Show Placings
Leicester City CS Open Show
29th Aug 2022
Judge: Mrs C E Sansom (Tarkaswell)
I would like to thank the secretary and committee of Leicester City Canine Society for the invitation to judge at their open show. My stewards Clare Robinson - Cox and Kaine Davis were very efficient and kept the ring running smoothly.Thank you to the exhibitors for giving me a lovely entry and for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
My interpretation of the breed standard was always foremost in my mind. The puppy class particularly gave me difficult decisions, with some quality youngsters who could change places in the future. I will watch the development of them all with interest.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
This feminine bitch, at just 6 months of age, showed with confidence and presence. Full of quality, she had a beautiful head with a dark eye and small, neat ear. Her lovely reach of neck flowed into a level top line with a well set tail that was carried gaily. Narrow and balanced in her construction, her correct angulation enabled her to move with purpose and drive. Well presented in a harsh, dense coat.
Richmond Championship Dog Show
11th Sep 2022
Judge: Mr J A Barney (Romaunt)
Many thanks to Richmond in giving me the opportunity to judge a breed that still has some depth in quality to it. Generally, I felt movement needs to be attended to. It's a breed I've always associated with true movement both ways and a number did tend to pin in front. Coat texture was pretty good throughout but some would benefit from slightly neater presentation. I was able to span nearly all exhibits and pelts good. At the moment I would say that bitches are far stronger than the males.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Nice typey puppy who is well balanced. Good straight front with good bone and correct feet. Well ribbed back and strong loin. Good harsh texture to the coat. Correct tail set and carriage on the move, just needed to settle in rear movement.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
West Bromwich & Wednesbury Canine Society Open Show
1st Oct 2022
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Thank you to all officers and committee of West Bromwich and Wednesbury Canine Society for inviting me to judge border terriers at your show. I had a very enjoyable day and a thank you to all those who brought their dogs for me to go over. Some decisions were very close and I understand it was a very long day for some who were waiting for their groups and being entered in the other show alongside.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
7-month-old grizzle bitch. Feminine head narrow throughout, lovely topline tail set, in super harsh coat, moved with drive. BP
South Wales Kennel Association
6th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr Stewart Golding (Beaconpike)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge, this was my first time awarding CC’s. Thank you to my stewards for keeping the ring running smoothly. A big thank you must go to the exhibitors for a good entry especially on a Thursday in the middle of Wales in the current climate we live in. I only have a couple of concerns. Movement is paramount in our breed and these dogs should be able to cover ground easily I found due to poor shoulder angulation a few had restrained front movement. I did forgive coat in class placings where evidence of a new coat was present, however I did find a lot of single coated dogs possibly down to over grooming, my main winners all had correct double coat of depth. I had a very enjoyable day, thank you to everyone for accepting my decisions gracefully.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Lovely head on the this bitch with correct bite and nice dark eye, good reach of neck, she has a good length of rib, shown and presented well with good coat and pelt, once settles she moves well, still very much a baby showing lots of promise at this young age.
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
7-month-old with a pleasing head. Correct scissor bite with large teeth. Well laid shoulders and good angulation throughout. Cat like feet with thick pads. Shown in a good double jacket. Moved out well.
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch of nice size. In good harsh double jacket. Nice head with sweet expression. Good bite. Spanned with ease. Could easily change place with 1st on another day. Moved out well.
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Open Show
16th Oct 2022
Judge: Mrs M Wanless (Thorneyburn)
This was a last minute appointment for me, as Tina Jones had to stand down at the last moment owing to her Mothers serious illness.
What a super entry she had drawn!!! fifty one 1st entries and six repeats.
All dogs shown had good mouths, almost all had thick pelts and super harsh jackets.
All dogs were entire, and most were easily spanned.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
A 7 month old grizzle bitch,a sweet head and expression . She had nice teeth, and a dark eye, and neat ears. A good neck led into correct shoulders, Great for size,with an excellent coat and thick pelt, a level topline, and a good tail. She moved well with confidence.
