Show Type: Championship
Venue: Asfordby Acres, Hoby Road, nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3TL
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam & Mr Mick Rushby
Entries: 161 making 177, 2 NFC
Website: www.mbtc.org.uk...
Dogs
What a pleasure it was to be invited to judge the males at the Midland BTC Championship show on 2nd August 2015, and thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry of males to go over. Thanks must also go to my stewards Chris Wallace and Margaret Davies who did a great job, making sure everything ran smoothly. It was interesting to be judging alongside my Co-judge Mick Rushby who I felt has similar views to how I interpret the Breed Standard and when it came to choosing Best of Breed, I appreciated the good qualities of his bitch CC winner and after a thorough deliberation we jointly decided that my Dog CC winner had the edge, and awarded him Best of Breed. Although I didn’t judge the bitches, from the ringside they did look a much more even entry than the males, which were quite mixed, but I was very happy with my main winners with several males who I felt were champion standard, my eventual CC winner stood away from the rest but I had a few contenders for the Reserve CC whom I really liked. No matter what time of year I judge there is always a percentage of exhibits out of coat, I am not normally too hung up on that, as coat is a transient thing and if there is evidence of a harsh coat and thick pelt, movement is good and the dog is well constructed I don’t penalize them too much, but when you get a dog before you with good construction, good movement and a fabulous coat, they really have the edge and stand out. Having said that and not wanting to sound as old as Methuselah, I really feel the correct Border coat is in decline, you rarely find the really good, harsh, dense wiry coats and pelts you did in the past, and is an important element to give the breed, type and is a requirement in the Breed Standard. The fashion for several years has been to show dogs with little coat, with all the undercoat scraped out to reveal a sleek outline. Thankfully not all exhibitors do this, and it was good to see some with decent coats, but judging by some of the poor toplines, and profiles on Sunday, I really think exhibitors should be thinking of leaving some undercoat in, and keep a good depth of coat, as it creates a more finished, Border Terrier look, rather than a thin skinned whippet look. Ultimately good coats and pelts need to be bred for. When I am judging, I tend to look at the overall dog, I never pick out one thing and allow it to seduce me into thinking it’s a good Border Terrier, the whole dog has to be balanced and fit for function, display good breed type and have the ability to follow a horse, moving with economy with long low strides. I don’t go in for extremes or exaggerations either, or a dog which looks like a caricature of a Border Terrier, because the breed standard doesn’t allow for that. I do like ring presence, clean dogs with good presentation and showmanship, a working dog can still have all that and it is a show after all, but it has to be a good Border Terrier first and foremost.
Best In Show: Brumberhill Both Barrels
Reserve Best In Show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Best Opposite Sex: CH Ploughdown Placida
RDCC: Tojamatt Warlord
Best Puppy - Dog: Dandyhow Galloping Gourmet
RBCC: Tythrop Turn Back Time
Best Puppy - Bitch: Otterwood Domina Candesco
Best Puppy: Otterwood Domina Candesco
Reserve Best Puppy: Dandyhow Galloping Gourmet
Best Veteran: Farnes Grace At Leysh
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Dandyhow Galloping Gourmet (Mrs K Irving)
A nice sized puppy with a pleasing head, lovely neckline into neat shoulders, forelegs straight, with firm pasterns for one so young, small neat feet, racy hindquarters, well presented in good thick tweedy jacket, displays good breed type, not exaggerated in any way, really liked him. Lacked a bit of confidence on the move and needs to settle in front movement, but was straight and sound enough. Best Puppy Dog, missed out on overall BP as looked a little immature alongside my Co-judges puppy bitch winner.
2nd - Tyneaster Undercover Agent For Vandamere (Mr S Pollit)
Very eyecatching mature puppy, very well presented bigger than my winner, hope he doesn’t grow on too much, in new coat, not so positive in rear movement but good in profile movement.
3rd - Karison Kosta (Miss K Johnson)
Attractive grizzle and tan, a tad steep in shoulder and not much coat, but nice head, not overdone, good neck and topline and tailset, pleasing outline. Moved OK.
