Show Type: Championship
Venue: National Exhibition Centre (Hall 2, Ring 12), Birmingham B40 1NT
Judge: Mr Simon Jackson (Clipstone)
Entries: 256 making 292
Firstly, I would like to thank the Kennel Club for allowing me the honour of judging this Border Terrier Centenary year. I also thank my excellent stewards for keeping me on track and to everybody who gave me such a fantastic entry, both in numbers and quality across all classes. To be blunt, I don’t think I have ever seen and enjoyed such a very high quality entry before. Unfortunately many good exhibits went home unrewarded. Several classes the placed exhibits could have all stood in first place. I really was splitting hairs. I can honestly say that I really enjoyed myself and hope everybody else did too. I’d also like to thank Joyce Martin and my son, Laurence Jackson, for the excellent photographs which has made the writing of this critique so much easier. I understand Laurence also live-streamed the CC’s and BOB – technology far above me – but thanks!
Best Of Breed: Dandyhow Pandora
DCC: Cedarhill Melt In The Mouth
RDCC: Stowthorney Wicker Man JW
Best Puppy - Dog: Farlacroft My Friend Walter
BCC: Dandyhow Pandora
RBCC: Irton Sovay
Best Puppy - Bitch: Southash Lavender Blue At Oatberry
Best Puppy: Farlacroft My Friend Walter
Best Veteran: CH Benattivo Best Bet Karison
Entries: 16 Absentees: 3
The start of a very common theme for the day. Absolutely fantastic coat! Was this due to the wet weather this winter? The whole class of very high quality and something that also continued a theme.
1st - CH Lairehope Lord of the Glen At Tweedburn (Mrs C Archibald)
Very handsome gentleman, certainly not showing his age. Lovely strong otter head, perfectly level topline and nice carroty tail. Narrow and easily spanable. Strong in loin and good powerful quarters. Moved excellently covering ground well.
2nd - CH/Ger/NL CH Brackenfell Bok To Bach JW WW17/18 (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
He hasn’t changed much since I last judged him. Again, classic strong otter head and keen expression. Level topline, good in front and behind. Moved well.
3rd - Bristoc Rock The Boat at Bluebabel (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yates)
Nice type, a little weaker in head and slightly straighter behind than winners. Good level back, super tail, hard dense coat, strong in movement.
Res - Fehmarn Highland Encounter (Mrs E J Scott)
VHC - Stowthorney Swinging Sam ShCM (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - Beaconpike Poseidon (Mr S & Mrs K Golding)
Nice young man, head good although not yet fully mature, obviously. Good front, well carried ribs, strong in loin and quarters. Very showy youngster.
2nd - Otterwood Silhouette (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
Moved well, nice head, a little weaker in coat than (1) and a little overwhelmed by the occasion.
Entries: 8 Absentees: 2
1st - Farlacroft My Friend Walter (Mr M Wait)
Absolutely smitten by this youngster. I understand he was bought as a fishing buddy of which I thoroughly approve! He has turned out to be a real showman. A hard dense coat, level topline and a nicely maturing head. Narrow with a strong loin and excellent movement. Very pleased to make so many people rather happy by awarding him Best Puppy in Breed.
2nd - Dandyhow Oswald Franks (Mrs K M Irving)
Lovely head, super front, small tight feet. A smart showy youngster with an excellent coat. Pushed 1 very hard.
3rd - Whitestubbs Gandhi Boy Bach (Miss V M Williams)
Nice type, a little leggier than (1) and (2) but still easily spannable. Nice head, weaker coat unfortunately. Moved well.
Res - Keebank Just In Time (Mrs L Keeffe)
VHC - Hollexby Travellin Man (Mr P Appleby)
Entries: 16 Absentees: 4
A very, very close class. Quality throughout. A very hard but enjoyable class to judge.
1st - Barkanellie Blackadder (Mr I & Mrs J Taylor)
A very smart, well shown youngster with excellent ground covering movement. Super thick pelt and yard coat. Fantastic head and expression. Lovely front, good ribs, strong loin and quarters.
2nd - Crazy Train Nutmeg (Miss A K Jiderlund)
I said I was splitting hairs on this class – what I have just said for (1) I could say again for (2). Keen intelligent expression, lovely front, super level topline, carroty tail, strong loin and quarters. Moved totally correctly. Hard coat and thick pelt.
