Show Type: Breed
Venue: The Town Hall, Abbey Place, Jedburgh, TD8 6BE
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Entries: 89 dogs making 110 entries 6 NFC
Website: www.theborderterrierclub.co.uk/...
Firstly, my sincere thanks to the Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge at this prestigious show. I am also grateful to my stewards, Sue and Kat, for keeping the ring running efficiently, and to my husband, La, for his support throughout the day.
The majority of exhibitors accepted my decisions in a sporting manner, which is always appreciated. However, a small minority saw fit to make unsportsmanlike remarks whilst still in the ring. If one is unwilling to accept a judge’s opinion, then entering under them is perhaps ill-advised. There is no place for such behaviour either in or around the ring.
On examination, tails were correct and all males were entire. I was disappointed to encounter several suspect mouths, particularly among younger exhibits. Whilst a level bite was not penalised, it does raise concern that such mouths may deteriorate with age. Greater attention to dentition is required overall, with a number showing tartar build-up and, in some cases, signs of gingivitis.
Condition was variable. Encouragingly, few exhibits were overweight; however several were too light and lacking in condition. This often results in poor muscle tone and thin pelts. While there is understandable awareness regarding increasing size within the breed, a dog must be fit, well-muscled, and in proper body condition to perform its intended function. There is little value in a lighter dog if it lacks the strength, stamina, and resilience to carry out a full day’s work.
Best In Show: Whittonglebe Spylaw Scout
Reserve Best In Show: Mysulan Byards Lass JW
Best Opposite Sex: Mysulan Byards Lass JW
Best Dog: Whittonglebe Spylaw Scout
Reserve Best Dog: Billy Boy Mayhem
Best Puppy - Dog: Elemcella Calvin Candie
Best Bitch: Mysulan Byards Lass JW
Reserve Best Bitch: British Cooper Ziam Lawson At Cedarhill
Best Puppy - Bitch: Wilholme Angels Envy
Best Puppy: Wilholme Angels Envy
Best Veteran - Dog: Mysulan Going Solo JW VW
Best Veteran - Bitch: Sweet Ebony Princess At Liatch
Best Veteran: Sweet Ebony Princess At Liatch
Special Beginners in Breed: Whittonglebe Spylaw Scout
Best Junior: Whittonglebe Spylaw Scout
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Elemcella Calvin Candie (Mr C Tait)
7-month-old grizzle with a pleasing head, dark eye, and correct scissor bite. Straight in front with sufficient bone, leading to an easy to span ,well-carried back rib. Balanced throughout, with promising outline. Short of coat today but a harsh jacket is emerging. Still immature in head and body, but once settled moved freely and with purpose. Best Puppy Dog.
2nd - Scrambled Egg (Mr C Foreman)
Almost 9 months and presented in the best jacket. Broad skull, well-set ears, and correct mouth. Good bone and neat feet. Currently narrow through the front, which affected his movement; should improve with maturity. Not quite the fluency of the winner on the move.
3rd - Sandyfaulds Finn Mccool (Mr G Grassie)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1st - Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro (Mr D J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
10-month-old grizzle with a balanced head and correct bite. Well ribbed back and easily spanned. Angulation adequate, though would prefer a touch more bone. Good tail set and carriage. Lacking top coat but undercoat and pelt are good. Movement improved as he settled, though not always helping his handler.
2nd - Furiation Blue At Theobroma (Ms E Houlder)
Almost 11 month blue and tan, smaller and finer throughout. Balanced head with dark eye and correct bite. Slightly shorter coupled than the winner. Tail is well set-on and carried to advantage. Moved steadily once settled.
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1st - Whittonglebe Spylaw Scout (Mr G & Mrs J Mackenzie)
At just shy of 15 months, this grizzle dog immediately caught my eye for balance and type. My notes say, “Right up my street!” He has a correct otter head without any exaggeration, housing large teeth with an excellent bite. A dark eye and correct ear placement complete the typical expression. His rib is deep, well carried back and easy to span. This leads to a strong loin and a short, thick, carrot tail which is well set-on. Standing on small neat feet, he is well angulated and just right for bone. He maintains a firm top-line both standing and on the move. Topped off with a correct double coat and thick pelt, he moved true with ease and drive both ways. Best Dog, Best in Show, Best Junior in Show, Best Special Beginners in Show.