Res - Breckgreen Rock Or Bust (Mr B Sentance)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
1st - Navy Seal By Tyrian (Mrs K A Dean)
Attractive Blue and Tan of good colour and handy size, won this class as he was the best rear mover in the class, lovely neckline and topline, super feet and pasterns, good hind angulation. Would prefer a bit more breed type in head and expression but good teeth and bite Presented in good order and could do his job..
2nd - Howthwaite Dreams (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
Well presented Grizzle & Tan youngster with a good topline and neckline into good shoulder. Good head and expression, good teeth. Looked deep in underline but was easily spanned, good angles both ends, stood well on good legs and feet, narrow throughout. Moved OK but just preferred rear drive of my winner.
3rd - Irton Mountain Dew (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
Presented in full coat just past its best, attractive youngster good breed type with pleasing head and expression, neat ears, I liked him, took time to settle on the move, and not quite the front assembly of one and two. Could do with a bit more body condition too.
Res - Stowthorney Mr Tickle (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
VHC - Markington Apollo (Mrs M Houseman)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 2
Nice class of juniors, I liked all my winners who could change places easily on another day.
1st - Toftahill New Edition (Mrs L Eriksson)
Light Grizzle & Tan, Very well presented and good ring presence, super coat and pelt in good condition, easy to span. Nicely angulated front and rear with good shoulders and neat forelegs, good feet and pasterns. Pleasing head with good underjaw, lovely bite with big teeth. Really good topline and tailset, moved well around the ring, moved soundly, looked lovely in profile movement, lovely long low strides and eye-catching in the stack.
2nd - Gameway Mcvitie JW (Mrs P Clark)
Grizzle & tan Displays lovely breed type, liked him a lot, handy size and well presented in good tweedy jacket. Good head and expression, good bite but teeth not as big as my winners, easily spanned, moved well but not just as well angulated at the rear as my winner. Good bone, feet and legs.
3rd - Onthill Aramis (Mr R & Mrs A Ramus)
Blue & tan, liked him overall for breed type, good head and expression, good teeth, not just as narrow throughout as my one and two, but spannable, and was driving well from the rear, presented in good jacket.
Res - Tythrop Trademarqued (Mrs J Lee)
VHC - Markington Apollo (Mrs M Houseman)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Tyneaster Undercover Agent For Vandamere (Mr S Pollit)
2nd in MPD.
2nd - Tyrian Arrowsmith (Mrs K Dean)
Grizzle & Tan, not so confident as my winner but a nice size, easy to span and good topline on the move and standing, moved with economy, good legs and feet, firm pasterns.
3rd - Stowthorney Mr Tickle (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Grizzle & Tan, Reserve in Puppy Dog, pleasing head, nice neck but a tad steep in upper arm for me. Retains his good topline on the move, good tail.
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Stineval Napoleon JW (Mr & Mrs A G Horner)
Grizzle & tan, lovely sized male with super coat and pelt, stood out in the class, very well presented, well show trained and good ring presence. Very smart with a lovely neat outline which he retained on the moved. Pleasing head, not overdone in any way, small neat feet, firm pasterns, stands well on good legs, good neckline into narrow shoulders, looks a tad short in upper arm in the stack, but used his front well with good reach on the move and drive from the rear. Best mover in the class. Easily spanned with good rib. Certainly gave him a second look for the Reserve CC.
2nd - Karison Keiser (Miss K Johnson)
Grizzle & tan, another handy sized male, really well presented in good coat and pelt, unlucky to meet my winner in such good form. Typical head and good teeth neat ears, well angulated fore and aft, stood well on good legs and feet, easily spanned, good tail, moved OK.
3rd - Breckgreen Soldier Blue (Mrs. J. Green)
Blue & Tan, really good coated dog, who moved well, plainer in the head than one and two, but typical, good bite and teeth. Stood well on good legs and feet. Was spannable but a tad harder than my winners but nice rib shape.
Res - Ploughdown Plato (Mr E & Dr M Armstrong)
VHC - Meadowlake Once In A Blue Moon (Mrs L Eriksson)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 0
1st - Cedarhill Once Upon a Time (Mrs C Dean)
Blue & Tan, really smart eyecatching male, excels in coat and pelt and super topline he retains on the move, typical head and expression, neat ears. Would like a tad more turn of stifle, but uses what he has well. Lot to like about him.
