Show Placings
Eastbourne & DCS Open Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Vera Harcourt-Morris (Lenacourt)
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
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 - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Grizzle/tan just over 6 months old, very nice in head which is well proportioned at this age, his eyes are dark, giving a very good expression. A lovely balanced puppy with good front and hind angulation, he has lovely straight forelegs with correct bone and neat feet. Shown in a double jacket with a thick loose pelt. Moving soundly in all directions for one so young.
Tunbridge Wells & District Canine Society Open Show
27th Jul 2024
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
The Midland Border Terrier Club 40th Anniversary Championship Show
4th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the club for inviting me to judge this 40th Anniversary show, and for the hospitality on the day. Thank you also to the hardworking stewards, it was a long and very busy day. Most of all, thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such a fabulous entry. I appreciated each and every exhibit, and had the privilege of going over so many quality dogs that difficult decisions had to be made and many lovely dogs went cardless. Foremost, I see the Border Terrier as ‘essentially a working terrier’ and was therefore looking for construction that would render this possible. A few exhibits were too big, too wide or too deep in brisket which might prevent them from going to ground, or even cause them to get stuck. A few had very thin skin – skin must be thick. Most bites were good, just a few with teeth out of line or missing. Coats come and go, so were understandably at different stages. However, on a working terrier a good hard coat does complete the picture. Good movement and a strong, even, economical gait comes from soundness of construction and the muscle tone of a well exercised dog. Therefore I looked for good layback of shoulder and the correct length and angle of upper arm to give a good reach in front, a strong loin, good bend of stifle and well angulated, well muscled hindquarters to give matching drive from the rear.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Novice - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2024
Judge: Mr Bob Blackley (Vaevictus)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Excellent well boned pup, with a good head and expression, good overall shape and balance, moved well both ways with drive, played up on the table but settled on the ground
Darlington Championship Show
13th Sep 2024
Judge: Mrs L Roberts
Thank you to the Darlington committee For the invitation and hospitality. To Mo my steward for her able assistance on the day.
I really enjoyed my appointment thank you to the sporting exhibitors for the lovely entry
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Masculine head good substance and feet. Good coat and pelt. Moved well
Salisbury & South Wilts CS Open Show
22nd Sep 2024
Judge: Norman Bristow
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Romsey & DCS Open Show
6th Oct 2024
Judge: Mr John Dare (Bowstaff)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG4, Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG4, Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Special Yearling /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
I would like to thank the committee and the members of the club for allowing me to judge this show, special thanks to the committee for the appreciation gifts. The exhibitors who accepted the results sportingly and finally thanks must also go to the Stewards who made the show run with ease.
Movement unfortunately seems to be lacking in some exhibits namely fronts with a lack of reach due to short upper arms, as too are some rear movements with a lack of drive. This is a very important part of the breed not just to cover the ground efficiently but for the overall construction of the dog to perform its task as a working terrier. coats as always are in various stages which as long as there is evidence of a jacket with texture coming through should not be penalised. temperaments were on the whole good with no signs of aggression, another issue which seems to be creeping into the breed, this too is totally unacceptable for a working terrier and must be discouraged.
Reserve Best Dog
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Best Puppy
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Red grizzle good expression with a good head,correct dentition with good strength of jaw, lovely length of neck into narrow front with well laid shoulders, easily spanned with ribs carried well back,level topline stood and moving,thick pelt with jacket to match, good tailset, moved with drive around the ring ,stood on tight neat feet. R.B.D
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2024
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2024
Judge: Sarah Pateman (Lessien)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge their open show. Also, all the exhibitors for such an amazing entry and for allowing me to go over their lovely Border Terriers. It was a great day with a quality entry and a good atmosphere. I was aware people had travelled and some afar and I was given the opportunity not to take a break for lunch to allow those that were driving to possibly not have to drive in the dark, so I think it worked out well in the end. Lots of dogs out of coat but I was aware Crufts is coming up so the timing is crucial for coats to be ready for the big day.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Dec 2023, Grizzle Lovely broad skull, correct mouth, dark keen eye, lay of shoulder correct and neat tight feet, strong loin and moved OK.
