Show Placings
Herts & Essex Border Canine Society Open Show
17th Mar 2013
Judge: Mr Gavin Robertson (Soletrader)
Puppy /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
National Terrier
6th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Many thanks to all of the exhibitors who gave me such a nice entry of 201 dogs, giving 245 entries. My thanks go to my two stewards, with some large numbers in the classes they kept everything running smoothly and helped me to finish on time. Many decisions were difficult and some decent dogs went unplaced.
There were things that came to hand while going over the dogs on the table, short ribs and over long in the loin and long hocks. Some of these short ribbed dogs were not over sprung and quite narrow through the body, but our standard states ‘ribs well back‘, something to be watched in your future breeding programs. Some dogs looked on the heavy side when I first looked around the ring, but on the table I was surprised how so many of these dogs came to hand no problem. Upright shoulders were noticeable and front movement in some classes was a problem, along with some very straight stifles and sickle movement. Puppies and youngsters you would expect to be forgiven for movement, along with the size of ears - within time the head develops and things start to balance out.
Jackets were at all stages, spot on, starting to blow - with some owners trying to scissor or part strip them into shape, other coats were coming through with harshness and one or two had just undercoat. There were some that could have done with just a tidy up which would have helped the overall picture.
General overall condition and the spanning on most dogs was acceptable, with good thick pelts. I did feel some of the puppies were thin and were quite hollow behind the ribs. I only had one bad mouth but plenty with strong jaws and large teeth. In general the shape and length of tails were good. A few low set tails, which when a dog is in a full jacket you can feel the low set when on the table but not necessarily see it on the move.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Smart blue and tan with harsh jacket with plenty of ticking, good pelt, strong in muzzle with nice expression, good tail set, moved ok.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
14th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs Jean Willetts (Hanway)
I would like to thank my stewards for all their hard work on the day, and to the committee for inviting me to judge there show. Also to the exhibitors who brought their dogs under me. I was pleased with my winners and placed dogs. I found that some had short muzzle coupled with round eyes which does not give a border expression.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
WELKS
28th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
My first appointment at this level and I would like to thank the officers and committee of WELKS for the invitation. Grateful thanks to my stewards who kept everything moving so efficiently and thanks to all the exhibitors who gave me the privilege of going over their dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and fully appreciated the opportunity to judge some high quality exhibits. Some decisions were difficult and places could change on another day.
On a positive note temperaments were good, as were mouths and feet. On the down side I felt that there were not enough exhibits that moved with drive and there were several with wide fronts - these are faults that would impact on the dog's ability to work.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
National Dog Show
9th May 2013
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Thanks to Birmingham National for giving me the opportunity to judge this show and for providing me with two excellent stewards, who kept the ring running smoothly, also to all the exhibitors that gave me the pleasure of going over their dogs.
The quality in some classes was superb especially the limit and open of both sexes, leaving me with more dogs I liked, than cards to award. Temperaments and presentation were good.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
8 month blue and tan with excellent double coat and plenty of ticking, good movement, strong jaw and pleasing head. Best puppy dog
Bath Canine Society Championship Show
24th May 2013
Judge: Mr Martin P Phillips
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
blue/tan, liked his head & expression, not so balanced as 1st, good clean front & deep bodied with good strong loins, went well.
Southern Counties Canine Association
1st Jun 2013
Judge: Mr Hans T Lehtinen (Finland)
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Blue. Nice body shape. Excellent expression, head profile and proportions. Nice neck line. Excellent rears and angulations. Good jacket.
Newmarket & District Canine Society
30th Jun 2013
Judge: Amanda Kenna
I would like to thank the officers and their commitee for inviting me to judge, and a big thank you to all the exhibitors who gave me a lovely entry, and to my steward for her smooth running of the ring. It was a lovely day, the weather was good and the food was great.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
East of England Agricultural Society
6th Jul 2013
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I have to thank the society for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors who accepted my decisions sportingly. Thank you also to my steward, on his own, for keeping things moving.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
(B/tan) Smart blue and tan with harsh jacket with plenty of ticking, good pelt, strong in muzzle with nice expression, good tail set, moved ok.
