Show Placings
Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Premier Open Show
18th May 2024
Judge: Mr John Scanlan (Pantycelyn)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Bath Canine Society
26th May 2024
Judge: Mr Ian Higham (Comberdown)
I would like to thank Mr. Lee Cox and the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for making my wife and I feel so welcome at their show. Also my two amazingly competent stewards Mark and Joyce who were just brilliant at their job.
I found nothing obviously untoward or concerning, apart from, surprisingly, a few too heavy ones, which cost placings. We need to remember functionality.
In general, overall, this was an entry of terrific in-depth quality. What an absolute privilege it was to go over them. Thank you all so much!
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
A cheeky, playful, little blue and tan beauty. Correct coat with good ticking. Nice feminine head and ears set correctly. Teeth correct. Moved very well. She was narrow and very easily spanned.
Class Critique
Both minor puppy and puppy were very promising bitch classes of baby girls. The future looks good.
Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Open Show
29th May 2024
Judge: Carmel Clarke O'Neill (Lemracdream)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
Lovely head short strong muzzle, broad in skull narrow body good thick pelt and harsh coat. Spannable, good length tail carried it slightly up on move. Would prefer a bit more height of leg , moved well, back movement a bit untidy BPIB
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
Lovely head short strong muzzle, broad in skull narrow body good thick pelt and harsh coat. Spannable, good length tail carried it slightly up on move. Would prefer a bit more height of leg , moved well, rear movement more eratic in this class
Southern Counties Canine Association
1st Jun 2024
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gabybryl)
This was my first-time awarding Challenge Certificates in Border Terriers and many thanks to those that entered under a non-breed specialist, and well done for braving what was a bitter wind. If this was a representative entry, then I am heartened by the general health and condition of the breed. Good coats, good pelts and super large dentition were the majority. There are some nice youngsters in the lower classes. Just two points as a non-specialist if I might be permitted, firstly the standard calls for a small ear and I found quite a few otherwise nice exhibits with large houndy ears which did somewhat detract from the overall expression. Secondly several dogs broke quite markedly at the front pastern which spoilt the overall impression on the move, these points need watching.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Three Counties Agricultural Society
8th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my very capable stewards, Bill and Tricia for their efficiency and helpfulness and especially to the exhibitors who afforded me the honour of going over their dogs.
The weather was kind and the ring of sufficient size to allow dogs to get into their stride.
Overall I felt that there was more quality in the bitches but was more than pleased with my main winners in both sexes. Size and front movement continue to be problems and coats were at all stages of growth-this did affect some placings. I only found one undershot bite and all males were entire. Several dogs were carrying rather too much condition but more worrying were the few who were almost painfully thin which also meant that these dogs couldn’t possibly possess the muscle needed for work. A number of dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge their show, it was an honour. Also for making David and myself so welcomed and the enjoyable lunch. The quality of the Borders were pleasing to go over. Big thank you to my stewards Julie and Robert, keep the classes running smoothly all day. Finally thank you to all the exhibitors who braved the cold weather, it did stay dry and allowing me to go over their dogs. All the males were entire, as usual the coats were at various stages which cost some dogs higher placing. Some wide fronts let them down, large ears were a problem in some exhibits. I was delighted with all my winners such quality.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Blackpool & District Canine Society
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Beverley Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you to all of you who entered your dogs for me to judge. I really enjoyed my day and having the privilege of judging your dogs. The weather was kind and our ring was good. I had excellent stewards and I thank them for their hard work.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Class Critique
Some lovely puppies in these puppy classes who will change places many times I’m sure.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
I would like to thank the Committee for offering me this appointment, I was honoured to be given this opportunity. Thank you also to my stewards for all their hard work keeping the show running as smoothly as possible, for which I was very grateful. There were some lovely dogs present but front movement and lack of correct length and angulation of the upper arm continues to be a problem in some exhibits as well as size and correct coat . We should not forget the first line in the breed standard “essentially a working terrier”.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
nearly 8 months blue and tan with a very good double coat and thick, loose pelt. Nice otter head with short muzzle and big teeth; dark, expressive eyes, neat ears. Straight, narrow front, good feet; nice length of rib and easily spanned. Moved well - another lively, promising puppy.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
see 2nd in Minor Puppy.
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to the officers and committee of Windsor Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time at such a prestigious show. I must also thank my two very experienced stewards Bill & Trish Gray who were a great support to me with their calm, friendly and pleasant manner. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors who entered their border terriers under me and accepted my decisions in a sporting manner.
The weather became very hot as the day progressed with some dogs flagging a little on the move. Fortunately we had some shade via the marquee, the grass had got quite dried out and I felt a few exhibits didn’t move as well as others on it but generally movement was better than I have observed in the past. I must also mention how disappointed I was to find so many exhibits with dirty teeth, cleaning them should be part of a dog’s care and grooming routine.
