Show Placings
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2019
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge at their Championship show, it was an interesting day going over the dogs and I thank the exhibitors for their good sized entry and the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Thanks must also go to my excellent stewards, Tina Morgan and Felicity Freer who kept me on track and everything running smoothly throughout the day.
Coats were at varying stages of growth and there was a wide variety of types, and a few with heavy shoulders and short, round oversprung ribs and poor toplines. I was quite surprised to see some faults in the entry which I wasn’t expecting, I found a young male with only one testicle descended, three with teeth out of line, one whose mouth didn’t close correctly and two kinked tails.
I judged the entry as I saw the dogs on the day, and as always I was looking for a dog which excels in breed type, fits the standard and appears capable of doing a day’s work. I value all the essentials required in a working dog and also those who have that extra something as a show dog. I was pleased with my winners and look forward to watching show careers with interest.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Best Puppy
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
11 months G&T, niced size young male with a pleasing head and expression. Really lovely puppy to go over with very good lay back of shoulder and angulation with excellent rib, good feet, legs and firm pasterns. Moved well in the rear but like many of the puppies, needs to settle in front movement, well presented in thick coat and pet, good topline and tail set.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Darlington Championship Show
14th Sep 2019
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I would like to thank my stewards Lesley and Peter Armstrong-Rodgers for the excellent way they controlled the ring in a peaceful and confident way ensuring a good natured atmosphere to reign.
The exhibitors also deserve thanks for entering and accepting my decisions in a sporting way and spectators applauding each class in turn.
The quality of the majority of the exhibits was good but some of them had suspect front movement which seems to be common in certain Borders.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG4, Brumberhill Backatcha
DCC
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
13 month old grizzle of top quality, outstanding front construction, level top line leading to a lovely carrot shaped tail. He has an excellent harsh coat with thick undercoat. His movement front and rear was exceptional. Delighted to award him Dog Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed. Proud to hear that he was awarded Terrier Group 4 out of a group containing 23 Best of Breed winners.
Driffield Championship Show
21st Sep 2019
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
Another quality Border from this kennel who just fills your eye with regard to type, construction and movement and was close up for top honours on the day. Cracking head with a lovely eye and expression. Best of fronts standing on good legs and feet. Excellent body shape, firm topline that he keeps on the move and strong muscular hindquarters. Moved out well both fore and aft on a positive stride. Another I am sure who is destined for a very bright future.
Midland Counties Championship Show
24th Oct 2019
Judge: Mr Stuart Plane
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
A very pleasing youngster who excels in neck and shoulder, true front standing, lovely topline and used his tail both standing and on the move. Not quite as settled in front action on the day but provided good competition. Balanced head of quality.
Ladies Kennel Association
14th Dec 2019
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
I would first like to thank all the exhibitors for a lovely entry, and for making the effort to travel to the N.E.C on a dark winter’s morning. There was a variation in breed type to a degree, which is always the case, but I was very happy with both my final lineups and only wish I could hand out more awards.
DCC
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
grizzle and tan dog of exceptional quality, shown in full harsh double coat with thick, loose pelt. Beautiful otter head shallow stop, with keen dark eye, correct earset. Nice narrow front with tight feet. Excellent topline with short carrot tail, strong well-muscled hindquarters, moving around the, holding a beautiful outline. Was pleased to award DCC and B.O.B, nice to see him shortlisted in the group.
Driffield Championship Dog Show
28th Aug 2021
Judge: Mrs Linda Coleman (Hartswelin)
I was extremely pleased with my quality entry on this my first occasion awarding C.C.'s in the breed and thrilled to see my B.O.B. go 2nd in the group.
I will not mention teeth and bites in my individual critiques as apart from three which were level all exhibits possessed good strong teeth with excellent bites.Very few animals were difficult to span but far too many bitches in the later classes carried too much condition!
