Show Placings
Chertsey & DCS Open Show
25th Mar 2016
Judge: Mr Howard Ogden (Beauview)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Marlborough & District Canine Society Open Show
2nd May 2016
Judge: Miss Helen Axford
I would like to thank Marlborough and District Canine Society for inviting me to judge at their 70th anniversary show, also thanks to my two efficient stewards. I was pleased with the entry of 19 for my first appointment, there were 14 dogs present on the day. I thoroughly enjoyed going over some lovely dogs, all males were entire, there was one untidy mouth but this belonged a dog of advancing years. Many thanks to the exhibitors for entering under me and the sporting way my decisions were received, I was delighted with my two main winners and thrilled to see them both do so well in their respective groups under a breed specialist.
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Southern Counties Canine Association
4th Jun 2016
Judge: Mrs Anne Tove Strande
I was thrilled to receive the invitation to come back to Southern Counties and judge Border Terriers!
The organizers know how to make people feel welcomed and I enjoyed the relaxed and friendly atmosphere! All details were very well taken care of and in the ring my stewards were extremely efficient and nice. Thanks to the exhibitors for showing their dogs under me and for their presentation, which was very professional.
I enjoyed the overall quality of the Borders. There were many with lovely otter heads and with correct racy outline. All but one was easily spannable and agile. I also appreciated good pelts and quality otter tails. Coats were of good texture, but I wish more dogs could be presented with fuller coats. I appreciate a Border with truly double coat and a little “tweedy” look about them so they do not remind me of a smooth terrier. Movements were free, but quite a few could improve in front movement becoming more stable and parallel.
My winning dog and bitch were both of such high quality they could win anywhere, both under breed specialists as well as all-rounders. In addition to having correct breed specific details, they were also well constructed. I chose the bitch as my BOB because she had that extra attitude and showmanship making her an eyecatcher. It made me proud on behalf of the breed that she also won the group!
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
Good proportions. Not quite the same strong topline as the winner. Very nice head. Sufficient bone in proportion to body. Not quite settled in movement.
The Sothern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Jun 2016
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
It was a pleasure to judge the SBTC Championship Show and very pleasing to do so on their return to the Cheltenham racecourse. The new venue on the racecourse site has impressive facilities and they helped to provide a good atmosphere all day.
The bitch classes were generally very much better than the dog classes and the number of border terriers with thick pelts and a good coat was impressive. Heads are very much improved although some deep stops and large heavy ears cost a few dogs a higher placing.
In general terms the construction of hindquarters has improved but we are now seeing some dogs which have too much bend of stifle and end up with their hocks well behind their tail root when standing. Lay-back of shoulders has also improved yet some still have those relatively upright shoulders which yield a stilted movement in front. In addition, we need to keep the narrowness of the breed in mind, the border terrier does not have a rounded chest and should be well ribbed back as a result.
I struggled to span quite a few male dogs but the bitches were much better. Dentition was very good overall and very strongly made teeth was most enjoyable to find and always an impressive quality to see when examining a border terrier’s mouth.
Finally it was nice to see a few dogs with the characteristic thick carrot-shaped tail which, when set on correctly, always finishes the overall picture. Keep in mind it is an asset for the working terrier.
At the end there were some very promising youngsters who will contribute the future of the breed and several very high quality Border Terriers competing for Best in Show.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
8 mo with very good coat & pelt. Dark eye. Generally good construction, strongly made but wayward on the move. Maturity should aid his movement and overall outline.
Windsor Championship Show
3rd Jul 2016
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My thanks to the committee of Windsor Championship Dog for their invitation to judge at this show which is so efficiently organised and well run. Thanks also to my stewards Elaine Waddingham and Lynn Crane for their help and assistance in keeping the ring running smoothly at all times. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for their entries .
As usual at Windsor the ring was large in/out with lots of space for dogs to move freely and a fairly flat surface enabling movement to be assessed, without being forced to stop/start when moving the whole class. In general the dogs were in good condition and I found no dogs that were not entire. Although teeth were generally good, apart from a few misaligned, they varied greatly from very small to huge in size. Disappointed to see a few light eyes creeping in.
Coats varied as always with many shown in soft undercoat but lacking topcoat, but worryingly I found several with a decent topcoat but very little undercoat. Movement particularly at the front end continues to be of concern, whilst a puppy can improve and tighten in front as it matures, moving wide or high stepping in an older exhibit is difficult to change,
Generally the standard of the bitches was better than that of the dogs.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
10 month g/tan who moved the best in this class with drive and enthusiasm. Short muzzle of good width and neat ‘V’ shaped ears. Correct size for age with neat feet and a good underline. He was in full double coat with a loose pelt. Tail set a little low which reflects in his topline but good enough to win BEST PUPPY DOG
City of Birmingham Canine Association
3rd Sep 2016
Judge: Mrs C Archibald
My thanks to the Officers and Committee of Birmingham Canine Society, for the opportunity to judge the Border terriers at this show.
My personal thanks to all the exhibitors for allowing me to “go over” their dogs, and making it a most enjoyable and memorable day.
I was delighted to find some fabulous jackets/pelts, which is crucial for a working terrier.
On the downside, I found some exhibits with weak pasterns, hence front movement issues, and some ‘poppy’eyes which detracts from the ottery head, and expression of the border terrier, some very attractive dogs just too much of them. On the whole, apart from a missing tooth to a misplaced one, most were reasonably fit, and there were some very close decisions.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
finer in bone than 1, neatly placed ears, typical expression, less jacket than 1, moved out well, not much between these two.
