Show Type: Championship
Venue: Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford ST18 0BD
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
Entries: 119 making 136 entries
Website: www.thenationaldogshow.org.uk/...
Thank you to the Committee for the invitation to judge at this show; I had received an invitation to judge the breed here in 2007 but was unable to accept due to a previous appointment so was very pleased to be offered the opportunity again. Thanks to my stewards for all their hard work during the day and also to the exhibitors for entering some lovely Border Terriers. There were some wonderful quality exhibits but I was particularly pleased with my line-up of unbeaten bitches with 4 or 5 in contention for the top honours, a very difficult but enjoyable decision.
It is 50 years since I won my first CC in the breed and at that time it was emphasised to novices by the experienced exhibitors that the most important part of the breed standard was the first line “essentially a working terrier” and I have always had this at the forefront in my mind when judging the breed. Not, does it work, but could it do so; meaning could it follow a horse and go to ground when needed; also could it get out again.
Best Of Breed: Thistlestone Glenfiddich
RDCC: CH Yorkpiece Fiery Lucifer
Best Puppy - Dog: Tojamatt Night Watchman
BCC: Wintergarden Bluestocking At Tythrop
RBCC: CH Glebeheath Button It
Best Puppy - Bitch: Tojamatt Lacemaker
Best Puppy: Tojamatt Lacemaker
Best Veteran: Blue Duke Of Cumbria At Roseghyll
Special Beginners in Breed: SBTG1, Weststar Lone Ranger at Ardenholm
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Weststar Lone Ranger at Ardenholm (Mrs C Swain)
up to size blue and tan with a good head and expression, straight front and good legs and feet. Nice lay of shoulder, level topline, very good coat and pelt. Moved soundly, striding out very freely. Winner also of PGD and BSB. Pleased to see won Special Beginners Terrier Group – congratulations.
2nd - Rockslade Risque Romance (Ms J Cray)
nice size grizzle dog with typical head and expression. Narrow throughout with good neck, shoulder and front; very good coat and pelt.
3rd - Rockslade Romeo’s Revenge (Mr K Phillips)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Tojamatt Night Watchman (Mr & Mrs D Matthews)
a leggy 6 months blue and tan with very good neck and shoulders; straight narrow front and good legs and feet. Lovely head and expression, excellent coat and pelt; racy outline and very good movement. Very promising BDP.
2nd - Totherend Argus (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright)
nice size grizzle puppy with a good head and expression; just turned 6 months and needs time. Good coat and pelt and moved very well.
3rd - Hightarn Nightfall At Roseghyll (Mrs A Johnson)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 2
1st - Pipruda Dark Rum at Beckholm (Mrs A Sutton)
smaller type grizzle puppy with a nice head and expression. Narrow and easy to span; good coat and pelt, moved well.
2nd - Cobstoneway Stand By Me (Mrs G Stevens)
grizzle of nice size with an attractive head and expression. Thick pelt, coat ok but nearly ready to blow; feet and pasterns could be better and was a little wayward on the move.
3rd - Jrasamuyr Sergei Filin (Miss C Khatchikian)
Res - Earthtaw Never A Dull Moment (Miss J Haydon)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Arunmere Midnight Cowboy (Mrs A J Parsons)
grizzle dog with a strong head with big teeth and well set ears; harsh double coat with a thick loose pelt. Moved soundly.
2nd - Jrasamuyr Sergei Filin (Miss C Khatchikian)
masculine grizzle puppy with a good otter head and strong muzzle. Good legs and feet, double coat with a thick loose pelt (presentation could be better); mature for age. His movement was better in this class.
3rd - Achouffe Aotearoa Fable (Mrs A Stubbs)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 3
1st - Rockslade Risque Romance (Ms J Cray)
2nd in Special Beginners.
2nd - Earthtaw Making the Day (Miss J Haydon)
bigger than the winner and difficult to span. He has a good coat and pelt; hind movement not as good as winner today
3rd - Achouffe Aotearoa Fable (Mrs A Stubbs)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 1
1st - Achouffe Aotearoa Fable (Mrs A Stubbs)
typical head and expression; good coat and pelt. Moved well but failed in topline.
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Ycart In with Hounds (Mr K K & Mrs T J Fraser & Butler)
smart, upstanding grizzle dog in hard, fit condition with a good head and mouth. Excellent coat and pelt, nice topline, good legs and feet; moved well. Stood alone but deserved his placing.
Entries: 5 Absentees: 0
1st - Weststar Lone Ranger at Ardenholm (Mrs C Swain)
see Special Beginners
2nd - Brankell Big Break For Grindelvald (Mrs M Bailey)
attractive head and expression, good mouth, lovely outline, good legs and feet. Double coat and thick pelt; well presented in fit, hard condition; moved well.
