Show Type: Championship
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling
Entries: 205 for 235, 6 NFC
My thanks to my two excellent stewards who kept exhibits moving along, making my task easier, and to the Yorks, Lancs and Cheshire Club for inviting me to judge.
Coats were generally very good with undercoats evident and few showed signs of scissoring and shaving. I was pleased that all the puppy dogs were of a sensible size for their ages and almost all exhibits were spannable; however, shoulder construction problems remain an issue, with short upper arms and poor shoulder angulation resulting in wide, or tied fronts, spoiling otherwise quality exhibits. I noticed that some were roaching over the loin, creating bouncing back ends on the move with the loss of level toplines, and many had a distinct lack of stifle bend, resulting in a lack of driving action on the move. Consider feet – a few needed claws trimming (or more road work).
Some heads were untypical and snipey; there were a number of suspect mouths and one undershot puppy, but I was impressed with the overall condition of the entry in general and the winners were a credit to their owner/breeders. The well filled Limit bitch class was outstanding and it was a pity not to have more awards to present. My thanks to everyone for accepting my decisions so sportingly and congratulations to the top winners, whose dogs were so deserving of their wins.
Here’s a plea – please use bait sparingly, and not while your dogs are on the judging table. It’s a pity that a number of exhibitors are slaves to baiting their dogs on the table, making the dogs move around and become unsteady, while making it difficult for judges to access mouths and assess facial features. Baiting also affects movement round the ring, with exhibits “crabbing”, watching for the treats.
Best In Show: Howthwaite In Violet
CH subject to KC confirmation
Reserve Best In Show: CH Grindelvald In Full Cry JW
Best Opposite Sex: CH Grindelvald In Full Cry JW
DCC: CH Grindelvald In Full Cry JW
RDCC: CH Clipstone Hard Cash
Best Puppy - Dog: Cedarhill Beyond the Stars
BCC: Howthwaite In Violet
RBCC: Oxcroft Rumour
Best Puppy - Bitch: Benattivo Faberge
Best Puppy: Cedarhill Beyond the Stars
Best Veteran: CH Clipstone Hard Cash
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Tufterslodge Ososimple (Ms J M Woollacott)
Loved the balance of this dog. Good double coat of excellent texture. Lovely masculine head with good dentition and a typical terrier’s interested expression. Neat feet and good topline. Very good forward propulsion on the move.
2nd - Tythrop Tap On Wood For Ravenside (Mr M Lowry)
Slightly longer and deeper than the winner but preferred this exhibit’s head. Dentition good and he moved out well. Enough bone and substance without any exaggerations.
3rd - Oxcroft Rocco (Mr M Walton)
Res - Royday Bond (Mr R Longton)
VHC - Gameway Midnight Dragon (Mrs J Powrie)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 5
1st - Cedarhill Beyond the Stars (Mrs C Dean)
Outstanding rich red grizzle dog puppy, very mature for his nine months. Easily spanned; a perfect carrot tail – level and straight off the topline. Typical Border head, with a tremendous broad flat skull, widely set dark eyes and plenty of fill below. Beautiful large teeth and perfect bite. He moved forward with plenty of drive on very neat feet. BPD and Best Puppy.
2nd - Chorbeck Charlie Chaplin (Mrs H Haughton)
Larger, light red dog with a good jacket, good tail and tail set. Rather too much stop spoiled his head proportions. Moved out OK on neat feet.
3rd - Blaisdon Trailblazer (Mr J N Thomas)
Res - Donald Draper (Mr & Mrs Cook)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 6
1st - Sweeping Foxtrot For Kgills (Mr K J & Mrs G Bate)
Well ticked blue and tan with a good head but a little too much stop. Good reach of neck into well angulated shoulders, narrow throughout and not overdone in any way. A good looking working type which balanced well. Good tight feet and moved out with drive.
2nd - Foxfactor Pied Piper JW ShCM (Mrs K D Stockley)
Strongly headed male with a very good double coat. Lost out to the winner on front and feet. Easily spanned and moved out well.
