Show Type: Championship
Venue: Newbury Showground, Priors Court, Hermitage, Thatcham RG18 9QZ
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
Entries: 117 making 132
I must first extend thanks to my very professional and able stewards, who kept me on track and on time.
My general remarks here cover the real concerns I have about the way the breed is heading currently. Increasingly, upright shoulders and poor fronts are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Upright shoulders may produce a flashy show dog on its toes, but Borders are not flashy by nature. I suspect I have referred to this problem in every critique I have written for Championship shows I’ve judged and it appears to be getting worse, not better. Please read the standard carefully; look at anatomical drawings of the dog skeleton. Shoulders are now at a steep 60 degrees on some exhibits instead of the normal – and correct – 45 degrees. Undercoats are being raked out to give a cleaner profile – why? Borders – working terriers – need their undercoats 24/7 to keep them warm in bad winter weather while they are waiting to be called for action. It is a requirement of the standard, not a fashion statement. Sooner or later we will end up with a single coated breed, and to its detriment.
Judging today, temperaments were very good; I found two kinked tails, several minor dentition issues, many dirty teeth and one undershot mouth. Males were all entire. Coats were mostly betwixt and between but the good double coats were exceptionally good. I love to see happy dogs with wagging tails but some dogs were very lack lustre and did not seem to be enjoying their day. There were also one or two exhibits too thin and lacking in condition. Finally, baiting is still a contentious topic for me – I use bait sometimes myself – but on occasions it was almost impossible to get at the dogs or examine them without getting round, over, or under an outstretched arm with bait. As a courtesy to judges, please keep baiting to a minimum, especially on the table.
Thank you to everyone for accepting my decisions sportingly. It was a genuine pleasure to go over the entry – winners and non-winners.
Best Of Breed: Emblehope Dance and Dance JW
DCC: Foxpaw Pipps Cross
RDCC: Benattivo Betfred
BCC: Emblehope Dance and Dance JW
RBCC: Olderhill Malvena
Best Puppy: Cobstoneway Love Song
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1st - Baywillow Blueprint (Mrs G Hyslop & Mrs M Reeves)
Well balanced baby, just over six months. Moving out positively. Good masculine head, neat ear placement; beautiful, correct dentition. Good depth of blue jacket and ticking evident. Enough bone, tight feet. Good reach of neck into clean shoulders. Well set on tail from level topline. BPD
2nd - Navy Seal By Tyrian (Mrs K A Dean)
Similar size and type to the winner & just a month apart in age. A pleasing blue and tan, the rear angulation was better on this exhibit than on the winner, but the topline fell away slightly at the croup, and a hackney gait in forward movement spoiled his outline on the move.
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Onthill Aramis (Mr R & Mrs A Ramus)
B/t in thick coat with harsh topcoat- the best coat quality and texture of the class. Good masculine head with correct dentition. Little bit dour today, lacked animation, but on the move, propulsion was positive, driving well from the rear. Good front and neat feet.
2nd - Stowthorney Mr Tickle (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Red dog, lacking topcoat today. A little deep in the chest but he has a pleasing head with a flat skull, good dentition & dark eyes. Enough bone. Would not want him any bigger. Moved out well on tight neat feet.
3rd - Alcumlow Parsley (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 0
1st - Ploughdown Plato (Mr E & Dr M Armstrong)
B/t up to size for junior – hope he does not grow on. Perfect topline and tailset. Good reach of neck into clean well angulated shoulders. Great depth of coat with ticking apparent. Moved out with reach and drive both coming and going. Good bend of stifle. Correct earset; broad, masculine head with keen expression; correct dentition, neat tight feet.
2nd - Raleniro Second Time Around (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine & Miss P Thomas)
Liked the length and type of this red exhibit but preferred the winner’s head. Would have liked more coat of the correct texture. However, I could take him working – he was in good condition, with the right amount of bone. Level topline and a good carrot tail, moved positively. Not exaggerated in any way.
3rd - Ridgebow Rifleman JW (Mr N & Mrs A Duxbury)
Res - Bandicoot Doc Martin (Ms V L K Docwra)
VHC - Barnby Caramel Wafer At Bimandi (Mrs M J Holmes)
Entries: 0 Absentees: 0
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1st - Breckgreen Soldier Blue (Mrs. J. Green)
B/t, great coat, well ticked. A touch upright in the shoulders, but typical Border, well put together, balanced and moved out well. Neat feet, thick pads and good bone. Good broad head, dark eye, correct bite and dentition.
