Show Type: Breed
Venue: The Town Hall, Abbey Place, Jedburgh. TD8 6BE
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
Entries: 115 making 141, 3 NFC
Website: www.theborderterrierclub.co.uk/...
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.
Best In Show: Ridgebow Pendle Witch
Reserve Best In Show: Thornheswin Thats My Girl
Best Opposite Sex: Howthwaite in Voice
Best Dog: Howthwaite in Voice
Reserve Best Dog: Drigothe Barbarian
Best Puppy - Dog: Peaky Blinder Spiced
Best Bitch: Ridgebow Pendle Witch
Reserve Best Bitch: Thornheswin Thats My Girl
Best Puppy - Bitch: Otterbobs Georgia Blue
Best Puppy: Otterbobs Georgia Blue
Best Veteran: Drigothe Barbarian
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - Peaky Blinder Spiced (Mr M Netherington)
this one really appealed and one you really need to get your hands on to fully appreciate all this ones virtues, developing on the right lines, appealing head, excellent jacket which was of harsh texture and super thick pelt, moved out well, a little loose in front, which will tighten with age, but moved out with purpose and drive, maintaining a level topline throughout. Nicely constructed shoulders, and has the required narrowness in front, easily spanned and very much appealed for size and type Nothing in exaggeration with this one and really delighted to award him Best Puppy Dog.
2nd - Drigothe Dynamite (Mr S & Mrs C E Griffiths)
stronger in head and more up on the leg than 1, but still easy to span and presents a balanced picture ribbed well back, a nice strong loin and well muscled hindquarters with hocks well let down, moved out well holding topline throughout.
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Cedarhill Dish Of The Day For Dexlin (Mr B & Mrs L P Inness)
nicely developed youngster, presented in a good tweedy jacket, which was of good texture, good reach of neck and well laid back shoulders, lovely length of rib, narrow throughout, easily spanned, moved with good drive from behind, a little loose in front movement which should improve with maturity.
2nd - Drigothe Dynamite (Mr S & Mrs C E Griffiths)
2nd in Minor Puppy
3rd - Cedarhill Melt In The Mouth (Mrs C Dean)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Kadaredhills Breaking Free (Mrs J Potts)
lovely and narrow throughout, moved out well demonstrating good ground covering movement with a balanced profile action keeping his lovely topline, pleasing in size, built on clean lines and, in good fit condition, excellent hindquarters Appealing in head which was nicely proportioned and nice amount of fill under eye and alert expression
2nd - Whittonglebe Jem (Mr G & Mrs J Mackenzie)
different stamp to 1, heavier in bone than 1, I thought I might struggle to span this one, but he is surprisingly very spannable, pleasing front, and strong well made hindquarters, just preferred the more balanced picture 1 presented.
3rd - Lairehope Bear Bejewelled (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
Res - Glenbucket Highland Reel (Mrs M J Alexander)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 1
1st - Lockhaugh Axis (Mr P Bates)
excellent jacket on this one and pliable pelt, decent head would prefer a touch more strength to jaw, today carrying a little too much condition, a shame as he has plenty of good type
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Lockhaugh Axis (Mr P Bates)
1st in SBD
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - Thornheswin New Beginning (Mrs C E & Mr R F Boyd)
very pleasing workmanlike dog, correctly proportioned head keen expression, strong in muzzle, with big strong teeth, b& t with ticking throughout, super thick pelt, good topline and underline, good thick pads, to be picky would like a shade more length to neck to complete the picture, possesses decent rear angulation which he used to his advantage on the move.
2nd - Lockhaugh Axis (Mr P Bates)
1st in SBD and Maiden
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Bordurrock Rainbow Rising (Mr D & Mrs E Gillies)
loved the head of this rich red dog which was so typical moderate no signs of coarseness or exaggeration, more jacket would have complimented the picture, but he stood out for me in this class for his balance and movement, nice length of upper arm into excellent shoulders, ribs carried well back to good strong loin and correct length of back, correct in rib, hence easy to span maintained a lovely level topline throughout .
2nd - Kalebank Harvester (Mrs S Portsmouth)
old fashioned type of dog, which was why he appealed. Has pleasing head and expression, good topline and underline, excellent thick pelt. Not quite as positive in front as 1 on the move.
3rd - Akenside Eventide (Mr & Mrs B & N Wanless)
Res - Akenside Feckless (Mrs D McLeod)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 1
1st - Ridgebow Two Hoots (Mr N & Mrs A Duxbury)
liked his size, and found him balanced and unexaggerated throughout, just right for bone without losing substance. Pleasing in head with strong jaw, nice amount of fill under eyes, good length of neck flowed into clean, well placed shoulders ,correct in upper arm, good length of rib, firm topline, strong loin, into well muscled hindquarters, movement in profile was excellent , economical with free easy stride with plenty of rear drive. Presented in a harsh jacket with ample amount of undercoat. and pelt. His fit and hard condition completed the picture nicely.