3rd - Howthwaite Sylvester (Mr P Armstrong)
Res - Rhozzum Worrick (Mrs M Sharp)
VHC - Kentixen Mint Imperial At Roseghyll (Mrs A Johnson)
Entries: 16 Absentees: 1
1st - Thistlestone Glenfiddich (Mr S Whisker & Miss J May)
classy, elegant, well balanced grizzle dog with a lovely otter head; long flat skull with a strong jaw and big teeth, dark eyes with keen expression. Nice length of neck flowing into clean, well laid shoulders, good legs and feet. Super straight front, narrow body with correct length to ribs resulting in a particularly good underline. Level topline ending in correct tailset and short tail. Double coat with harsh, close-fitting topcoat and thick, loose pelt. He was in superb hard, fit condition and moved true with a long, easy stride around the ring. DCC, his 3rd I believe, and BOB and I was very pleased to see him short-listed in a strong Terrier Group.
2nd - Mansergh History of Art (Miss D Wills)
racy grizzle dog with a typical otter head. Nice body shape, narrow and spannable; he has a good coat and decent pelt although not as thick as the winner. Movement was ok but not as free striding as first placed exhibit today.
3rd - Tyneotter Sun Stands Still (Mrs N Anderson & Mrs A Howard)
Res - Oxcroft Loganberry (Mr J Price)
VHC - Bordergold Rudolph At Beckholm (Mrs A Sutton)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - CH Yorkpiece Fiery Lucifer (Mrs J L Lee)
good colour blue and tan with a good double coat and thick, loose pelt. Good otter head with keen expression; nice length to body, narrow and spannable. Level topline and a lovely short tail which never stops wagging. He moved soundly on good feet; a balanced, free mover and a happy showman. RDCC
2nd - CH Otterbobs Tolson (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
grizzle dog with a strong head and nice eye and expression, good neck and shoulder; narrow in body and spannable. Good legs and feet, presented well in good double coat with a decent pelt. Moved smartly but not as free and balanced as the winner today.
3rd - Lynsett Lewis (Mr P Armstrong)
Res - Otterholme Ulysses (Ms T Jones)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 2
1st - Blue Duke Of Cumbria At Roseghyll (Mrs A Johnson)
lovely 10 year old in super fit, hard condition. Good otter head with a strong jaw, well-constructed dog of a nice size, narrow and spannable; exceptional coat and pelt. A nice normal Border Terrier without any exaggeration; he looked still capable of the work he was bred to do. BV
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Thistlemead Harmony JW (Mrs P M Heeley)
balanced bitch with a good head and expression. Straight front and of nice size and overall shape, spannable; good coat and pelt, moved soundly.
2nd - Roseghyll Lady Solitaire (Mrs A Johnson)
Good head and expression; thick loose pelt but her coat was past its best. Moved soundly and a happy showgirl.
3rd - Fiagai Mara Sunset (Miss A Dawson & Miss A Speake)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 5
1st - Tojamatt Lacemaker (Mr & Mrs D Matthews)
elegant grizzle bitch with an attractive head and expression. Good neck and shoulders, straight front and good legs and feet; excels in topline both standing and on the move. Excellent coat and pelt, lovely outline, easy to span. Superb movement, flowing round the ring on an easy stride. A very promising puppy, I will watch her progress with interest. BP
2nd - Knowbury Dream Of Dreams (Mr D & Mrs C Nightingale)
attractive grizzle and tan with a good coat and loose pelt. Attractive head with well-set ears; moved positively
3rd - Carrickfarm Myra (Mrs M Armstrong)
Res - Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg (Mrs A Taylor)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 3
1st - Northborders Pinot to Thornyhurst (Mrs L Illingworth)
attractive grizzle and tan, well- constructed throughout with a narrow front and good legs and feet. Lovely feminine head with dark eyes and typical expression, good coat and pelt. Nice length to body with a level topline; excellent movement.
2nd - Thistlemead Sundance (Mrs P M Heeley)
typical head and expression; good and pelt. Moved soundly.
3rd - Northborders Chianti (Mrs J A Fletcher)
Res - Thistlemead Scentsation (Ms P M Heeley)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 4
1st - Benattivo Silver Flame (Mrs S J & Mr C P Girling)
lovely blue and tan with an attractive head and well-placed ears, dark eyes with keen expression. Deep, double coat of harsh texture and thick loose pelt. Lovely outline, narrow spannable body with a level topline; good legs and feet, moved a little loose in front but covered the ground well.
2nd - Tarkaswell Highland Fling JW (Mrs C E Sansom)
grizzle with typical head and expression; good coat and pelt, nice short tail, good legs and feet. Moved well.
3rd - Liatch Madame Pommery at Wilholme (Mr D Shields & Ms I Glen)
Res - Thistlemead Sundance (Mrs P M Heeley)
VHC - Picer Bess Pool (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 3
1st - Wintergarden Bluestocking At Tythrop (Mrs J L Lee)
very attractive blue and tan bitch with a good head and dark expressive eyes. Excellent coat texture of beautiful colour with a really thick, loose pelt. Nice neck flowing into good shoulders, narrow straight front, good legs and feet. Level topline and equally good underline with correct length of rib, narrow and spannable. Exceptional mover with a long and free, easy stride, perfectly balanced at all times. Pleased to award her the BCC, her first.
