Show Type: Championship
Venue: The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1PP
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
Entries: 134 making 140
I would like to thank the committee of Ladies Kennel Association for their kind invitation to the judge the breed at this well organised show and their generous hospitality. It was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I would also like to thank my stewards Tony and Katherine for keeping things running smoothly throughout the day. Thank you also, to all the exhibitors for their entries and the sporting way that they took the decisions that I made.
As for the dogs – as expected, coats varied, all the dogs were entire, in clean condition and well behaved. There were a couple of dogs with teeth not set square in the jaw or with teeth out of line. I was looking for dogs of the correct size, with a typical otter head, a harsh double coat and a thick pelt, plenty of muscle, the correct amount of bone, and shown in hard condition. I also expect to see dogs that move true and with ease around the ring and look physically capable of doing a days’ work, whether they get the opportunity or not. All my winners had these attributes and as often happens many deserving exhibits went without cards on the day.
Best Of Breed: CH Badgerholme Epsom Jet JW ShCM
DCC: CH Badgerholme Epsom Jet JW ShCM
RDCC: Int CH / Ir CH Ploughdown Plato
RBCC: CH Otterbobs Xolana
Best Puppy: Abisu Tansy
Entries: 8 Absentees: 4
1st - Chorbeck Space Cowboy (Mrs H Haughton)
A pleasing up to size puppy, with plenty of muscle. Good head with a strong muzzle, keen expression and good bite. Straight in front and good shoulder placement. Correct hind quarters with a good bend of stifle. Shown in a good double coat. Moved well for one so young – this won him the class.
2nd - Karison Red Rock (Miss S Coop)
Nice size puppy with a super head and expression. Straight front, good shoulder placement and stood on lovely cat like feet. Well off for muscle and shown in the best of double coats. Moved ok.
3rd - Karison Kustard (Miss K Johnson)
Res - Rhozzum Wessex (Mrs F J Matthews)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 1
Entries: 6 Absentees: 2
1st - Mysulan Going Solo (Mrs S J Baxter)
A lovely blue and tan dog with an excellent pin wire coat which stood out in this class. He has a good masculine attractive head with excellent teeth and scissor bite. Nice straight front running into smooth shoulders. Level top line with tail straight off the back. Moved very well fore and aft.
2nd - Southash Deputy Sheriff At Smurfski (Mr J Yore)
A nice looking dog, not overdone in anyway. As yet he does not the head of the first place but there is plenty of time for this to develop. Straight front flowing into good shoulder placement, easily spanned. Good rear angulation allowed him to move around the ring well. Coat not quite at its best today.
3rd - Chatmoss Bullet Tooth Tony (Miss J Hughes)
Res - Brewbrads Tricky Trickster (Miss V Bradley)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 0
1st - Karison Kosta (Miss K Johnson)
A grizzle dog with loads to like about him. He has a masculine head with a strong jaw, very little stop and well filled under his eyes. A good straight front and level top line. He is just right for bone and narrow throughout. He has good rear angulation and stood on nice tight cat like feet with an excellent double jacket with a thick pelt. Moved around the ring with confidence. Unfortunately, his profile was spoilt by his leaning back from his handler. Considered him for the top awards in the challenge.
2nd - Ridgebow Tracker (Mr N & Mrs A Duxbury)
A smaller type dog who still fits the bill. Typical otter head with a strong foreface and muzzle, with big strong teeth. Excelled in front and stood on small tight feet, he has plenty of muscle and type. Shown in full coat with a thick pelt. Moved well fore and aft. Unlucky to meet the first place today.
3rd - Dandyhow Galloping Gourmet JW (Mrs K Irving)
Res - Chorbeck Chatty Man JW (Mrs H Haughton)
VHC - Brewbrads Tricky Trickster (Miss V Bradley)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Orangebox Dark Energy (Mr M & Mrs T Anscombe)
A typy blue and tan dog that stood alone, but that shouldn’t take anything away from him. Typical border head, nice dark eyes with a good expression. A straight front and just right for bone. Narrow enough with ribs carried well back and therefore easily spanned. He has a good bend of stifle and this helped him move with drive around the ring. Shown in excellent double coat and with a thick pelt.