2nd - Raleniro Second Time Around (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine & Miss P Thomas)
3rd - Otterwood Caius JW ShCM (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Foxpaw Pipps Cross (Mr P & Mrs H Fulker)
Near perfect size – the only exhibit to this point which could be spanned completely. Red male in jacket of great depth, with thick undercoat and profuse harsh topcoat, but still all dog beneath. Good ratio of bone to size; straight front, correct angulation both front and rear, moving out positively and driving from well muscled, well constructed rear assembly. Broad skull, neat ears, dark eyes, not overdone with face furnishings. Good body length, narrow front and small compact feet with thick pads. Was pleased to award him the DCC.
2nd - Clipstone Starshine (Miss E & Mrs J Jackson)
Dark grizzle male, a touch wide in front, but another lovely exhibit from this kennel. A quality showman all the way, adeptly handled. Great coat texture. Lovely head with broad flat skull, dark eye, correct dentition, good reach of neck. Level topline with well set on carrot tail. Neat feet, good turn of stifle. Moved positively.
3rd - Mansergh Burne Jones (Miss A Roslin Williams)
Res - Chintaku Boris at Roxambor (Mr B J & Mrs A E Read)
VHC - Nookshot Nutcracker (Miss R C Newman)
Entries: 14 Absentees: 0
A pleasure to judge this, the biggest class, with some lovely dogs, but there was also a big disparity in coats, dentition, shoulder placement and balance. The whole package has to be right – a working type, spannable with good coats. This is a Ch show.
1st - Benattivo Betfred (Mrs S J & Mr C P Girling)
Both this red grizzle exhibit and the 2nd placing answered all of the above. Excellent on the move, racy, balanced, in great coats, driving away round the ring on well muscled hindquarters; small cat-like feet, well trimmed, with thick pads. ResDCC
2nd - Daluce King Of Emotion (Mr J & Mrs H M Thomas)
Same remarks apply as above. Level topline with a short carrot tail straight off the spine. No dipping at the croup. Picture perfect; athletic with good second thigh development. Both really fit exhibits could change places at any time.
3rd - Stowthorney Swinging Sam (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Res - Bristoc Rock The Boat at Bluebabel (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yates)
VHC - Onthill Amaretto (Mr R & Mrs A Ramus)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Ottaswell Palamedes (Mr D & Mrs G M Hunt)
Loved the coats and texture on these first two placed red grizzle males.
Correct topline, lovely reach of neck, well balanced with narrow front, neat tidy feet with thick pads. Flat skull, great expression, dark eye, broad muzzle & correct dentition
2nd - Cobstoneway Lazy River (Mesdames R & J Squibbs & Barker)
Similar type to the winner. Very good rear angulation. Lovely head & expression. Good reach of neck into level topline and drove away enthusiastically on the move. These two could change places on another day.
3rd - Borderella Day Tripper JW ShCM (Mrs P South)
Res - CH Badgerholme Epsom Jet JW ShCM (Mr B Dickinson & Miss T James)
VHC - CH Brackenfell Bok To Bach JW (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Gameway Cappuccino of Withershins ShCM (Mr M J Day)
Six dogs whose combined ages came to over 50. A lovely class to judge. What a stunning winner in this red 10+ yr old bitch, the oldest in the class, and wearing her years superbly. Great body, still muscled up, retaining her level topline and tail carriage. Most feminine of heads with a typical Border expression, lovely reach of neck, good bone, neat feet. Coat texture correct if lacking depth. Good front and still light on her feet going round the ring. A pleasure to get my hands on her today.
2nd - Int/Am/Can CH Sulan Fancy That (Mrs S J Baxter)
Another veteran in very good order, with a quality double coat, good bone and body length. Preferred the head and expression of the winner, but this eight year old bitch has class in spades. Moved out well
3rd - Baywillow Canape At Smalesmouth (Mrs J Roberts)
Res - Bolt Tail Jebba ShCM (Mr F & Mrs H Freeman)
VHC - Mingrovia Flintstone Chief At Rubyfin (Mrs S J Channer)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 0
1st - Otterwood Caius JW ShCM (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
B/t in good textured double coat with plenty of ticking. Good angles behind. Moved OK. Good head with correct dentition. Good body length with level topline and tail carriage.