3rd - Ycart Best Shot Remmington (Mr K K Fraser, Mrs T J & Butler)
Res - Digmoor Gambler's Fool at Visrie (Mr M & Mrs S Gregory)
VHC - Northborders Mr Pickles (Miss J North)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 3
1st - Stineval Maraschino (Mr & Mrs A Horner)
A tough decision between these two dogs, but I preferred the long, free reaching stride of this dog on the move. Plenty of double coat and well put down today. Easily spanned and balanced well. Level topline and the neatest of feet. Strong masculine head with little stop; not over-furnished. Well shaped dark eyes enhanced by attractive pigmentation and keen expression.
2nd - Lairehope Lord of the Glen At Tweedburn (Mrs C Archibald)
Good shoulder angulation on this dog. Very good head and front. Well presented and loving his day today. Neat feet and enough bone throughout.
3rd - Northborders Mr Pickles (Miss J North)
Res - Grettacs the Wizard (Mr B & Mrs L P Inness)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 2
1st - Cedarhill Beyond the Stars (Mrs C Dean)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - Blaisdon Trailblazer (Mr J N Thomas)
Light grizzle dog with head of good proportions, very little stop. Well balanced throughout. Handled well and moved out holding a level topline, with a good tail, but falls away a little at the croup. Good neat feet.
2nd - Blues Boy At Brackenfell (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
Deep red grizzle male. Preferred the head on the winner. Well presented but rather loaded in the shoulders which shortened his stride, but feet good and tight.
Entries: 11 Absentees: 0
Well filled class but great disparity of quality and size. Struggled to find good rear angulation and driving backends.
1st - Iacheslei Cantus JW (Miss A Harrison)
Would have liked to see more double coat and more head on this dog. Neat appearance and not exaggerated; he was keen, happy and interested, moved out well. Good body length, enough bone and neat feet and in good condition.
2nd - Draycore Rokkafela At Kgills (Mr & Mrs Kirby)
Well put together dog, lovely head, lacked good coat today and seemed rather overawed by the surroundings. Good bone, level topline on the move. Very typey Border which moved better on a slack lead.
3rd - Achouffe Murphy Gray At Adrival (Miss Bone)
Res - Glenbucket Clan Chief (Mrs M Alexander)
VHC - Glenbucket Rooney (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 2
1st - Cobstoneway River Magic JW (Miss C Spencer)
Loved my first two in this class. Although this red grizzle dog was just spannable, he was well balanced, had a great masculine head with plenty of expression, good reach of neck, the crispest of double coats, a well set on tail which he used to effect. Neat feet and strode out well.
2nd - Foxfactor Hornblower JW ShCM (Mrs K D Stockley)
Lacked the good angles of the winner, but coat was of good quality and texture, good sized dog with typical head and expression. Tail of good length and well set on. Moved out well.
3rd - Earthwise Wolfbane JW (Mr E J Houston)
Res - Iacheslei Cantus JW (Miss A Harrison)
VHC - Achouffe Murphy Gray At Adrival (Miss Bone)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 2
1st - Foxcraig Jester (Mr G R Sugars)
First and second were much of a type. This rich grizzle dog is a credit to his owner/breeder. He has matured well and was shown today in top form , steady on the move, composed and a typical dour little brown dog, but none the worse for that. Great head with lovely dark eye, plenty of fill underneath and good brow over. Good ear placement, excellent teeth and good, large nose leather. Good topline on the move, narrow body lines, crisp double coat, good neat feet.
2nd - Otterbobs Riggindale JW (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
Loved this dog as a puppy. He has the crispest of coats today, as always, and a great head and topline, but falls away slightly at the croup. Just spannable, but a quality dog who sadly didn’t seem to be interested today.
3rd - Clipstone Tailor (Mrs J & Mrs E Jackson)
Res - Hapsberg's In the Red With Oakpoint (Mr L & Mrs C Sharp)
VHC - Rhozzum Kingpin (Mrs F J Matthews)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 5
1st - CH Grindelvald In Full Cry JW (Mrs M A Bailey)
Good crisp, harsh double coat on this grizzle male. Excellent head with a most fantastic flat skull, dark eye, plenty of fill below and not much stop. Great dentition. Elegant reach of neck into clean shoulders. Good parallel front with sufficient bone throughout, good angulation and propulsion from the rear on the move, with well set on tail. One of those dogs who just knows he’s got what it takes. DCC & RBiS
2nd - Chase Me Kato At Thorpe (Mr & Mrs G Patchett)
I thought this male stunning when he was on the table. I liked everything about him, but on the floor his front movement let him down. However, because he screamed type at me, I had to forgive him as he was such a good representative of the breed for size, temperament, head, expression, and body lines. I liked him very much.