2nd - Otterbobs Kypie Star (Mr J R Sinnott)
16-month-old with a pleasing head and correct bite. Soundly constructed and well ribbed back. He has a good undercoat but lacking top coat today and not the overall balance of the winner. Once settled movement was steady but seemed a little overawed by the occasion.
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Whittonglebe Spylaw Scout (Mr G & Mrs J Mackenzie)
See 1st Junior Dog.
2nd - The General Lee (Mrs J Armstrong)
2-year-old grizzle with a good head, correct ear set, and strong teeth. Eye slightly lighter than preferred. Up to size but remains spannable with good rib. Not the most co-operative for his handler on the move today, but did enough to secure the place.
3rd - Beaconpike Adonis (Miss J Strother)
Res - Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro (Mr D J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - The General Lee (Mrs J Armstrong)
See 2nd Special Beginners Dog.
2nd - Furiation Ranch Cowboy Theobroma (Ms E Houlder)
2-year-old grizzle with correct double coat and thick pelt. Balanced head with dark eye. Soundly made, with nice angulation, and moved well. Slightly too much of him overall, being just spannable.
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Otterpaws Take On Me (Miss A M Dixon)
11-month-old grizzle of attractive colour with a fresh double jacket and thick pelt. Pleasing head, correct bite, and good ear set. Well ribbed back and easy to span. Neat feet, sufficient bone, and well-set tail complete a balanced outline. Very exuberant, but once settled moved soundly both ways. Shame he missed Puppy Dog class due to transport issues.
2nd - Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro (Mr D J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
See 1st Puppy Dog.
3rd - Ravenside All In One Night (Mr S J Richardson)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1st - Staynorwood Nightcap (Mr G & Mrs C Richardson)
Just under 2 years and very pleasing to go over. Easily spanned with good ribbing. Straight front, neat feet, and sufficient bone. Correct jacket and quality pelt. Moved freely, securing the class on balance and overall construction. Considered for higher honours but lacked a little sparkle in the challenge.
2nd - Whittonglebe Poacher (Mr G & Mrs J Mackenzie)
4-year-old grizzle, well constructed but slightly larger overall than the winner. Easier to span than first impressions suggest due to his thick pelt and coat. Good head, neat feet, and balanced angulation. Unlucky to meet the winner today.
3rd - Beaconpike Adonis (Miss J Strother)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 0
1st - Billy Boy Mayhem (Mr C Foreman & Miss L Keenan)
Striking 3-year-old red grizzle. Another who appears heavier than he is due to dense coat and pelt. Good otter head with correct scissor bite. Super bone, he has neat feet, with thick pads and a straight front. Well ribbed back, easy to span, and holds a firm top-line on the move. A dog who excels on handling. Reserve Best Dog.
2nd - Mysulan Byards Legend JW (Mrs S J Baxter)
Lighter framed than the winner this 3-year-old—whom I have judged before—has much to admire and has matured well. Attractive head, correct bite, and good overall proportions. Narrow, easily spanned, with a strong loin he is soundly constructed, just not as positive on the move today. A close decision between two different types, and on another day they could easily change places.
3rd - Hightarn Nightfall At Roseghyll (Mrs A Johnson)
Res - Lairehope Wizard (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
VHC - Ravenside Run To Me At Sandyfaulds (Mr G Grassie)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1st - Upend Country Lad At Jacraila (Mrs I Nicol)
4-year-old grizzle with a balanced head and good overall proportions. Spannable, with good muscle tone and tail set. Coat coming through well. Moved with purpose and drive to take the class.
2nd - Hollexby Travellin Man (Mr P Appleby)
Just under 7 years and up to size, though still much to like. Well ribbed and spannable. Correct tail and good pelt but lacking top coat. Not quite the head balance of the winner. Moved ok both ways.
Entries: 6 Absentees: 2
1st - Mysulan Going Solo JW VW (Mrs S J Baxter)
10½-year-old blue and tan whom I have judged before, and my opinion remains unchanged. A testament to the longevity and fitness of the breed—and credit to his owner for maintaining him in such condition. Balanced throughout with a good head, correct bite and remarkably good dentition for age. Well ribbed, easily spanned, and still moving soundly. Best Veteran Dog.
