Show Placings
National Terrier Club
6th Apr 2024
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
Thanks to the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this prestigious show and to the exhibitors who did me the honour of judging their dogs. I was lucky to have two efficient stewards who kept things running smoothly, thank you Laura and Dave.
The entry showed a good depth of quality. In many classes the places were hotly contested with decisions needing to be made on the narrowest of margins. I was very pleased to find that there were some good coats on thick pelts and the nice thick short tails which set off a good border so well.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
20th Apr 2024
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee of the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the honour of inviting me to judge your Championship show and for your great hospitality on the day. It was hit-and-miss as to whether or not I would be judging inside or out, and I’m pleased that the committee took the decision to hold it outdoors. It is far nicer for the dogs to be outside, even with the biting wind, and we are not to forget that they are designed to be outside in that type of weather, which reiterates the importance of a good coat. I hope everyone at ringside managed to keep the chill away, myself having Cumbrian bloodlines, found it rather pleasant. Thank you to my stewards Tracey, Dave and Mike who worked tirelessly to keep the ring moving. My biggest thanks are to the exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry and took all my decisions in a sporting manner. I know it is always said there are too many good dogs for the number of cards and that was especially true of the limit and open classes. I was spoiled for choice in a number of classes and had to split hairs on a number of occasions. Dog’s are never static and can have good days and bad days just the same as us, and condition and coats can change dramatically. Some dogs were out of top coat or had no harshness to their coat on the day which cost them on this occasion. Repeating myself from my last judging appointment, I made mention that true movement isn’t necessarily conducive to good movement if no ground is covered at the same time, ideally of course we want both but I would rather see a dog with a good outline in profile than one very accurate that’s going nowhere. Good construction should be a given, I know not much mention is made to that in our breed standard, but to constitute soundness to follow a horse, the construction must be balanced and correct with no exaggeration. Thankfully, there were not many exaggerations on the day. One or two were big ribbed and not quite spannable, and surprisingly they were not necessarily the ones that looked up to size. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs presented.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
26th Apr 2024
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Many Thanks to WELKS for asking me to judge at their show, it was an honour, also thank you so much to everyone that entered under me, I had some great dogs to go over. Congratulation to all my winners. Thanks also go to my very competent stewards for keeping my ring running smoothly.
All the males were entire. Apart from 3 level bites all mouths were correct and teeth of good size. Temperaments were all sound except one or two that really didn’t like being in the noisy hall and were a little bit subdued. It’s hard to judge true movement on a slippery concrete floor and in some classes the placings could have changed if we had been outside on grass.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
Another lovely 7mth bitch which had all the attributes of 1st place just didn’t handle the floor as well on the move. These 2 could change places on another day.
Class Critique
My favourite class of the day with some top quality young bitches, it will be interesting to follow their progress.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th May 2024
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Scottish Kennel Club (May)
16th May 2024
Judge: Miss Rebecca Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you to SKC for inviting me to judge at their show, I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I was very pleased with my entry, thank you to all the exhibitors who value my opinion enough to enter their dogs under me. There were some very strong classes and some very pleasing youngsters. I was very pleased with my principle winners and I was delighted to see my BOB get shortlisted in a strong group and my BPIB get TPG3 in the puppy group. It was also an honour to make up two new well deserving champions, making it three new champions in one day over the two shows, which I believe is a new breed record.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Class Critique
A very nice class of quality puppies, I am sure my top 3 will change places many times
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
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Coventry & District Kennel Society Open Show
19th May 2024
Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws)
Thank you to the club for the invitation to judge and the exhibitors for their entries. Thank you to my stewards Lynn and Bruce.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
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 /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
B & T. Fine and narrow with lovely correct eye. She was racy and moved well. Nice blue coat, harsh and dense with undercoat.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
Placed second in Special Beginners Dog or Bitch class.
Class Critique
Both minor puppy and puppy were very promising bitch classes of baby girls. The future looks good.
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.
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
B/T. Another of quality. Quite mature for 7 months. Another with a very typey headpiece. Good eye and eat. Good length of neck into nice shoulder placement. Narrow yet of correct depth nice rib and nice short loin. Correct hind angulation. Moved well. Preferred the tail set of 1. Should do well
Class Critique
Some nice ones to go over at the start of the day
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
Second in SB.