Leeds Championship Dog Show
26th Jul 2013
Judge: Mr M G Rushby
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
East Midlands Canine Society Open Show
1st Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs. Penny Sands
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Paignton Championship Show
3rd Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs B Jackson (Clipstone)
I thoroughly enjoyed judging at Paignton Championship Show. The new venue (well, new to me) was very pleasant and the show was efficiently run by the helpful and friendly committee. I had an excellent entry which contained lots of quality dogs to choose from. Some classes were, however, a real mix of types, again the Fox Terrier type with high ear carriage are appearing, as are those with almost "hound like" ears, far too large and which ruin the head. Ultimately I judged to my interpretation of the Standard. I like a dog to be a real stallion dog and a bitch, his feminine counterpart. I do not like bitchy dogs and masculine bitches. I was incredibly pleased with my winners, neither of which I have judged before and who to my mind are excellent examples of the breed, both home bred too, not bought in.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Very striking blue and tan in the most gorgeous of coats, harsh, to the point of cutting your fingers, double and thick. Lovely pelt too. Very good classic head and expression with lovely broad skull, strong jaw and gorgeous teeth. Lovely straight front, correct shoulders and tight feet which he used beautifully on the move. A dog who can really move. Lovely in rib and good strong loin, easily spanned. Excellent tail and carriage of it. One to watch,delighted to award him BPD.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Aug 2013
Judge: Sharp & Bailey
*Dog Critique*
My thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge the Championship Show for the second time, the first being 10 years ago, and thanks to my Stewards for their efficiency. The entry of 103 with only 9 absentees was pleasing.
Some judges concentrate on heads, others on shape of eyes, or on small dark ears, some on presentation, others on neat accurate movement. As for me – I judge on a whether a dog is “fit for function†as a working terrier plus whether it looks like a Border Terrier and no other type of terrier.
A good proportion of the entry had major faults of construction which would render them, not useless, but inefficient at the job Border Terriers are designed to perform. For instance, short rib cages do not allow for lung room for the stamina a terrier needs to run all day, and these short rib cages (often sprung) were very much in evidence in the entry. Some were accompanied by long loins which might give the impression to the ringside that the dog had good length.
Secondly, upright shoulders, often with steep upper arms are a major design fault. A well laid shoulder with well angulated upper arm which brings the elbow under the body is not just a pleasure to look at – these act as shock absorbers when the dog is running so that his joints are not jarred, leading to wear and tear, thus shortening his effective life as a working terrier.
Finally, wide fronts, often associated with the previous construction – a Border should be able to creep into any space occupied by a fox, and these, despite their chunky appearance have very little body under that fur.
Coats were mixed as to be expected – and there were some really good pelts, only a couple with paper thin pelts. Undercoat was often missing on the back, but present on the sides. A handful of bad mouths, perhaps some all rounders might accept these but I could not. Few really outstanding otter heads which stay in one’s memory for years, but most were adequate.
My critique will not contain descriptions of the dogs, but will give an indication of why they were placed as they were. If your dog was not as high in the placings as you had hoped, take a good objective look at him, and you might find out why.
*Bitch Critique*
A big thank you to the MBTC committee for asking me to judge the Ch. Show it was a great honour. Thank you also to my stewards Ray & Sharon for making the classes run so smoothly. A nice entry of 144 bitches. I enjoyed the day; it was lovely to judge the bitches. The depth of quality in most of the classes was very pleasing. However, the fronts are still a problem within the breed & need to be addressed in future litters. Some quality bitches went cardless, unfortunately there is only 5 cards & many went without being placed. I was so delighted that my fellow judge Marie, agreed that my BCC & BRCC, should win the top honours, Best in Show and RBIS.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Bournemouth Championship Dog Show
10th Aug 2013
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Blue & tan nice shaped head good ear set, lovely bite, good outline, well ribbed up, steady mover. Preferred the coat of 1.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
See 2nd Puppy Dog
City of Birmingham
31st Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for their invitation to judge, my two stewards and the exhibitors for their entries. It was an honour to judge this numerically strong entry 169 with 29 absent, the breed being represented from around the UK made it a very enjoyable day.
Front movement is still a problem in the breed, with heavy upright shoulders in many. Size varied as did coats. There are some long necks creeping into the breed, which look very stylish, the standard does state “Neck of moderate length†and a few long tails again incorrect. Saying that it was a very nice entry to judge and in some classes
I would have liked to have been able to award more placings, and could have awarded more CC’s.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Res in JD. Finer head and muzzle than one, nice coated, good straight front and topline.
Driffield A S
21st Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald
My sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee, for inviting me to judge the Border Terriers at this show. We were truly blessed with some lovely autumn sunshine, and a well laid out ring.
Thank you, to all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to “go over†your dogs, however, I had concerns about the size and movement of some of the exhibits. I have a fair span and struggled to get anywhere near some dogs, which reflected in the placings.
Consequently, some heavy shoulders, and wide fronts.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Hitchin & District Canine Society
6th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs Val Furness
Thank you to M.C.C.A for the appointment also my stewards and a thank you to the exhibitors. Coats and size were mixed and a few entries i could not span the one thing that was apparent was the number of very lean exhibits. You BREED for size not FEED for it.