3rd - Skyeisla Blue Reflection (Mr D Haugh)
Read and repeat! A nice blue dog with good keen expression, good front, hard dense coat. Excellent in all ways. Shown well.
Res - Brankell Mastermind (Mrs B E Malicka)
VHC - Blackmine Blue Marble (Mr P McCarron)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 1
1st - Cedarhill Melt In The Mouth (Mrs C Dean)
Can I start off with the word “wow”! The keenest of intelligent expressions, classic strong otter head. Good front. Perfectly level topline, excellent quarters and strength of loin. Pin-wire hard coat, painful to the touch! Really caught my eye in the class and again in the challenge. A worthy winner of the Dog CC.
2nd - Cashelrock Ballywhoo (Mrs S Parie)
Lovely head and expression, correct front, good topline, strong in quarters, loin and movement. Slightly fuller coat than (1). On another day ….
3rd - Grizzledale War Cry (Mrs C J Burgess)
The quality continues. Really nice dog. Great head, front, topline, coat, quarters – everything. I was very happy to see the handler showing him so well and enjoying it.
Res - Hartswelin Veritas With Oatberry (Mrs K Tuffin)
VHC - Weststar Lone Ranger (Mrs C Swain)
Entries: 20 Absentees: 5
Another really close class. Several good dogs unrewarded. Top three could change places.
1st - Bordergold Rudolph At Beckholm (Mrs A Sutton)
I can clearly see his bloodline – loved his Sire. A good sized masculine dog, strong in every way, intelligent express, super coat, very well shown. Moved superbly.
2nd - Roxambor Space Invader (Mr B J & Mrs A E Read)
Blue version of (1). Good otter head and keen expression. Level topline. Nice tail. Correct front. Good strength of loin. Easily spannable. Moved well.
3rd - Broadsmill Horatio Nelson (Mrs L Pinkham)
Another blue version of (1). Great head, good neck and front. Nice level topline. Spannable. Moved and shown excellently. I said I was splitting hairs and I really was here. A lovely dog.
Res - Hartswelin Veritas With Oatberry (Mrs K Tuffin)
VHC - Skyeisla Teton (Miss K Haugh)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 2
1st - Stowthorney Wicker Man JW (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Really nice type. Super head. Great front. Excellent coat. Masculine dog, strong without being overdone. Shown and presented very well. High up in the consideration for Dog CC, taking the Reserve Dog CC.
2nd - Brackenfell Rock The Boat For Vandamere JW (Mr S Pollit)
Very similar to (1) only slightly lacking in coat. Great head. Good type. Moved and shown well.
3rd - Thistlestone Glenfiddich (Mr S Whisker & Miss J May)
Again the quality came right down the line. Nice head although not quite as finished as (1) and (2). Good neck and front. Great topline continuing into a good strong tail.
Res - Modann Wilson (Mrs H O'Connor)
VHC - Akenside Feckless (Mrs D McLeod)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 3
Here’s another class where the quality was not limited – ha ha!
1st - Tojamatt Rhythm N'blues at Raedwulf (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
Beautiful masculine intelligent head, great front, near perfect topline, nice tail carriage, good in rib and loin, strong in movement. Showing himself to the max. Was well up in consideration for top honours.
2nd - Glenbucket Highland Lad (Mrs N Anderson)
So, so similar to (1). Good otter head and keen expression. Strong front and quarters. Moved well.
3rd - Northborders Marlon Brando JW (Miss J North)
Again lovely keen expression, strong head and muzzle. Good front, nice topline. Correct ribs, loin and quarters. Covered the ground well. Hard coat.
Res - Keebank Jack Frost (Mr S & Mrs D Russell)
VHC - Lairehope Duke Diamante (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
Entries: 17 Absentees: 2
A really enjoyable class to judge. The standard was consistent throughout the class.
1st - CH Cedarhill Ghost Writer JW (Mrs M Fleming)
Really nice typy dog with close, hard coat and thick pelt. Keen intelligent expression and strong otter head, such strength continuing through the front, loin and quarters. Great topline. Shown beautifully. Was well up in consideration for top honours.
2nd - Ir CH Barnby Caramel Wafer At Bimandi JW ShCM (Mrs M J Holmes)
Another close decision, making me work hard. Classic Border head. Correct intelligent expression. Good front. Slightly but correct fuller coat. Strong in quarters.