2nd - Otterwood Cyrus JW ShCM (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
Red grizzle male with similar qualities to the winner. Slightly wide in front & preferred the rear assembly of the winner. Typical Border head and expression. Good size and body length. Both dogs lacked animation today.
3rd - Cobstoneway Ocean Sunrise (Mrs G Stevens)
Res - Bolt Tail Jebba ShCM (Mr F & Mrs H Freeman)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
What a beautiful class of young bitches, showing such promise. Puppies looking like puppies, behaving like babies, but with everything where it should be, and all with the right temperament.
1st - Cobstoneway Love Song (Mrs G Stevens)
I was drawn to this sweet headed grizzle bitch, sporting a correct double coat of great depth at the tender age of just six months. Enough bone and a good front, level topline and short carrot tail. Dentition correct. Dark eyes & well placed dark ears really finished the picture. She moved out well and confidently for one so young. I will watch her progress with interest. BPB & BP.
2nd - Dandyhow Mazurka (Mrs K Irving)
Another exciting prospect. This red youngster also sporting a double coat of good texture. Correct bone, good neat feet. A broad, flat skull, dark eyes, sweet expression. Clean reach of neck into well angled shoulders and level top. Moved out well and another to watch.
3rd - Puzzlers Hope Full Hattie (Mrs E J Pinkham)
Res - Mulberry Blossom (Miss H De Boorder)
VHC - Southash Dancing Queen (Mr J & Mrs I M Southam)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Blewecourt Carpe Horam (Mr M & Mrs T Morgan)
Lovely animated red youngster, developing well. Nice angles front and rear with very good balance. Thick carrot tail, strong quarters used to advantage on the move – which was quite lively. Level topline and evidence of good pelt as well as double coat. Happy exhibit.
2nd - Lynsett Bold Spirit (Mrs L McFarlane)
Similar size and type to the winner. Another red of good body length, with correct bone and neat feet. Attractive head, good reach of neck into narrow front – not overdone in any way but I preferred the rear assembly of the winner.
3rd - Heatherdrift Harmony At Bluebabel (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yates)
Res - Ianteg Red Rubi (Miss S Ritchie)
Entries: 13 Absentees: 3
1st - Brumberhill Bollinger For Chesterton (Mr A J & Mrs W Mooney)
Red grizzle bitch of good body length. Correct double coat of good texture. Neat dark ears on feminine head. Narrow front; easy to span, well laid back ribs into good quarters. A little rise over the loin, but does not detract from steady movement round the ring. Adequate bone and small neat feet.
2nd - Raleniro New Rose (Mr M J & Mrs D A Lorraine)
B/t bitch of good size. Not overdone in any way. Correct double coat of good texture, ticking evident. Narrow front, spannable. Moved out OK, lacking a little confidence.
3rd - Sulan Strictly Blues Dancin' (Mrs S J Baxter)
Res - Thistlestone Ms Money Penny (Mr S Whisker & Miss J May)
VHC - Ploughdown Persephone (Miss C Spencer)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 0
The two winners ‘flowed’ round the show ring in this class. A memorable sight for lovers of BTs. Impossible to achieve if construction on either was faulty.
1st - Emblehope Dance and Dance JW (Miss D Bladen)
My opening remark says everything about the way these two exhibits are constructed. This b/t bitch appears to be heavy in the keel, as blues sometimes do, but she was spannable. Loved her head and expression – feminine with an assured, watchful look about her. Narrow front, good layback of rib. Good reach of neck into clean shoulders. Great coat texture, well ticked. Looking at her head in profile, she has the otterlike ‘plane’ from the skull top to the leather end. Dark eye & broad muzzle, good dentition. Good short carrot tail. Well angulated behind and driving easily round the ring. Delighted to award her BCC & BoB.
2nd - Smalesmouth Skylark (Mrs J Roberts)
Slightly longer in the body, this red bitch presented well and moved with consummate ease round the ring. Would have preferred more width across the muzzle and she rises slightly over the croup, but she has most of the qualities required in a working bitch – easy to span, good pelt, correct ratio of bone to size and neat small feet.
