Show Type: Championship
Venue: The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT
Judge: Mr W R Irving
Entries: 239 making 266. 101 dogs. 138 bitches
Website: www.crufts.org.uk...
It was a great honour to judge the breed at Crufts again – after having done so once before. That was some thirty nine years ago in 1977 when the show was still held at Olympia! The entry this year at 266 from 239 exhibits though down a good deal on last year, was still enough to be going on with and we finished by 3.30 p.m. thanks to my excellent stewards Mr and Mrs Chaston. The exhibitors all seemed very sporting in line with the breed’s sportsmanlike traditions.
I thought that the depth of quality was better in bitches than it was in dogs with several classes where I would have liked to have had more prizes. I thought that heads were in the main pretty good and that fronts, though there were still plenty which weren’t great, were rather better than the last few times I had judged. Crufts is always known as a bad time for coats and this year was no exception with very many lacking in coat and others with rather soft coats. Quite a number of dogs and bitches were rather long in body mainly caused by having ribs that were not as the breed standard demands “carried well back” and thus having loins that were long rather than the required “strong”.
And finally Border Terriers are supposed to have a tail which is, according to the standard, “set high and carried gaily” Quite a few slink around the ring looking miserable and present no sign of the “activity” required by the standard and with tails that are carried low rather than “gaily”. I like to see a Border Terrier that shows a bit of animation and has what I’d call ‘lines’.
My thanks to the exhibitors for entering and for the efficient way that they showed their dogs.
Best Of Breed: TG2, CH Brackenfell Bok To Bach JW
In the second spot I chose another top class dog, the Border Terrier, Ch Brackenfell Bok to Bach, looking his very best presented in first class order and moving and showing faultlessly. Masculine otter head, good eye and expression, sound front and typical racy hindquarters, ideal overall proportions, excellent tail, good thick pelt and the very best of coats. I liked him very much indeed and felt he was a worthy runner-up in this group. Dan Ericsson (Sweden)
DCC: CH Brackenfell Bok To Bach JW
RDCC: CH Badgerholme Epsom Jet JW ShCM
Best Puppy - Dog: Ridgebow Tracker
RBCC: CH Emblehope Dance and Dance JW
Best Puppy - Bitch: Chorbeck Gossip Girl At Blackmine
Best Puppy: Ridgebow Tracker
Entries: 12 Absentees: 1
1st - CH Grindelvald In Full Cry JW (Mrs M A Bailey)
a very pleasing dog with an excellent head, good movement and went very soundly, better there than 2. Not in the best of coats today but has plenty of length, good neck and pleasing in hindquarters.
2nd - CH Cedarhill Authorized JW ShCM (Mrs C Dean)
very typey with an excellent head and neck. Very good pelt. Correct topline. Good in rib, pleasing for size and has good neat feet.
3rd - CH Vandamere's Secret Agent JW (Mrs D Phillips)
another pleasing dog with a good neck and topline. Good in coat. Enough bone. Good hindquarters and strode out well. Pleasing in head with a good eye and enough strength of muzzle.
Res - Bolt Tail Jebba ShCM (Mr F & Mrs H Freeman)
VHC - NL/D/INT CH Danchos Midas (Ms A Christensen)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 2
1st - Brumberhill Breitling (Mr T & Mrs K Kelly)
stood alone and needs time to develop. Needs to strengthen in muzzle. OK in skull, enough coat, quite good bone good small feet. Moved better behind than in front, OK in rib not overdone. Hindquarters OK and moved positively there but not showing very steadily.
Entries: 5 Absentees: 0
1st - Ridgebow Tracker (Mr N & Mrs A Duxbury)
not a big dog. He has a very strong head and expression with good neat ears. Not in the best of coats but good shape of tail, good rib and correct underline Good small feet. Enough bone and moved out pretty well in front and behind. Went on to be Best Puppy in breed.
2nd - Borderpoint Obsidian (Mr R W & Mrs L H Steel)
another pleasing youngster with perhaps a better coat today than 1 and moved very well. Tail could be trimmed to look about an inch shorter. Good head and expression not overdone. Ears a bit big but good eye, good neck and good coat, forechest and rib. Moved well.
