Championship and Breed Club Shows

Lovely make and shape on this young dog. Lovely reach of neck and good level topline, with good shape of tail, well set on. Excellent shape of ribs carried well back and a thick, pliable pelt. He caught my eye as he came in the ring and did not disappoint on the table or when moving, as he moved with confidence and accuracy on small, tight feet. Good otter-like head with dark eye with an excellent keen expression. Best Puppy Dog as he was moving the best of the two dog puppies and Reserve Best Puppy in Show.

Another very nice puppy who was moving really well today. Just falls away a little under the eye. He has an excellent thick pelt and a good double coat. Good reach of neck.

Kind expression with super dark eye on this lovely headed puppy. Perhaps a little well off for bone at this age. Good length of body with lovely tail, well set on. Apart from turning a paw out in the final decision time, he did very well and moved soundly throughout.

Beautiful make and shape on this dog. Loved his reach of neck. Such a lovely otter head with a small, dark eye and a good strong muzzle. Ears perhaps a tad big at this stage but hopefully will grow into them. Lovely straight front but was moving a little erratically in the front which cost him higher honours when it came to the decision for Best Puppy Dog. Fantastic coat and pelt. Lovely tail, right off the top of his back, although he has a habit at the moment of holding it to the side when moving, though not when standing. He is well off for bone but spans easily. Ribs carried well back.

Although not carrying much coat at the moment, what was there was tight. Another puppy with a fabulous head and he has a good ear set. Liked his small, neat feet. Good length of body. Good tail, well set on. Good bend of stifle.

Was reserve in Minor Puppy Dog class; he is very much a raw baby but I loved his head. Good straight front. While he has a double coat and I see evidence of undercoat, his topcoat was not as harsh today as those placed above him.

Lovely balance on this dog. Although short of coat today, he moved the best in the class. Super otter head, though I would prefer if more of the longer face furnishings on his muzzle were removed (his muzzle is strong enough not to need this extra hair). Good straight front and a lovely topline. Excellent rib shape which gives the pleasing outline when viewed from above and was easily spanned. Pleased to see a lot of the show dogs today also have a pleasant home life, as evidenced in this case by his good hard condition with good muscle tone throughout and on good second thigh.

Really liked this dog; he powered around the ring. Good dark eye, giving an excellent expression on his lovely otter head. Lovely straight front when standing; just failed a little to the first on front movement. Excellent thick double coat.

Lovely body shape under that heavy coat today. Thick double coat may have made him look heavy from the ringside, but he was easily spanned. Although coat plentiful, it was a little soft as think ready to come out. He was looking a little dour today. Would prefer more fill under the eye, nevertheless a good prospect for the future.

Really liked the size and shape of this boy. He was easily spanned and moved very well. Another with a lovely shaped rib when viewed from above and he comes to hand easily. Lovely refined otter head with nice dark eye. Good straight front. Good tail, well set on. On reaching home and reading the catalogue, pleased to see he is out of my Best in Show.

Loved this blue and tan boy. He was longer cast than the first. He has a slightly lighter eye than I prefer. Moved well. He is so easy to span and has a good bend of stifle.

A little shorter coupled and correspondingly a little shorter in the rib than the two above him, but he has a gorgeous otter head and well placed ears, dropping forward close to the cheek and he moved well enough.

For full report, see his first placing in Junior Dog. While still a young dog, he won this 2nd class for him on his excellent body shape and hind movement. A little loose in front movement in this class, but he has time to improve there.

Very difficult decision between the first and second here. Loved the rich red coat on this boy. He has a fantastic top coat and excellent thick, pliable pelt, as with all from this kennel. Sadly today he was lacking in undercoat and he was moving a bit erratically behind. He has just the right amount of bone. Loved his head with a varminty expression of the best. Another showing great promise.

