Show Placings
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of The Midland Border Terrier Club for the invite to judge the Open Show held in conjunction with The Birmingham National. The hospitality showed by both clubs on the day was tremendous plus the wonderful gift received with many thanks – I will remember my first club show appointment for a long time.
I could not of been more pleased with my entry on the day so a big thank you for all of the exhibitors that gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs and the quality presented. Junior Bitch, Limit Bitch and Limit Dog classes were of real quality and on another day placings could of easily been switched. That aside I was really pleased with my Bitch/Dog line ups having some real quality to pick my main winners from.
Also a special mention to my two stewards Sharon and La for keeping my classes going and to Bev who co-ordinated between the two rings whilst the judging was going on.
It was nice having the opportunity to see Terrier Group at the Birmingham National at the end of the day and see my Best Dog go on to represent the Border Terrier by getting short listed in a really big group, he had his 3 CC today and I was delighted to see he has become a Champion in his own right.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
National Dog Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
Thank you to the Committee for the invitation to judge at this show; I had received an invitation to judge the breed here in 2007 but was unable to accept due to a previous appointment so was very pleased to be offered the opportunity again. Thanks to my stewards for all their hard work during the day and also to the exhibitors for entering some lovely Border Terriers. There were some wonderful quality exhibits but I was particularly pleased with my line-up of unbeaten bitches with 4 or 5 in contention for the top honours, a very difficult but enjoyable decision.
It is 50 years since I won my first CC in the breed and at that time it was emphasised to novices by the experienced exhibitors that the most important part of the breed standard was the first line “essentially a working terrier” and I have always had this at the forefront in my mind when judging the breed. Not, does it work, but could it do so; meaning could it follow a horse and go to ground when needed; also could it get out again.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Novice - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Pollard CS Open Show
15th May 2022
Judge: David Lee (Socksdown)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Open Show
1st Jun 2022
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Lancashire Sporting Terrier Club Open Show
4th Jun 2022
Judge: Dr. Annika Vanje (O’Rowanne) (Sweden)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Ashfield CS Open Show
11th Jun 2022
Judge: Gina Adams (Fisherbloom)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Ruthin Canine Society Open Show
18th Jun 2022
Judge: Bev Hanna (Kinaelan)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG4, Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Royal Cheshire County Show
22nd Jun 2022
Judge: Carmel Clarke O'Neill (Lemracdream)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Blackpool & District Canine Society
26th Jun 2022
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to the exhibitors for a lovely entry, much appreciated in these difficult times. Thanks also to my stewards who not only kept the ring moving well but proved very adept at fielding judging slips, ring cards and prize cards and miscellaneous other bits and pieces flying across the ring in a very blustery wind. I thought it would be better to judge outside, the wind did upset a few dogs and those with a lot of coat were truly blown. The Border is essentially a working terrier that should combine activity with gameness – I thought that worth repeating since some seem to have forgotten it! I managed to find good heads but in general they were not strong, the head and jaw is not a cosmetic addition but an essential part of the terrier’s make up. Feet and pelts were OK but very few could be regarded as really good, again they are an essential feature required for the work the dog was bred for. Coats were all over the place very few being presented in a good sharp deep coat, however most were acceptable.
Movement remains a problem, there were feet flicking out, plaiting in front, bouncing up and down or rocking on the front – all problems with shoulder construction. The best move with that lovely unfussy ground covering drive that is so typical of the breed.
I was surprised to find several exhibits with level bites, I know the standard allows for this but it is undesirable, particularly in young dogs.
Having said all that I did find a good number of excellent very typical dogs, Limit & Open classes in both sexes were excellent and there were some promising puppies coming along.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
The Northern Border Terrier Club 50th Championship Show
16th Jul 2022
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
It was an honour to judge the Club’s 50th Championship Show at Bowburn. Many thanks to the Officers and committee for their kind invitation and warm welcome at the show. Thank you to my efficient stewards Graham Richardson and Mark Atkinson for keeping everything on track. Thankfully the show avoided the excessive temperatures of the heatwave and although still hot the hall remained comfortable for both dogs and exhibitors. Sincere thanks to all exhibitors for providing me with a lovely entry, it was a privilege to go over your dogs. I found an equal depth of quality in both dogs and bitches and very pleased with the final line-ups.
