Show Placings
Blackpool & District Canine Society
25th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship show. Grateful thanks must go to my very efficient steward Gisela Duran who did an excellent job in making sure everything ran like clockwork. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such an excellent entry of 142 dogs making 183 entries, the largest entry across all breeds on the day. It really was a privilege to go over such a large entry of dogs and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
The size of dogs has always been a perennial topic, but I was pleased to say overall, many of the dogs were of correct size on this occasion, with very few oversized dogs and only the odd one or two I couldn’t span. Bites were good and only an odd one with teeth out of line, although a few had broken teeth, quite a few had dirty teeth and some had small teeth which is something I really don’t like to see on, essentially a working terrier. It was good to find some really lovely tails, with not too many long thin, spindly tails we have seen in the past, although I was surprised to find four kinked tails in the entry.
Overall I thought it was a good entry, I found some quality exhibits and I was very pleased with my winners, and in particular will watch the progress of my puppy and junior placings with interest.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
G&T. 6 months, super feminine puppy with pleasing otter like head, narrow throughout, clean shoulder with a lovely rib, stood well on good legs and small feet. Retained a level topline and good tailset in profile movement for one so young. Presented in good order and good coat and pelt. Moved well fore and aft.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr David Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the Club for trusting me with a fine entry of dogs at this, one of my favourite shows; to my stewards for their understated efficiency which kept the show rolling; and to the exhibitors for the opportunity to go over their dogs, and for the sporting acceptance of my decisions.
The Border Terrier Breed Standard is a very brief document; as such, it needs some interpretation. The clue is in the first clause of it; ‘Essentially a working terrier’. This, together with a knowledge of the work the breed is traditionally expected to perform, gives an idea of the dog required. Thus we need a dog which can keep with the hunt over rough moorland country in what may be inclement weather, and then be able to go to ground and bolt or hold it’s own to a cornered fox. This implies sound, efficient movement, adequate heart and lung room, a weatherproof double coat and a thick, pliable pelt; but at the same time be small enough and flexible enough to follow a fox to ground .
Overall, I found most exhibits to be sound, and well presented (sometimes ‘overpresented’ to the extent that coats had more appearance than substance). The most prevalent fault I observed was untidy, converging front movement; an inevitable consequence of short upper arm and upright fronts. I did also find a few faulty bites; one undershot, one youngster with a lower incisor seriously out of line; and several with level bites, which, though permitted in the standard, are not (to my mind) desirable; also undesirable to me were the number of exhibits with small teeth in weak forefaces. There were also a couple of ‘winter noses’, but that, to me, is a purely cosmetic point and not to be penalised. All males were entire.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
neatly made baby, excellent angulations both ends, beautiful coat, pelt and feet, moved well both ways when she settled, head needs to come but on it’s way. Very promising.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
6th Aug 2023
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
It was a real honour to judge my home club’s show and my thanks go to a great committee for the opportunity and the way they run the club with all hands to the wheel. Richard Wright and Sharon Pickering had my back and have my appreciation for a great day’s stewarding.
I was disappointed in the early dog classes where what initially looked like an impressive line-up failed to materialise once on the table or on the move. Movement was a weak spot for a surprisingly large number of exhibits, especially front movement. There were three poor mouths and one exhibit that couldn’t be spanned but lots of good pelts, coats and neat feet. However long tails are becoming more common and a true carrot tail is about as rare as hen’s teeth. I was fascinated by some handlers interpretation of a triangle, suffice to say it’s a good job it wasn’t a maths exam.
Once again there were only two CCs available which is a great shame when there are so many who warrant them. I can only sympathise with those who went home empty handed. It was most likely a reflection of the strength of the classes rather than their standing. The bitch classes were especially strong with at least six exhibits worthy of much more than I had available to offer. When it came to the line ups I was clearly torn and had to be really picky to get to a decision but in the end I was pleased with all the winners.