Midland Counties Canine Society
30th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr Alan Small (Bethane)
I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging the Border Teriers at Midland Counties Champ. Show. Thanks to the Officers & Committee for the invite & especially to the exhibitors who presented me with such a wonderful entry of 230 from 174 dogs. It was a quality entry overall and I was particuarly impressed with the quality of the young stock which augers well for the breed. There's no Puppy or Veteran Groups at the Midland, which is a pity because I feel both would have done well. Must not be too greedy, as it was nice to see my BOB, Ch. Otterbobs Tolson top the Terrier Group and my Best Special Beginners, Thistlemead Sundance, take her respective Group as well.....Well done.
Special thanks to my Ring Stewards, Penny Lloyd & Gavin Argyle, who kept things moving along nicely. Border Terriers are dear to my heart having owned & bred them over a number of years. Thanks again for such a wonderful entry, I enjoyed your dogs and a nice atmosphere prevailed.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
lovely grizzle bitch with so much to like about her, feminine head with well set ears, good eye & correct bite, pleasing front, good feet, spanable body with ribs back, nicely balanced & moving well with level topline, in good coat, well handled to win a strong class of quality young bitches.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Nov 2022
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
I won my first Crufts qualifier at this show 25 years ago and it has always been one of my favourites. It was an honour to be invited to judge and my thanks go to the Scottish Club for their hospitality. Thanks also to my very capable stewards Bill Shorthose and Judy Carr.My sincere thanks to all those who entered and allowed me the privilege of going over their dogs.
Today I found there to be a much greater depth of quality among the bitches with there being many promising puppies and some very nice animals in the upper classes,particularly limit and open. This depth of quality was not apparent in a number of the dog classes although I was pleased with my main winners.
As would be expected there was some diversity in size and type.A number of exhibits of both sexes were up to size- I have big hands so if I find them difficult to span they are probably too big. I found all males to be entire, no serious mouth faults and one kinked tail.Of most concern was the number of dogs with very poor front movement and the number with atypical heads; some too long in muzzle and a few where the muzzle was too short, the latter giving a rather cat like look. Coats and pelts were generally good and a few dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.A fairly minor fault, but one which detracts from the overall outline, were the dogs which carried their tails curled over their backs i.e “gay tailed” as opposed to carrying their tails gaily.
Some of these faults are aesthetic but others such as size and soundness are not and we should be mindful that our breed is “essentially a working terrier.”
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
8 month grizzle.Pretty bitch of good size.Feminine head,good coat and pelt,neat feet. Movement needs to tighten but as well constructed that should come with maturity.
The Birmingham & District Gundog & Terrier Club
19th Nov 2022
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
26th Nov 2022
Judge: Dogs Nicola Foster, Bitches Sarah Pateman
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Ladies Kennel Association
11th Dec 2022
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
A very promising entry on paper but unfortunately the weather took its toll !
However I was more than happy with my main winners all were typical of what I look for in a Border Terrier and the proof that careful breeding pays off was demonstrated by the very promising progeny found amongst the youngsters.
As is my approach to critiques, generally the winners in most respects all meet the standard which calls for a working terrier with an otter like head on reasonable length neck set into well laid shoulders, a moderate length body, well ribbed back, strong shortish loin, racy but moderate rear angulation allowing the dog to move with drive, in harsh double coat and with thick pelt. I do not therefore repeat this for each individual dog but I have highlighted the dog’s best points and the reasons for their placings .
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Boston & District Canine Society
8th Jan 2023
Judge: Tracy Butler (Ycart)
Firstly I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge there well run show,also many thanks must go to my very capable stewards on an excellent job in keeping the ring running smoothly.
The biggest thanks must go the exhibitors for there entries,and there sportsmanship on my decisions.
In my opinon,my findings where as follows,the standard asks for “essencially a working terrier”,this is a statement that is very close to my heart.
