Show Placings
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2008
Judge: Stuart McPherson (Brumberhill)
Thank you to those exhibitors, who, in the present financial climate, gave me the highest entry in the Terrier Group, by a considerable margin, nearly half as many again as the next breed. Friday, M6, NEC, extortionate car park charges are not a good combination!!
Thank you to my very efficient steward, who kept things running smoothly, so we could finish in good time, after the very late start due to the problems on the M6.
Now, to the dogs themselves! I know that I was very lucky, in that when I started in the Breed, in 1980, I was taught about type, construction and movement by Ted Hutchinson, a master of the sport, who had campaigned the then Breed Record Holder, plus a string of Champions across many other breeds. This knowledge, plus, I would like to think, a natural eye for quality, has served me well over the following years. Therefore, it saddens me to see the type and constructional faults that are creeping into the breed. These faults are now so prevalent, that newer breeders, exhibitors and some judges, probably think, and accept they must be correct, so widespread are they.
The Standard asks for an "otter" like head, moderately broad in skull. Too many have excessively broad skulls, giving an exaggerated, almost caricature look, rather than the refined beauty of an otter. Ear set is also a cause for concern. The standard calls for small, V- shaped, dropping forward close to the cheek. Too many ears are perched high, above the line of the skull, dropping forward to the temple, rather than the cheek, giving a foreign, almost Lakeland / Fox Terrier expression. While, I am sure, this may appeal in some quarters, it is totally incorrect on a Border Terrier.
Now, to shoulders, and especially upper arms, a major problem today, particularly in the younger classes. Upright shoulders and very short upper arms, mean the front assembly of the dog appears "tacked on". The shoulder should be clean and well laid, with a long upper arm, meaning that the dog can stand with their front legs under them, perpendicular to the floor, rather than like a “milking stool. This, affects movement, giving an action that can only be described as "peddling a bike" and causing no reach on the move .They are, after all, a working breed, who are supposed to be capable of "following a horse".
On the plus side, most were in good coat, and moved soundly behind, something which is much easier to achieve. Two exhibits were so thin, I felt their entry fee would have been better spent on a bag of quality food.
My top winners are examples of Breeders who have stuck to their ideals, of breeding sound, honest, typical Border Terriers, bred to last, not following fashion by breeding, what, to my mind, are shorter coupled, flashier "terrier" types to appeal to the more modern way of thinking. They wouldn't have looked out of place from when I first started in the Breed, matching beautifully for type and construction.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Terracao Nell Gwynn At Esyntona
Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2009
Judge: Marjorie Staveley (Dykeside)
It was indeed an honour to be invited to judge this show. My thanks to the offficers and committee for their warm welcome and to my ring stewards Glenise Hyslop and Marylynne Winder for all their hard work and efficiency. Special thanks must go the exhibitors for an excellent entry of 301 from 237 dogs (6 NFC) that I very much enjoyed judging. I thought the depth of quality varied although I was pleased with my final line-up of both dogs and bitches. Heads in general were good although I noticed there were a few exhibits rather heavy in ear. Coats and pelts varied considerably. A number of quality exhibits were devoid of coat and were penalised accordingly. I found a few exhibits, in my opinion, too heavy and unspannable; feet and nails would also benefit from more attention. Temperaments were good.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
Tyro - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
Placing Critique
Racy b/t, presented in very good coat, pleasing legs and feet, level topline and good tail carriage.
Joint BTBC Championship Show
2nd May 2009
Judge: Mr A Tomlinson (Lyndhay)
A few pointers that need addressing. Coat, the standard requires harsh and dense with a close undercoat, not a single one, as many exhibits carried today. Feet and nails, nails were unduly long, hair around the feet needed lots of attention. Also movement, it is not getting any better may be worse, rear movement was worse than front and appeared as if they were on stilts. On the positive side mouths seemed better, I found many with excellent strong teeth set correctly with a good bite
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
East Of England Championship Show
10th Jul 2009
Judge: Mr T H Johnston
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
Scottish Kennel Club
30th Aug 2009
Judge: Mr. Bill Browne-Cole
Many thanks to the Officers and the committee for kindly inviting me to Judge at this show. I thought the breed generally especially in the early classes was of a very high standard. Head shapes were very good, I only had one bad bite although some teeth could have been larger. Eyes generally were very good. I would have preferred to see some smaller ears. Body shapes were very good although a tad long. Movement was generally good going but I was a little disappointed with the front movement; ie small strides & too much knee action.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
Placing Critique
A little heavier type, but gorgeous head eye & expression. Correct bone legs & feet. Moved out well.
Midland BTC Championship Show
1st Aug 2010
Judge: Small & Baxter
I thoroughly enjoyed the day judged outside at Asfordby. The weatherman certainly smiles as all the Club’s Championship Shows to date have been blessed with clear sky’s. Thanks to the committee for the invite, to my two Stewards on the day, for the wonderful roast lamb lunch, but not least, to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity of assessing your Border Terriers. Thanks for coming. (Judge: Mr A Small)
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
Scottish Kennel Club
28th Aug 2010
Judge: Mrs A M Gregory
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and committee of the Scottish Kennel Club for inviting me to judge their championship show. I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for supporting me and accepting my decisions so sportingly. I enjoyed day very much one or two dogs needed a wee tidy up coats were not too bad but movement still needs attention.
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
Border Union
18th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Tony Tomlinson
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Terracao's Nell Gywn At Esyntona
