Show Type: Championship
Venue: Springwood Park, Kelso, Roxburghshire, TD5 8LS
Judge: Ms Judith Fawcett (Carrock)
Entries: 116 dogs making 144 entries
My thanks to the Border Union Agricultural Society for their kind invitation to judge their Golden Anniversary Championship show and also for the lovely gift. Thanks also to my two stewards, who kept the ring running smoothly throughout the day which meant we managed to finish just after 3pm in time for the group. I had a fantastic entry and would like to thank all exhibitors for the opportunity to go over their dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted.
I did try to keep the judging in the large outdoor ring, but the weather didn’t really play ball on the day and we ended up in the smaller indoor ring in the tent. The large pole in the middle of the indoor ring wasn’t particularly helpful either, but I believe we managed OK, and there was sufficient room for me to assess the movement of all exhibits.
As you would expect, coats were at various stages but on the whole most were acceptable. All dogs were entire, there were no kinked tails and only one or two untidy mouths.
Border Union is one of my favourite shows and with some quality dogs to judge, I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Best Of Breed: Cobstoneway Stand By Me JW
DCC: Cobstoneway Stand By Me JW
RDCC: CH Beaconpike Dionysus
BCC: CH Bohamer York'ist Celeste By Tythrop
RBCC: Irton Firestorm
Best Puppy: Normbar Fancy Nancy
Best Veteran: TVG2, CH Smalesmouth Skylark
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Otterbobs Kypie Star (Mrs C Sinnott)
A promising 8 month old masculine headed dog, with strong muzzle, nicely set ears and lovely big teeth. He had a good thick, loose pelt and was spannable. Well angulated front and rear, he is nicely put together with correct topline and tail set. A little unsettled initially, but once he got into his stride he moved well. He won BPD on his more positive front movement on the day.
2nd - Whittonglebe Spylaw Scout (Mr G & Mrs J Mackenzie)
Slightly smaller than 1, with promising head that needs to mature. Good mouth. Nice length of body, with good topline and tail set. Not as positive on the move as 1.
3rd - Earthwise Phantom (Mr E Houston)
Res - Bluebabel Your Song (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yates)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Otterbobs Beazon (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
Litter brother to 1st in minor puppy dog. Up to size and rangier type with narrow body, good pelt and harsh jacket. Typical masculine head with nice dark eye. Another who was well angulated, with good body lines and shown in a fit condition. He moved well enough to win his class.
2nd - Raedwulf Lionheart (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
11 month B/T, different type to 1 and smaller in build. Good head and expression. Well presented with a good coat and pelt and ticking coming through. Well-muscled and moved OK. Would prefer a slightly better tail set.
3rd - Earthwise Phantom (Mr E Houston)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 1
1st - Haystoun Kicking Up A Storm (Mr G & Mrs H Mckenzie)
Standing on his own in this class, this dog has a masculine, well balanced head, with dark eye, neat ears and correct bite. Narrow in front with well-placed shoulders, good length of body and spanned well. He sported a thick pelt and harsh jacket. He moved with drive once settled.
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1st - Brumberhill Bit O’Blarney JW (Mr S A Mcpherson)
B/T with nicely proportioned head, dark eye and well-placed ears. Good for size, he stood on neat feet and spanned easily. Nicely angulated front and rear and moved round the ring with ease showing off his lovely topline and well set tail.
2nd - Manorcroft True Statesman At Martifers (Mr M & Mrs J Sharp)
Slightly shorter in body than 1, with moderate head and good dentition. He has a good thick pelt but coat just going over. Not as positive in front movement as 1 today.
3rd - Brumberhill Barnaby (Mr P Armstrong)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - Earthwise Phantom (Mr E Houston)
3rd in PD class. 8 month old G/T with strong head, neat ears and keen expression. Slightly round in rib and carrying a little condition today. He moved well.