As in many other judges comments over the last few years fronts are still a big problem, if a Border does not have a correctly angled upper arm and shoulder it will not be able to follow a horse all day however well angled the hindquarters might be. A lot of dogs feet were not as small and tight as I would like but this may be due to lack of suitable excercise over the extended lockdowns. On the plus side nearly all were presented in double coat.
It was a very tight decision for me for B.O.B. and it could have gone either way but a choice had to be made so the dog won on being more an ideal size.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Brumberhill Backatcha
DCC
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
Gr in lovely pinwire coat, super cndition and well muscled which was lacking in many exhibits today. Well balanced head with good expression, tight feet, front angulation just flowed through neck and topline to the tip of his tail. Moved well and steadily C.C. B.O.B and Group 2. Owner told me later this was his third C.C. well done.
National Dog Show
24th Sep 2021
Judge: Mrs Wendy Mooney (Chesterton)
Thank you to the committee of Birmingham Dog Show Society for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at their show. Many thanks to all the exhibitors who entered and gave me the honour and pleasure of judging their dogs. I had a fabulous entry and was truly spoilt for choice in many of the classes. One general observation is that there were quite a number of dogs that were, in my opinion, simply too big to do the job that they are bred to do.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
Another beautiful dog who was also presented in top condition. Pushed the winner hard in this class. Stunning head and in excellent coat, he was also groomed to perfection. So much to like about him – narrow, straight front; balanced throughout with good length of body and racy hindquarters. Also had neat, tight feet that so many lack. Loved his size and type – a true Border throughout.
East of England
9th Jul 2022
Judge: Mr Bob Blackley (Vaevictus)
DCC
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
Excellent dog with a typical head showing expression, good overall construction and balance, spanable, good coat and pelt, excellent movement both ways covering the ground, excellent throughout.
Bridlington & DCS Open Show
27th Nov 2022
Judge: Mrs Norma Ellis (Normbar)
Small quality entry of borders awaited me. It was a pleasure to Judge them today. Thankyou for entering and sportsmanship prevailed. Delighted to see my BOB take the Terrier Group - Judge Janet Lee (Tythrop) and Res BIS – Judge Barrie Croft (Malcro)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: RBIS, TG1, CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Open /
First Place
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
Quality boy on top form. Most gorgeous head and eye, small ears set on well, best of fronts and tight feet, harsh tight jacket and thick pelt. Racey quarters and well turned stifle. Looked a picture stacked and moved out with Drive carrying his tail well.
BOB +Terrier Group & Res Best in Show.
Bath Canine Society
29th May 2023
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for inviting me to judge today. A big thank you to my two very efficient stewards, Mark and Joyce, who kept the ring running smoothly and efficiently. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, it is always a privilege to do so. I was disappointed not to have been able to stay and watch the groups but circumstances outwith my control prevented me from doing so.
While there were plenty of good ‘otter’ heads in evidence, I found some heads lacking in muzzle strength and some with stops that were too deep, neither of which is desirable. Some exhibits were too heavy in frame and consequently didn’t come to hand easily. Some dogs had weak pasterns and feet that could have been tighter. Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, some just going over the top, and in some cases, this was a deciding factor. Overall, movement was good with correct tracking, plenty of drive off well angulated hindquarters and good length of stride. Some dogs could have benefited from more ring training and, at times, baiting on the table was excessive. A dog scrambling to get to bait makes it more difficult to assess. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners and final line-up. I was also pleased to see my Best Veteran win the Terrier Veteran Group, my Best Puppy shortlisted in the Terrier Puppy Group and my Best Special Beginners, Special Beginners Terrier Group 4
RDCC
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
A worthy champion who is of correct size, good masculine head with flat skull, little stop and strong jaw, straight front with neat feet, well constructed front and rear, narrow body with good length of rib, spans and comes to hand well, good topline, well set on tail, uses his well let down hocks to move with drive around the ring.
Three Counties Championship Dog Show
9th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Three Counties Championship Dog Show. My appointment was originally for 2020 but it was worth the wait to be able to judge at this lovely showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Many thanks indeed to my stewards Bill and Trish who kept everything moving ringside in an efficient and pleasant manner. My thanks go to all the exhibitors who brought their dogs under me. It was a real privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There were some close decisions and I would like to thank all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly.