I was so delighted with my top winning border terriers that I felt had exceptional breed quality and were presented and shown to best advantage.
Many quality exhibits were in some classes down the line or unplaced due to the depth of quality present and on another day may change places.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
Mature blue/tan at nearly 8 months of age she has a feminine otter like head that is developing nicely with neat triangular ears and a short strong muzzle with good teeth. Moderate length of neck into good top line and well set on tail her rib is carried well back. Her front legs were straight with good feet and she is angulated well at both ends. In her class she moved well all ways but in the best puppy bitch challenge she didn’t move so positively behind. This may have been down to the surface or the heat.
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
Many thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge. Everyone worked hard throughout the day to ensure it ran smoothly. There were a few clashes with the main Boston Championship show but these were well managed. Thanks also to the competitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner and creating a wonderful atmosphere around the ring.
There was a super entry of 172 dogs making 217 entries which I found both exciting and daunting, having had a total knee replacement operation just weeks before!
Overall, I found the standard of exhibits was good. Coats were a mixture ranging from pure undercoat to absolute perfection. The majority of exhibits were spannable. All dogs were entire. I found just one undershot mouth. I forgave loose movement in some of the younger dogs which will hopefully tighten as they mature, but adults moving wide or close had to be penalised. Several lacked bone and substance, being on the leg as well as short coupled making the outline somewhat squarer than I was looking for. Handling was generally good, with one very professional young handler who really impressed me with her skills. My main winners were presented in stunning condition, and I had some difficult decisions to make in the higher classes, wishing I could award more than just one Challenge Certificate.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
A lovely narrow blue and tan with good rib, topline and tai lset. Moved well
Boston & District Canine Society
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Julie Green (Breckgreen & Stowthorney)
I would like to thanks the officers and committee of Boston and District Canine society for inviting me to give my first set of tickets in Border Terriers. It was such a well-run show and in such a lovely setting. I would also like to thank the exhibitors who entered under me. Thanks also to my two stewards who kept the ring moving for me on the day.
All in all, I was happy with my entry. I found all males to be entire and no kinked tails on the day. A couple of mouths that were not quite correct.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Newport & District Agricultural Society Open Show
13th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Davies (Glenorchy)
Thank you to the Society for their kind invitation to judge at their annual agricultural show, thank you also to my steward, Dave Harrison, who kept the ring running smoothly and finally the exhibitors who entered under me, thank you.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
another nice bitch who was very unsettled on the table as she had a nasty experience under another judge who was very heavy handed with her, consequently I couldn't assess her as I would have liked. She moved okay once she had settled a little, Hope she continues to re-gain her confidence, Good Luck.
Llandysul DCS Open Show
27th Jul 2024
Judge: Mr John Scanlan (Pantycelyn)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Otterholme Under The Stars
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Walsall and DKA Open Show
10th Aug 2024
Judge: Louisa Henry (Trinsy)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Bournemouth Championship Show
12th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Wendy Mooney (Chesterton)
Thank you to my stewards, Hayley and Malcolm and to all the exhibitors who endured the heat and accepted my decisions sportingly, on what must have been one of the hottest days of the year. Overall the quality of the entry was good with some lovely dogs. Mouths, tails and size were generally good. Coats varied (as they always do) in both quality and the stage of growth. There were a number of pelts that could have been thicker and loose which was disappointing as this is mentioned in the standard and important from a working point of view. I was surprised and disappointed to see evidence of scissorwork on some coats and grooming was not always done to the dog’s best advantage – this does not affect the ability to work but this is a dog show and presentation therefore does count to a degree when placing the dogs. Compared to the last time I judged, I felt that size had improved and in most cases the dogs today were closer to the standard.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show
16th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Stuart Plane
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Pontardulais Agricultural and Horticultural Society Open Show
26th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Kevin Yeates (Bluebabel)
My thanks to the Secretary Gareth Thomas for inviting me to Judge Border Terriers today. I enjoyed my day, and it was good to see my B.O.B. gained TG1 & my B.P.I.B gain TPG2
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Otterholme Under The Stars
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
9 months old blue n tan bitch with a good proportioned skull & muzzle, correct dentition, ribs carried well back, moderately short tail, with new coat coming through, good angulation throughout, moved well. Best Puppy in Breed & TPG2
Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
As Puppy above.
City of Birmingham Championship Show
31st Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Clare Sansom (Tarkaswell)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the City of Birmingham Canine Association Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time.