Entries: 7 Absentees: 5
1st - Tyrian Arrowsmith (Mrs K Dean)
A lovely grizzle dog of good quality and type. The best of heads with well placed ears, a strong muzzle and plenty under the eye. Excellent fore quarters, well off for bone with good length of back. Good rear angulation, stood on nice cat like feet. Shown in a super double coat of the correct texture. Won this class on the move with lovely drive whilst holding his top line level as he went around the ring.
2nd - Glebeheath Smash N'grab (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
A lighter built grizzle dog with bags of type. Pleasing head with a keen expression and good scissor bite. Straight front, running into well laid shoulders. Well shaped ribs, carried well back. Good bend of stifle and shown in harsh pin wire coat. Preferred movement of 1st place.
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Daluce King Of Emotion (Mr J & Mrs H M Thomas)
A handsome, racy dog with lots to like. A typical otter head with a keen expression, dark eye, good ear placement and correct bite. Straight front with well-placed shoulders. Correct length of back with a strong loin. He has a good bend of stifle and stood on good small feet. Shown in a very good tight harsh double coat. Unfortunately in the challenge he paid too much attention to his handler which spoiled his front on the move.
2nd - Tyrian Outlaw (Mrs K Dean)
A honest border with a lot to like. A lovely typy head with dark eye and plenty of strength in his foreface. Good front, leading into well laid shoulders, well off for muscle and condition. Shown in an excellent double tweedy coat. Correct rear angulation with contributed to his true movement fore and aft.
3rd - Carrock Carnegie (Ms J Fawcett)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 0
What you expect in an Open class – a super class with dogs that all looked the part. Dogs worthy of places unfortunately had to go cardless.
1st - CH Badgerholme Epsom Jet JW ShCM (Mr B Dickinson & Miss T James)
A blue and tan dog that I have judged before and he didn’t disappoint again. He has good head, keen expression, strong jaw and correct scissor bite with big white teeth. The straightest of front running into smooth shoulders – no hint of any coarseness. The right size, with correct bone, a strong loin and a well set tail. Good hind quarters, stood on small tight cat like feet. Shown in the best of harsh pin wire double coats. Moved with ease around the ring. Pleased to award him DCC and BoB.
2nd - Int CH / Ir CH Ploughdown Plato (Mr E & Dr M Armstrong)
Another a very good blue and tan with a true border head. A dark eye, keen expression and plenty of strength in the under jaw. A straight well boned front, with the best of tight feet. Ribs carried well back, with a level top line with his tail straight off the back. Very good hind quarters and bend of stifle. Super harsh double coat with a loose thick pelt. Unlucky to meet 1st place today. RDCC.
3rd - Cedarhill Once Upon a Time (Mrs C Dean)
Res - Dandyhow Friendly Fire at Chevinor ShCM (Mrs H A Metcalfe)
VHC - Irton Morse Code JW (Mr & Mrs D Fryer)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Borderella Day Tripper JW ShCM (Mrs P South)
Very typical dog with good head and expression, big teeth set in a strong jaw who doesn’t show his age. Good front and smooth shoulders. Shown in good condition with the best of double coat. He has a good tail set, good rear angulation and hind quarters and correct tail set. Moved well.
2nd - Colourbox Gunpowder (Mrs L A Fordham)
A good headed dog of correct proportions. Good straight front leading into good shoulders, he is well off for muscle. Racy hind quarters. Good tight feet. Shown In a good double coat, which gave these two their places. Moved out ok.
3rd - Ragatam Legend (Mrs J M Hill)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 0
1st - Cobstoneway Ocean Sunrise (Mrs G Stevens)
Nice looking dog with a good head well placed ears and a strong fore face. Straight forequarters and good feet. Well off for body tone and muscle. Very good double coat. Strong well angulated hindquarters ensured good movement.
2nd - Borderella Day Tripper JW ShCM (Mrs P South)
3rd - Karison Red Rock (Miss S Coop)
Res - Ragatam Legend (Mrs J M Hill)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 1
1st - Abisu Tansy (Miss S Moseley)
A lovely typy pup with a superb attractive head of correct proportions. Good scissor bite with good teeth set straight in the jaw. A straight front of correct bone with ribs carried well back with a good tail carriage. Excellent in hind quarters though I would like to see her movement tighten. She has a lovely harsh double coat and is a pleasure to go over. BPIB
2nd - Karison Krumble (Miss K Johnson)
Another nice with a pleasing head and expression. A good front, straight narrow and flowing into good shoulders. Easily spanned with plenty of strength in the loin. Tail straight off the back. Good rear angulation. Excellent double coat. Moved ok.