Richmond Championship Dog Show
10th Sep 2016
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
Well made youngster, good size and of pleasing confirmation throughout. Best of heads with a good eye and neat ears. Good reach of neck set in well placed shoulders, excellent coat and pelt, racy hindquarters and sound on the move.
Thame & Oxfordshire County CS OPen Show
15th Sep 2016
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gaybryl)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Sep 2016
Judge: Mrs Chris Davis (Hesselemere)
Firstly my thanks to the Committee of Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge their show this year. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. It was lovely to see such a good bunch of Borders as I have not been around any shows of late due to other commitments. The quality was excellent; I was really pleased with both my line ups, but particularly the males. Size was very pleasing, as was condition, well muscled animals that could do a day’s work. Temperaments were excellent too. The breed is ‘looking good’.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Maidenhead & DCS Open Show
18th Feb 2017
Judge: Gemma Vaughan nee Alpe (Holteal)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
The Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Show
5th Mar 2017
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
I would like to thank the committee for giving me the honour of judging at this lovely show, with special appreciation to show manager Jane Roberts, and ring stewards Sandra Girling and Sheila Hales. Most of all, I would like to thank the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of going over their lovely dogs.
With the phrase “Essentially a working terrier” in mind, I was satisfied that my main winners fitted the breed standard and moved soundly with good reach and drive. Coats also played a part, and although I appreciate that coats come and go, they did matter on the day. All the dogs were entire, there were a couple of level bites and the odd tooth out of line, but most exhibits were really nicely turned out. The puppy classes were very promising, and at the other end of the scale it was nice to see the veterans enjoying their day.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
Slightly older grizzle and tan of nice type but not moving with quite the reach and drive of 1. Correct double coat just going over slightly but still harsh. Pleasing head, neat feet, and carrotty tail well set on and carried nicely.
Crufts
9th Mar 2017
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
It was a great honour and pleasure to examine a superb entry of 250 dogs with 28 absentees. I was conscious that the judging period available had to be used wisely. My profound thanks to all exhibitors, my splendidly efficient stewards Mr R and Mrs A Green and the marvellous exhibitor who provided the red chair as my unofficial ring marker (even if she did occasionally have the temerity to sit in it) for co-operating famously to ensure that we completed our task in a timely manner while hopefully enabling everyone an equal opportunity to put their best foot forward.
To go over something special and send it round and see proof that it meets the crucial test of health and conformation makes the pulse quicken. I was looking for typical, well knit, well conditioned, free moving specimens exhibiting all the breed characteristics we need to retain while trying to minimise undesirable aspects. This is a natural and unexaggerated breed and my ultimate line-ups pleased me immensely displaying exactly what I was seeking
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Good Citizen - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
very likeable and typical youngster, in super coat and pelt, good head properties and eye, easily spanned nicely made body, correct bone, sound
Three Counties
10th Jun 2017
Judge: Ms Michelle Barnett
Many thanks to the Officers and the committee for kindly inviting me to Judge at the show and my most capable stewards for their efficiency in the ring. My sincere thanks also to the exhibitors for their entries and support. The classes were filled with some lovely breed quality dogs and bitches and on completing my appointment I was delighted to see my final line up(s) presenting me with such a hard task in my final decision of who to award the ultimate top honours too! That always makes for a satisfying end to a judges day. So can i take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me the privilege of judging your Border terriers Two nice classes of pups which bodes well for the future
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Class Critique
Another good class
Windsor
1st Jul 2017
Judge: Mr Stewart McPherson (Brumberhill)
Firstly, my thanks must go to the committee for the invitation to judge at their show and to those exhibitors who entered, for my opinion, always an honour, to judge their dogs, giving me the highest entry in the Terrier Group. My thanks, also, to my stewards, who kept things running smoothly, with good humour.
An interesting entry, most were sound and typical. The thing that struck me most was front profile movement. An alarming number, due to an incorrect shoulder and upper arm placement, lacked full reach on the move, the leg lifting, hackney like, but not straightening out to reach full extension on the move. It may appear to be accurate coming and going, but it doesn’t actually cover much of the ground, so is therefore uneconomical movement, meaning the dog would have to work twice as hard to keep up, as the Standard asks for “capable of” and the “soundness to follow a horse”. Just because it’s possible to win with this type of movement doesn’t make it correct!
I was very pleased with my top winners, shown free standing, giving the, in my opinion, correct outlines, with no need to “assemble“ them in to a shape! All were sound, free movers. Typical “old school” Border Terriers! Pleased to hear that their qualities were recognised in their respective Groups!
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Class Critique
Excellent class for quality.
Good Citizen - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
Grizzle & Tan. VHC in the exceptional Yearling class. Typical head & expression. Good neck, shoulder, front & feet. Sound mover, with a very good coat & pelt.
City of Birmingham
2nd Sep 2017
Judge: Mrs B Roderick
Firstly I would like to thank my stewards for their assistance during the day.
Thanks to the exhibitors that sportingly took my decisions, it was a pleasure to judge some lovely terriers. I would just suggest that over baiting not only slows up the judging, especially with young puppies but does spoil the terriers outline in the final line up of the classes on occasion. That said it was pleasing to find the temperaments sound in the exhibits, despite the various distractions and of course the clanking of the ducting under the carpet. Thank you again for your entry.
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Good Citizen - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Richmond
9th Sep 2017
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
Placing Critique
Strong head and muzzle. Moved out well. In good body and coat condition. Looked a bit heavy today.
Thame & Oxfordshire County CS Open Show
21st Sep 2017
Judge: Debs Channon (Thandiwe)
Limit /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Gun Fire At Rubyfin