2nd - Baillieswells Dalmunach (Prof A Milton)
Up on the leg and rangier than 1. He was very narrow and easy to span. Moderate in head, nice dark eye, but a slightly longer muzzle than I would like. He was a little unsettled on the move today and would benefit from a tidy up
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1st - Brumberhill Beswick JW (Mr S A Mcpherson)
Good for size, this well turned out dog has a nicely proportioned head, with neat ears and a lovely set of teeth. Well angulated, he spanned well with a good length of body. He moved out positively showing of his level top line and well set tail. He has a thick pelt, but a tad short of coat today.
2nd - Tyneotter Bolt From The Blue (Miss N Howard)
Up to size, this B/T dog has a strong, masculine head, with a dark eye, and lovely big teeth. He is a little heavy in his shoulder but I was able to span him. He has a harsh coat, but not a lot of ticking. Well-muscled, he moved well.
3rd - Beaconpike Adonis (Miss J Strother)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Whittonglebe Poacher (Mr G & Mrs J Mackenzie)
Masculine headed dog, with a nice reach of neck leading in to a good length of body. He is spannable and had a good pelt and harsh jacket. Moved well keeping a level top line.
2nd - Ravenside Play The Game Kersfell JW (Mrs M Sneddon)
Smaller in build than 1. Moderate in head with a keen expression, he is narrow and spans well. He has a good pelt but his coat just going over today. Moved OK once settled,
3rd - Auchenlaw Ted At Kilburnpride (Mrs J Scott)
Res - Borderrush Cadbury (Mrs J Hill)
VHC - Lairehope Wizard (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 2
This was a very difficult class to judge.
1st - Ravenside Run To Me At Sandyfaulds (Mr G Grassie)
One I have judged before and who has matured nicely. Moderate head, with well-placed ears and a good scissor bite. He had good body lines with ribs well back. Shown in a harsh jacket. Moved out soundly.
2nd - Achnagairn Line Of Duty (Mr C & Mrs J Johnson)
Up to size, he is deep but spannable although slightly heavier in shoulder than 1. Strong masculine head, with good expression. Good coat and moved well both ways.
3rd - Chadbrook Torsten (Miss C Macgregor)
Res - Raedwulf Nightfall JW (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
VHC - Bluebabel Border Song JW (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yates)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
A small, but strong class
1st - Cobstoneway Stand By Me JW (Mrs G Stevens)
Another I have judged before when he was just a youngster – he has matured very well. From outside the ring this dog may appear a little heavy, but you need to get your hands on him to appreciate his virtues. He has a strong, masculine head, keen expression, dark eye, well set ears, and a correct scissor bite. He has a good length of neck, and is well angulated front and rear. He has a nice length of body, with well laid back ribs. He moved around the ring with purpose and drive from well-muscled hindquarters – a well-balanced dog. He was shown today in a full jacket and has a thick, pliable pelt. I had no hesitation in awarding him the DCC.
2nd - CH Beaconpike Dionysus (Mr S & Mrs K Golding)
A well presented, more moderately headed dog, but with lots to like. He is well balanced, with good angulations front and rear, He is deep, but spannable, with strong loin and good length of rib. He also moved soundly fore and aft, and also in profile. Shown today in a nicely textured top coat with a thick pelt. Pleased to award him RDCC.
3rd - Mansergh History of Art (Miss D Wills)
Res - Upend Country Lad At Jacraila (Mrs I Nicol)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Lynsett Lewis (Mr P Armstrong)
Another I have judged before and given BIS. He’s now 10 year’s old and still looks well for his age. Lovely masculine head, with strong muzzle, keen expression with lovely big teeth. Good for bone, he spans well. He is well angulated front and rear, has a good strong loin and moved out well.
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Craigshield Nutmeg (Mr J Tulloch)
8 month old, at her first show. She has a feminine head that needs to mature, neat ears and lovely dentition. She has good body lines, is well angulated with well laid back ribs. Narrow and easy to span. She has a good top line and well set tail. Moved OK – I think we was a little overawed by the whole experience, but I’m sure she will grow in confidence with a little more experience in the show ring.