Three Counties Agricultural Society
8th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my very capable stewards, Bill and Tricia for their efficiency and helpfulness and especially to the exhibitors who afforded me the honour of going over their dogs.
The weather was kind and the ring of sufficient size to allow dogs to get into their stride.
Overall I felt that there was more quality in the bitches but was more than pleased with my main winners in both sexes. Size and front movement continue to be problems and coats were at all stages of growth-this did affect some placings. I only found one undershot bite and all males were entire. Several dogs were carrying rather too much condition but more worrying were the few who were almost painfully thin which also meant that these dogs couldn’t possibly possess the muscle needed for work. A number of dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
Leggy blue of 9 months. Head developing ok, correct bite, nice length of neck, straight front. Good pelt, neat feet and sound on the move
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Boston DCS Open Show
3rd Jul 2024
Judge: Marion Sargent (Tegwani)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society Open Show
17th Jul 2024
Judge: David Alcorn (Lourdace/Comalegy)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
East of England Ladies Kennel Society Open Show
23rd Jul 2024
Judge: Heather Chaplin
A huge thank you to the Secretary and Committee of EELKS for their kind invitation to judge Border Terriers for the first time and to my three stewards for keeping the ring moving to ensure that my main winners could take part in the Group. Last but definitely not least, my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors who kindly entered their lovely Borders under me and gave me such a super quality entry from which to select my main winners. All bites were sound, all dogs entire. Coats were a bit mixed as usual, as was movement, some front movements being better than others and some covering the ground with more ease and economy, but all the dogs were spannable. I was delighted that my BOB was awarded TG4 and that my RBOB obtained RBOB G5 under Group Judge Cara Davani. Congratulations!
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
10 month old blue/tan bitch. Different type to 1st, much more rangy in build. Well shaped otter-like head. A little long in the body but narrow throughout. Good rear angulation. Tail held a touch high but moved well around the ring. Shown in good tight coat, pelt and condition. The 1st just had the edge on movement today
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 - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Walsall and DKA Open Show
10th Aug 2024
Judge: Louisa Henry (Trinsy)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Leicester City Canine Society Open Show
26th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs M Fleming (Flegato)
Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge at this very well run and friendly show. Also, thank you to the Midland Border Terrier Club for supporting the entry. The ring stewards were amazing and organised the ring and paperwork in the best way. And finally, thank you to all the exhibitors who entered and who were able to come and bring their dogs – it was a privilege for me to go over them.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
11 months old blue and tan bitch slightly taller bitch with lots to like. Feminine head, correct scissor bite, dark eyes and neat ears. Ultra narrow throughout with a lovely length of body. Racey hindquarters and very good harsh coat and thick pelt. Moved soundly around the ring. Not as mature as 1 as yet, so will watch her mature with interest.
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.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
A blue and tan bitch of similar type and make up. More up on the leg than 1st place. She has a typical border head with dark expression and keen eye. Narrow in front and stood on tight feet. Easily spanned with good topline and tail set. Shown in harsh double coat, with good pelt. 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 /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2024
Judge: Mr Bob Blackley (Vaevictus)
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
Good well balanced bitch with a good head and neck showing expression, complemented with a good front, topline and tail, good shape, good quarters, moved well both ways, good coat
Birmingham & District Gundog & Terrier Club Open Show
5th Oct 2024
Judge: Irene Glen (Wilholme/Bessalone)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Placing Critique
Lovely type of bitch, slightly bigger framed than the winner but lots to like about her. Balanced head and kind eye and best of expressions. Shoulders are well laid and has a straight front standing on good legs and feet. Well angulated quarters with the required racy appearance. Moved well.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2024
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Nov 2024
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I would like to thank SCBTC and committee for the privilege of judging this years Championship show and thank my very capable steward Euan Castell for keeping the ring flowing and the exhibitors for their lovely entry. There were some really nice dogs for me to go over. But I must say that looking at them in general heads are starting to stray away from that of the border terrier, the other thing that I think needs addressing is the general cleanliness of their exhibits. I found three suspect mouths and two kinked tails . thank you one and all for an enjoyable day,
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2024
Judge: Sarah Pateman (Lessien)
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Louajak Blue Fizz