Woolwich, Bexley & District Canine Association Open Show
1st Dec 2024
Judge: Jo Hughes (Arunmere)
I would like to thank the Committee for their kind invitation to judge Border Terriers, and also to my steward for keeping things moving smoothly. I had a quality entry of dogs, and would like to thank the exhibitors for their entry. I was very pleased to see my Best Puppy in breed go on to win Best Puppy In Show. Well deserved!
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Best Puppy
Name at show: BPIS, TPG1, Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Eye catching 11 month puppy, excellent otter head with lovely big teeth and correct ear set good neck flowing into level topline.
Harsh jacket and thick pelt, well balanced throughout, moved with purpose around the ring. Best puppy in Breed, and thrilled to see him go on to win Best Puppy in Show. Well deserved.
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2024
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
East Kent Canine Society Open Show
2nd Feb 2025
Judge: Mrs Lee England (Ashleyheath)
Limit /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Mar 2025
Judge: Mr Tony Allcock OBE (Sleepyhollow)
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2025
Judge: Mr David Mitchell (Paleside)
Thank you to the National Terrier for the invite to judge, and to the exhibitors for an amazing entry,
I really enjoyed the day, and the chance to go over some lovely dogs.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Crystal Palace CS Open Show
13th Apr 2025
Judge: Mr Sam Mackay (Stanergill)
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
25th Apr 2025
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to everyone who entered on a Friday and gave me the biggest entry of the two groups on the day and the forth highest in the whole show! Pat and Paul my stewards were great and helped me to get through the dogs in an efficient way.
We were lucky enough to be outside on a perfect dog showing day weather wise.
Some super quality classes with hair splitting decisions and even lovely dogs unplaced. Whilst essentially a working terrier was a priority, I wanted my males, to look like males and my bitches easily recognisable as females, it sounds obvious but with some they could’ve passed for either.
Some really lovely dogs looked super stood, but failed on the move, not just coming and going, but more importantly to me, the side gait.
I think we need to be careful of mouths, I was surprised to find several with teeth out of line. Level bites, although allowed and not penalised on the day, some were in very young dogs and it makes me wonder if they will last.
Having said all that, I enjoyed my day and the dogs, who also seemed to enjoy being outside.
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Birmingham National Dog Show
8th May 2025
Judge: Miss Katie Hamilton (Cromlechs)
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
The Midland Border Terrier Club Partnership Championship Show
8th May 2025
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
Many thanks to the Midland committee for this appointment which l thoroughly enjoyed, despite the weather which sent us indoors after bitches. Many thanks to my stewards. As an aside l was pleased to see that moderately short tails are coming back! I was also pleased to find that three of the youngsters from the previous time l judged had developed as hoped and received top honours today. The exception was the outstanding dog which took BIS, my first time judging this one and what a treat! This blue and tan dog meets the standard so well, essentially a working terrier, the most important requirement of our breed, but with the quality of a top show dog .
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Unlucky to meet 1 as this grizzle is well put together, slightly longer in body, in good coat and moved out well
Wickford and Basildon CS Open Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Miss N Foster (Thozow)
Thank you for inviting me to judge this beautiful outdoor show, and for my very efficient steward Natasha for keeping everything in order. Although my entry was small, the quality of dogs made up for it.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Limit /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Correct otter head, with enough width to his muzzle, pleasing V-shaped ears, with dark hazel eyes, giving intelligent expression. Front straight, ribs well sprung, body long and narrow with a supple topline and strong loin. Thick pelt and coat of correct texture and excellent condition. Creates a beautiful profile on the move. BOB
Reading & DKA Premier Open Show
28th May 2025
Judge: Matt Garnham (Caremeltcho)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG4, Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Southern Counties Canine Association
31st May 2025
Judge: Rachel Larner (Hawcoat)
Thank you to everyone that entered and attended my first judging appointment at Championship level. Many thanks to my stewards, who kept the day running smoothly. We were very lucky with the weather, a little warm at times but the dogs all managed well and did not flag in the heat.
I was thrilled at the quality of dogs that I had to go over and extremely pleased that I had very few absentees. There were some super quality of classes that made my decisions quite hard. Finding a dog that most fits the standard is important to me, and I feel my winners did just that. I was extremely pleased with my main winners, and even more thrilled to see that I made up two Champions!