3rd - Chorbeck Chatty Man (Mrs H Haughton)
very good youngster, slightly bigger than the others but nevertheless OK for size, good skull. OK in eye, needs a bit more strength of muzzle to complete the picture. Moved out pretty well and could be shorter in tail. Good bone
Res - Foxfactor Crime of Passion (Mrs K Stockley)
VHC - Orangebox Dark Energy (Mr M & Mrs T Anscombe)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 1
1st - Kirkbyvalley Silent Storm (Mr L & Miss I M Jackson & Dugdale)
a very pleasing dog that is easily spannable, had very much the best coat in the class today. enough bone. Good in head and skull. Ears could be a shade smaller. Strong muzzle. Enough neck. Good tail. Moved soundly to win this class. Feet could be tidied up to advantage
2nd - Karison Kosta (Miss K Johnson)
a very strong headed dog with a broad skull and powerful muzzle. Not in the best of coats today. Moved better behind than in front. Good rib and enough length of body. Good in stifle.
3rd - Tyneaster Undercover Agent For Vandamere (Mr S Pollit)
good skull. Good neck coat coming in well. Could stand up better on his feet. Good depth of chest and correct loin OK in tailset and tail, and good for size.
Res - Chatmoss Aramis HWW-15 J/BW (B)-15 (Miss A K Jiderlund)
VHC - Glenbucket Highland Lad (Mrs N Anderson)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 0
1st - Gameway Mcvitie JW (Mrs P Clark)
a very pleasing dog which moved well both in front and behind and held a good outline while moving around the ring. Correct in stifle. Good head and expression with the correct neck and topline. Just enough coat and good for size and narrow throughout. Pleasing in rib and in topline and good tailset. Well presented and showed well all the time.
2nd - Bandicoot Doc Martin (Ms V L K Docwra)
a very strong headed dog with a good expression. A bit bigger than 1, stood up well and exhibited an excellent neck and topline. Good hindquarters. Good bone and feet. Moved out particularly well with some style and presence
3rd - Onthill Aramis (Mr R & Mrs A Ramus)
a very typey dog with a good head and expression. Scored in coat over 2 but didn’t stand up and show himself off to advantage which gave him the appearance of not having enough neck. Moved well and had just the right amount of bone and good feet. Good tail. Pleasing all round but just needs a bit more oomph.
Res - Baywillow Blueprint (Mrs G Hyslop & Mrs M Reeves)
VHC - Markington Apollo (Mrs M Houseman)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 2
1st - Glebeheath Smash N'grab (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
not a big dog but quite sound. Better behind than in front. OK head and expression and good ears. Scored in tail over 2 here, Good in coat and correct in rib carried well enough back. Well muscled hindquarters Good tight feet.
2nd - Raleniro Second Time Around (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine & Miss P Thomas)
another with a pleasing head. Slightly bigger in ear. Very good in neck, topline and coat. Looked a bit miserable at times without sparkle, and wouldn’t get his tail up going around the ring. Good in stifle and moved well when seen from in front and behind.
3rd - Otterwood Caius JW ShCM (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
A blue and tan with a good head. Enough neck. Good coat. Could move a shade more positively in front. Good body and topline. Close up to 2 but again didn’t show any great animation going around the ring.
Res - Alcumlow Parsley (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber)
VHC - Tyneaster Undercover Agent For Vandamere (Mr S Pollit)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 1
1st - Nookshot Nutcracker (Miss R C Newman)
a very good dog of the right size, not overdone in any way. OK in head with good eye and good small ears. Moved better behind than in front. Good in topline and correct coat. Tail could do with a bit more coat to complete the picture. Good bend of stifle. Easily spanned and correct in rib.
2nd - Cedarhill Once Upon a Time (Mrs C Dean)
flying his ears a bit but strong in head. Good neck and topline. Moved well enough behind and pleasing in coat. Good small feet and correct for size
3rd - Blues Boy At Brackenfell (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
a dog with a great deal of type. Well proportioned and good in head, neck, topline and tailset with a good coat and showmanship which is where he scored over the Reserve here. Moved out well. But he is just too big.
Res - Flutorum Artful Dodger (Mr E Castel)
VHC - Lairehope Topaz Design (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 0
1st - Foxpaw Pipps Cross (Mr P & Mrs H Fulker)
stood up and moved OK but sometimes stands straight in shoulder. Very pleasing in head and not by any means big. Could do with a bit more bone and have just a shade more coat but very good in hindquarters and had very neat feet. Was better in front than 2. Moved around the ring well and showed a good profile
2nd - Clipstone Starshine (Miss E & Mrs J Jackson)
shown in very good coat. Excellent in neck, topline and tailset. Excellent hindquarters, Good head, skull, muzzle and expression. Good ears. Excellent small feet.