Lighter grizzle dog, he was a little deeper in chest than the first two but has the correct amount of bone, not overdone. Falls away a little under the eye, but he has a very kind expression and moved quite well today

VERY hard decision here between the first and second. Love the type on this dark red grizzle boy. Yes, he tends to move very fast around the ring and could be slowed down to get the most out of him I think. He has a superb head, with a lovely keen, dark eye. Lovely straight front. Good shoulders and excellent topline. Loved his rib shape.

see my comments when he was first in Yearling dog. Pity to meet such a good dog on top form today and could change places with ease on another day.

Very nice type on this boy, though I would prefer a darker eye. Good double coat and moved well today.

Loved the neck on this dog and my notes say what a gorgeous head he has. Lovely dark eyes of correct size. Good strong muzzle. Lovely topline and tailset, he just stood away from all the rest. He was easily spanned and moved well both ways throughout the class.

Smaller dog all through but liked his head, he has a short strong muzzle and correct 1/3rds to 2/3rds proportions; would just prefer a little more fill under the eye. Good rib and spanned easily.

Smaller dog, very neat all round and so easily spanned. Little lighter in the eye. Good head with ear placement perfect. Moved really well all through the class on small, neat feet.

Loved the head and neck on this boy. Lovely small, dark eye. Excellent straight front. Just the right amount of bone and a good topline and tailset. Good double coat. He was moving very well both ways.

Upstanding dog with a lovely head. Not as thick in coat today as the first. He moved around the ring with a lot of enthusiasm and showed his socks off. Lovely tail, well set on.

Lovely type on this dog and another who was moving well. Easily spanned, though a little shorter in rib. Very quiet dog but he has lots of promise. Lovely double jacket and loose, thick pelt. Excellent carroty tail.

For critique, see above

Really loved this blue and tan dog, who has just the right amount of bone. Such a lovely head with a good dark eye and a short, strong muzzle. Perhaps a little more length of neck would complete the picture, but his excellent jacket and thick pelt are of the best. Lovely thick, short carrot shaped tail.

A dog I have admired from the ringside and who does not disappoint on going over him and watching him move. Such a strong class – any of these three could change places on another day. Fantastic jacket. Just preferred the rib on the first two today. Super head with gorgeous dark eyes, excellent keen expression and ears dropping forward close to the cheek.

for critique, see above.

At just turned seven years old, he was one of the youngsters in this class. Lovely head with dark eye and kind expression. Possessing a good reach of neck and nicely shaped body; he was easy to span and of a good, handy size, he also had a lovely carrot shaped tail right off the top of his back.

Belying his 11 years, he was in good condition and has a lovely dark eye, with good ear set, dropping forward close to his cheek and a strong muzzle. Moving nicely on neat feet.

Nice conformation on this bitch, she was moving well, showing today a relaxed, calm personality. Good otter head with ears dropping forward close to the cheek. Would prefer a darker eye. She was a little difficult to span.

Very punishing head with varminty expression, though a wry mouth. Moved round the ring with confidence and joie de vivre, though he was a little difficult to span.

Loved this puppy as soon as she came in the ring. She is very sound and has a sweet, feminine head with lovely dark eyes and an excellent varminty expression which was very appealing, also lovely ears, dropping forward close to the cheek. She stands well balanced on neat feet and the best of legs, with just the right amount of bone and a good bend of stifle, she was moving well for one so young. Lovely thick pelt and good coat. Lovely shaped body and nice short, carrot shaped tail. Very much a baby and just right for her age of just one day shy of 7 months. What a lot of promise she has and I will watch her progress with interest.

Another very promising puppy with a lovely ottery head and good expression. Good reach of neck and she has good bone, not overdone in any way. Good balanced outline, with her tail right off the top of her back. She is very much a baby and is another one showing great promise for the future.

Another lovely puppy, showing well in a strong class, she moved very well around the ring and caught my eye on the first go-around, though was slightly dipped in the back at times. Lovely dark eye full of keen expression with a good flow-through from the nose to the occiput. Correct amount of bone.

for critique, see above.

