Show Placings
Midland Counties Championship Show
26th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I would like to thank the officers & committee for giving me the opportunity to judge the Border Terrier classes, & also a big thank you to Penny Winger & Gavin Argill my two ring stewards who kept things in order & also made sure we finished on time, and a special mention to my Best of Breed winner for attending the terrier group, and being rewarded with being short listed in the final seven.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Sedgley & Gornal Canine Association Premier Open Show
26th Nov 2023
Judge: Amélie Smith (Alncroft)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Ladies Kennel Association
8th Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Oakengates & District Canine Society Open Show
17th Dec 2023
Judge: Andrew Westwood (Nethertonion)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Wellingborough & District Canine Society Open Show
28th Jan 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Feb 2024
Judge: Lesley Armstrong-Rodgers (Atron/Scottsway)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show and therefore my thanks go to the Committee for the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed my day at this friendly well run show. It was advantageous in having such a good sized ring in which to watch the dogs move. Borders need room to get into their stride and show their effortless movement and profile when viewed in side gait.
A special thank you also to Richard and Sharon, my two stewards for keeping things running smoothly. It is always a great help for any judge to be blessed with competent stewards. Finally a big thank you to all the Exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me for my opinion and for accepting my decisions with good grace. As always coats were at differing stages, often reflected in the placings, but coats do come and go, construction does not !. Overall I found temperaments excellent, as well it should be, which bodes well for the breed.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
17th Feb 2024
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Wath, West Melton & District Canine Society Open Show
2nd Mar 2024
Judge: Anne Speake
I'd like to thank the officers and committee for the kind invitation to judge the Border terriers at there open show and for the excellent hospitality and lunch provided. I had a super entry and I'd like to thank all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over your dogs. My thanks to my very efficient steward Lynda for keeping the ring running smoothly
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Class Critique
What a lovely class to start the day with
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Crufts
10th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
A tremendous entry of 275 Borders ( 25 absentees on the day)to enjoy handling, judging and placing. I must extend my appreciation to my two valiant stewards for their patience and skill in keeping classes moving. Thank you all.
I do believe our breed is changing, but in subtle ways. The lack of opportunities for true terrier work below ground for some Borders has been replaced by agility and other energetic pursuits, but lack of hard muscle tone has produced a ‘softer’ body on some exhibits. Some feet are slacker, pads are more spread and thinner and some fronts are wide. Movement is not always positive and a ‘driving’ action is lacking. Size is fluctuating too. We have a ‘working’ breed - let’s ensure that features defining the breed are not lost, i.e. ‘spannability’; a hard, harsh top coat and soft protective undercoat (not enough of those today); a dark, expressive eye, a broad skull and strong quarters – ‘the engine is at the back!’. Heads generally were good, but some bitch heads veered towards coarseness.
One thing not lost is the Border’s kind temperament – curious, interested and ready for anything.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Placing Critique
Head developing nicely. Excellent feet. Another with an exceptional coat and pelt. A pleasure to go over.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Firstly thanks to the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their show, and to all the exhibitors for the massive entry which would of been hard to get through without the help of my two stewards Sharon Pickering and Margaret Bailey who did there best to make sure no exhibitors missed there classes
The quality of the exhibits was exceptional, Most dogs were in fit hard condition and presented well, the old saying many good dogs went without a card was only too true, We were blessed with good weather and a nice sized ring.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
National Dog Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mr Patrick Glover (USA)
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Scottish Kennel Club (Ocober)
16th May 2024
Judge: Mr. Stewart Golding (Beaconpike)
Sorry for delay in critiques, work commitments had to take priority. Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge the October show which was brought forward in conjunction with the May show. Thank you to my two stewards for keeping the ring running smoothly, which wasn’t easy with two shows running side by side. Thank you to the Exhibitors for a lovely entry and accepting my decisions in a sportsmanlike manner. I had some difficult decisions especially in the bitch classes where I just didn’t have enough cards to hand out. Coats from last time I judged had improved and it was a pleasure to see so many in correct double coat of depth. On the whole movement was good. I did find a couple of incorrect bites and one kinked tail
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Placing Critique
VHC in a strong junior bitch class, nice for breed type, lots to like, sweet head and expression with correct bite, good topline and tail set when settles she moves out well.
Good Citizen - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Placing Critique
see 1st in SBB
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!
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
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.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Class Critique
Quality class
Riddings & DCS Open Show
2nd Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Norma Ellis (Normbar)
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Placing Critique
This was a good class and this girl pushed hard, the best of coats and thick pelt, handled and shown well.