Unfortunatley some do not fit this,short upperarms are still very present,restricting reach in movement.Some dogs would benefit from less food and more exercise.
Muscle tone varied greatly,some dogs lacking,these dogs are bred to do a job.
With the rising costs of entries,some exhibits would benefit greatly from a good tidy up and the mud removed from there under bellies.
I was pleased with my overall winners,some nice quality exhibits.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
10 month Grizzle,feminine head of good proportions,clean in neck,flowing into well placed shoulders,striaght front,enough bone,well ribbed,easily spanned,strong loinn.well muscled quarters,harsh coat,thick pelt moved well.
Lichfield Canine Society Open Show
28th Jan 2023
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Feb 2023
Judge: Roger Mann (Lynsett)
My thanks go to the committee of Midland Border Terrier Club for their invitation to judge the February Open show. I had some lovely dogs to judge & would like to thank the exhibitors for their entries. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
11th Feb 2023
Judge: Mr John Scanlan (Pantycelyn)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Feminine head with correct bite, dark eye keen expression very good front and feet good outlinemoved true both ways B.P.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Feb 2023
Judge: Mrs Julie Fletcher North (Northborders)
Firstly I would like to thank the Committee for my invite to judge my first Club show , also my 2 able stewards Judy and Kathy for keeping me and the ring in order , mostly I thank the exhibitors for their wonderful entry and allowing me to go over their beautiful dogs , I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I was really pleased with both my line ups , I loved all my main winners and look forward to following their futures
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Grizzle and Tan, almost 12mths old another really nice puppy , lovely femine Ottery head , dark eye and nicely neat ears , great expression , very easily spanned and such a showy girl that catches your eye , unlucky to meet 1st today
Oswestry & District Kennel Association Open Show
19th Mar 2023
Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws)
Thank you to the club for the invitation to judge and the exhibitors for their entries. Judged inside due to weather, some exhibits found the floor a bit distracting. Thank you to the committee for a well-run show and my tasty lunch. Thank you to my steward and their young helper, always encouraging to see the youth being encouraged.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
G&T bitch. Only 13 months so time to settle and mature. Very feminine otter head. Good harsh double coat. Preferred the more mature movement on 1st.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Apr 2023
Judge: Debbie Lorraine (Raleniro)
I would like to thank the Club for the invitation to judge this show. It was originally planned for me to judge in April 2020, but this was rearranged due to the pandemic and other outstanding appointments. I would like to thank the Committee for the wonderful hospitality shown to me throughout the day, and thank you to my Steward who kept things running smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
I have not judged for just over 4 years, so it was a pleasure to see so many new dogs and new faces around the ring. I was pleasantly surprised by the strength and quality throughout the classes, and pleased to see a return to a more narrow dog, as I was seeing a trend for wide fronts last time I judged.
All dogs were entire and temperaments throughout were good. Bites were correct, with just the odd broken, misplaced or dirty tooth. Coats were, as to be expected, at various stages. There were a few close decisions, and some classes where I wish I had more prize cards to give out. Thank you to all the exhibitors for the privilege of judging your dogs, and also for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions.
Lastly, can I please apologise for the delay in submitting my critique, as I usually have them done within a day or two of the show. There has been an ongoing issue with the health of a close relative which has taken up a lot of my time, so again, apologies for the delay.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Almost 13 months grizzle and tan of nice size. Feminine head with good bite. Narrow throughout and spanned well. Enough bone, good length of rib and strength of loin. Loose pelt with good harsh coat. A nice, balanced bitch who kept her topline on the move and had good reach and drive which gave her the edge in this class.