Based on my entry I felt that the overall quality of the breed was good. Most were fit and I thought that fronts and heads had improved from the last time I judged. There were only a few that I was unable to span and a couple who had missing teeth and one that had a kinked tail. I was particularly pleased with my bitch line-up and I thought there were some very good quality exhibits who on another day could be ticket winners.
DCC
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Best Of Breed
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Placing Critique
5 year old G/T in tip top condition. I thought he was excellent with regard to construction and type. There is nothing overdone about him. He excels in head with flat skull and shallow stop. Lovely dark eye and keen expression. Straight forelegs with neat tight feet He is narrow throughout with correct length and shape of rib making him easily spannable. Excellent top line, tail set and tail. Racy muscled hindquarters. Presented in quality double jacket, he also has a thick loose pelt. He moved freely and easily on a long stride – something that is so important to a dog, that should be able to follow a horse all day. Delighted to award him DCC and BOB. Pleased that he was shortlisted in the group.
Class Critique
Three excellent dogs, presented in perfect condition. It was an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to go over them. Close decision between all 3.
Blackpool & District Canine Society
25th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship show. Grateful thanks must go to my very efficient steward Gisela Duran who did an excellent job in making sure everything ran like clockwork. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such an excellent entry of 142 dogs making 183 entries, the largest entry across all breeds on the day. It really was a privilege to go over such a large entry of dogs and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
The size of dogs has always been a perennial topic, but I was pleased to say overall, many of the dogs were of correct size on this occasion, with very few oversized dogs and only the odd one or two I couldn’t span. Bites were good and only an odd one with teeth out of line, although a few had broken teeth, quite a few had dirty teeth and some had small teeth which is something I really don’t like to see on, essentially a working terrier. It was good to find some really lovely tails, with not too many long thin, spindly tails we have seen in the past, although I was surprised to find four kinked tails in the entry.
Overall I thought it was a good entry, I found some quality exhibits and I was very pleased with my winners, and in particular will watch the progress of my puppy and junior placings with interest.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
Class Critique
Probably one of the best classes of males I have judged in a long time. It was a privilege to have such quality dogs all in the same class to judge, and some tough decisions had to be made. The first three in particular are out of the top drawer and excellent examples of the breed.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
20th Apr 2024
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee of the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the honour of inviting me to judge your Championship show and for your great hospitality on the day. It was hit-and-miss as to whether or not I would be judging inside or out, and I’m pleased that the committee took the decision to hold it outdoors. It is far nicer for the dogs to be outside, even with the biting wind, and we are not to forget that they are designed to be outside in that type of weather, which reiterates the importance of a good coat. I hope everyone at ringside managed to keep the chill away, myself having Cumbrian bloodlines, found it rather pleasant. Thank you to my stewards Tracey, Dave and Mike who worked tirelessly to keep the ring moving. My biggest thanks are to the exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry and took all my decisions in a sporting manner. I know it is always said there are too many good dogs for the number of cards and that was especially true of the limit and open classes. I was spoiled for choice in a number of classes and had to split hairs on a number of occasions. Dog’s are never static and can have good days and bad days just the same as us, and condition and coats can change dramatically. Some dogs were out of top coat or had no harshness to their coat on the day which cost them on this occasion. Repeating myself from my last judging appointment, I made mention that true movement isn’t necessarily conducive to good movement if no ground is covered at the same time, ideally of course we want both but I would rather see a dog with a good outline in profile than one very accurate that’s going nowhere. Good construction should be a given, I know not much mention is made to that in our breed standard, but to constitute soundness to follow a horse, the construction must be balanced and correct with no exaggeration. Thankfully, there were not many exaggerations on the day. One or two were big ribbed and not quite spannable, and surprisingly they were not necessarily the ones that looked up to size. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs presented.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: CH Brumberhill Backatcha