2nd - Fehmarn Celtic Flame (Mrs J Morton Shaw)
grizzle bitch with a good head and expression . Good coat and pelt; nice size with good bone. Moved ok, unlucky to meet the winner.
3rd - Jordith Sapphire Storm (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
Res - Thistlestone Queen of Harts (Mr S Whisker & Miss J May)
VHC - Borderrush Magic Bean (Miss A J Hall)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Fiagai Mara Sunset (Miss A Dawson & Miss A Speake)
nice size grizzle bitch with a typical head and expression. Good coat and pelt; could be narrower in front. 3rd in Special Beginners, moved better in this class.
2nd - Rhozzum Wood Lark At Daeargi (Miss R Bevan)
grizzle bitch with a nice head and expression, good coat and pelt, slightly longer cast; sound movement.
3rd - Howthwaite Times Gone By (Mr D, Mrs V and Miss E Clements)
Res - Thistlestone Queen of Harts (Mr S Whisker & Miss J May)
VHC - Hightarn Nightingale At Nottorg (Mrs A Taylor)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 0
1st - Tyneotter Summer Solstice (Mrs N Anderson)
red bitch of good type with a good head and mouth, dark eye with feminine expression. Well-constructed and balanced with a straight front and good legs and feet; spannable. Minus her jacket today but she moves very well with a long stride.
2nd - Otterholme Underground (Ms T Jones)
grizzle bitch with a good head and expression and big teeth. Nice shoulder, a shade longer in body than the winner, would prefer a shorter tail. Moved freely.
3rd - Onthill Alberta Rock (Mrs S Waller)
Res - Carrickfarm Marnie (Mrs V M Armstrong)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Howthwaite's Resolution (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
grizzle bitch of lovely size and type. Good otter head, straight front and good feet. Lovely harsh coat and loose pelt, in wonderful condition and well presented. Moved very true.
2nd - Otterwood Aura At Borderrush (Miss A J Hall)
size larger blue and tan bitch with a good head and expression and with excellent coat texture and loose pelt, nice outline but not as good in shoulder as the winner. Moved positively.
3rd - Rhozzum Wood Lark At Daeargi (Miss R Bevan)
Res - Ebffiniau Primrose Delight (Miss E Brinkley)
VHC - Umbala Sirocco (Mr & Mrs G J Fordham & Mrs G Cove-Print)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 7
1st - Totherend Myrna Loy (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright)
typy, grizzle bitch with a beautiful otter head and dark eyes with lovely expression. Well-constructed throughout with a straight, narrow front; level topline with good length to the ribs, narrow and spannable. Good double coat and loose pelt, good legs and feet, nice for bone; excellent movement, very free with a long stride. In contention but was a little lacklustre in the challenge.
2nd - Mansergh Paint The Dream (Miss A Roslin Williams)
taller blue and tan with a decent head, good coat and pelt. Nicely constructed and narrow throughout, level topline and good tailset, straight front and good feet. Long stride in profile but a little loose coming and going.
3rd - Tarkaswell High Fidelity (Mrs C E Samsom)
Res - Fisherbloom Killer Queen At Thistlewhiss (Miss A J Sutton)
VHC - Irton Sovay (Mr D G & Mrs A C Fryer)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 3
1st - CH Glebeheath Button It (Mrs J Guvercin)
lovely size grizzle bitch with a good otter head and strong muzzle; dark eyes with feminine expression and neat ears. Nice neck flowing into good shoulders; straight, narrow front, good legs and feet; harsh coat and thick, loose pelt. She has a lovely outline, narrow and spannable with a level topline and neat tail. She is well-balanced and moved well. RBCC
2nd - CH Howthwaite Gay Dusky (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
blue and tan with a good coat and pelt beautifully presented. Good head and expression, nice neck and shoulders; straight front, narrow throughout and spannable. Moved with a long stride, a little erratic coming and going today.
3rd - Tarkaswell Sea The Stars (Mrs C E Sansom)
Res - CH Ravenside Marsha At Jordith JW (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
VHC - CH Bardenfox Tale as Old as Time (Mr I & Mrs J Broomhead)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Crosby Dark Duchess At Roseghyll (Mrs A Johnson)
super grizzle bitch of 10 years with a very good double coat and thick, loose pelt; good conformation throughout and spannable. Good otter head with lovely expression, a happy showgirl with very good movement. In very hard fit condition, like her littermate, who won BV and they are both a credit to their owner.
2nd - Fehmarn Moelwynbach (Mrs J Morton Shaw)
smart grizzle bitch of eight years with a good head and expression. Good coat and pelt, good front and feet; moved well.
3rd - CH Cobstoneway Love Song JW ShCM (Mrs G Stevens)