Show Placings
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2018
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of the Border Union Agricultural Society for inviting me to judge today. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me, by far, the biggest Terrier entry of the day. A big thank you to my two stewards, Nev and Liz Holmes-Leak, who kept things running smoothly and efficiently thus ensuring that we finished in time for my BOB to make the Group.
Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, and in some cases this was the deciding factor. Some exhibits were too fine in bone, particularly in the earlier classes. Some heads had ears set too high, some had deep stops with muzzles that were too short which gives a foreign expression. There were more than a few exhibits which would have benefited from having their feet tidied and nails cut. Soundness of movement in some dogs gave cause for concern. If a Border is to be fit for the function it was intended, it needs to be sound on the move. I found varying degrees of unsoundness in front movement from toeing in, crossing in front to paddling and out at the elbows. Hind movement in some exhibits was also less than desirable with hocks too close together when going away, cow hocks, lack of drive from hindquarters and, in some cases, lack of muscle tone. All of which would not allow a Border to be ‘capable of following a horse’ over rugged terrain. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners. I was also pleased to see my BOB shortlisted in the group.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
Finer made throughout and lacking in coat, o.k head with flat skull and good bite, good body length, moved o.k
Hawick & DCSOpen Show
1st Jul 2018
Judge:
Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2018
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
Thoroughly enjoyed my day with the NBTC. My thanks to the Committee for the appointment and the exhibitors for their entry of Borders. I was well looked after all day and I would like to express my gratitude to my Stewards who did an excellent job by keeping focused on their task throughout the day. I was extremely pleased with the overall quality of the dogs across both sexes. For those who left without prize cards do not be too disappointed, I saw only one undershot jaw and no dog was out of place in the show ring. My top winners were all outstanding dogs and there were several others who deserve that label who were placed but did not reach the final accounting. Overall heads are very good but let’s be careful not to breed for too much strength in skull. Ensure we balance what we have with equal strength in muzzle and under-jaw and please lots more beautiful large white teeth. Most dogs had the correct outline, with many good top-lines and neat tails. Coats and pelts were generally very good and do not be afraid to show a Border in that rich, thick ,harsh, double coat they are well known for. Generally conformation was correct, with shoulders and stifles showing acceptable angulation. The straight stifle is quite rare, but equally let’s not over do the angulation of the hind limb as that produces weakness. Short hocks go best with correct stifles. Dogs with a length of leg, drive from hindquarters, tight feet and good ribbing did well today provided they had the typical Border Terrier characteristics we all look for. A few dogs are getting a little long in body for a variety of reasons. Some have their shoulder set forwards on the chest, some lack the well ribbed-back conformation and so appear to have long couplings and some have shorter legs than they ideally need. Much of this was marginal today but they are all points to remember as the breed moves forward. I was pleased with the CC line ups and excited by the quality in some of the youngsters coming through. It would have been nice to reward some of these emerging future champions with higher honours but the quality at the top was too much for relatively immature dogs.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Cheviot and Berwick Canine Society Open Show
21st Jul 2018
Judge: Mr Craig Richardson
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Elemcella Scaevola
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Leeds Championship Dog Show
29th Jul 2018
Judge: Mr Brian Baxter (Beenaben)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
Pleasing in head, good teeth, well laid shoulders, coat ok, moved well.
The Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2018
Judge: Mr. Ian Higham (Comberdown)
What a privilege it was to judge my breed again at the Scottish Kennel Club. I am very grateful for the invite.
I would really like to thank all of those who exhibited their dogs under me and for putting trust in my opinion and my integrity. I would also like to thank my very capable stewards Kate Scott and Lindsay O’Neill, who were very confident, efficient and jovial on the day.
My general findings were that the breed is showing a good in-depth quality. Movement is still a bit erratic here and there as one would expect, but I saw plenty of good borders on the day. However, I did notice that thickness of skin was not as evident as in the past and I honestly only found a few really good thick pelts. I found one dog had a very slight deformity near the very end of its tail. I had one or two level bites and one that obviously had recently had a tooth come out and its owner, very honestly, informed me of what had happened. None of these dogs were penalised in any way re mouths. Some exhibits were tallish but spannable, however, there were some that were two heavy in chest and had a rounder shape rib rather than the correct ‘v’ or heart shape.