This lady is a little longer cast than the first. Another with a fantastic coat and pelt. Just preferred the head on the winner, though this puppy has a decent head and is well off for bone; she has a lot to recommend her.

Another pretty head and a good rangy body, she spanned easily and moved well.

Blue and tan bitch out of the top drawer took the first prize here. Caught my eye as soon as she came in the ring; what a fantastic mover she is. Lovely balanced body. Gorgeous otter head with small dark eye and keen expression. Lovely straight front. The best of jackets, immaculately turned out. Tail coming straight off the top of the back. Easily spanned with ribs carried well back. My end notes say “A joy to behold; what a lovely bitch”. Good luck in the future, which I feel sure is bright.

I really liked this bitch, she moved very well. She has such a pretty, feminine head. Good ears, dropping forward close to the cheek. Moved very well throughout the class. Was so very easily spanned.

Have loved this bitch from when I first saw her being shown. She might look heavy from the ringside, but when you span her, the bit that cannot be spanned is ALL PELT, which would slip away from her when she needed to negotiate anywhere underground and be a great asset in any situation. Super double jacket of the best. She has a fantastic otter head with the correct 1/3rds to 2/3rds ratio. Lovely dark eye with keen expression. Lovely straight front too. Maybe just a little too well off for bone. Good bend of stifle and lovely tail, well set on.

Took this difficult class with her excellent length of body and her lovely reach of neck, with her beautiful otter-like head with correct ratio again and dark eyes with very alert, varminty expression. Perfect ear set. Good straight front as usual from this kennel. Lovely body lines. Again, as usual from this kennel, thick, pliable, loose pelt and excellent coat. Not many kennels are so consistent in this type and quality.

Another very nice bitch, she has a lovely coat and pelt and a super otter head. Could perhaps change places on another day. Very hard decision between these two as so many similar remarks apply.

Smaller all round and preferred the underjaw on the first two, but she has a lovely otter head with very nice flow through from nose to occiput. Good eyes with varminty expression. Lovely rib shape and she moved really well today throughout the whole class.

A neat little bitch and although small all through, she is well put together and has a lovely reach of neck. Lovely otter head. She has a good tail, well set on and she moved really well on small, tight feet, throughout the class.

Was reserve in Minor Puppy Bitch. A longer cast bitch who was looking well. She has a good reach of neck and a good topline and tailset, though can at times appear to dip her back a little She just falls away a little under the eyes and I would prefer perhaps a little more bone.

Unplaced in her previous class. Ears a little big, but still a nice prospect head-wise as she has a really dark eye and a good, strong muzzle in an attractive otter-like head. Good tailset and good bend of stifle.

Lovely body shape on this bitch and easily spanned. Moving very well and accurately both fore and aft. Has a lovely otter head with dark eyes with keen expression; would still prefer a smaller ear. Just the right amount of bone, she spans easily and has a thick, pliable pelt and good jacket, topped off with a tailset of the best.

A more rangy bitch, she was moving very nicely and has a lovely otter head. Another one with a good thick coat and pliable pelt. Tail straight off the top of her back. She is well off for bone.

This bitch is finer all through but very sound and has a very pretty, feminine head with a lovely small, dark eye. Good topline and lovely set on of tail.

Judged her as a puppy and she then won Best Bitch Puppy in show, when she drew my eye as she came in the ring in a very strong class that day. Notes from that previous show could be repeated here as she has not changed and has indeed fulfilled her early promise. My tape notes today start with “I absolutely adore this bitch”. She has everything in the right place and she is SO pretty. Lovely otter head, with dark ears falling forward close to the cheek. Super eye with keen expression and a very strong muzzle. She has a lovely neck and is so well balanced, not overdone in any way. Just the correct amount of bone. Good length of back and super level topline which she keeps on the move and an excellent coat and pelt. Lovely tail, well set on and good hindquarters. She has style and presence and moves effortlessly. Good luck for the future.