3rd - Fehmarn Reap the Harvest (Mrs J Morton Shaw)
Res - Ravenside Ballymoss (Mr M Lowry)
VHC - Iacheslei Torus JW (Miss A Harrison)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 2
A small, but stunning class of veterans.
1st - CH Clipstone Hard Cash (Mrs J & Mrs E Jackson)
It is testament to his owner/breeder that this dark grizzle dog could be a five year old. He carries his nine years so well and was in tiptop condition, striding out with a spring in his step. Beautifully balanced, with a perfect level topline and his carrot tail just roared off the end of it. Lovely angles throughout. Strong head, with a great set of teeth. Enough bone, no exaggerations and the neatest of feet. Well put down today. RDCC.
2nd - CH Gameway Kiwi JW (Clark, Patricia J.)
Nine year old grizzle dog, a little deeper and shorter than the winner, but in great condition. Good head, with neat, well placed ears and good dentition. Like the rest in this class, was presented in great condition and with no hint of age about him; loving his day out.
3rd - CH Fehmarn Magic Lantern JW (Mrs J Morton Shaw)
Res - CH Rossula Magic Borderer Clipstone (Jackson, Jean & Elspeth)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1st - Oxcroft Rumour (Mr J Price)
Really neat, blue and tan workmanlike bitch with a beautiful head. Everything about her from her flat skull to her dark eye and her good dentition, very little stop and graceful neck into well angulated shoulders, parallel front and strong driving quarters with a short carrot tail well set on, was a delight. She was quiet, attentive and every inch the type of bitch I would like to have worked myself. Body lines were lovely, nothing overdone, easily spanned and topped off with a double coat. RBCC.
2nd - Oxcroft Raydar (Mr J Price)
Typical Oxcroft head on this red dog. Longer and deeper than the bitch and not so settled in the ring, he lacked coat and fell away at the croup slightly. However, he looked as though he could do a day’s work. Now, when opportunities to work Borders are so few and far between, it is gratifying to have two entered in a working class and those who care about the working heritage of this breed must have been delighted to see them here today.
Entries: 6 Absentees: 0
1st - CH Tythrop Touch on Wood (Mrs J L Lee)
The oldest of the minor puppies. Light grizzle with a perfect topline into a short carrot tail well set on. Very feminine head, Dark eye, with good reach of neck into clean shoulders. Just needs to grow to balance her body length, but already she is driving well on the move. One to watch.
2nd - Southash Hollywood Girl (Mr J & Mrs I M Southam)
Grizzle bitch with lovely angulation behind, neat feet and good proportions. Tail a little longer than the winner, but wearing a crisp double coat today and in great condition. Sweet head, well placed neat ears, good dentition. Working in tandem with her handler, she was a pleasure to handle and watch.
3rd - Cowlishaw Silver Lady by Chatmoss (Mr D J & Mrs P M Lockley)
Res - Alcumlow Miss Sixty at Riseburn (Miss C Tutin)
VHC - Kgills Hot Totty (K J & G Bate)
Entries: 22 Absentees: 6
1st - Benattivo Faberge (Mr C & Mrs S Girling)
As soon as she came into the ring I thought she was eyecatching and she didn’t disappoint on the table. Balances perfectly and not exaggerated in any way. Beautiful level topline, a narrow parallel front and the neatest of feet. Good, feminine head with dark eyes, a keen expression, good bite, closely lying neat ears and a thick double coat. One to watch. BPB.
2nd - Pebbledyke Pierrot (Mr K L Foster)
A little taller than one, and slightly stronger behind. Similar stamp to the winner, with a feminine head and good expression. Good topline, carrot tail and neat feet. Well presented she moved out well in a strong class and deserved her placing.
