main winners who were all in great condition and fine examples of the breed.
Of concern were a number of exhibits with round eyes and too much stop also some long and flat feet though some of these could be improved by trimming and nail clipping. Coats as ever were at all stages. I feel judges need to pay attention to correct double coats as a border could survive many things we pay particular attention to in the show ring but not five minutes doing his original job of work in the depths of winter without his correct jacket.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Umber
Placing Critique
Workmanlike balanced bitch of good size. Strong head with punishing jaw. Hard fit condition, showing and moving well.