3rd - Plushcourt The Boss Bee At Manorcroft (Miss C Broomhead & Mr D Bean)
another pleasing one which showed all the time. Good in neck. Good strong loin and correct tailset. Moved out pretty well behind. A bit heavier in chest than the others. Pleasing in outline and proportions.
Res - Breckgreen Soldier Blue (Mrs. J. Green)
VHC - Question Master (Mrs S Waller)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
A good class but difficult to judge with two good dogs at the top but of slightly different types. A very close decision between the two.
1st - Remony Merry Gentleman (Mrs. H Allison)
not so good in coat as 2 but scored in outline going around and stood up well making the most of himself. Scored well in movement in front and behind. Well muscled and has enough stifle. The first two were both good in head with each having enough breadth and good proportions of skull to muzzle but with 1 in my opinion scoring marginally over 2 for expression.
2nd - Daluce King Of Emotion (Mr J & Mrs H M Thomas)
better in coat than 1 but not quite the clean outline going around the ring. He too has a good head and was not overdone in any way. He too moved well. Both of the first two had good tails. A close decision between these two that frankly I would have preferred not to have to make!
3rd - Bristoc Rock The Boat at Bluebabel (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yates)
a pleasing dog which was good in head neck and topline. His coat was not at its best. Good hindquarters and OK in tail. Moved out well and scored over the others here for outline.
Res - Kgills King Of Swing At Awbrooksky (Mr & Miss Goddard)
VHC - Chorbeck Snowfire (Mrs K Stirling)
Entries: 20 Absentees: 3
1st - CH Brackenfell Bok To Bach JW (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
A very sound and showy dog. He has a good head with a really strong muzzle. Good skull and the right amount of stop giving him a typical otterlike expression. He moved out extremely well and is sound in front and behind. He was shown in just enough coat. He is well proportioned and displays a good neck, outline and tailset and is not at all overdone. Good bone and feet and very well muscled behind. Spannable. It is his head, outline and carriage that take him to the top. I awarded him DCC and BOB and was pleased to see him take second in the Group later in the day.
2nd - CH Badgerholme Epsom Jet JW ShCM (Mr B Dickinson & Miss T James)
this dog has matured well. He was shown at the peak of condition and in good coat. He, like 1, is good in neck, topline and tailset. Again very pleasing in front and moved well in front and behind. He is good in shoulder and like 1 presented a good outline when seen in profile. He is good in head and expression. RDCC. He and the CC winner made a good pair going around the ring at the end of the dog judging.
3rd - Ir CH Remony Blueberry Blitz (Miss A P Stewart)
another dog with good ‘lines’. Good clean outline and well proportioned. Very good in bone and good neat feet. Correct tail carriage but tail could be made to look shorter. Good coat and very pleasing in head and expression. Good skull proportions and correct in neck. Good small feet.
Res - Benattivo Betfred (Mrs S J & Mr C P Girling)
VHC - IR CH Crazy Train Pilgrim to Chatmoss JW ShCM (Mr & Mrs D J & P M Lockley)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 1
1st - Otterwood Caius JW ShCM (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
2nd - Bolt Tail Jebba ShCM (Mr F & Mrs H Freeman)
a very good headed dog with an excellent coat and a really thick pelt. Good legs and feet and showed with a bit more enthusiasm than 3 here.
3rd - Borderella Day Tripper JW ShCM (Mrs P South)
a very good headed dog with the correct expression, but shown in less coat than 2. Very pleasing in bone and feet. Good neck and topline but is surly and just doesn’t show himself off to advantage.
Res - Cobstoneway Ocean Sunrise (Mrs G Stevens)
VHC - Cedarhill Stargazer JW ShCM (Miss A Speake & Mr H S Speake)
Entries: 19 Absentees: 4
1st - CH Southash Blue Betty Boo Gameway JW (Mrs P Clark)
one to which I have previously awarded a CC very pleasing in head and expression with a good skull and correct head proportions. She was good in coat of the right texture and had a pelt of the right thickness, good neck and moved very well behind where she was very well muscled. Enough bone, she presents a good outline going around the ring and has a great deal of quality.
2nd - Int/Am/Can CH Sulan Fancy That (Mrs S J Baxter)
very pleasing in neck. Good topline. Could be a little less ribby and could stand up better on pasterns but well proportioned. Good skull and strong in muzzle. OK in tail.
3rd - Bramblebee Squiglet (Miss E Clements)
a very good headed bitch with an excellent expression, she was shown in excellent coat and had a good thick pelt. Very good in bone. Good tail carriage.