3rd - CH Dassett Last Waltz JW (Mrs S Spafford)
Another good example of the breed. Good correct head. Hard close coat. Good front. Well carried ribs, strong loin, good movement.
Res - Dandyhow Captain Morgan (Mrs K Irving)
VHC - Raleniro Second Time Around ShCM ShCEx (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine & Miss P Thomas)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 2
1st - Tyneaster Special Agent at Raedwulf (Mrs V Atkinson)
Nice type, moved very well, good topline. Correct tail carriage. Good head. Showed himself very well.
2nd - Modann Wilson (Mrs H O'Connor)
Unplaced in two very competitive classes. Nice strong blue. Good expression. Hard coat. Covered the ground well.
3rd - Achouffe McKay's Fable of Redesholt (Mrs S McKay)
Again unplaced in a strong previous class (junior). Nice head, good expression. Straight front. Level topline. A little weaker in coat to (1) and (2).
Res - Otterpaws Muninn (Mr & Mrs G Birrel)
VHC - Weststar Lone Ranger (Mrs C Swain)
Entries: 21 Absentees: 6
Lovely to see so many ladies aging so gracefully. The top three were very close although the rest of the class was also of very good quality.
1st - CH Benattivo Best Bet Karison (Miss K Johnson)
Lovely feminine bitch with a good keen expression, excellent front and topline. The hardest of coats. She covered the ground very well. Worthy winner of a very tough class and delighted to award her Best Veteran in Breed.
2nd - Benattivo Abiba For Abisu (Miss S M Moseley)
A blue very high quality bitch, great expression. Good front. Excellent carriage of ribs. Lovely topline. Also covered the ground superbly. Pushed (1) hard.
3rd - CH Nantcoch Ffion JW ShCM (Mrs J M Phillips)
Beautiful bitch with a sweet feminine expression. Good front. Great topline. Pushed very very hard.
Res - Baillieswells Stronachie (Professor A S Milton)
VHC - It CH Daffcott Mercury Maiden (Fr Peter McCarron)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Nottorg Name of the Game (Mrs A Taylor)
Stood alone. Sweet feminine bitch with good coat. Nice topline. Moved well.
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Southash Lavender Blue At Oatberry (Mrs K Tuffin)
Very feminine but strong young lady. Excellent blue coat. Good otter head. Strong in loin and quarters leading to good movement.
2nd - Raedwulf Nocturn (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
Very similar to (1) but not quite as strong. Good tight close coat. Good movement. Excellent topline and quarters. Sweet expression.
3rd - Raedwulf Sunset (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
Litter sister to (2), obviously similar – another day could be a different result.
Res - Hawcoat Patience (Mrs E J & Miss R C Larner)
VHC - Lairehope Lucky Jewel (M P & Mrs K Lothian)
Entries: 24 Absentees: 8
Superb class – again quality in depth. Very difficult decisions to make but enjoyable.
1st - Blackmine Blue Pearl At Chorbeck JW (Mrs H Haughton)
Really pretty but strong blue, great outline, strong loin and quarters, nice narrow front and excellent movement.
2nd - Brankell Countdown To Flegato (Mrs M Fleming)
So similar to (1). Pretty, intelligent expression, nice front. Good rib and quarters and coat. Pushed very hard
3rd - Twigglestone Victorious (Mrs C A Archibald)
Again so similar to (1) and (2) – good keen feminine expression, pretty head. Beautiful front. Overall a really nice looking bitch who pushed hard.
Res - Carrock Curiosity JW (Ms J Fawcett)
VHC - Goldenmill Harvest Fantasy (Mr T & Mrs J Willmitt)
Entries: 16 Absentees: 4
Another very high quality class.
1st - Peach Von Der Borderranch (Mrs P Berlitz)
Really taken with this one. Very smart bitch with a hard double coat and great movement. Good front and strong back end. Lovely otter head. Correct level topline and strong loins. Moved beautifully.
2nd - Foxfactor Fire Cracker (Mrs K D Stockley)
Very typy with good head. Moved excellently due to correct construction. Good coat but not as hard as (1).
3rd - Reedbeck Kittyhawk Of Arunmere (Miss J Hughes)
Very like (2). Not quite as racy but still a nice Border Terrier.
