Show Placings
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2013
Judge: Mr W R Irving
It was an honour to be invited to judge the Southern Border Terrier Club’s Championship Show for the second time, the last time having been exactly twenty years ago in 1993. The entry on this occasion was 215 from 203 dogs of which 14 were entered NFC. My thanks go to the Show Manager, Officers and Committee of the Club for their hospitality and organisation and to the exhibitors for their entries and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Special thanks to Wendy and Andrew Mooney and Bev Marsh for stewarding so efficiently and for organising the collecting ring which allowed us to finish in good time.
As usual there were more bitches than dogs entered. It was encouraging to see some good quality entries through the various classes and not just at the senior end, I thought that by and large heads and expressions were good with not many narrow long skulls there. My feeling was that while there were still plenty of dogs with poor fronts of one kind or another present, there were more good fronted exhibits around from which to find winners than the last time I judged. Coats were mixed and at times I had to forgive some lack of coat. As always there was a good deal of variation in size as always, but in the end I felt I was able to find winners of good enough size with enough scope and lines. I felt that tails were mixed and at times, in looking for overall quality, I had to reward dogs with tails that I felt were less than perfect in shape, length or carriage. By and large the dogs behaved pretty well and were presented clean. I was keen to see the dogs moving around the ring and not ‘stacked’. That is surely the most revealing in conformation terms.
DCC and BOB was Jenkins’ Badgerbeck Uncle Fester. RDCC was Stockleys’ Ch Foxfactor Pied Piper. BCC and RBIS was May and Whisker’s Thistlestone Jenny Wren. RBCC was Higham’s Comberdown Thistle. BP was Hall and Ellis’ Brackenfell Bok To Bach and BPB was Clark’s Gameway Fortune Cookie. BV was Stockleys’ Foxfactor Hornblower
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Class Critique
A strong class.
Taunton and District CS Open Show
19th Jun 2013
Judge: Mr Jeff Luscott
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at this level for the first time, and my stewards for keeping me on track. Special thanks to the Border Terrier Club of Victoria, Australia and their secretary Denise Worthington for presenting a special sash to the Best of Breed winner providing a welcome highlight at the end of judging.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
East of England Agricultural Society
6th Jul 2013
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I have to thank the society for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors who accepted my decisions sportingly. Thank you also to my steward, on his own, for keeping things moving.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Liskeard & District Canine Association Premier Open Breed Show
14th Jul 2013
Judge: Ms Carolyne Scott (Wolferflow)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG4, Earthtaw Elegant
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: PG2, Earthtaw Elegant
Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Paignton Championship Show
3rd Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs B Jackson (Clipstone)
I thoroughly enjoyed judging at Paignton Championship Show. The new venue (well, new to me) was very pleasant and the show was efficiently run by the helpful and friendly committee. I had an excellent entry which contained lots of quality dogs to choose from. Some classes were, however, a real mix of types, again the Fox Terrier type with high ear carriage are appearing, as are those with almost "hound like" ears, far too large and which ruin the head. Ultimately I judged to my interpretation of the Standard. I like a dog to be a real stallion dog and a bitch, his feminine counterpart. I do not like bitchy dogs and masculine bitches. I was incredibly pleased with my winners, neither of which I have judged before and who to my mind are excellent examples of the breed, both home bred too, not bought in.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Newton Abbot & South Devon Canine Society Open Show
24th Aug 2013
Judge: John Finney
Best Puppy
Name at show: BPIS, TPG1, Earthtaw Elegant
Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Exeter & County Canine Society
21st Sep 2013
Judge: Felicity Snook
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs Julie Guvercin
My most sincere thanks to all exhibitors for giving me such a lovely entry of 117 making 153 entries, the highest in the terrier group and one of only a few to break the 100 mark in the whole show.
It is human nature for us all to ringside judge and we are all guilty of this, but going over an exhibit first hand, is further revealing, a privilege for which, I was truly grateful.
Some lovely dogs, some more workman like than others, some in better condition than others, a few outstanding ones and the odd one or two I’d love to own!
I am the first to admit I love a flashy dog who will stand up and show, but along with that must come the workman like qualities that make it able to be essentially a working terrier. There is nothing to suggest in my mind, that the two trains of thought can’t co-exist, they can and they must.