3rd - Kgills Five Alive at Ashallanrose (Miss D Ashcroft)
Res - Karison Koffee (Miss K Johnson)
VHC - Tameila Penny Lane By Borderella (Mrs P South)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 6
Good spannable entry across all this class.
1st - Quarryway Tansy (Mrs B & Mr K E Johnson & Williams)
Grizzle bitch, very clean lines. Good parallel front and tight neat feet. Great jacket with pin sharp double coat and very good topline with well set on short tail.
2nd - Fehmarn Fine Romance (Mrs J Morton Shaw)
Beautiful well proportioned head on this red bitch with plenty of fill below the eye, good dentition, broad flat skull onto a good reach of neck. Well presented with a hard double coat and moved soundly. Just falls away a little over the croup, but correct length of tail and good driving quarters.
3rd - Picer Beersheba (Mrs H & Mr A Fletcher)
Res - Paleside Misty Morning (Mr & Mrs D Mitchell)
VHC - Beaconpike Night Sky At Brackenfell (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 4
1st - Howthwaite In Violet (Mr R & Mrs E Barrett)
This blue and tan bitch romped away in this class. I could not fault her. She had a flat, broad skull, dark eyes – not too full, fill beneath; so little stop her foreface was almost a planed surface, excellent dentition, well proportioned otter head and an interested keen expression. Beautiful reach of neck. Spannable, with enough bone and a perfect parallel front. Lovely clean lines, well angulated behind and using her quarters for good propulsion on the move. Level topline with a neat carrot tail straight off the end Good free striding action on neat, tight feet with thick pads. Picture perfect presentation, she has matured well. Today’s ticket is her crown from a first litter for her owners and their first Champion. Bitch CC and Best of Breed
2nd - Stineval Santina (Mr & Mrs A Horner)
A little heavier and shorter than the winner. Another lovely head with a good reach of neck into good shoulders giving a narrow parallel front. Good clean feet and enough bone throughout. Evidence of good hard double coat. Topline good with a short carrot tail and well put down.
3rd - Foxyard Better Behave At Emblehope (Miss D Bladen)
Res - Earthwise Gregory's Girl (Mr E Houston)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 3
1st - CH Tythrop Touch on Wood (Mrs J L Lee)
2nd - Magic Pearl By Ragatam (Miss T Peacock)
Red grizzle bitch, smaller than the winner. Very good double coat of the correct texture. Mouth and bite good and lovely feminine well proportioned head. She moved out well and presented a good outline on the move, covering the ground well. Tail a little long.
3rd - Tameila Penny Lane By Borderella (Mrs P South)
Res - Astrazone Peek a Boo (Mr & Mrs C G Myers)
VHC - Cowlishaw Silver Lady by Chatmoss (Mr D J & Mrs P M Lockley)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 5
1st - Badgerholme Ascot Opal JW (Mr & Mrs B Dickinson)
Light grizzle bitch shown in great condition with a harsh double coat. Well angulated behind and thoroughly enjoying herself today. Spannable, workmanlike, and driving well on the move. Lovely head and good reach of neck into clean shoulders. Parallel front.
2nd - Cobstoneway Bayou Sunrise (Mrs G Stevens)
I preferred the overall balance of the winner, but this is another typical Border, with a keen expression, attractive headpiece and good dentition. Confident on the move. A little wider in front than the winner, but still presenting well.
3rd - Magic Pearl By Ragatam (Miss T Peacock)
Res - Carrickfarm Mika (Mrs V M Armstrong)
VHC - Tameila Penny Lane By Borderella (Mrs P South)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 4
1st - Howthwaite Amber Grain (Mr R J Barratt)
From the same litter as the Bitch ticket winner, and similar remarks apply. This light grizzle bitch has the keen expression of her sister, and has the quality stamp. Narrow body right through, great head and good bite, excellent reach of neck. Double coat evident and she has a lovely parallel front. Drives away from well angulated quarters.
2nd - Biddestone Poppyseed By Quarryway (Mrs B & Mr K E Williams)
Stunning bitch, a little shorter coupled than the winner but they could change places at any time. Very good neat feet, good jacket and well angulated behind, driving well on the move. Lovely head and expression.
