Show Placings
South Wales Kennel Association
9th Oct 2025
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry, mid-week and in the depths of Wales! A lot of absentees in the dogs but some outstanding bitch classes which were a fascinating puzzle to sort out. There were some very nice dogs of good type but overall I think we are in danger of losing some of the essence of the breed. They are essentially working terriers which to me implies a certain outlook on the world. I try not to penalise exhibits for over fussy handling but I prefer to see a dog that can stand and show on its’ own, that is presented in fit condition and a reasonably tidy coat, and that covers the ground without fuss and flap. We were given an excellent ring, movement in general was better than I had expected. Heads were in general OK but many lacking strength over the jaw. I found virtually all dogs spannable though some were a bit heavy over the rib, pelts were also generally good.
The standard talks about eyes, ears, feet & tails, these are all important for different reasons but are often ignored. Very good feet were a rarity as were good tails, many being rather long and some a bit too gay. Having moaned about all these bits I would say that there were some excellent exhibits that were a joy to go over and which bode well for the future of the breed.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Fehmarn Celtic Cybi
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2025
Judge: Felicity Freer (Felfree)
RBCC
Name at show: Fehmarn Celtic Cybi
Best Puppy
Name at show: Fehmarn Celtic Cybi
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Fehmarn Celtic Cybi
Ladies Kennel Association
14th Dec 2025
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to my stewards who helped me with their friendly efficiency that made it easy for me to concentrate on the Border Terrier judging. A bit of pressure to get out of the ring but I hope this did not spoil anything for my top winners or the other exhibitors who seemed to appreciate my choices out of a wonderful group of dogs. A couple of close bites and the odd bump in tails, some under/over weight exhibits which was a shame as some may well have moved further up the line. As expected a great deal of variation in coats but the vast majority were presented as well as they could be in their growth cycle. Thanks to everyone who entered and showed such good sportsmanship in accepting my decisions and supporting others. I was delighted with my class winner lines ups for both dogs and bitches, some hotly contested classes and tough choices for me throughout the day.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Fehmarn Celtic Cybi
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2026
Judge: Mrs Kathy Wilkinson (Otterkin)
I was honoured to be invited to judge our Club’s Championship Show, 30 years after I last judged here (at a different venue) in 1996. This is my 16th time awarding CCs in the UK. Thank you to the Committee for this invitation. Thank you also to my two excellent ring stewards Janice Johnson and Marina Fleming and to the Collecting Ring Stewards Judy Carr and Judith Fawcett, all four of whose efforts throughout the day kept everything running smoothly so we finished in good time. Many thanks to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs to show to me and for the friendly atmosphere I encountered throughout the day. Win or lose, you always take the best dog home, as they say.
I found the quality excellent throughout, with many classes where I was really spoilt for choice. All males were entire and most of the entry had good scissor bites, with only one or two in Veteran being not so “precise”, shall we say. Some of the dogs were a little difficult to span and so paid the price, but on a whole, most were spannable and had good rib shapes. The standard does not ask for a flat rib – I do love to see a good rib shape when viewed from above, with enough capacity for heart and lungs to do their jobs. It is important to the breed’s job of work that they are spannable and have ribs carried well back. Movement is also important as it plays a major part in making them fit for function. An otter-like head takes them apart from a generic terrier and makes them the breed we love to own.
When the line ups came into the ring, particularly my bitch line up, I was very pleased to see them all and happy that we have such good examples of the breed.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Fehmarn Celtic Cybi
Placing Critique
Lighter framed bitch of quality. Lovely otter head. Good reach of neck. Moved very well. Good topline which she kept on the move. Good thick carrot tail. Would prefer a little more bend of stifle.