It was also nice to see that most of the early classes looked as they should be and not looking like they should be in open class
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Nice size short on coat but what he had was pin wire had the edge on 2nd place
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Kensington Canine Society Open Show
26th Oct 2013
Judge: Dagmar Bromment Lothary (Germany)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
17th Nov 2013
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
A big thank you to the Club for giving me the chance to judge this show, also to the exhibitors for giving me such a nice entry. Special thanks also to my stewards for making everything run so smoothly, and to the ladies in the kitchen for a great meal.
I had some quality dogs to go over and I am confident plenty will go on to achieve greater things. Coats were at various stages which is to be expected and although they don’t change the construction of the animal it can detract from the overall picture when awarding top prizes. Of course they are a working terrier but they are also on show so I have to have both things in mind when judging.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
blue and tan, up to size but well balanced dog, excelled in head, good length of rib, super tight feet.
Huntingdonshire Canine Society
23rd Nov 2013
Judge: Mr Darren Lockley (Chatmoss)
Many thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge their Show, but more importantly my sincere thanks go to each exhibitor who entered and whoever submitted my details to the Committee. This was my first time judging an Open Show however after following the example of others before me of reading the breed standard a number of times throughout the preceding week I was confident I would take my interpretation of it into the ring and when arriving home following judging, I would be happy with my choices and I was. As both breeds are "Essentially a Working Terrier", I place significant importance on being able to span the dog and it having the drive to cover ground efficiently but also having the protection of a good coat combined with physical and mental alertness and an armoury capable of being used if necessary. A dogs mouth is essential to its well being and teeth with an unhealthy covering of plaque is not acceptable to me in any dog be it pet, show or working and I placed accordingly.
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
24th Nov 2013
Judge: Gemma Alpe (Pipruda)
I want to thank the committee of East Anglian Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge there November open show was a great privilege as growing up showing as a youngester at many of there breed club shows. My thanks also to my very experienced stewards of the day Bev Jackson and Simon Jackson who without them I'm sure my ring would not have ran so smoothly,and to all that entered under me. I was generally very pleased with the overall quality of the dogs entered under me a few who shone from the first time I caught sight of them. But no major faults found on the day which pleased me.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Lovely b/t dog with very pleasing overall balance,super head with lovely keen expression,in excellent coat.
Ladies Kennel Association
15th Dec 2013
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe
I was honoured to accept this appointment at short notice, due to Kathy Wilkinson’s ill health. I was impressed with the new halls and layout this year.
I was able to judge with no preconceptions, as I have only been to two shows this year, so the majority of dogs were new to me. A good size entry with some good quality dogs present in a number of classes in which I was splitting hairs I had two very good stewards who handled the large classes with calm and efficient precision allowing me to get on with my job.
Overall movement, has improved considerably. In my opinion Borders should move soundly, positively and with the minimum of effort needed to cover the ground well, this means that they use far less energy when travelling distances, and my principal winners all fitted this criteria. Nice large teeth and good bites were very much in evidence. At long last I am starting to see definition between dogs and bitches, I like to see a masculine dog and a feminine bitch. The other thing I was pleased to see was the majority had good tight feet. Some exhibitors seem to be under the impression that an underweight dog is a way to make them easier to span, it doesn’t work! I hate to be able to feel bone and not muscle.
I learnt after judging that there was some kind of aggression in one of the classes, unfortunately I did not witness this personally, as I was going over a dog on the table, if I had of seen it then I would have taken appropriate action as this type of temperament is totally unacceptable in our lovely breed.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
B/T with good head, varminty expression, excellent harsh coat, thick pelt and very sound keeping his topline on the move.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Luton Canine Association Open Show
29th Dec 2013
Judge: Jenny Startup
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Boston & District Canine Society
12th Jan 2014
Judge: Mr David Maggs
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at this show, and to my two stewards who were very efficient and good natured throughout. I was a little dissapointed at the lack of coat on quite a few of the exhibits today, apparently many had been stripped ready for Crufts,I found no bad mouths, movement on the whole was good and I was very pleased with the overall condition and soundness, had no problem spanning any of the exhibits.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
lovely masculine head with strong teeth and keen expression, good length of neck leading into sloping shoulders,good coat, level topline and well bent stifle, moved ok.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Manchester Dog Show Society
16th Jan 2014
Judge: Mr Philip J Greenway
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
City of Cambridge & County Canine Society
26th Jan 2014
Judge: Miss E.W. Newton (Nevedith)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Great Yarmouth Gorleston & District Canine Society
23rd Mar 2014
Judge: Mrs. K. Rimmer (Kylini)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2014
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My thanks to the committee of the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this group championship show. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Doyle and John Callow for their help and assistance in keeping me organised and the ring running smoothly. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for such a large entry in these tough financial times.