2nd - Otterwood Caius JW ShCM (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
Nicely made male, a bit plainer in head than my winner and jacket a bit past its best, but stood well on good legs and feet and moved OK.
3rd - Earthdog Lanyard By Beaconpike JW (Mr S & Mrs K Golding)
Rich Grizzle & tan who took time to settle on the move, but when he did he had very good ground covering side gait, very typey dog but a bit heavier than one and two across his shoulders and appeared a bit low in his tailset in profile movement, coat just past its best. Would look a different dog in a new jacket and enjoying his day more.
Res - Esyntona Reindeer Moss (Mr I Hopper)
VHC - Glebeheath Smash N'grab (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 3
1st - Brumberhill Both Barrels (Mr S A Mcpherson)
Grizzle & tan. Well constructed male with excellent head and expression, really otter like but not overdone or exaggerated in any way, lovely eye, neat ears and short strong muzzle, excellent bite and big teeth, shame he has a chipped top incisor but it would not affect his working ability in any way, good neckline, topline, tail and tailset. Excels in front assembly, with superb straight forelegs, the neatest of feet and firm pasterns. Strong hindquarters, moving well with economy, both coming and going and in profile. His crowning glory is his coat and pelt, harsh, dense with good depth, the like I haven’t felt for a long time. Stood out today and I had no hesitation in awarding him the CC.
2nd - Comitis California (Mr T and Mrs L Palmer)
Blue & tan, not the coat and condition of my winner, typical in head and nicely put together, easy to span, looked good in profile movement and standing, moved well coming and going..
3rd - Manorborders Maverick By Tyrian (Mrs K Dean)
Blue & tan, Another handy sized dog from this kennel which is their trade mark along with coats of good depth. Stood well on good legs and feet, moved OK.
Res - Clipstone Starshine (Miss E & Mrs J Jackson)
VHC - Oxcroft Freelander (Miss J Price)
Entries: 15 Absentees: 1
1st - Tojamatt Warlord (Mr & Mrs D Matthews)
Grizzle & tan, liked this one a lot, eyecatching but not overdone in any way, very typical, honest Border Terrier and unlucky to meet my CC winner in such sparkling form, pleasing head and expression, good teeth and short strong muzzle lovely neckline into narrow shoulders, super legs and feet, good rib and strong loin, and easy to span, looked a picture in profile movement using his well angulated hindquarters and keeping a good topline, lovely long, low ground covering strides which is essential for a dog expected to follow a horse. Moved well coming and going too, and presented in good thick jacket. Reserve CC.
2nd - Tythrop Timepiece (Mrs J L Lee)
Blue & Tan. Another I liked, the very best of shoulders, neckline into topline and good rib, standing on good legs and feet, not just as typical in the foreface for me as my winner nor as masculine, but good teeth, nice eye and neat ears. Moved OK coming and going but not the driving movement of my winner in profile. He’s a really nice dog to handle and go over and has a lovely blue coat with good depth and texture with plenty of even ticking throughout
3rd - Howthwaite Grainsgill (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
Grizzle & tan, another good sort, typical head and expression, nicely made throughout , with super topline and tailset creating a really good outline in the stack and on the move. Very well presented as we have come to expect from this kennel and it was splitting hairs between him and my second place, he has very good shoulders, but my second placed just had the edge there.
Res - Onthill Amaretto (Mr R & Mrs A Ramus)
VHC - Beaconpike Red Saturn (Mr S & Mrs K Golding)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 3
1st - CH Badgerholme Epsom Jet JW ShCM (Mr B Dickinson & Miss T James)
Blue & tan, what a lovely Border Terrier this is, and was a contender for the Reserve CC, excellent overall breed type, no exaggerations whatsoever, all Border. Pleasing head and expression with super neck into narrow shoulders, lovely shaped rib and easily spanned, strong loin, well angulated at both ends which he used well on the move coming and going and lovely long, low strides in profile. Turned out in good coat and pelt, great ring presence, showed and handled well.