Res - Badgerbeck Tree Pipit At Tilmoray JW ShCM (Mrs M Small)
VHC - Lairehope Ruby Romance (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
Entries: 0 Absentees: 0
Entries: 7 Absentees: 0
1st - Chorbeck Gossip Girl At Blackmine (Miss Tracey James & Mrs Michelle Render)
not a great deal of coat at this stage but she scored very much for soundness and movement. She has a very good neck, outline and topline. Well put together in hindquarters. Good small feet and OK in rib. Not small but well proportioned. OK for head and expression.
2nd - Awbrooksky Geeteethree (Mr R & Miss L Goddard)
similar in shape and proportions but didn’t move quite so well in front. Well angulated behind. Coat OK. Could do with a shade more strength of muzzle but OK in skull. Enough bone.
3rd - Bimandi's Bananarama (Mrs M J Holmes)
Very pleasing in head with a good muzzle and typical expression. Good in topline and shown with more coat than the others here. Moved better behind than in front.
Res - Foxfactor Fancy Free (Mrs K Stockley)
VHC - Regaltwist Lithodora Shaolin (Mr N Straw)
Entries: 20 Absentees: 4
A very strong class I thought containing a number of good exhibits that had to go cardless.
1st - Achnagairn Prim N'proper (Mrs A Fraser)
very good in head with a very typical expression. Good eye, good muzzle OK in ears. Good in neck and topline. Shown with just the right amount of coat. Good in rib and loin. Moved out soundly in front and behind and was well proportioned.
2nd - Bardenfox Pussy Galore JW (Mr K H & Mrs D Moore)
another very pleasing Border which was very close up and where the positions could easily be reversed another day. I thought she was going just a bit over the top in coat and could have been tidied up to show a slightly better outline. She too was really good in head and expression. Good in neck and topline. Correct small tight feet and enough bone. Good in stifles.
3rd - Puzzlers Hope Full Hattie At Broadsmill (Mrs E J Pinkham)
a very showy young blue and tan good in topline and neck, pleasing in underline. Correct tail and tailset. Moved out very well in front and behind and scored there over 4 here. Correct rib. Good expression and very well presented.
Res - Cobstoneway Love Song (Mrs G Stevens)
VHC - Picer Flora Mcivor (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
Entries: 20 Absentees: 5
1st - Foxcraig Magic Diamond (Mrs J Dixon)
a very typey bitch which I thought moved out particularly well both in front and behind. She had enough coat to complete the picture. She was pleasing in head and expression. She had enough neck and was good in outline, loin and tail. Could do with tidying up a bit around the neck but good in rib and well proportioned overall.
2nd - Blewecourt Carpe Horam (Mr M & Mrs T Morgan)
similar type a shade shorter in leg and longer in body. Very good head and ears. Good neck but at times doesn’t stand up and use her topline as well as 1. Well muscled hindquarters and correct in stifle.
3rd - British Cooper Healey Austin NJK'15 JW'15 W'15 (Mr C H J Hubner)
Another with a good head, not shown in the best of coats today and needs tidying up a bit to give the right outline. Good topline and good in bone. Pleasing hindquarters. Good tail but coat just not at its best.
Res - Ellhex Dizzie Miss Lizzie (Ms M Render & Ms T James)
VHC - Lairehope Tiara D'or (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 2
1st - Tarkaswell Doctor's Orders JW (Mrs C E Sansom)
scored in head over 2 here, and very good clean neck. A shade lacking in coat but good in outline, good proportions. Enough bone. Sound hindquarters and moved OK in front and behind. Main scoring point was in head properties.
2nd - Byrewick Valentine (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
a blue and tan of similar size good in skull but could be stronger in muzzle. Not quite the topline of 1. Very good in coat and excellent bone with correct small feet. Moved up and down pretty well
3rd - Thistlestone Ms Money Penny (Mr S Whisker & Miss J May)
a bit lacking in coat today but scored in movement over 4 here. Not using her ears well but good topline. Well turned stifles. Good bone and feet.
Res - Otterwood Domina Candesco (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
VHC - Raleniro New Rose (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
Entries: 15 Absentees: 3
1st - Torryburn Cadenza (Miss J Aldis)
I thought the first two were really very good. This one had a very pleasing head good in skull, well proportioned to show a very typical outline which she held well on the move around the ring good tail and excellent tail-set carried straight. Enough length of body and length of leg. Good small feet. Shown in pretty good coat and well presented. Moved well in front and behind.