The ring was large with lots of space for dogs to move freely without being forced to stop/start. In general the dogs were in good condition. I found 1 dog that was not entire. Although teeth were mostly OK, apart from a few misaligned, they varied greatly in size. Coats varied as always but I judge on the day and lack of coat is taken into account when placing exhibits. I was concerned at the number of exhibits down on their pasterns, not giving the small feet as required. Many younger exhibits would really benefit from regular ringcraft experience.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
West Of England Ladies' Kennel Society
25th Apr 2014
Judge: Mr A Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
Thank you to the exhibitors for their entries and to my two stewards.
I think size needs to be watched in the breed as a working terrier. I have a large span but a number of dogs were not spannable by me, this reflected in my placings. We also seem to loosing the otter like head, some with too much stop, some with weak muzzles and others lacking under jaw. This results in a loss of type which defines the breed. We should try and adhere to the breed standard laid down by the original border terrier breeders.
The over baiting of dogs on the table is totally unnecessary. In my opinion they do not need to be constantly fed on the table. It makes judging difficult when a dog is constantly looking for food.
I was very surprised to see border terriers with coats on around the ring, as they should have their own double coat for warmth and protection. I hope this isn’t the start of trend with the breed becoming just another show breed and losing its identity as the standard states “essentially a working terrier”.
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
National Dog Show
9th May 2014
Judge: Mr Rainer Vuorinen (Finland)
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Excellent body and ribcage, good head and topline, good angulations, good coat, moves well.
Bath Championship Show
23rd May 2014
Judge: Mr S Plane
Thankyou to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry for the first time awarding challenge certificates. Although we had a super sized ring with short grass and level surface, the weather prevented us from using the outer part in some classes. Most of the exhibits were undeterred by the rain and dampness
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Southern Counties Canine Association
31st May 2014
Judge: Mr Terry Cooper
Firstly I would like to thank my able stewards for making my day of judging so enjoyable, they did a first class job in the process and my compliments go to them both. Secondly I thank the exhibitors for bringing some fine examples of the breed under me. In a few classes I was splitting hairs with a number of exhibits and on another day they would change places many times. I was very happy with my final line up of dogs and bitches, they were all of excellent quality and worthy of winning top honours.
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Three Counties Championship Dog Show
7th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr D E Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to my two highly efficient stewards who, whilst never obtrusive, always had everything in the right place and ensured that I could get on with judging the dogs efficiently and smoothly.
A very pleasing entry, many classes had winning quality beyond the number of cards available. I found no missing teeth, no serious mouth faults, and all males were entire. Coats were variable; ranging from several in profuse double coat (not a problem if still of good weatherproof quality); to some who had only undercoat and a few who had adequate top coat but completely lacked undercoat (both incorrect and adversely affecting placings). There were a number of very smartly prepared and presented terriers on show; but however smart and showy a terrier may be, as 'essentially a working terrier' it must be 'capable of following a horse, combining activity with gameness' in order to be a BORDER Terrier. Too many exhibits were deficient in shoulder construction, front movement and drive.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Blue, v well proportioned but up to size. Straight front, nice mover, good strong head and expression, good feet.
East of England Championship Show
6th Jul 2014
Judge: Miss Jean Singh
I would like to thank my stewards who kept the event running smoothly. My decisions were made on the exhibit on the day
I found heavy ears are creeping in, detracting from the otter head and keen expression. An excessive amount of exhibits were not in hard, toned condition. ‘Couch potato’ dogs come to mind. Front movement is also a cause for concern. I found two level mouths, one just level and a puppy , had a tooth out of line. My decision on some unplaced exhibits were a culmination of a long foreface and untypical expression, unspannable even though I gave some leeway and poor front movement.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Blue and Tan with good ticking, he has enough bone and tight feet, pleasing racy outline. He has a good neck and ribs and was spannable. He showed well and moved adequately.
Leeds Championship Show
26th Jul 2014
Judge: Mr Ernie L Hill
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
Placing Critique
Good mover this blue and tan, nice head and shoulder, good ribs and spanned easily, presented in a good harsh double coat, well off for bone.
City of Birmingham Championship Dog Show
30th Aug 2014
Judge: Dr Ron Wheatley
My thanks to the committee for their invitation to judge here, to my two very effective and helpful stewards Jane Keeves and Alan Tomlinson, and to the exhibitors for the large and interesting entry of many different types. Many of the classes had quality in depth, with many close decisions. Both line ups were pleasing with plenty of choice and close decisions for both cards. I found no kinky tails and one level mouth, most exhibits were of a good size, a few were too heavy and one undernourished, and many needed their nails trimming. Most moved well in the super sized ring that we were given.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Breckgreen Blue Steel Ironfield