Another lovely bitch, unlucky to meet the first again as I see when looking at my previous placings in an earlier show, she was 2nd behind Love Song the last time too. Dipping a little behind the shoulders today, but nevertheless full of quality. She possesses a lovely thick coat and pelt and a very attractive head. Lovely reach of neck and a super thick, short, carrot shaped tail, well set on. She was easily spanned.

Love this bitch very much but she was short of coat today, which in such a good class of quality bitches, sadly had to make the difference. She has an excellent otter-like head with a very strong muzzle and lovely dark eyes, full of expression. So easily spanned, she moves well on good tight feet and has a lovely reach of neck and good topline and tailset.

Lovely bitch, she moves around the ring with ease on nice tight feet like she owns it. She has a super head, a lovely dark eye and an excellent straight front. She might look heavy from ringside, but she is easily spanned and has a tremendous thick pelt and coat. Loved her overall shape. Good tail, well set on.

Another bitch who could look rather heavy from a distance, which is why it is so important to get close up and personal to them and not ringside judge. I could span her easily and she has the most glorious otter head with a lovely dark eye. Another one with a good straight front. Last notes on tape say “She’s super”!

On the table was mightily impressed with her pelt. I would hazard there are not many Borders with such a thick, loose pelt. Moving really well today and although she falls away a little under the eyes, she has a nice breed type about her.

Very hard struggle here between the first and second. I loved the breed type on the second, but this bitch just pipped her today on overall coat quality and on size. Beautiful refined, feminine otter head with a lovely dark eye. Good straight front. Shown today in an excellent double coat, with her tail going right off the top of the back. Good bend of stifle. Standing on neat feet, she went on to move very well throughout the class.

On first sight I thought to myself that she reminded me of the older type of Border Terrier being shown when I first started in the breed. Loved her head, which was very strong as well as feminine, with a good, strong muzzle. Another with a lovely straight front. Good shaped rib, easily spanned. Just a bit short of coat today although what was there was harsh and tight. Good bend of stifle.

Sweet little head on this bitch and although she would benefit from a little more length to her neck, she has a super body and an excellent thick pelt and good coat. Another with a good bend of stifle. Completed the picture with a good carroty tail well set on.

My notes say that this Border lady still continues to blow my mind and gives me chills when going over her and watching her move. Ended the tape with “She is just perfect”. She has everything in the right place and consequently is so well balanced. Fabulous otter head. Lovely reach of neck. Lovely topline. Right down to her bend of stifle, she is not overdone in any way, with just the right amount of bone. For full report, see above.

Very close 2nd to the winner. A judge should be so lucky to have such good quality in a class like this, but at the same time, it is sad when they cannot all have a first prize. Lovely blue and tan with a tremendous jacket on her and “ticking” in boatloads. I loved the way she was turned out today, as is usual. Beautiful otter head and a good length of body. She was moving so well today throughout the class on good tight feet. Good set on of tail. A very worthy Champion.

A very smart bitch, she has a lovely head and a good reach of neck. Good topline which she kept on the move and correct tailset. She showed very well throughout the class.

At 8 and 1/2 years old, this star took the Best Veteran Bitch, Bitch CC and Best In Show. I had to stop myself being overawed when I saw her standing on the table. There are many lovely Borders, especially today, but not that many that stop you in your tracks as she did. For full report, see above.

Was not aware until I read the catalogue when doing my critique that this bitch was bred by the same breeder as the first in the class, as was the winner of Yearling dog, so a little shout out to the breeder/s Mr and Mrs Southam here. Much smaller bitch in stature and a little more shorter coupled, but she had a very feminine otter head with lovely dark eyes and correct 1/3rd to 2/3rds ratio of nose to stop and stop to occiput, with ears dropping forward close to the cheek. She comes to hand easily and spans so well. Moving round the ring on small, tight feet, was pleased to award her 2nd in this class.

What a lovely head this bitch has and a good reach of neck. Super thick, loose pelt and a lovely double jacket. Good tail, well set on. Just preferred the movement today of the first two, but nevertheless she is a beautiful bitch.