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
27th Apr 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Walshaw (Janmark)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge at WELKS, it was quite a few years ago now, as I was due to judge them at the beginning of lockdown. Due to the heavy rain that had fallen over the preceding days, all judging was inside. It was slightly draughty, but we were allocated a double ring, so plenty of space, to see the exhibits stride out. I must thank the two stewards Lynn Jones and Celia Vines who kept the ring flowing beautifully and the exhibitors for making prompt appearances, we did well for time, starting approx. 0930 and finishing around 14:45. I thank all exhibitors for a wonderful entry (123 dogs making 172 entries} for a Thursday in Malvern and appreciate their time and expense for entering under me. There was plenty of quality to choose from and I was happy with my final decisions. Dentition was very good and a pleasure to judge dogs with clean teeth. I did find muscle tone to be poor/average in a lot of the exhibits, which must be one of the key areas for any working terrier. Jackets were mixed as was movement.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Pretty grizzle bitch of good size. Oozes type and is balanced throughout. Feminine through a typical head, tidy neck, well ribbed,tidy rear angulation, she was sporting a good coat and pliable pelt. Stands on neat feet. She is well put together, covers the ground well and looks the part in profile, but needs to tighten up in front movement, to give a cleaner picture
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Mr Keith Baldwin (Nightstorm)
I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their club open show.
It is now 17 years that I have been judging Border Terriers and it was the 6th August 2011 that I attended the Midland Border Terrier Club breed specific seminar when Jena Tuck was the secretary.
I was very pleased with my entry of 112 quality dogs and bitches, also I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors who entered and for allowing me to go over their dogs. They all showed and behaved very well. I can report back to you that you have overall one of the soundest breeds that I have judged.
Last but not least I would like to thank my stewards who did an excellent job keeping everything flowing smoothly between the two shows in the Margaret Everton Pavilion
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Chesterfield & Pinxton KA Open Show
13th May 2023
Judge: Mr Tan Nagrecha (Chandlimore)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
The Terrier Club of South Wales Open Show
14th May 2023
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
I would like to start by thanking the Officers and Committee of The Terrier Club Of South Wales for asking me to judge such a well organised and supported show and the wonderful hospitality on the day. Secondly to the exhibitors for the wonderful support and entry on the day of 54 dogs.
I enjoyed having the chance to go over some real quality dogs on the day and in a couple of the classes the placings could easily of been reversed. My Best Of Breed youngster showed himself really well on the day and continued to do so through to the Best In Show line up where he secured the grand honours of being awarded Best In Show by BIS Judge Mark Ord.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Another quality 14 month old grizzle & tan bitch, of a medium build with a pleasing head and nice big teeth. Really narrow throughout holding a smart top line stacked and on the move, just needed a little bit more depth in jacket and she would have been knocking on the door – really like her for type.
The Scottish Kennel Club (May) Championship Show
21st May 2023
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
15 months, looked a picture standing and stood out for me in this class, her outline, angulation, rib and coat all pleased me, could have a stronger foreface, very good movement
Southern Counties Canine Association
2nd Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
BCC
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Beautiful bitch, caught my eye immediately. Superb head and expression, dark eye, strong muzzle, big teeth. Absolute show girl she loved it! Excellent coat and condition, easily spanned and well balanced. Moved with drive, straight front. She was a dream to judge. Happily awarded BCC.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Julie Price (Oxcroft)
Thank you to all at the Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge your championship show this year, it was a great honour and privilege. The weather was hot and the venue was good to gain some shade for the dogs and myself! I had two very capable stewards who kept things running smoothy throughout the day, so thank to Kathleen Haugh and Sophie Liggat for their support. I really enjoyed my day and was more than happy with my winners. Thank you again for your hospitality.
I was looking for type, gameness, soundness and dogs that were fit to do a day’s work whilst not losing any attributes of the breed standard. Some exhibits were rather well muscled around the shoulders which made it difficult to feel the lay of the shoulders and this would also restrict their ability to go to ground. As a breed I think we are losing the otter heads and keen expressions which distinguishes the Border Terrier from other terrier breeds. A lady contacted me a week after the show and explained that she had attended the show during some of the bitch classes as she was looking to purchase a puppy having recently lost two of her old Borders. She explained she was now thinking of buying another breed as the dogs in the show ring did not look like the Borders she had had previously. She felt that they did not have the characteristic otter heads, and sadly I had to agree with her.