3rd - Wadesleia Dear Prudence (Mrs H A & Mr A Fletcher)
Res - Ridgebow Rusty Rivet (Mr N & Mrs A Duxbury)
VHC - Totherend Blue Jean Topsy (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 2
1st - Ploughdown Paloma (Mr E & Dr M Armstrong)
A lovely grizzle puppy with the best of otter heads. A narrow straight front with smooth shoulders and just right for bone. A well muscled puppy who was shown in fit condition. Good hind quarters and small cat like feet. Moved ok in front – better behind. Has a good double coat and pelt.
2nd - Henley Star (Mrs J Potts)
Another nice pup, a little more racy than 1. A good otter head for a puppy with plenty to like. Good straight front, ribs carried well back and level top line. Good set on tail. Excellent hindquarters. Moved ok.
3rd - Foxpaw Revelation (Mrs H Fulker)
Res - Northborders Lady Mary (Miss J North)
VHC - Tojamatt Myth for Chevinor (Mrs H A Metcalfe)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 2
1st - Benattivo Fire Flower JW (Mrs S J & Mr C P Girling)
A well balanced grizzle bitch shown in excellent condition. A nice head with well placed ears and plenty of strength in the foreface yet still feminine. A straight front with well laid shoulders and ribs carried well back. Stood on neat feet and she moved out well. Strong loin, correct bend of stifle and well muscled hind quarters. Good double jacket to top off the picture.
2nd - Southash Finding Bliss (Mr J & Mrs I M Southam)
The same attributes apply. Very good head and forequarters, shown in topping condition. Excellent rear end with good angulation. She has a harsh double coat and thick pelt. Close decision here with first place just moving around the ring more confidently.
3rd - Brackenfell Double Dutch (Mrs J Spence)
Res - Chesterton Caboodle (Mr A J & Mrs W Mooney)
VHC - Southash Annie Oakley At Smurfski (Mr J Yore)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Brankell Double Or Quits JW (Mr P Brannan & Miss M Kelly)
A very attractive headed bitch with a keen expression. Strong yet very feminine a super front straight and of good bone, into a well laid shoulder. Easily spanned with a strong loin carrying her tail straight off her back. Well off for muscle and in good condition good hind quarter s and feet. The best of double hard coats and thick pelt. Moved well fore and aft.
2nd - Chorbeck Gossip Girl At Blackmine JW (Miss Tracey James & Mrs Michelle Render)
A nice bitch with all the attributes of a feminine border. A good front, nice shoulder placement with correct amount of bone. A well muscled bitch in excellent condition, easily spanned, level top line and good tail set. Coat not yet at its best. Preferred front movement of one but she moves better from behind
3rd - Keebank Withy Song (Mrs L Rostron)
Res - Imperterrito Agenda By Borderella (Mrs P South)
VHC - Rhozzum Tangle (Mrs M Sharp)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 2
1st - Cobstoneway Love Song JW ShCM (Mrs G Stevens)
A nice typy bitch not overdone, lovely otter head with a strong jaw and well set ears. Good forequarters just right for bone, leading into well laid shoulders. Ribs carried well back with a level top line and tail set. Stood on nice cat like feet. Super double coat and pelt.
Entries: 9 Absentees: 2
1st - Puzzlers Hope Full Hattie At Broadsmill (Mrs E J Pinkham)
A blue and tan bitch shown in really good condition with a good double coat and thick pelt. She has a good head with a broad skull with a nice dark eye. She has a straight narrow front with correct shoulder placement and is easily spanned. Her rear angulation is correct; tail straight off a level top line. Moved ok.
2nd - Emblehope Songcraft (Mrs E Ramsay)
A lighter built bitch and like the first place, she has a good head and keen expression. She is spannable and has a good front, strong loin, and is well muscled. Shown in a nice tweedy jacket with thick pelt. Her top line is level, with her tail coming straight off the back. Moved well fore and aft. Very difficult decision and could change places on another day.
3rd - Clydebeck Solitaire (Mrs S & Mr M & Miss J Taylor)
Res - Comitis Arya With Ragatam (Miss T Peacock)
VHC - Earthtaw Goldfinch (Mrs H S Hooper)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 4
This was a lovely class of quality border bitches and unfortunately there were some that went without cards today that deserved recognition.