2nd - Lairehope Duke Diamante (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
very different type to 1, but many appealing virtues, another who presented a balanced picture, a tad less angulation on rear however splitting hairs.. Very typical in head with a super expression, lovely narrow front with tight feet and thick pads, excellent firm topline, easily spannable.
3rd - Irton Mountain Dew (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
Res - Stineval Pontiac From Thornheswin (Mr C Dixon)
VHC - Cedarhill Authorisation (Mrs J Alpe)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 2
1st - Howthwaite in Voice (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
This one presents a very balanced picture and there is nothing overdone or exaggerated to be found here. I found his perfectly proportioned head was just what I was looking for. Nice length of upper arm into excellent shoulders, narrow in front, built on racy lines with a super firm topline, has the best of pelts. I found him so typical in all departments, possesses a balanced angulation in front and behind and he moved effortlessly with excellent reach and drive. His superb hard condition was the icing on the cake, and I was delighted to awarded him Best Dog& BOS
2nd - Drigothe Barbarian (Mr S & Mrs C E Griffiths)
quite different to 1, an old fashioned stamp of Border, so very much appealed. Another who painted a balanced picture. Excellent in head proportions with super strong jaw, his grey hairs on muzzle were the only indicators of his 8 years, little else revealed his age and he was shown in fabulous muscular hard condition. Correctly ribbed, very spannable, narrow throughout. Moved out with drive and accuracy, retaining his super topline as he did so. I could find little to fault today and was pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog and Best Veteran.
3rd - Raleniro Second Time Around ShCM (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine & Miss P Thomas)
Res - Am CH Akenside Cumin (Mrs L Gosling)
VHC - Glenbucket Highland Lad (Mrs N Anderson)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Otterbobs Georgia Blue (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
8 month blue and tan, for me she presented a picture of femininity, everything balanced and not overdone. She has the correct amount of bone, having the required narrowness throughout whilst not losing any substance, appealed for size. It is hard to look past her head, which is strong, yet feminine, with the most melting dark eyes giving such keen expression, she has a nice reach of neck into clean shoulder, excellent length of rib, I loved her tight feet and thick pads, so easy to span and came to hand so well. She is perfectly angulated in front and rear and moved out so well, covering the ground as her construction dictates, very promising, I liked her a lot. Best Puppy in Show.
2nd - Howthwaite Gay Dusky (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
lovely overall type, so feminine, she is well put together without exaggeration. She has a beautiful head of correct proportions, lovely dark keen eye, and right amount of fill under eye, strong and powerful jaw. Pleasing body proportions, good length of neck into well set shoulders with excellent upper arm angle, super length of rib. Loved her personality and joie de vive, moves out soundly from all angles, but can get a little carried away with herself, the spirit of youth! Another who shows great promise. Just needs time to complete the picture and nothing wrong with that.
3rd - Foxwater House Of Jazz (Mrs J Spence)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 4
1st - Grettacs Vixen (Mr D Scattergood & Ms L Headley)
this one caught my eye on entering the ring and was not disappointed on closer inspection. Lovely proportioned, super feminine head and expression with balanced proportions and well placed ears, she secured her win in this strong class for her balance and overall type. She has a super tweedy jacket with plenty of undercoat to be found, an easy span, just right for bone without losing any substance, pleasing in size, lovely length of rib which flowed into a strong loin, well angulated hindquarters which she uses to her advantage on the move.
2nd - Valicetarn Velvet (Mrs V Mason)
lovely refined looking puppy, another that was pleasing in head, which was not overdone or underdone in any way. Pleasing reach of neck into well placed shoulders, narrow in front. Correct topline and tailset and nicely angulated hindquarters and well let down hocks, such a sound mover, really covering the ground with good reach and drive, just preferred jacket and pelt of 1.
3rd - Picer Martha Logen (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
Res - Smurfski Seismic Bliss (Mr J Yore)
VHC - Peony Jabba (Mrs C A Hargreaves)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 1
1st - Glenbucket Highland Queen (Mrs N Anderson & Mrs A Howard)
lovely balanced youngster, with the best of toplines and tailsets, pleasing hindquarters with well let down hocks, nice typical head on this one ,and I found her narrow and racy throughout with enough substance, would prefer a bit more coat, but what was there was of a good enough texture.
2nd - Hightarn Nighthawk (Mr B & Mrs L Rostron)
pleasing and narrow throughout, appealed for type, possessing a thick and ample pelt on this b&t which had ticking throughout. Narrow in front with enough upper arm, stands on super tight feet with thick pads, very typical in head with good expression, I would prefer slightly more strength to her muzzle, but overall a pleasing picture.
3rd - Fehmarn Dream Scot At Kilburnpride (Mrs Scott)
Res - Elemcella Scaevola (Mr C Tait)
VHC - Irton Sovay (Mr D G & Mrs A C Fryer)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 2
1 withdrawn
1st - Foxwater House Of Jazz (Mrs J Spence)
3rd in a strong minor puppy class, nicely balanced and unexaggerated throughout, lovely feminine head, developing on the right lines, harsh jacket covering a thick and pliable pelt, good reach of neck and well angulated shoulders, moved out well, driving off well constructed hindquarters. Well handled
2nd - Carrickfarm Macey (Mrs M Armstrong)
pleasing head and expression, strong muzzle, good topline which she maintained on the move, she appealed for her substance and size, perfect length of rib, easy span, not the drive from the hindquarters as 1 today.