3rd - Tarkaswell Doctor's Orders JW (Mrs C E Sansom)
Res - Torryburn Cadenza (Miss J Aldis)
VHC - Bimandi's Bellissima (Mr V J Pearce)
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Torryburn Cadenza (Miss J Aldis)
4th in Yearling, this light grizzle bitch reappeared in this class to advantage. Correct double coat, she is a good size and length, keeping her level topline on the move. Her head is very typical, not overdone, with dark points. Very little stop and dark eyes complete the picture.
Spannable with a clean front, she moved out well.
2nd - Mansergh Plusfours (Miss A Roslin-Williams)
Would have like more depth of coat on this light grizzle bitch and more muscle tone, but she handles well and spans easily. Good pelt, flat broad skull with good dentition.
3rd - Lady Mary of Foxpaw (Mr P & Mrs H Fulker)
Res - Laurelton Charlie's Angel At Towden (Mrs E Cole)
VHC - Rubyfin Kara Emerald (Mrs S J Channer)
Entries: 15 Absentees: 3
1st - Olderhill Malvena (Mrs S Wilson)
Typical BT bitch with all the correct attributes of a quality working bitch. She has a double coat in depth, with a crisp top coat; feminine head with very little stop, clean correct dentition, a broad flat skull with dark eyes, good reach of neck into well angulated shoulders. Easily spanned. Level topline to carrot tail. Enough propulsion to take her round the ring with ease on neat feet with tight pads. RBCC.
2nd - Tojamatt Debutante For Dowgri (Mr W & Mrs T J Baird)
Similar type to the winner and just as attractive. They are a well matched pair today. Another typical, beautiful head, good reach of neck into clean well angulated shoulders. Level topline and short carrot tail. Good rear angulation. Second thigh muscle evident – a well exercised happy exhibit.
3rd - Daluce Fools Gold (Mr J & Mrs H M Thomas)
Res - Laurelton Charlie's Angel At Towden (Mrs E Cole)
VHC - Badgerbeck Cha Cha Cha at Roxambor (Mr B J & Mrs A E Read)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 2
1st - Baywillow Brown Braid JW (Mrs G Hyslop)
Another pair of breed-typical bitches head these class awards. The winner has a beautiful tweedy jacket of correct texture and depth. Good dentition, broad muzzle, good leather, very little stop; dark eye and broad flat skull, dark ears, all of which for me, exemplify our breed. Size is perfect, easily spanned; good bone, level topline retained on the move. Neat feet. Move out positively from good rear assembly
2nd - Nantcoch Ffion JW ShCM (Mrs J M Phillips)
Similar remarks apply. Lacked her top coat today but still exhibits a classic BT head and proportions all good. A touch longer in the body than the winner and I would have liked more angulation of the rear assembly to complete the picture.
3rd - Tarkaswell Double Agent JW (Mrs C E Samsom)
Res - Mcbrock Miss Amelia (Mr & Mrs J R Mann)
VHC - Ottaswell Aida At Hoathwood JW (Mrs S Hales)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 2
1st - Biddestone Poppyseed By Quarryway (Mrs B & Mr K E Williams)
Beautiful stamp of bitch, not too fine in bone; perfect ‘working girl’. Good balance, very feminine type. Beautiful head, broad but not remotely coarse, good pigmentation. Dark eye, broad muzzle, flat skull and dark ears. Level top retained on the move with well covered short tail to finish off her outline. Driving away well on good rear angulation. Easily spanned.
Enough bone and neat, tight feet.
2nd - Glebeheath Tea N'tiffers (Mrs J Guvercin)
I saw this bitch first time out last year and was impressed then, and she is maturing well. Lovely coat and breed type, she excels in head with all the desired characteristics – broad flat skull, broad muzzle, great expression, clean big teeth and correct dentition. Neat ears and ear placement onto good reach of neck into level top and good body length. Enough bone, narrow front and tight feet on good pads. She lacked her overcoat today, but she still impresses.
3rd - Bortino Smiling Queen (Mr D K & Mrs D Martin)
Res - CH Ploughdown Placida (Mr & Mrs E Armstrong)
VHC - Tojamatt Morgana (Mr & Mrs D Matthews)