Res - Alcumlow Bloom JW (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber)
VHC - Moor Farm Bellwether At Rubyfin (Mrs S J Channer)
Entries: 26 Absentees: 3
An absolutely amazing class – so many good bitches went unrewarded. Hard work to judge but immensely enjoyable.
1st - Clydebeck Garnet (Mr M & Mrs S & Miss J Taylor)
Lovely feminine bitch with a super head and expression. Great topline. Close narrow front, good rib, strong in loin and quarters. Moved fantastically well.
2nd - Twigglestone Somethin Else For Lessien (Miss S J Pateman)
A really nice pretty feminine head, good expression, strong neck. Good topline and front correct. Nice ribs. A little deeper in loin but strong back end. Excellent coat. Good movement.
3rd - Otterpaws Take It Easy With Raleniro JW (Mr D J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
Slightly weaker than (2) in coat but good Border Terrier expression. Nice front, level topline, good rib and loin. Moved very well.
Res - Tarkatale Star Seeker (Mrs R Mitchell)
VHC - Nottorg Nostalgia JW ShCM (Mrs A Taylor)
Entries: 18 Absentees: 3
Super class.
1st - Valicetarn Velvet (Mrs V Mason)
Loved her type. Great expression. Correct narrow front. Great carriage of ribs leading into strong loin. Good topline following through to a nice tail. Strong in quarters and movement. Was in reckoning for top honours.
2nd - Achnagairn Touch Of Class (Mrs A Fraser)
Very similar type to (1). Again good head and construction. Great front. Nice ribs and depth of loin. Good level topline and movement.
3rd - Merumhor Blue Jasmine (Mr C & Mrs J Martin)
Lovely bitch – very typy. Good head and expression. Lovely neck and front. Great ribs, lovely level topline, thick carroty tail. Moved very well. Pushed (1) and (2) very hard.
Res - Raleniro New Rose (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
VHC - Nantcoch Field Skipper (Mrs J M Phillips)
Entries: 22 Absentees: 6
A class teeming in quality.
1st - Dandyhow Pandora (Mrs K Irving)
A classic example of her kennel. Fantastic old fashioned hard double coat. Really pretty feminine head with true expression and nice ears. Lovely front. Easily spannable. Strong deep loin and powerful quarters. Beautiful level topline and classic carroty tail. Really pleased to award her the Bitch CC and Best of Breed.
2nd - Irton Sovay (Mr D G & Mrs A C Fryer)
Another quality bitch who is clearly of her kennel. Great coat, beautiful. So like (1) in so many ways. Again old fashioned hard double correct coat. Good front. Easily spannable. Strong deep loin. Beautiful tail. I had to think long and hard between (1) and (2) for the class. Reserve Bitch CC.
3rd - Marsirdan Jemima Puddle (Mr M Service)
Very pretty bitch, good head, nice neck and front. Correct in rib, strong loin, moved very well. Not quite the quality of coat of (1) and (2).
Res - Keebank Withy Song (Mrs L Rostron)
VHC - Awbrooksky Margot Robbie JW (Mr R & Miss L Goddard)
Entries: 20 Absentees: 10
A very close class, again!
1st - Byrewick Valentine (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Super type, feminine head and expression. Good neck and front. Super level topline. Easily spannable. Strong in loin. Great movement.
2nd - CH Remony Frosted Ivy JW ShCM (Mrs A Gregory)
Again a really nice type from this kennel who I enjoyed going over. Very fit bitch with great movement and really close up to (1). Very pretty head and expression.
3rd - Picer Flora Mcivor JW (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
Very similar to (2). Nice type. Good head and front, level topline. Good ribs and loin. Strong quarters. Moved very well. Pushed hard.
Res - Carrock Caelan (Ms J Fawcett)
VHC - Crazy Train And I Love Her (Miss A K Jiderlund)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 0
1st - CH Benattivo Best Bet Karison (Miss K Johnson)
2nd - Twigglestone Somethin Else For Lessien (Miss S J Pateman)
3rd - Thistlemead Harmony JW (Mrs P M Heeley)
Unplaced in a strong Post Grad class. A nice type. Sweet head, kind expression, correct front, strong in loin and quarters. Moved well.
Res - Alcumlow Heather At Sensevalley (Mrs C & Mr D Payne)
VHC - Picer Angelica to Nottorg ShCM (Mr P & Mrs A Taylor)