As usual I was looking for borders that fulfilled the type points as laid out in our standard, combined with correct physical construction to be able to cover the ground well as they would have had to when our standard was written all those years ago.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
A dark grizzle and tan puppy bitch with surprisingly good coat and pelt for one so young. She moved well from all angles. Correct muzzle. Easily spanned with correct rib and loin. BPB.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
(Critique as per first in Minor Puppy)
Darlington Championship Show
14th Sep 2018
Judge: Mr Chris Wallace (Hobholt)
My thanks to Darlington Dog Show Society for the opportunity to judge my first Championship Show and to the exhibitors for bringing your Borders’. My stewards John and Carol were very helpful and kept the ring well organised. Despite feeling somewhat nervous before judging started I thoroughly enjoyed the day and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions.
Our standard mentions moderate 4 times in its current form, it also provides guidance on size (weight) and body (spanning). I mention these points as there were a surprising number of Borders’ that were impossible to span, were too deep in chest, big, heavy and exaggerated in a number of areas. Movement became a key criteria when placing my Borders along with being moderate and not exaggerated. A lot of Borders were “Knitting” in front movement or flicking their wrists outwards, probably best described as erratic compared to the Borders that moved well. Mouths were good overall, one chipped tooth which was of no consequence. Coats and pelts were excellent overall, and the dogs were complete.
Overall, we have a number of promising youngsters coming through and it’s unfortunate judges only have two “tickets” to hand out.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Selkirk & DCS Open Show
30th Sep 2018
Judge:
Best Puppy
Name at show: BPIS, TPG1, Elemcella Scaevola
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
9 month bitch, caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring, lovely head shape, dark eyes and good scissor bite, lovely front assembly with laid back shoulders and good length of upper arm, lovely harsh dense coat and well spannable, nice rear angulation, moved out well with drive. BP, PG1, RBPIS.
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
14th Oct 2018
Judge: Mrs Judy Carr (Wreighaugh) & Mrs Katrina Golding (Beaconpike)
Dogs. I’m very grateful to the NCSTA for their invitation to judge today. Thank you also to the stewards who kept things flowing smoothly and also of course to the exhibitors who kindly entered and allowed me privilege of judging their dogs. Judy Carr (Wreighaugh)
Bitches Many thanks to the club for inviting me to judge and to the exhibitors for a lovely entry. Katrina Golding (Beaconpike)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
9month old grizzle and tan another nice puppy and on another day could easily swap places, smaller stamp of bitch and slightly shorter in rib to 1 but lots to like ,presented in a super double jacket a tough decision but sadly just not covering the ground today on the move, she is one I will watch with interest though.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Nov 2018
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
My sincere thanks to the Scottish Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their Championship show, one of my favourites. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to judge their dogs.
My main concern is size and weight, it really does matter, there were a number of exhibits that were too heavy/big, and at the other end of the spectrum, not enough muscle/bone/condition, which is essential for a working dog. However, I was very happy with the main winners, and both line ups.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
Attractive bodylines, ears set a bit high, lacking in coat, moved ok on neat feet.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Limited Show
27th Jan 2019
Judge: Mr P Lothian (Lairhope)
I would like to thank the Scottish Border Terrier Cub for inviting me to judge their 2019 Limited Show and to Exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. I really enjoyed my day. Thank you also to the Committee for the excellent hospitality. Many thanks...
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Placing Critique
Smaller type with good head. Narrow right through. Good topline & tailset. Good pelt & harsh jacket. Moved well with drive.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Feb 2019
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
May I take the opportunity to thank the Club and its members for inviting me to judge at this show, and for the super warm hospitality I received. Special thanks to my ring stewards Carolyn Richardson and Janice Johnson, for being so efficient and keeping me on track.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
A few observations from the day, I felt rear movement on the whole was good but a few lacked the drive that I looked for, whilst in others it was their elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal. Today I saw too many that were far too wide in front, lacking the narrowness to go to ground. I like to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
Heads which are such a defining aspect of this breed, varied greatly, I found some too exaggerated and coarse for my liking, whilst others were narrow and somewhat snipey in muzzle, neither are correct.
Today I found coats at all stages, perhaps a sign that Crufts was not far around the corner, so perhaps not the best month to find a thick double jacket, so I found myself forgiving a lack of coat if the construction and balance I look for was there.
I found temperaments superb, dentition all good and all dogs entire. I felt the depth of quality was in the bitches, and in some classes I was spoilt for choice. Both puppy bitch classes were high in quality, and I look forward to seeing how they mature.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Hawick & District Canine Society Open Show
30th Jun 2019
Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
The Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2019
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Yearling - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
Driffield Championship Show
21st Sep 2019
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Elemcella Scaevola