Overall, most dogs were fit for purpose and I am sure you all took the best dog home with you. In the current financial climate, all your entries were valuable to the club and it was a pleasure and an honour to go over your dogs.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch of a nice size and weight with a feminine head with a good bite. Narrow throughout, easily spanned and with a good length of rib. Loose pelt with good harsh coat. A nice, balanced bitch who kept her topline on the move. Pleasing outline and the best mover in this class.
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2023
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for giving me the opportunity to judge Border Terriers in their spiritual home territory. My stewards, Audrey & Judith did a great job in running the class changes efficiently on a hot humid day. It was a lovely entry, with many exhibits that I had not judged before – thank you all. I found some exhibits which could have been better prepared with attention to coat, body condition and clean teeth. A few level bites a couple of kink tails influenced placings but all dogs were entire and overall a nice group of BT’s to go over. My main winners had breed qualities that outweighed any imperfection, that in my opinion wouldn’t impact on its ability to perform its traditional work.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
A lot to like here with appealing feminine head with neat well placed ears, good reach of neck into good top-line. Thick double coat she was in good condition, slightly unsettled movement was the only thing holding her back today.
Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr David Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the Club for trusting me with a fine entry of dogs at this, one of my favourite shows; to my stewards for their understated efficiency which kept the show rolling; and to the exhibitors for the opportunity to go over their dogs, and for the sporting acceptance of my decisions.
The Border Terrier Breed Standard is a very brief document; as such, it needs some interpretation. The clue is in the first clause of it; ‘Essentially a working terrier’. This, together with a knowledge of the work the breed is traditionally expected to perform, gives an idea of the dog required. Thus we need a dog which can keep with the hunt over rough moorland country in what may be inclement weather, and then be able to go to ground and bolt or hold it’s own to a cornered fox. This implies sound, efficient movement, adequate heart and lung room, a weatherproof double coat and a thick, pliable pelt; but at the same time be small enough and flexible enough to follow a fox to ground .
Overall, I found most exhibits to be sound, and well presented (sometimes ‘overpresented’ to the extent that coats had more appearance than substance). The most prevalent fault I observed was untidy, converging front movement; an inevitable consequence of short upper arm and upright fronts. I did also find a few faulty bites; one undershot, one youngster with a lower incisor seriously out of line; and several with level bites, which, though permitted in the standard, are not (to my mind) desirable; also undesirable to me were the number of exhibits with small teeth in weak forefaces. There were also a couple of ‘winter noses’, but that, to me, is a purely cosmetic point and not to be penalised. All males were entire.
Mid Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Paignton Championship Show
5th Aug 2023
Judge: Colin Powell (Bowtman)
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Pleasing head shape and nice in type, strong muzzle with correct bite, small ears, and dark eyes, good reach of neck and lay of shoulders, spannable body, and strong thigh’s, true in front, muscular rear and in good coat.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
6th Aug 2023
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
It was a real honour to judge my home club’s show and my thanks go to a great committee for the opportunity and the way they run the club with all hands to the wheel. Richard Wright and Sharon Pickering had my back and have my appreciation for a great day’s stewarding.
I was disappointed in the early dog classes where what initially looked like an impressive line-up failed to materialise once on the table or on the move. Movement was a weak spot for a surprisingly large number of exhibits, especially front movement. There were three poor mouths and one exhibit that couldn’t be spanned but lots of good pelts, coats and neat feet. However long tails are becoming more common and a true carrot tail is about as rare as hen’s teeth. I was fascinated by some handlers interpretation of a triangle, suffice to say it’s a good job it wasn’t a maths exam.
Once again there were only two CCs available which is a great shame when there are so many who warrant them. I can only sympathise with those who went home empty handed. It was most likely a reflection of the strength of the classes rather than their standing. The bitch classes were especially strong with at least six exhibits worthy of much more than I had available to offer. When it came to the line ups I was clearly torn and had to be really picky to get to a decision but in the end I was pleased with all the winners.