2nd - CH Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko (Ms M A Privezentseva)
Blue & tan, another very well coated dog who was presented very well, narrow throughout standing well on good legs and feet. Easy to span, he was a tad heavier across the sholders than my winner, but his front was narrow and had good rib shape and strong loin. Good topline and tailset, nice hindquarters which he used well, and was evident in profile, moving with economy. Pleasing head and expression and good bite, just preferred the ear placement on my winner.
3rd - CH Brackenfell Bok To Bach JW (Mr C Hall & Miss L Ellis)
Red, eyecatching male with great ring presence and good rapport with his handler, good feet and firm pasterns, rather overdone throughout for me, and not the narrow shoulders or rib of my winner although I could span him, moved well enough coming and going but lacked reach and drive in profile movement of my one and two. Not much depth of coat today.
Res - Onthill Super Trouper (Mr R & Mrs A M Ramus)
VHC - Stowthorney Swinging Sam (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Dymanti Roman Warrior at Nottorg ShCM (Mr P J & Mrs A K Taylor)
Unplaced in previous class, but nice sized dog enjoying his day. Typical head, good bite and pleasing eye and ears. Moved OK coming and going, looked well in profile too.
Entries: 6 Absentees: 1
What a lovely class of oldies, several of which were old Champions I have judged and liked previously, great to see them all in good form and good to see how they had held together well despite their years. A credit to their owners. Thanks for bringing them, it’s class I really enjoy judging.
1st - CH Irton Up Helly Aa (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
rich coloured Grizzle & Tan probably the youngest in the class at 9 years, but really impressed me with his fitness and could still complete in Open Dog. Jumped on the table and stood wagging his tail inviting me to go over him, what a character. Typical head and expression, looks every inch a Border, lovely overall type presented in thick coat, just on the turn, could span him and moved OK, really strode out in side gait covering the ground well.
2nd - CH Stineval Acerola With Tyrian JW (Professor S P Dean)
Grizzle & tan, lovely old boy who has retained his tight neat elbows and good front and small neat feet, carrying a bit of weight, but as he isn’t a particularly big dog was still spannble, wonderful thick pelt. Short carroty tail, moved well..
3rd - CH Iacheslei Torus JW (Miss A Harrison)
Grizzle & Tan, a close call with my second, has lasted really well and was in great order,
Res - CH/Nord CH Otterbobs Ninezergh (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
VHC - Ruelata Acrobat At Redfox (Mr & Mrs D B Marr)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Oxcroft Raydar (Mr J Price)
Grizzle & Tan, stood alone but a worthy winner of the Working Class, narrow throughout and easily spanned he could get anywhere, sadly completely out of coat, typical head from this kennel. Moved OK.
Entries: 8 Absentees: 1
1st - Otterwood Domina Candesco (Mr M J & Mrs J M Hollingsbee)
nice feminine head with good expression, good dark eyes, correctly set ears, nice neck & shoulders, good front, good length of rib into good strong loin, rear angulation, correct tail set on, moved well & lovely presentation, very promising
2nd - Picer Flora Mcivor (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
another lovely bitch puppy from this kennel, most of the report on 1 applies to this puppy, not much in it, just preferred movement of 1
3rd - Karison Kappuccino (Miss K Johnson)
Res - Cobstoneway Love Song (Mrs G Stevens)
VHC - Breckgreen Sung Song Blue (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 2
1st - Irton Scotch Mist (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
good pup with sound movement, nice head, correct eye & ears, good front angulation
2nd - Ianteg Red Rubi (Miss S Ritchie)
good head & expression, good front, shoulders, topline & tailset, moved OK, just preferred expression of 1
3rd - Stowthorney Make A Memory (Mr C & Mrs F Bryant)
Res - Oxcroft Rosa (Mr J Price)
VHC - La Senza (Mrs M Medhurst)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Argentail Titania by Onthill (Mr R & Mrs A Ramus)
lovely head & expression, nice shoulders, correct rib, good strong loin, rear angulation OK, moved well
2nd - Tojamatt Integrity (Mr & Mrs D Matthews)
nice head & expression, good front & shoulders, moved well, coat not at its best so paid the penalty
3rd - Tythrop Touchstone (Mrs J Lee)
Res - Hemlockstone Diana at Bowencloud (Mrs S J Ruth)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 3
1st - Iacheslei Corylus (Miss A Harrison)
head & expression OK, topline & tailset, very raw puppy
2nd - Comitis Arya With Ragatam (Miss T Peacock)
same applies as 1, needs very much to tighten in front.