2nd - Borderella Snap Dragon (Mr F & Mrs H Freeman)
another that moved out pretty well. Could be better in ear but good in skull and muzzle. Enough neck and good topline. Not overdone in rib, easily spannable, good bend of stifle and well muscled behind. Scored in front over 3.
3rd - An Cnoc of Baillieswells (Professor A S Milton)
a very typey bitch with a good head and expression. Very pleasing in hind movement but not so good in front. Good coat and pelt.
Res - Otterwood Domina Candesco (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
VHC - Achnagairn Red Card (Mrs A Fraser)
Entries: 18 Absentees: 6
1st - Otterbobs Xolana (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
scored very much for soundness and moved up and down with true movement in front and behind, striding out extremely well. She is good in neck and shoulder and had enough bend of stifle. Good bone and shown in excellent coat. Plenty of length and good in tail and tail-set. Correct skull and good muzzle with plenty of strength. Good eye.
2nd - Torryburn Cadenza (Miss J Aldis)
3rd - Byrewick Princess Kate (Mrs. L. Foulger)
a very smart blue and tan bitch. Good in head and skull though not quite the expression of 1 and 2. Shown in excellent condition with a good harsh coat. Good hindquarters and moved well. Enough bone. Carried tail well. Good tight feet.
Res - Fehmarn Moelwynbach (Mrs J Morton Shaw)
VHC - Benattivo Good Friday (Mrs J & Mr I Taylor)
Entries: 15 Absentees: 2
I thought this was a very strong class with several bitches perfectly capable of winning CCs.
1st - Tythrop Turn Back Time (Mrs J L Lee)
a very typey blue and tan bitch of excellent size and proportions. Pleasing in eye and good in head. She has an excellent harsh coat and good pelt. Thought she could have been tidied up a bit better around the hindquarters but she demonstrated an excellent overall outline. She has a good shoulder and enough bend of stifle behind. Moves very soundly both in front and behind. Holds her topline slightly better than 2 when seen in profile moving around the ring, Good carroty tail with thick base and well carried. Went on to win the BCC.
2nd - Glebeheath Maiden Name At Oakyard (Mr J Parry)
another one with a good head and perhaps stronger in muzzle than 1. Shown in enough coat. She too moved well fore and aft and was also good in tail. Didn’t quite hold her topline as well as 1 moving around the ring. Scored for size over 3.
3rd - Picer Aimee Vilbert JW (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
very typical bitch with a true Border head and expression. Shown in excellent condition. A shade bigger than 1 and 2. Good in coat and moved well behind with excellent hindquarters. Needs to stand up better at times. Very good in tail. Three very pleasing exhibits and there were others following which were excellent as well.
Res - Benattivo Double Flame (Mr C & Mrs S Girling)
VHC - Beaconpike Night Sky At Brackenfell (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
Entries: 19 Absentees: 4
Another excellent class with plenty of quality.
1st - CH Emblehope Dance and Dance JW (Miss D Bladen)
a very good blue and tan bitch I have always admired. Pleasing head. Enough length of body, good lines and correct outline with good tail-set. Moved well behind. Scored over 2 here for having a shade more neck. Coat in good order. She went on to win the Reserve BCC.
2nd - Comberdown Thistle (Mr I & Mrs A Higham)
a bitch to which I have previously awarded a Res CC. She is similar in type to 1 but her coat was not quite at its best. She is good in head with enough skull and good ears. She had enough bone. She moved out well
3rd - NORDUCH/DKCH/NOUCH/SEUCH Clipstone Sail Away NO JV-13,SE JV-13 (Mrs A Nilsson)
another excellent bitch with a good head and typical expression. Good ears. Coat coming in well and looking good. Very good hindquarters. Scored over some others here for movement. Good tail well carried. Well balanced throughout.
Res - CH Benattivo Best Bet Karison (Miss K Johnson)
VHC - CH Tarkaswell Double Agent JW ShCM (Mrs C E Samsom)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 0
1st - Bramblebee Squiglet (Miss E Clements)
2nd - Borderella Snap Dragon (Mr F & Mrs H Freeman)
3rd - Grindelvald Over The Moon at Hemlockstone (Mr R H & Miss J A Bryan & Pounder)
Has a very good coat and moved particularly well behind and OK in front, Good skull. OK in topline. Sometimes stands a shade down on pasterns but OK in rib and had enough bend of stifle.
Res - Bimandi's Bellissima (Mr V J Pearce)
VHC - Imperterrito Agenda By Borderella (Mrs P South)