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Leeds Championship Dog Show
22nd Jul 2022
Judge: Mrs J Fawcett (Carrock)
My thanks to the Leeds City & District Canine Association for their kind invitation to judge their Championship show, enabling me to award my first set of Challenge Certificates. Thank you also to my two stewards, Mags & Bob, who kept the ring running smoothly throughout the day which meant we managed to finish by 3pm before the rain came. My biggest thanks go to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted – I had a fantastic entry for a show taking place on a Friday and in the holiday season – I was absolutely delighted.
Just a comment about the ring – the rather large metal tent fixings that took up quite a lot of the ring were a bit of a hazard. However, I believe we managed to work around them well and I was able to see the movement of all the exhibits.
As you would expect, coats were at various stages but on the whole most were acceptable. All dogs were entire, there were no kinked tails and just one or two untidy mouths. When I last judged in November 2019 my main concern was size and this still remains an issue - I was unable to span quite a number of both dogs & bitches on the day and this was reflected in my decisions. Poor front angulation also seems to be an issue – a number of upright shoulders and a lot of very wayward front legs. I thought it also relevant to mention the number of long, thin muzzles, particularly in the younger classes, that seem to be creeping into the breed - Border Terriers should have short, strong muzzles.
That all said, I had some quality dogs to judge – I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Cartmel AS Open Show
3rd Aug 2022
Judge: Mr R Mann (Lynsett)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Placing Critique
9mth bitch with a decent head. Good reach of neck, level topline & correct tailset. Correct coat texture with a loose pelt & easily spanned. Nice angulation fore & aft, moved well.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss Rebecca Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you very much to the committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this show, it is a club that is very dear to me having been a member for over 30 years and I very much enjoyed my day. Thank you to my three stewards Laura, La and Richard for doing an amazing job of looking after me and keeping me well fuelled! Thank you also to all of the exhibitors who made the decision to enter their beautiful dogs under me, I know that we have to be selective in this current climate and I was absolutely delighted with such a fabulous entry. I felt overall that the dogs were of excellent quality and the majority were turned out beautifully. Heads are good in the main, we are getting away from that bulbus rounded skull and teddy bear expression and going back to a more traditional look. I would say the things that need addressing the most are front angulation, there are still quite a few dogs lacking in upper arm and also poor rear angulation appears to be creeping in a little. However, I found some beautiful dogs and I was very pleased with my main winners, some classes were extremely competitive and some good dogs had to go cardless. I thank you all for persevering in the heat, it was a tough day for me judging in such intense heat, so I am sure it was difficult for the exhibits too. I hope my winners appreciated our crochet efforts with the personalised rosettes, which mum and I took a lot of pleasure in making.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Placing Critique
Beautiful grizzle bitch, 9 months old, flowing bodylines and very well balanced, maturing lovely but not overdone, turned out in perfect coat and condition. Excellent ottery head, flat skull, strong jaw and dark eyes. Good shoulder angulation, level topline, well ribbed back, narrow and good length to body. Rear angulation correct and enough to balance the overall picture. Moved out well especially in side profile, she covered the ground effortlessly.
Class Critique
Another very nice class of puppy bitches, a pleasure to judge.
Special Challenge - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Lancaster & DCS Open Show
20th Aug 2022
Judge: Carol Dunford (Quixol)
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Morecambe & Heysham CA Open Show
21st Aug 2022
Judge: Mr Gareth Thomas (Gazstaff)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Welsh Kennel Club
21st Aug 2022
Judge: Mr T Johnston
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Placing Critique
Pleasing head with good eye and expression. Good ears, neck and into body of good shape, good rib, loin and tail. In good coat and moved with good action, holds nice profile.
Driffield Championship Dog Show
26th Aug 2022
Judge: Mrs Anne Heathcote (Saxheath)
I would like to thank you all for allowing me to go over your dogs and also our Stewards John and Marvin for keeping everything running smoothly enabling me to finish in good time .