With storm Lillian resulting in the abandonment of Driffield, the JBTC were also able to hold their show in an adjacent ring. Hall 3 at the Royal Kennel Club building was light, spacious and an ideal venue. A certain amount of flexibility was required when classes clashed, and I am very grateful to my experienced stewards Chris Woolner and Caroline Wise for their hard work. They were calm, efficient and kept the ring running smoothly. With their help we finished in time to ensure that all those who had won major awards could get to their groups.
My sincere thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a quality entry and accepting my decisions in a sporting manner. We had very few absentees and I often had difficult decisions to make. In several classes, I would have liked some additional prize cards to award.
Coats did have an influence on the results, with those presented at their best, in a harsh, dense double jacket with thick pelt, being rewarded. A few exhibits would have benefitted from having their feet tidied to have achieved a neater picture. I found two kinked tails, two with incorrect dentition and all male dogs were entire.
I was delighted with my principal winners, who all fulfilled my interpretation of the breed standard on the day. It was a privilege to judge such an entry, and the lovely atmosphere, with applause and cheers for the winners, made it extra special.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Rhyl Canine Society Open Show
8th Sep 2024
Judge: Jody Carter
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Sep 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan/Sulan)
I must start by thanking the committee for the invitation to judge at this lovely venue. The weather was kind to us and judging was able to take place outside , a fact I know so many exhibitors enjoy. My thanks also must go to my stewards , Rachel and Rhianne Mitchell , they certainly kept things running smoothly and were a big help keeping me on track ! Thanks ladies!
As usual , my gratitude to all who gave me entries and were able to turn up on the day , all very much appreciated .
I was presented with an array of lovely specimens and some classes made for some tough decisions .Several times I wished there were more red cards to award. The standard , I found, was very good and there was quality in depth in most classes. All males were intact , I found no kinked tails and most mouths were acceptable , coats , as usual , were in differing stages of growth and texture . All were spannable.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
A B&T 10 ½ month old girl , unlucky to meet the first today . Another nice type of youngster, pretty head, ears appear a tad bigger but will hopefully fit in better once the back skull is done growing. The angles good , front and back , lovely jacket and pelt . Well ribbed back . . Moved well once she settled .
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Placing Critique
for critique see 2nd in PB
Stafford & District Canine Society Open Show
28th Sep 2024
Judge: Margaret Hooley (Hoolmark)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
I was honoured to accept SWKA's invitation to judge at their championship dog show where I received a warm welcome,even on cold day!
A Big applause to my two fabulous stewards ( I’m so sorry I forgot to make a note of your names – you were so appreciated by myself and the exhibitors)
It was such a very cold day inside the halls ,though myself being on my feet continuously moving,I kept warm.Unsurprisingly some dogs were feeling the chill and shivering on the table which showed how cold it was.
I was honoured and humbled to have such a fabulous entry both numerically and in quality, especially the limit & Open dog classes where I can quite rightly use the old cliche “I wish I had more cards to give out “, it's unfortunate when you have to let some dogs go unplaced that had great appeal, but such was the quality today .
Before my journey back to Cornwall that day I managed to stay and watch the groups where both the BoB & BPIB gave fantastic accounts of themselves, the exciting puppy gaining PGrp 1, he went back for the final day to go all the way to BPIS.
We were sadly unfortunate to have a large Terrier breed crated close by who's owners seemed unaware of the their unattended dogs behaviour ,every time human or dog traffic went by it caused them to “ kick off “frequently .This isn't fair on dogs on the table being examined or dogs on the move, therefore I had to stop judging twice until attempts to quieten the offending dogs were made.
A few points of note were-
A small handful of youngsters lacked body condition, I could feel ribs with no covering teamed with thin pelts. I believe diet & exercise comes into play here so consider what & how much you’re feeding , plus good exercise regime
Mouths were disappointing ,some with very small teeth & more untidy bites than I've encountered in the past.
Movement was ok in the main though it let down some otherwise beautiful exhibits who looked a picture stood but sadly fell apart on the move, we had the odd flicking out front foot , plaiting fronts, crabbing , wide rears & some loosing their top lines.
Lastly a plea – it would help immensely if exhibitors didn’t use excess bait on the table while a judge is trying hard to get a good clear look at bites ,it meant a fight to get a proper view of the mouth while a dog is having bait pushed in or the dog is busily chewing . Holding off baiting until the judge has got past the head would be most helpful.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Amman Valley CS Open Show
2nd Nov 2024
Judge: Mr Joe Ashe (Ebrooks)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Coventry and DCS Open Show
3rd Nov 2024
Judge: Mandy Davies (Wystry)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Otterholme Under The Stars
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Port Talbot & Neath CS Open Show
10th Nov 2024
Judge: David Bell (Balintyne)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Otterholme Under The Stars