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Super dog, who was in the running for the top awards, just a shame he came up against the CC and RCC winner today. Good head with a lovely expression and strong jaw. Good length of neck into narrow front and well laid shoulders. Liked his length of body and was easily spanned. Level topline that he held well on the move, with a well set, carrot like tail. Grizzle jacket that was in good condition and a thick pelt. Moved out really well on neat feet.
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Jun 2025
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
Many thanks to the officers and committee of the Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge at the club’s championship show on 7th June. Congratulations to them for providing such an excellent and well run show. Thanks also to my stewards Sian Mckay and Sophie Leggat for their cheerful and efficient help. Many thanks to all who entered. It is always a priviledge and pleasure to go over your dogs and I thank all the exhibitors for that opportunity. It was also an honour to be the 51st judge to award a DCC to CH Otterbobs Tolson, making him the Breed CC record holder. Many congratulations to his owners.
Overall, I thought there was plenty of quality from puppies through to the veterans. I thought that size was good, as were coats and heads. I was really pleased that I also found an improvement in length and shape of tails. Downside was front movement as there were a significant number who were not accurate in this department.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Plenty of quality about this lovely balanced grizzle dog. Correct head properties. Big teeth. Very good narrow front with ribs carried well back. Spannable. Good topline and tailset with correct length of tail. Moved soundly from all angles. Presented in very fit condition with really good double jacket and thick pelt.
Class Critique
Three quality dogs. All of them fitted the standard well and on another day the outcome could be different.
Southern Border Terrier Club Partnership Championship Show
27th Jun 2025
Judge: Mr Tom H. Johnston (Feldkirk)
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Jul 2025
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Thanks go to the Northern Border Terrier Club for inviting me judge their 53rd Championship Show, and to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over the good entry of Borders. Thanks also to my stewards Nicki Cummins, Julie Leckenby and Sarah Eccles who really did a fantastic job and kept everything running smoothly, I enjoyed my day immensely.
It was an extremely hot day and I was thankful we were inside the hall, the committee made sure doors were opened to ensure a through draft which made for a pleasant environment for the task in hand. No dogs appeared stressed by the heat when they were being shown, although some dogs did seem less than enthusiastic in the ring.
I found some really good profile movement, but good movement fore and aft was in the minority, and in some classes non-existent.
Overall some very good coats and pelts and good presentation, some really good tails too, just a few long thin tails. Although found three kinked tails on this occasion, teeth seemed cleaner and only a few feet spoilt by overly long nails.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
19 months, G&T. A quality young male, stood out for me in this class. He still has an immaturity about him and lacked top coat today but has a good reach of neck into a lovely clean, smooth well angulated shoulder. When viewed from the front he is narrow throughout, his forelegs are straight with firm pasterns and small feet. Deep and narrow he is well ribbed back into a strong loin, very easily spanned with a good underline. Racy hindquarters. Moved well.
Leeds Championship Show
24th Jul 2025
Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
I would first like to thank the Officers and Committee of Leeds City & District Canine Association Championship Show for inviting me to judge at their show, and for the hospitality shown to me on the day. However, most of all, thank you to all the exhibitors for providing me with such a quality entry to assess on this, my first appointment in the breed at this level. I had the privilege of going over so many quality dogs that difficult decisions often had to be made. As always, coats were at different stages, sometimes reflected in the placings, but coats come and go, construction does not. I did not discern any kinked tails and no bad temperaments were apparent. The adequately sized ring however was quite difficult for the exhibitors to circumnavigate, with varying gradients, going uphill away from the judge, coming back downhill but with another gradient across the ring to cope with as well. There were several bumps and hollows in the ring as well, in places which made standing your exhibit to best effect not quite so easy. Many astute exhibitors realising this changed their handling technique to cater for this, some did not
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Quality well proportioned and balanced 19 month old grizzle dog. Correct head with a lovely expression and strong jaw. Good reach of neck, very good straight narrow front with ribs carried well back. Easily spannable. Good topline and tailset with correct length of tail. Strong racy hindquarters, small neat feet. Presented in good hard condition and with a decent double jacket and thick pelt. Covered the ground soundly and economically with drive, from all angles.