1st - Ianteg Red Rubi JW ShCM (Miss S Ritchie)
This lovely bitch caught my eye as she walked around the ring and didn’t disappoint when I went over her. She is a balanced Border of correct proportions with a lot to like about her. She is not overdone in anyway and is lovely in profile. She has a good strong feminine head, typical of the breed, with a lovely keen expression. She has a lovely reach of neck, well laid and smooth shoulders. She has just the correct amount of bone, easily spanned with ribs carried well back. Her rear angulation is good and she moved out with drive, maintaining a level top line with a lovely tail set. Her coat is just coming into its best and if anything could do with another couple of weeks’ growth, however this did not detract from the picture – pleased to award her BCC.
2nd - Bardenfox Pussy Galore JW (Mr K H & Mrs D Moore)
Another lovely Border bitch – with lots of breed type and shown in good condition. She has a good head, keen expression, plenty of strength in the foreface and a good scissor bite. She has a straight front, lovely shoulder placement and a level top line and stood on nice cat like feet. She has an excellent harsh double coat and pelt. Moved well fore and aft. Unlucky to meet 1 today.
3rd - Tarkaswell Doctor's Orders JW (Mrs C E Sansom)
Res - Ploughdown Persephone (Miss C Spencer)
VHC - Irton Scotch Mist (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 3
Another class that was a pleasure to judge – lots of quality and some difficult decisions as a result.
1st - CH Otterbobs Xolana (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
I have observed this bitch from the ring side and she didn’t disappoint. A bitch of excellent make and shape, with a feminine head which has good breadth of skull and neat well placed ears. I would have liked to see a little more strength of foreface – but her other attributes outweigh this. She has a nice front assembly, well laid shoulders and easily spanned. She has a good level top line, correct tail set and good rear angulation. Shown in good double coat and pelt. Moved very well fore and aft to complete the picture. Pleased to award her RBCC.
2nd - CH Emblehope Dance and Dance JW (Miss D Bladen)
Similar in type to 1 and lots of the comments apply. This girl has a lovely head of correct proportions with good scissor bite and a strong jaw. She has a narrow front, good shoulders and is just right for bone. She is easily spanned, has well shaped ribs and well muscled hind quarters. Shown in a good tweedy coat. Moved very well fore and aft. Very close decision in this super class of Borders.
3rd - Foxcraig Touch Of Magic For Dexlin (Mr B & Mrs L P Inness)
Res - Bimandi's Bellissima (Mr V J Pearce)
VHC - Pops Blackcurrant Fizz (Mrs H J Cobby)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
All in this class were a real credit to their owners and it is lovely to see veterans in such good condition.
1st - Int/Am/Can CH Sulan Fancy That (Mrs S J Baxter)
A bitch with a lot to like about her – pleasing feminine head with a typical expression and shown in good condition. Straight front, stood on good feet. Well muscled with good rear angulation. Shown in good thick coat and pelt. Moved around the ring well.
2nd - Cobstoneway Bayou Sunrise (Mrs G Stevens)
A slightly heavier bitch than one – good head and expression which is typical of the breed. Straight front into well laid shoulders. Ribs carried well back with a good tail set. Shown in good coat. Level top line – moved out well.
3rd - Badgerbeck Tree Pipit At Tilmoray JW ShCM (Mrs M Small)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 0
1st - Borderella Snap Dragon (Mr F & Mrs H Freeman)
A racy type bitch in shown in good fit condition. Nice head and expression with dark eye and well placed ears. Narrow straight front with just the correct amount of bone. Very good hindquarters and good for muscle. Topping coat of the correct texture and thick pelt. Moved out with drive.
2nd - Bimandi's Bellissima (Mr V J Pearce)
Another smart looking bitch shown in good condition – not overdone in any way. Good head, lovely reach of neck and straight front. Shown in harsh tweedy double coat. She held her top line on the move. Moved out well.
3rd - Imperterrito Agenda By Borderella (Mrs P South)
Res - Twigglestone Elfenor JW ShCM (Mrs L I Aldous)
VHC - Lady Fiona Mctarry At Thistlewhiss (Miss A J Sutton & Mr M Sugden)