Nervous or aggressive dogs and there were just one or two, were not rewarded, this is surely a temperament to be discouraged. Dour is a different matter altogether, especially when its nearly always on an otherwise, super exhibit, a frustrating combination.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Class Critique
The better of the two puppy classes for depth of quality.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
The Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall
20th Oct 2013
Judge: Mr R Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the organisers and exhibitors for a very welcoming and well supported show with 43 Borders constituting over a quarter of the total show entry. There was plenty of loose pelts, harsh coats, neat feet and quality dogs although a few would struggle to be called spanable, one had a kinked tail and another a bad mouth. However, the day was topped off nicely with a reserve best puppy in show trying hard to maintain some decorum alongside her highly excited handler. A good day.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs Val Furness
Thank you to M.C.C.A for the appointment also my stewards and a thank you to the exhibitors. Coats and size were mixed and a few entries i could not span the one thing that was apparent was the number of very lean exhibits. You BREED for size not FEED for it.
It was also nice to see that most of the early classes looked as they should be and not looking like they should be in open class
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Torquay & District Canine Society
9th Nov 2013
Judge: Mrs Beverley Deacon
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Earthtaw Elegant
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Minehead & District Canine Society
10th Nov 2013
Judge: Jan Furneaux
Best Of Breed
Name at show: G4, Earthtaw Elegant
Best Puppy
Name at show: G2, Earthtaw Elegant
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Plymouth & District CS
16th Nov 2013
Judge: Sharon Clark
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Taunton & District Canine Association
5th Jan 2014
Judge: Sue Thomson (Ashgate)
Special Yearling /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Newton Abbot and South Devon Canine Society Open Show
25th Jan 2014
Judge: Margaret Hughes
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Plymouth & District Canine Society Open Show
8th Feb 2014
Judge: Phil Davis
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Ilfracombe & District Canine Society Open Show
15th Feb 2014
Judge: John Scanlon
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
The Southern Border Terrier Club Limited Show
2nd Mar 2014
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
My thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge this show, and their hospitality on the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the appointment. All dogs bar one were entire, and all mouths good apart from one level bite and a few forgivable signs of age in the veteran classes. I found some exhibits to be well up to size and difficult to span, but was very pleased with my final line up and main winners. Thank you to the exhibitors for entering and accepting my decisions so sportingly, and to my stewards on the day.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Exeter and County Canine Society
22nd Mar 2014
Judge: Mr Ken Jessup
Limit /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Bridgwater & District Canine Society Premier Open Show
23rd Mar 2014
Judge: Mr Jem Thomas (Daluce)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Placing Critique
18 month old Grizzle and Tan Bitch. Deep full double coat of good texture. Moved freely in profile. Lovely shaped carrot tail. Preferred length of body of 1
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2014
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My thanks to the committee of the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this group championship show. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Doyle and John Callow for their help and assistance in keeping me organised and the ring running smoothly. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for such a large entry in these tough financial times.
The ring was large with lots of space for dogs to move freely without being forced to stop/start. In general the dogs were in good condition. I found 1 dog that was not entire. Although teeth were mostly OK, apart from a few misaligned, they varied greatly in size. Coats varied as always but I judge on the day and lack of coat is taken into account when placing exhibits. I was concerned at the number of exhibits down on their pasterns, not giving the small feet as required. Many younger exhibits would really benefit from regular ringcraft experience.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Placing Critique
G/tan good for size. Head nice and flat, short broad muzzle, nicely shaped eye and neat ears. Well muscled front end standing on neat feet but a little wide.. Spannable but shorter coupled than some she has a well developed muscular rear end and carrot shaped tail.
Moving nicely she carried a good double coat on a thick pelt
Devon County Show
22nd May 2014
Judge: Mr Tan Nagrecha (Chandlimore)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Bath Championship Show
23rd May 2014
Judge: Mr S Plane
Thankyou to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry for the first time awarding challenge certificates. Although we had a super sized ring with short grass and level surface, the weather prevented us from using the outer part in some classes. Most of the exhibits were undeterred by the rain and dampness
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Placing Critique
This bitch is good for shape and size, in good form, attractive head and correct mouth, true front and spans easily, good to go over with a coat of correct texture
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Southern Counties Canine Association
31st May 2014
Judge: Mr Terry Cooper
Firstly I would like to thank my able stewards for making my day of judging so enjoyable, they did a first class job in the process and my compliments go to them both. Secondly I thank the exhibitors for bringing some fine examples of the breed under me. In a few classes I was splitting hairs with a number of exhibits and on another day they would change places many times. I was very happy with my final line up of dogs and bitches, they were all of excellent quality and worthy of winning top honours.
Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Paignton & DFA Championship Show
2nd Aug 2014
Judge: Mr T Johnston
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Bournemouth CA Championship Show
10th Aug 2014
Judge: Mrs M Reeves (Baywillow)
A very enjoyable appointment in spite of the wind and rain. I found some lovely borders for the top awards. The line up for the bitch challenge was especially pleasing, each one of top quality with some very promising youngsters. On the minus side there were too many that were wide in front. This is a serious fault in a breed who need to get through narrow spaces underground. Whilst I am always critical of dogs that lack rear angulation there are one or two appearing in the breed who are over angulated which is not correct for a border.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Taunton & District Canine Association
4th Jan 2015
Judge: Mr W Harris
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Manchester Championship Show
15th Jan 2015
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
This was my first Championship Show appointment and I would like to thank the Society for the invitation and generous hospitality. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Attwood and Anne Speake who did a sterling job keeping the good sized, well appointed ring running smoothly throughout the day. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over some very high quality dogs. Generally the standard was good with the majority of exhibits showing and moving well. I was concerned by the number of short rounded ribs I found, especially in the bitch classes. There were several noses lacking pigment, some very long thin tails, and I found a few broken or out of line teeth. Coats were at various stages and some otherwise good dogs had to be penalised for lack of coat in the stronger classes. Whereas others with little coat made it into the line up on overall quality. I was very pleased with my main winners, and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
The Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall
15th Feb 2015
Judge: Mr Gordon Dyer (Ruffenuf)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Breed Show
1st Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
My appreciation goes to the SBTC officers and committee for the opportunity to judge a lovely entry of Border Terriers and to the stewards for their support during the show. Also to the many exhibitors who quite rightly presented their dogs so proudly. I hope they enjoyed their day irrespective of the results, as above all this is a hobby to enjoy with the pets that you love.
It’s always good to see new faces exhibiting but I think most would benefit from a few visits to ring craft prior to launching themselves into the ring. This would give them an idea of the typical ring routine and some guidance on preparation of their exhibits. Whilst some concession can be made, lack of ring presence inevitably reflects in some way on their exhibit. Having said all that I can but admire the efforts of a seasoned 2½ year old handler as she moved her much older prized veteran up and down the mat!
I found some dubious dentition, a couple I couldn’t span and several only just spannable. Some dogs impressed in the line but disappointed on the move (particularly rear movement) but for a limit show I felt there was plenty of quality and I was particularly delighted with the main contenders. Some classes merited two “firsts” with precious little separating the first two and I was sad to disappoint. Not being first shouldn’t reflect badly on any dog it only means that a particular judge preferred another exhibit on the day. Certainly some of the dogs would have been better placed had they moved as well on the day as I’ve seen them move before.
I’m not of the school that expects to see a final line-up of identical dogs of a particular type. Several exhibits, whilst not of my preferred type, represented the breed standard well and couldn’t be denied an appropriate place irrespective of type or the appearance of the final line-up. I looked for a well balanced dog reflecting the aspects of the breed standard, without exaggeration and able to cover the ground smoothly and efficiently and I was pleased to find it in most classes.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan, shown in full harsh coat (hooray!) which made the neck look a little stuffy but underneath was a well constructed bitch with a lovely head and expression, ribs well back, good rear angulation, moved well on small feet with thick pads but preferred topline of 1 .
Bath Canine Society
22nd May 2015
Judge: Mr Jack Watson
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Taunton and District Open Show
27th Jun 2015
Judge: Sue Wilson (Olderhill)
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Windsor Championship Show
2nd Jul 2015
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I thoroughly enjoyed my first judging experience at this level and thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs of such good quality in front of me and accepting my decisions with good grace. In some of the classes there was only a hairs breadth between some exhibits and on another day the results would have been different. I like Borders that are narrow, strong and good movers. I do not consider coat to be a major factor except when differentiating between dogs of equal quality, As a Championship Show judge told me many years ago “bad coats can get better, many other faults cannot.”
I would also like to thank my stewards for keeping me in order.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Duchy Canine Society Open Show
18th Oct 2015
Judge: Ms L Woods (Penbro)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Earthtaw Elegant
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Torquay & District Canine Society Open Show
7th Nov 2015
Judge: Carolyn Fry (Bedeslea)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
8th Nov 2015
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the officers and committee for the opportunity to judge the Border Terriers at your show and to the exhibitors giving me a super entry.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Placing Critique
3 year old grizzle bitch, another shown in full double jacket and with a really lovely thick pelt. Good bite with big teeth. She is a very workmanlike bitch that appears heavy in neck but isn't once you get your hands on her. I just preferred the size of 1.
Plymouth & District Kennel Association Open Show
14th Nov 2015
Judge: Mr P Darby
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Torquay and DCS Open Show
27th Feb 2016
Judge: Mr Gary Mason
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Exeter & County Canine Society Open Show
17th Sep 2016
Judge: Stephen Young (Taxibixi)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall Open Show
16th Oct 2016
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Elegant