3rd - Vallemoss Matilda May (Mr A & Mrs H A Fletcher)
Res - Hattie Hopefull (Ms C Broomhead)
VHC - Beeley Bestseller At Borderbridge (Miss B J Singh)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 2
1st - Rexlands Golden Plover By Karison JW (Miss K & Mrs D Johnson & Pearson)
Red grizzle bitch. Quite finely made but in proportion throughout. Sweet head and expression; good bite and dentition. Clean shoulders with level topline on the move and well set on tail. Crisp good double coat and good jacket. Well angulated behind and driving well on the move.
2nd - Totherend Tonic (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright)
Light red bitch which seemed overwhelmed by her surroundings today. Narrow throughout. Good tail well set on. Good flat skull on an attractive head with little stop. Eye colour good and great dentition. Parallel front, just enough spring of rib, racy loin and strong quarters. Very attractive.
3rd - Carrickfarm Maddy (Mrs V M Armstrong)
Res - Rhozzum Keynote With Foxfactor JW (Mrs K D Stockley)
VHC - Hattie Hopefull (Ms C Broomhead)
Entries: 21 Absentees: 6
One of the most exciting classes of the day and a pleasure to handle such a high quality entry.
1st - Ravenside Ma Biche At Ridgebow (Mr N Duxbury)
Red bitch beautifully balanced; tail straight off the spine and carried well. Great flat skull on a typical head. Wide apart dark eyes, Good leather, great dentition and powerful jaw. Parallel front and tight neat feet with good pads. Body just long enough and quarters well angulated. Correct double coat in good condition.
2nd - Badgerbeck Blizzard At Ploughdown (Mr & Mrs E Armstrong)
Another beautifully headed blue and tan bitch just begging to be noticed. Good dark eyes set wide apart, perfect ear placement, good muzzle and great bite with big teeth. Elegant reach of neck into clean well angulated narrow shoulders. She moved freely and with drive holding a level topline finished with a good carrot tail.
3rd - Stineval Celeste At Merumhor (Mr & Mrs C Martin)
Res - Achnagairn Code Name Glebeheath JW (Mrs J Guvercin)
VHC - Gameway Margarita At Southash (Mr J & Mrs I M Southam)
Entries: 16 Absentees: 5
1st - CH Southash Blue Betty Boo Gameway JW (Mrs P Clark)
A well known blue and tan bitch who has been a consistent winner. Pretty girl, not too big or overdone and having fun today. Good well proportioned typical head with a good bite set on a graceful neck into clean, well angulated shoulders giving a parallel front. Ribs carried well back. Racy loins and a good bend of stifle giving good propulsion from behind. Harsh double coat well ticked. Neat feet with thick pads.
2nd - Yeomeadow Heather For Tyrian (Mrs K Dean)
Lovely flat skull and perfect otter head on this blue and tan, with good mouth, bite and dentition. Ear placement good and ears neat. Lovely angles from neck into shoulders. Level topline, good tail and tail set. Good angulation at the rear assembly, driving forward well. Excellent harsh coat with correct ticking.
3rd - Benattivo Gemstone For Daluce (Mr J & Mrs H M Thomas)
Res - Benattivo Rockrose (Mr & Mrs G H Ramsden)
VHC - Jenabeck Rose Over Foxfactor (Mrs K D Stockley)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
Another first class veteran class, quality will out, even among the oldies!
1st - Springhill Pacify of Cobstoneway (Mrs G Stevens)
Eight year grizzle bitch loving her day out. A terrific tweedy coat of great depth and density. A little deep in the rib, she strode out well, enjoying her day in the ring and her lovely head with good bite and facial expression gave her the nod. Good bone, good feet and topline.
2nd - Quatford Kiss 'n' Tell At Fehmarn (Shaw, Angus & Jane Morton)
Four and half miles every day for this 13 and a half year old and it tells in the second thigh muscles in her quarters. Happy bitch with a good head, still has good teeth and double coat. Both spannable bitches and a pleasure to handle.
3rd - Borderella Emma (Mrs P South)
Res - Olderhill Hesta At Borderella (Mrs P South)