Whilst there is still much that can be done to improve some aspects of the breed there is a lot to be proud of with some really stunning exhibits out there.
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Driffield Championship Show
26th Aug 2023
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to Driffield Championship Dog Show Society for the invitation to judge today and thanks to my stewards Peter and Lesley Armstrong, who kept the ring running smoothly. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. Front movement in the breed still needs some improvement, but overall I had lots of quality exhibits. Bites were good and only one kinked tail.
Yearling - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2023
Judge: Mr Robert Brewster (Stowthorney & Breckgreen)
I would like to thanks the officers and committee of The Southern Border Terrier Club for giving me the honour of judging their Open Show. I first signed the contract for the show in 2017, but due to Covid and the Lockdown I have only just fulfilled my judging appointment. Whist remembering those who are no longer with us due to the Covid Pandemic. I was happy with my entry and would like to also thank the exhibitors for entering under me and thank them all for taking my decisions, some of which were difficult, in a sportsmanlike way. I found most exhibits to be in good order, but I was quite worried that I found some younger exhibits with a build-up of scale on their teeth. This should be addressed as soon as possible. I was also delighted with a young exhibitor, attending her first show, on a whole handling her young dog so well whilst full of nerves and inexperience. We need to encourage these youngsters as they are the custodians of our breed
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Lovely sized grizzle bitch of nice type. Lovely otter head with kind eye. Neat ears and correct dentition. Good reach of neck and a nice lay o of shoulder. Level topline with a good tail set to finish. Shown in a harsh double jacket. Moved with drive round the ring. A clear winner in my eyes.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
7th Oct 2023
Judge: Mrs Norma Ellis (Normbar)
Thank you to the Committee for organising such a well run show. The quality of the the dogs was very good, making my decisions more difficult in a good way. Nice atmosphere plus friendly sportsmanship prevailed.
Best Bitch
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie
Placing Critique
Beautiful head and expression, looked so balanced in profile and on the move. She is a nice size, excellent in shoulders and upper arm. Good narrow front and tight feet. Easy to span, correct in rib, super topline, correctly well angulated quarters. Harsh coat texture and thick pelt. Moved with purpose driving from her strong quarters. BEST BITCH
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
I think hind movement has generally improved though the same cannot be said for fronts. Most were shown in good coat and only one exhibit was clearly of poor temperament.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie JW
Placing Critique
All Border type, good otter shaped head, well constructed forequarters, really good coat missed out today on slightly eratic front movement compared to 1
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie JW
Placing Critique
Another excellent G&T bushranger than the first, narrow lines throughout, easily spanned, well angulated at both ends, showed in full harsh coat. Another with promise for sure.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Nov 2023
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to Judge their Open show, and all exhibitors that entered. I had a lovely entry with some quality dogs to go over. All placing’s were accepted with grace. Many thanks to both my stewards who kept the ring moving. The show had a lovely atmosphere and I enjoyed my day
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie JW
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan put down in a full jacket I could sink my fingers into. Liked her head and expression, with correct bite and dark eye. Nice flow from neck into lay of shoulder. Nice rib which was well laid back into a strong loin. Held her topline well on the move and standing finished off with a short tail. On the day just not as positive as 1st on the move
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Feb 2024
Judge: Lesley Armstrong-Rodgers (Atron/Scottsway)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show and therefore my thanks go to the Committee for the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed my day at this friendly well run show. It was advantageous in having such a good sized ring in which to watch the dogs move. Borders need room to get into their stride and show their effortless movement and profile when viewed in side gait.
A special thank you also to Richard and Sharon, my two stewards for keeping things running smoothly. It is always a great help for any judge to be blessed with competent stewards. Finally a big thank you to all the Exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me for my opinion and for accepting my decisions with good grace. As always coats were at differing stages, often reflected in the placings, but coats do come and go, construction does not !. Overall I found temperaments excellent, as well it should be, which bodes well for the breed.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Ragatam Brodie JW