2nd - Otterbobs Maude (M Murray)
Slightly stronger in head than 1, with a dark eye and good teeth. She has a thick pelt and good top coat. Good for size, she is narrow and spans well. Moved OK.
3rd - Whittonglebe Snitter Sioux (Mr J Sinnott)
Res - Whittonglebe Spirit Of Glen (Mr G & Mrs J Mackenzie)
VHC - Badgerbeck Little Jeannie At Bluebabel (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yeates)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 2
A nice class of youngsters with lots of promise
1st - Normbar Fancy Nancy (Mrs N Ellis)
A handy sized puppy with good body lines. She has a lovely feminine head, with neat ears, good expression and correct scissor bite. Her nice length of neck leads into well angulated shoulders, a good length of body and racy hindquarters. She has a thick pelt and harsh tweedy jacket. She moved around the ring with drive showing her lovely top line and tail set. Pleased to award her BPB and BPIB.
2nd - Ranthorn Return Favour For Cobstoneway (Mrs G Stevens)
Another puppy with a lovely feminine head, good ear set and keen expression. She is of slightly bigger build than 1, but still spans well, with a nice reach of neck into well placed shoulders. Good length of body and shown in a good coat. Another who moved well fore and aft.
3rd - Alcumlow Sip And Swirl (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber)
Res - Furiosa Rose (Mr C Foreman)
VHC - Raedwulf Babooshka (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 1
1st - Irton Firestorm (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
Full of breed type, I really liked this youngster. She was shown in good condition with a thick pelt and coat just coming through. She has a strong, feminine head with near ears, a lovely dark eye and excellent dentition. She is well angulated both front and rear, with well laid back ribs. She is well muscled and moved with drive around the ring. Best mover in the class. Delighted to award her the RBCC.
2nd - Howthwaite Molly Malone (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
Different type to 1, B/T with a moderate feminine head, correct bite, neat ears, but would prefer a stronger muzzle. Narrow throughout, she spans very well with a good straight front and stands on neat feet. She has a good pelt and harsh coat. Another who moved positively around the ring.
3rd - Reedwater Coppice At Dandyhow (Mrs K M Irving)
Res - Borderrush Bean And Gone (Miss A J Hall)
VHC - Howthwaite Firedance At Sandyfaulds (Mr A & Mr G Grassie)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Pipruda Peppermint Patty At Beckholm JW (Mrs A Sutton)
Light grizzle bitch of good size with a balanced feminine head, dark eye and good mouth. Narrow throughout, she spans well and stood on neat feet. She has a good top line and tail set and was the best mover in the class.
2nd - Borderrush Beeble Honey Rum JW (Miss A J Hall)
B/T with feminine head, keen expression and correct bite. Clean over the shoulder, she has good body lines into a strong loin. Decent pelt and coat. Moved out well.
3rd - Tyneotter Autumnal Fire (Dr A, Ms V Harbottle & Ms N Anderson)
Res - Comalegy The Countess With Fiadhaich JW (Miss A A Lawrence & Miss M Scrimgeour)
VHC - Borderrush Bean And Gone (Miss A J Hall)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 2
1st - Normbar Fancy Nancy (Mrs N Ellis)
1st in Puppy Bitch
2nd - Achnagairn Ruby Red (Mrs J Allison)
Up to size but still spannable. A little nervous on the table initially, but I was able to go over her. Moderate head with keen expression. Good angulations front and rear which meant she moved out well. Good pelt and coat.
3rd - Onthill Silver Star At Foxchapel (Mr W & Mrs V Davies)
Res - Chickenstalk My Princess (Mrs J Hill)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 2
1st - Elemcella Las Panteras (Ms C Blackie & Mr L Page)
Grizzle bitch with strong, but feminine head and good dentition. Good for bone, she was narrow and easy to span. Loose pelt and shown today in a full jacket. Moved out well.