Bournemouth CS Championship Show
9th Aug 2025
Judge: Mr I Hardman (Spanwise)
RDCC
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Driffield Championship Dog Show
25th Aug 2025
Judge: Mrs Julie Fletcher (Northborders)
I was so excited to be invited to give tickets for the first time so a big thank you to Driffield Committee for the invite but especially to the exhibitors for my fabulous entry
I found some really lovely dogs to go over and in some classes I wished I had more awards to give out , I was very pleased with my final line ups
Temperaments all day were very good. I didn't see one cross word between the dogs , Coats as always were varying and in some classes it was a consideration. The open and limit classes were of the highest quality and very enjoyable to judge
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and such a privilege to be able to go over all of your dogs , thank you
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Grizzle and Tan , one I've admired ringside and was very looking forward to going over him , I find him a lovely moderate dog that moves really well , typical Ottery head and dark keen expression, strong short muzzle and big teeth , correct bite, really nicely laid shoulders in super coat with a thick pelt good rib laid right back good for bone , moved well
Class Critique
Well what a fabulous class, not enough awards here , quality all the way down
Driffield Championship Dog Show 49th
25th Aug 2025
Judge: Mr Bob Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the Driffield Championship Show Committee for the opportunity to go over a quality entry and a real thank you to the exhibitors for entering and coping with the unusual arrangements.
I know many expect to see a line up all of a type but you can only put up what is entered and you can’t deny a quality dog that is within the standard over a poorer exhibit of a type you personally prefer.
After the show I was re-introduced light heartedly (I hope) to a dog described by the exhibitor as “the one I didn’t like”, which I suspect is the interpretation many exhibitors of beaten dogs have. As a general rule I believe it’s much more likely that a beaten dog is in fact a liked dog but that on the day there may have been others that were liked more!
Over the years there have been many different concerns about where the breed is heading but I’m pleased to say that some of these look to have been put to bed. I saw lots of good mouths with big strong teeth and only two level bites. Loose thick pelts were a plenty and I’m delighted to see the return of good full coats shown with pride. There were no kinked tails but a good carrot tail is now as rare has hens teeth with flag poles more the norm.
Some puppies are coming in large and leggy and many entries were borderline for spanning. Close rear movement and loose fronts were a blight on some otherwise good dogs.
However, with the exception of a couple of classes, most exhibits were of real quality and I’m sure many exhibitors were left wondering why they never got placed. The answer is that you probably deserved one but I only had 5 to give and in some cases the 5th could equally well have been first. Limit bitch was absolutely full of quality and in Open bitch they were all well worthy of a CC with little to choose between them.
So overall I’m pleased with our efforts to produce quality exhibits but ditch the flag poles and enjoy the champions that you all take home.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Nice size, well balanced G&T, otter head, good dentition, strong neck, lovely straight front, level topline into carrot tail, ribs well back, thick pelt, harsh double coat, well muscled, neat feet, needed to move out well to win this class and he did.
City of Birmingham Championship Show
30th Aug 2025
Judge: Dr Margaret Armstrong (Ploughdown)
Thank you to the Committee of the City of Birmingham Canine Association for inviting me to judge at their Championship Show. It was an honour to judge Borders Terriers on the day. I would like to thank especially the Border Terrier exhibitors for giving me such a super entry and for their graciousness and sporting manner. The venue was airy and the ring was roomy. I realised afterwards that the carpet could be rather slippery and I think that this may have provided somewhat of a challenge at times. I had many lovely dogs to go over and sometimes making decisions was like splitting hairs.
Finally thank you to my stalwart stewards who were super organized and kept me on the straight and narrow.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
Placing Critique
Another quality young grizzle and tan. Lovely clean lines to his body. Well laid shoulders and narrow front. Spanned with ease. Good length of rib. Good bone, straight front legs and neat paws. Typical head proportions with short, strong foreface and broad skull. A scissor bite and dark eye complete the picture. Best of coarse coats and pliable pelt. Moved out well.
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2025
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chesterton Viva Las Vegas