2nd - Cedarhill Dish Of The Day For Dexlin (Mr B & Mrs L P Inness)
8-year-old grizzle I have admired from the ringside. Similar comments to the first apply. He has neat feet, a straight front and an attractive well balanced head. His pelt is loose and thick, with a new jacket coming through. Not quite as accurate in front movement as the first.
3rd - Otterpaws Muninn VW (Mr & Mrs G Birrel)
Res - Kentixen Mint Imperial At Roseghyll (Mrs A Johnson)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
A close and promising class.
1st - Riseburn Rapport (Miss C Tutin)
6-month-old grizzle who appears heavier than she is due to an outstanding pelt. Lovely feminine head with well-set ears, slightly larger at present but not detracting. Correct bite, well ribbed back, and nicely angulated. A little loose in front at this stage, which should tighten with maturity. Short tail, well set and carried to advantage.
2nd - Micustins Little Squirrel (Mr M McNicholas)
Another 6-month-old blue to whom similar comments apply regarding front movement. Slightly finer throughout than the winner but well presented, with neat, cat-like feet, sufficient bone and a spannable rib. Good head and ear placement. Coat and pelt not quite of the same quality as the first, but still pleasing.
3rd - Elderthorne Dawns Artiste (Mrs E A & MIss L A M Webb)
Res - Elderthorne Dusty Bluebell (Mrs E A & MIss L A M Webb)
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Wilholme Angels Envy (Mr D Shields & Ms I Glen)
11-month-old pale grizzle with an attractive outline. Feminine head, dark eye, and correct ear placement. Easily spanned and standing on neat feet. Slightly finer in bone than preferred but well angulated, with correct coat and pelt. Moved freely and with purpose to take the class comfortably. Best Puppy Bitch, Best Puppy in Show.
2nd - Dejurra Nocte Solis (Mrs A E Pitt)
Another 11-month-old who didn’t make life easy for her handler today. Balanced head with correct bite. Easily spannable with a well set-on tail. She is ok for bone and well angulated behind. Largely in undercoat today.
3rd - Roseghyll Timeless Queen (Mrs A Johnson)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 2
1st - British Cooper Ziam Lawson At Cedarhill (Mrs C Dean, Mr B & Mrs M Regeer)
14-month-old grizzle with a correct double jacket, short carrot tail and moderate bone. Typical otter head, with dark eye, good bite and well-set ears. Well ribbed back, easily spanned, with balanced angulation both ends. With a strong loin she maintains a level top-line both standing and on the move. Sound, positive movement both ways secured her place and Reserve Best Bitch.
2nd - Otterbobs Maude (M Murray)
16-month-old with many similar qualities to the winner. Balanced head with correct bite, Small neat feet, straight front and good for bone. She is easy to span and ribbed well back. Not quite as accurate coming towards as the first today.
3rd - Chorbeck Queen Of Jazz With Foxwater (Mrs J Spence)
Res - Lairehope Emerald (Mr P & Mrs K Lothian)
VHC - Whittonglebe Snitter Sioux (Mr J Sinnott)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 2
1st - Otterbobs Maude (M Murray)
See 2nd Junior Bitch.
2nd - Chorbeck Queen Of Jazz With Foxwater (Mrs J Spence)
13-month-old grizzle, slightly finer overall than first. Spannable with a strong loin and well-set tail, though could be a touch shorter. Good new jacket coming through. Movement improved in this class, appearing more settled.
3rd - Comalegy Lady Of The House With Fiadhaich (Miss A A Lawrence & Miss M Scrimgeour)
Res - Dejurra Nocte Solis (Mrs A E Pitt)
VHC - Carrickfarm Myra (Mrs M Armstrong)
Entries: 2 Absentees: 1
1st - Dejurra Nocte Solis (Mrs A E Pitt)
See 2nd Puppy Bitch.
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - Howthwaite Firedance At Sandyfaulds (Mr A & Mr G Grassie)
21-month-old blue, nicely put together and well balanced overall. Slightly longer in muzzle than preferred but not excessive. Good ear set, nice length of neck, and good forechest. Well ribbed back and easily spanned. Good pelt and undercoat, though short of top coat. Moved soundly once settled.
2nd - Dejurra Nocte Solis (Mrs A E Pitt)
See 2nd Puppy Bitch.