Entries: 12 Absentees: 6
1st - Picer Aimee Vilbert (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
typical head & expression, correct ear carriage, neck flows into good shoulders with correct topline & tailset, nice rear angulation, moved well
2nd - Ploughdown Persephone (Miss C Spencer)
same comments apply as 1, but did not move as well
3rd - Lady Mary of Foxpaw (Mr P & Mrs H Fulker)
Res - Picer Angelica to Nottorg (Mr P & Mrs A Taylor)
VHC - Otterbobs Xolana (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 3
1st - Smalesmouth Skylark (Mrs J Roberts)
good type, nice head & expression, dark eye, correct ears, nice front & shoulder placement, topline & tailset OK, moved well, good coat & pelt
2nd - Oxcroft Real Deal (Mr J Price)
a correct otter head with expression to match, good topline, strong in loin, nice stifle, coat not at its best & a little erratic in rear movement
3rd - Lady Mary of Foxpaw (Mr P & Mrs H Fulker)
Res - Sulan Strictly Blues Dancin' (Mrs S J Baxter)
VHC - Brookbank Brora (Mrs S P Norris)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 4
1st - Tojamatt Debutante For Dowgri ShCM (Mr W & Mrs T J Baird)
this one reminded me of an old champion of mine, a little bit plain in head, but everything else was very good, movement OK
2nd - Bandicoot Robins Rock For Onthill (Mr R & Mrs A Ramus)
another nice typy bitch, good head, neck & shoulders, topline & tailset OK, just lost out on movement to 1
3rd - Totherend Tickety Blue (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright)
Res - Baillieswells Stronachie (Professor A S Milton)
VHC - Buckwilde Belle O'the Fields (Mrs M Blomfield)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 3
1st - Tythrop Turn Back Time (Mrs J L Lee)
loved her outline, good racy type, nice head, good expression, good dark eye, nice small ears, correctly placed neck flows into good shoulders, with straight front, good length of rib, strong in loin, topline, tailset OK, moved out well. RCC
2nd - Abisu Solitaire At Tojamatt (Mr D & Mrs A Matthews)
a little strong all round for a bitch, but had all the right things in right places, moved out well
3rd - Clipstone Sail Away (Mrs A Nilsson)
Res - Glebeheath Maiden Name At Oakyard (Mr J Parry)
VHC - Ironfield Athena (Mrs L J Mudd)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 2
1st - CH Ploughdown Placida (Mr & Mrs E Armstrong)
this is what I was looking for, the bitch is one of the best on the show scene today, I could not fault her, lovely feminine otter head, nice dark eyes, ears of correct shape & size, lovely neck into well placed shoulders, best of fronts, small catlike feet, excellent topline & tailset, moved out well, it was a pleasure to judge her, a very worthy champion
2nd - Benattivo Best Bet Karison (Miss K Johnson)
smaller type than 1, but all the right attributes, would have liked a bit more leg
3rd - CH Cobstoneway Moon River at Clipstone (Miss E & Mrs J Jackson)
Res - Multi CH Borderby's Kisses Of Fire (Mrs A Nilsson)
VHC - Oxcroft Roadshow (Mr J Price)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 2
1st - Picer Angelica to Nottorg (Mr P & Mrs A Taylor)
novice bitch in good order, a little erratic in movement, stood res in yearling
2nd - Barterhound Thyme At Bordaholic (Mrs T Bromley)
just not the quality of 1, or condition
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1st - Farnes Grace At Leysh (Miss C Ricks)
what a lovely veteran with the best coat & pelt of the day, 8 years young, moved well, topline & tailset OK. BV
2nd - Int/Am/Can CH Sulan Fancy That (Mrs S J Baxter)
good head & expression, good in shoulder, moved OK
3rd - Cast A Spell Over Brookbank (Mrs S P Norris)
Res - Tezaland Valentine Dream At Bordaholic (Mrs T L Bromley)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Oxcroft Roadshow (Mr J Price)
stood alone which seems to be the norm these days in working classes, nice type of bitch, excellent head & expression, spannable, moved OK.