3rd - Otterpaws Lyin Eyes (Miss A M Dixon)
Res - Otterpaws Take It Easy With Raleniro (Mr D J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Otterbobs Georgia Blue (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
1st in MPB
2nd - Howthwaite Gay Dusky (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
2nd in MPB
3rd - Catgallows Raquel By Drigothe (Mr S & Mrs C E Griffiths)
Res - Fehmarn Dream Scot At Kilburnpride (Mrs Scott)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1st - Otterbobs Georgia Blue (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
1st in MPB & Maiden
2nd - Howthwaite Gay Dusky (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
2nd in MPB & Maiden
3rd - Thorneyburn So and So (Mrs M Wanless)
Entries: 22 Absentees: 6
1st - Thornheswin Thats My Girl (Mr J C Dixon)
won a very strong class, she took my eye from the moment I saw her go around with the others in this class, at close quarters she impressed me even further with her perfect balance and outline. Exquisite and feminine head that is perfectly proportioned, super strong in jaw. Your hands just flowed over this bitch, good reach of neck into good lay and length of shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm, ribs carried well back, the most level of toplines with strong loin. I loved her easy lengthy stride, exhibited in hard condition with super muscle tone. Although she had left her jacket at home, this just showed off her exquisite flowing lines, her overall construction that I look for in an earth dog, coupled with her perfect balance I could not overlook today, I was delighted to award her Rest Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show.
2nd - Otterbobs Duchess (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
unlucky to meet 1 in such fine form, another who presented a balanced picture. Very pleasing in head, which was correctly proportioned with keen expression, nothing in exaggeration, neck and shoulders flow into correct topline, she covered the ground well and holding her outline in profile, narrow all through.
3rd - Merumhor Blue Jasmine (Mr C & Mrs J Martin)
Res - Raleniro New Rose (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
VHC - Oakyard Objet D'art at Hollexby (Mr P Appleby)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 4
1st - Ridgebow Pendle Witch (Mr N & Mrs A Duxbury)
super b&t who is not exaggerated or overdone in any way, simply a truly honest bitch of super breed type. Her head is a lovely typical flat skull without any exaggeration or coarseness. Narrow all through without losing any substance, correct in upper arm that led into well laid back shoulders. Ideal topline and strong loin, super hindquarters excellent muscular, firm condition throughout, everything about this girl would enable her to carry out the job for which she was bred to do. Her movement was so sound and positive from all directions a reflection of her sound construction, and she covered the ground, with a super free flowing action when viewed in profile. Shown in a harsh jacket with plenty of undercoat, with one of the thickest pelts I had felt on the day, I loved her. Best Bitch and BIS.
2nd - Thornheswin Old Magic (Mr J C Dixon)
beautiful feminine head with strong muzzle, level in topline, which runs straight into a correct shaped tail and tailset, well ribbed back, hence easy to span, ,well padded feet, well muscled ,hard condition, Just right for bone without losing substance. On the move she just didn’t have the rear drive and ground covering gait of 1, she appealed for her balance and size, I liked her a lot.
3rd - Stineval Kordia JW (Mr & Mrs A G Horner)
Res - Carrock Caelan (Ms J Fawcett)
VHC - Akenside Calypso (Mrs L Gosling)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 5
1st - Oakyard Objet D'art at Hollexby (Mr P Appleby)
placed VHC in a strong PG class, Pleasing size of bitch with pleasing head and expression, liked her length of rib and racy hindquarters with low set hocks, falls away a little at the croup, short of coat today, but decent loose pelt. Easily spanned.
2nd - Achnagairn Red Card (Mrs A Fraser)
short coupled than 1, pleasing head, which was strong but feminine , super strong in jaw. Clean front level topline carried through to good tailset and excellent hindquarters, which she used well on the move.
Entries: 0 Absentees: 0
Entries: 16 Absentees: 6
1st - Drigothe Barbarian (Mr S & Mrs C E Griffiths)
2nd in Open Dog
2nd - Ravenside Rumours About Caldewgate (Mr A E Burke)
very much appealed for type, perfectly proportioned head with dark keen eye, good length of neck into well placed shoulders and return of upper arm, he was somewhat distracted on the table, and on the move, but when he got it together, he moved out true, just about spannable.
3rd - Carrickfarm Mika ShCM (Mrs V M Armstrong)
Res - CH Irton Up Helly Aa (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
VHC - Grettacs the Wizard ShCM (Mr B & Mrs L P Inness)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1st, Catgallows Serendipity & Valicetarn Velvet, very well matched both in type and size, lovely to watch them walk around the ring in complete unison with each other.
2nd, Otterpaws Firebird shCM & Otterpaws Lyin’ Eyes, both well matched in body lines, not quite as unison in movement together as 1
3rd, Kalebank Harvester & Kalebank Harvest Festival.