Entries: 13 Absentees: 4
A strong class with a close decision at the top.
1st - Mysulan Byards Lass JW (Mrs S J Baxter)
Just over 18 months and full of quality. Having judged her as a baby puppy, she has matured beautifully. Smaller overall than many, but with everything in proportion and free from exaggeration. Beautiful feminine head. Easiest span of the adult bitches today, with strong loin and well-set tail carried confidently throughout. Good jacket and pelt. Moved true and freely, just flowing around the ring. Best Bitch, Reserve Best in Show, Best Opposite Sex.
2nd - Howthwaite Merrily To Smalesmouth (Mrs J Roberts)
2½-year-old grizzle in excellent coat. Larger overall than the winner but still easily spanned. Well angulated with a typical head and keen expression. Moved well, though not quite as positive as the first today. Pushed hard for reserve best bitch in the challenge but just edged out by the Junior class winner on movement.
3rd - Comalegy The Countess With Fiadhaich JW (Miss A A Lawrence & Miss M Scrimgeour)
Res - Furiosa Rose (Mr C Foreman)
VHC - Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls JW (Miss A M Dixon)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 5
Another competitive class.
1st - Carrock Complicated JW (Ms J Fawcett)
3-year-old grizzle in a tremendous, correct, double jacket which makes her appear larger than she is. Easily spanned and well ribbed back. Strong loin and well-angulated hindquarters. Standing on neat feet, she has a straight front and is good for bone. Attractive otter head with keen expression.
2nd - Mysulan Rhapsody In Blue (Mrs S J Baxter)
3-year-old blue and tan of typical type from this kennel. Balanced head with correct ear set and bite. Lovely pigmentation which enhances her keen expression. Correct jacket with lovely ticking throughout. Slightly finer in bone than the first, she has enough with a straight front and good angulation. Soundly made but just edged out on movement today, she appeared slightly unsettled.
3rd - Liatch Tenacious JW ShCEx OSW (Malcolm, Glen & Knowles)
Res - Roseghyll Tipsy Queen (Mrs A Johnson)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 2
1st - CH Liatch Madame Pommery at Wilholme JW ShCEx OSW (Mr D Shields & Ms I Glen)
5-year-old grizzle with a nice head, dark eye, and correct bite. Would prefer a slightly shorter muzzle. Well ribbed back with a strong loin and good angulation throughout. Moved out positively to secure the class.
2nd - Valicetarn Vivanetta Blue (Mrs V Mason)
3-year-old blue and tan, short of top coat but with excellent undercoat and pelt. Typical head and expression. Slightly shorter coupled than the first but remains spannable. Would benefit from a little more angulation but overall balanced. Movement steady.
Entries: 13 Absentees: 3
1st - Sweet Ebony Princess At Liatch (Malcolm, Glen & Knowles)
7½-year-old, nicely balanced throughout. Pleasing head with still perfect mouth. Well ribbed back, where she excelled over many today. Would prefer a touch more bone but she has enough. Excellent pin-wire coat. Moved with reach and drive. Best Veteran Bitch, Best Veteran in Show.
2nd - Foxwater Miss Adventure At Dejurra (Mrs A E Pitt)
7½-year-old who impresses on handling. Good head, correct bite, and well-set ears. Appears heavier than she is due to her coat and pelt, but easily spanned. Well angulated both ends and sound both ways. Unlucky to meet the winner.
3rd - Catgallows Serendipity (Mrs V I Mason)
Res - Otterpaws Red Red Wine (Mrs J M Dixon)
VHC - Otterpaws Firebird ShCM VW (Miss A M Dixon)
Entries: 0 Absentees: 0
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st – Otterpaws Firebird ShCM VW / Otterpaws Lyin Eyes JW (Miss A M Dixon)
Well-matched pair of even size and type, with similar heads, tail sets, and coats. Moved well together, very harmonious overall—like two peas in a pod and I see in that they are mother and daughter.
2nd – Hollexby Travellin Man / Oakyard Objet D’art At Hollexby (Mr P Appleby)
Slightly differing in size but still a complementary pair. Good heads, adequate bone, and sound movement together. Not quite the uniformity of the winners.
3rd – Dejurra Nocte Solis / Foxwater Miss Adventure At Dejurra (Miss A E Pitt)