2nd - Borderrush Bean And Gone (Miss A J Hall)
Reserve in a strong Junior class, and VHC in a good Yearling class, this B/T has good body lines and is of good size and spans well. She has a feminine head with good dentition, and a good pelt and coat. Moved out well.
3rd - Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls JW (Miss A M Dixon)
Res - Ravenside Dreamer (Mr A Holland)
VHC - Carrickfarm Myra (Mrs M Armstrong)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Borderrush Bean And Gone (Miss A J Hall)
See Graduate bitch. I understand she gained her JW today – well done!
2nd - Achnagairn Hot Property (Mrs A Fraser)
Heavier in build than 1, this bitch has a nicely balanced head and good expression. Good length of rib, she spanned ok. Decent pelt and coat. Well angulated, she moved OK.
3rd - Earthwise Andromeda (Mr E Houston)
Res - Achnagairn Ruby Red (Mrs J Allison)
VHC - Fisherbloom Killer Queen At Thistlewhiss (Miss A J Sutton)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 4
This was a hard class to judge with some lovely bitches to go over.
1st - Otterbobs Beatrix JW (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
Strong headed, red grizzle, with neat ears, keen expression and good bite. She sported an excellent pelt and coat and was well turned out. Good for bone she has nice body lines with a firm top line and a lovely well set carroty tail. Moved out positively and with purpose.
2nd - Stineval Sasha JW (Mr A & Mrs C Horner)
Similar in size to 1, lighter grizzle with feminine head, keen expression and lovely big teeth. Well angulated front and rear, she has good body lines and moved out well. Couldn’t quite match the coat of 1 today.
3rd - Beaconpike Solstice (Mr S & Mrs K Golding)
Res - Picer Bess Pool (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
VHC - Liatch Tenacious JW ShCEx OSW (Malcolm, Glen & Knowles)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 0
This was a lovely class to judge. I had some difficult decisions to make and was splitting hairs.
1st - CH Bohamer York'ist Celeste By Tythrop (Mrs J L Lee)
Lovely B/T bitch, well turned out in good double jacket and thick pelt with plenty of ticking. She has a well-proportioned head, dark eye and strong big teeth. Deceptively easy to span, she has a good lay of shoulder with a deep, but narrow front. I liked her good length of body with ribs carried well back, strong loin and well-muscled hindquarters, which she used to move round the ring with drive. Lovely top line and tail set. Delighted to award her the BCC.
2nd - CH Remony Rose Gold JW (Mrs A E Gregory)
Another lovely bitch of different type to 1. Strong, but feminine head, keen expression and dark eye. Nice reach of neck into good lay of shoulder. Stands on good legs and small neat feet. Another with good body lines, ribs carried well back and strong loin. Sporting a short, harsh coat today. Moved well but not quite as positive as 1 in her front movement today.
3rd - Ravenside Home At Last (Mr M Lowry)
Res - Smalesmouth Cadence (Mrs J Roberts)
VHC - Sweet Ebony Princess At Liatch (Malcolm, Glen & Knowles)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 3
A lovely class to judge
1st - CH Smalesmouth Skylark (Mrs J Roberts)
12-year old, showing her age a little now in her colouring, but absolutely not in her body lines and movement. Lovely feminine head, with keen expression. Excellent angulations front and rear, which showed in her smooth, positive and true movement fore and aft. She was also sporting an excellent harsh coat and thick pelt. Pleased to award her BV and delighted she went on to be awarded TVG2 – well done and well deserved!
2nd - Lady Fiona Mctarry At Thistlewhiss (Miss A J Sutton & Mr M Sugden)
Another 12-year old, slightly heavier and shorter in build than 1. Moderate, feminine head with good dentition. Good angulations front and rear with strong loin and hindquarters. Moved out well.
3rd - Achnagairn Touch Of Class (Mrs A Fraser)
Res - Otterpaws Firebird ShCM VW (Miss A M Dixon)
VHC - Otterpaws Lyin Eyes JW (Miss A M Dixon)