I have to say that I found movement in a number of classes worrying . Although most dogs looked ok in profile when viewed from the front and rear there were too many moving closely and a few flicking wrists . This was reflected in my placings with the soundest being placed highest .
Mouths were good with just one level bite but there were both dogs and bitches which I could not span . Coats were , on the whole , pretty good .
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Placing Critique
A racy gr with a good jacket , head , reach of neck , topline and tailset . She had a good bend of stifle enabling her to cover the ground with reach and drive .
Class Critique
Two very different bitches
City of Birmingham Championship Show
3rd Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs K Newsome (Kighills)
I would like to thank the City of Birmingham committee for inviting me to judge the Border terriers today. It was a most enjoyable day and to top it off I had some quality dogs and bitches to go over. I would also like to thank the exhibitors for their entries and excepting my decisions.
The quality of borders were good and adhered to the breed standard. All mouths were good and all the dogs were entire. Heads on the whole were very good but some lacked a strong broad muzzle. The movement was good and many moved with drive. Many coats were harsh and thick and pelts were nice and loose. I would like to see some exhibitors pay a little attention to trimming the feet and nails.
It would also benefit a few exhibitors to take their young dogs to ring-craft more to socialise them. This would get them use to unfamiliar situations i.e. hands on the dog etc.
To my surprise my main winners Best Puppy Dog, 2nd Grad Bitch, Bitch CC & Bitch RCC were all related to the Glebeheath Kennels so well done to you.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge the show, also making me feel so welcomed. A big thank you to my 2 stewards Tracey and Kathleen who kept me on track, also to all the exhibits and exhibitors, who gave me a lots of quality Borders to go over. I wish I had more CC’s especially in the dog classes. My concern with in the breed, is their fronts, straight shoulders, with very little angulation, which effects the front movement. All dogs had a good bite, a couple with level bite, but not a problem. All males were entire. Grooming needs to be addressed, tidying their underneath, also the feet need to be neatly trimmed and the nails cut correctly, it makes such a difference when presenting them to the Judge. 1or 2 needed ring craft classes. However, overall what a great representation of the breed. I was very pleased with my main winners.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Placing Critique
Up on the leg, longer in muzzle, very good coat, moved well
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
8th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr R Brewster (Stowthorney)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the Northern Border terrier club,
for inviting me to judge at this show. I considered this a great honour and privilege.
Many thanks to my two ring stewards Andrea Dixon and Mark Atkinson for keeping the ring running smoothly. I am immensely grateful to all of the exhibitors for a supper entry and the chance to go over so many lovely dogs and for taking my decisions with good sportsmanship. Some decisions could have been different on another day
In general, most were in tip top condition a few were a bit over weight.
Dentition was mostly good. I was happy on the whole with temperaments.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Oct 2022
Judge: Ms Julie Green (Breckgreen/Stowthorney)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge The Border Terrier Club Open Show at Low Hesket and big thank you for my lovely judge’s gifts. I would also like to thank my two stewards for the day, Judy Carr and Marina Flemming for doing a sterling job and keeping the ring running smoothly through the day. Thanks must go to the exhibitors for their fantastic entry and for excepting my decisions on the day. I had a lovely entry of borders who on whole were of good quality.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Lancashire Sporting Terrier Club Open Show
12th Nov 2022
Judge: Mr Tony Allcock MBE (Sleepyhollow)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Placing Critique
12 ½ month old Bitch. OK head with correct bite. Spannable rib, perhaps a touch long in loin. A little untidy in front. Excellent coat qualities.
Sedgley & Gornal Canine Association Premier Open Show
27th Nov 2022
Judge: Mrs. Lesley Armstrong-Rodgers ( Scottsway )
Thank you to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge at this, their first Premier Show. It was a very well run Show with both exhibitors and judges in mind. Thank you to my able steward, Eliza Hajdas, who kept the ring running smoothly with a constant smile. I thoroughly enjoyed my day, unfortunately there were a few absentees, but I was delighted with the quality of my entry. Thanks must also go to all the exhibitors who gave me the chance to go over their dogs.
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
Maghull and Merseyside Canine Society Open Show
4th Dec 2022
Judge: Claire McCusker (Zaracle)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg