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Ashfield CS Open Show
9th Jun 2024
Judge: Paul Brandwood (Woodbrands)
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Derbyshire County Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Raewyn Dowsett (Tteswood)
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Northwich & District Canine Society Open Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Linda Ford (Selvina)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Derbyshire County Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Raewyn Dowsett (Tteswood)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Northwich & District Canine Society Open Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Linda Ford (Selvina)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Derbyshire County Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Raewyn Dowsett (Tteswood)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Northwich & District Canine Society Open Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Linda Ford (Selvina)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
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”.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Boston DCS Open Show
3rd Jul 2024
Judge: Marion Sargent (Tegwani)
Special Yearling /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
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.
Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Placing Critique
Grizzle of good size, 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.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Good Citizen - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Placing Critique
Lovely girl with a nice head and keen expression. Shown in a good harsh double jacket. Held her top line on the move. Moved out well. Just preferred the overall balance of 1st.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2024
Judge: Mr. Mark Ord (Marnadee)
Having attended & a long association with this breed club I was very honoured when I received the invitation to judge this show. It is pleasing that the club has such a wealth of supporters who do such sterling work and put on shows that make you want to return to. Walking into this venue today brought back many memories of the past and I am sure the pioneers of the club would be thrilled to see how it has prospered from humble beginnings. The Border Terrier continues to hold its own compared to many of today’s terrier breeds both as a companion and show dog. Breed standards were compiled by looking at the dogs of the time and their working capabilities fitting this purpose, this should still be adhered to now despite hunting no longer being allowed. This being said dogs should be presented for the show ring to the best of an owner’s capabilities, in hard muscular condition and coat presented clean and fit for the purpose of working in rough terrain.
I today found mouths to be good in the majority and I like to see large dentition along with a correct scissor bite. Several had eyes that needed attention in the way of cleaning before coming into the show ring. We still are seeing the incorrect flipping front action due to short upper arms and if not addressed this will become the norm. After my last appointment, I was pleased to only see a small minority where scissoring had been used on the coats which should not be the case. I did find today several coats that I would class as broken rather than the desirable tight harsh top weatherproof coat with undercoat for warmth. On a positive note, the bitches were easy to span and only a minority of males could not be. Pelts were pretty good being both thick & loose.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Scunthorpe CA Open Show
24th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Roger Mann (Lynsett / Valger)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam
Joint Border Terrier Club's Championship Show
31st Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
Thank you to The Scottish Border Terrier Club for asking me to judge the Joint Show. It’s been a long time coming as I was invited to judge in 2019 and COVID 19 got in the way! I would like to thank the exhibitors who managed to attend the show after the problems caused by Storm Lilian at Driffield. I also appreciate that the absentees were higher as a result of many people having prior appointments on the day that the show was rearranged. The City of Birmingham Society where very accommodating, we had a lovely ring with plenty of space.
However, I had a super entry, and I had lots to choose from in the dogs that were able to show under me. Thank you to everyone – I really appreciate being asked to give an opinion on other people’s dogs, it’s a real honour. I would also give a special note of thanks to my steward Bill Shorthose who single handedly managed the ring and made sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. Particularly with the challenges of a partnership show and the clashes that this can cause across two rings. Thank you to all the exhibitors who managed to negotiate two shows with good heart.
When judging, I look for dogs with good heads, plenty of strength under the eye, very little stop and a good strong jaw – essentially a’ Head like that of an Otter’. I also like to see straight fronts, correct shoulder placements and tidy small feet. I found these characteristics in all of my top winners. Generally, mouths were good, although there were a couple of dogs with a tooth out of place. Movement was ok in generally, but as breed we do need to keep an eye on front movement as there were some dogs who did not move as well as they should walking towards me. All the males were entire. I was very pleased with all my placings and when choosing my top winners, I had some difficult decisions to make and so were some dogs that were very unlucky on the day.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam At Bigginpeak
Placing Critique
A nice grizzle border who was a little short of coat today. Very typey, well put together and not overdone in anyway. Typical border head, good expression and correct ear placement. Good length of neck and clean shoulders. Straight front, correct rib and loin. Moved out well.
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.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam At Bigginpeak
Placing Critique
A feminine grizzle bitch, with a dark eye, small neat ear and short, strong muzzle. She had a good length of neck, which flowed into a level topline with a strong loin and well set tail. She moved positively and was presented in a correct double coat. She stood out for her overall moderation and balance, although my first two borders in this class could change places on another day.
Good Citizen - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam At Bigginpeak
Stafford & District Canine Society Open Show
28th Sep 2024
Judge: Margaret Hooley (Hoolmark)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam At Bigginpeak
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam At Bigginpeak
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2024
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Raedwulf Moonbeam At Bigginpeak