Whilst there is still much that can be done to improve some aspects of the breed there is a lot to be proud of with some really stunning exhibits out there.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Driffield Championship Show
26th Aug 2023
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to Driffield Championship Dog Show Society for the invitation to judge today and thanks to my stewards Peter and Lesley Armstrong, who kept the ring running smoothly. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. Front movement in the breed still needs some improvement, but overall I had lots of quality exhibits. Bites were good and only one kinked tail.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Stafford & District Canine Society Open Show
23rd Sep 2023
Judge: Miss G Lowe (Rockslade)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at their show for my first judging appointment. The show was well run, friendly and I received a warm welcome upon arrival. I would also like to thank all those who entered under me especially in the current climate with travelling costs.. A big thank you to my very capable steward Richard Wright for ensuring that the ring ran well.
I was pleased with my entry and there were some quality exbibits in attendance. I did find a number of exhibits to be short on undercoat and one untidy mouth. Some long nails and dirty teeth which need addressing.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
9 month old Grizzle bitch puppy with lots to like. Otter head, scissor bite with a dark eye and pleasing expression, still some maturing to go but to be expected at this age. Good length of neck flowing onto a level topline, carrot tail with good tail set. Ribbed well back, easily spanned and narrow throughout. Lacking coat today but her merits were too good to be overlooked. Straight front with excellent front and rear angulation. Moved well once settled. Promising puppy, will follow her progress.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to the committee for this appointment, everyone worked hard to make it an enjoyable day. This venue always has a super atmosphere, however, the ring is too small really to see outlines, being far too near the dogs and side profile movement is very difficult to see, let alone for the dogs to perform really well. Many moved poorly, not liking the smooth mats and although I had to judge them on this today, I think most would move much better outside in a big grass ring.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Class Critique
Some very promising puppies.
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
I think hind movement has generally improved though the same cannot be said for fronts. Most were shown in good coat and only one exhibit was clearly of poor temperament.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
similar comments to 1, good length of body and narrow all through. All spannable.
Selby Canine Society Open Show
28th Oct 2023
Judge: Jill Young (Chadbrook)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
A quality grizzle pup, pleasing head with nice dark eye and shallow stop. Another lovely pup to go over, narrow front with good topline and tailset. Well angulated with tight wire coat. A little overawed by the occasion but I expect her to relax and gain confidence with time.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Nov 2023
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to Judge their Open show, and all exhibitors that entered. I had a lovely entry with some quality dogs to go over. All placing’s were accepted with grace. Many thanks to both my stewards who kept the ring moving. The show had a lovely atmosphere and I enjoyed my day
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
Nice 10 month old who was slightly overwhelmed when she first entered the ring but settled with time. Presented in good jacket with thick pelt, she had lots to like about her. Nice head with correct bite, keen eye and good ear set. Neck flowed through shoulder into rib and loin. Good angulation and she moved well when settled
The Sporting Terrier Association of Yorkshire Open Show
18th Feb 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
Nice feminine otter head with good eye and expression. Easily spanned. Lacking in coat and was not settled on the move but did enough to win the class.
Retford & DCS Open Show
17th Mar 2024
Judge: Kathleen Haugh
I would like to thank the committee for letting me judge the borders at their open show. It was pleasure and a lovely day with good atmosphere with good dogs to go over. I would also like to thank the stewards for doing a fabulous job on the day.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
Nice size bitch with a lovely otter like head. Good bite. Dark eye Spannable. Good length of body. I would have preferred a bit more coat today.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
20th Apr 2024
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee of the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the honour of inviting me to judge your Championship show and for your great hospitality on the day. It was hit-and-miss as to whether or not I would be judging inside or out, and I’m pleased that the committee took the decision to hold it outdoors. It is far nicer for the dogs to be outside, even with the biting wind, and we are not to forget that they are designed to be outside in that type of weather, which reiterates the importance of a good coat. I hope everyone at ringside managed to keep the chill away, myself having Cumbrian bloodlines, found it rather pleasant. Thank you to my stewards Tracey, Dave and Mike who worked tirelessly to keep the ring moving. My biggest thanks are to the exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry and took all my decisions in a sporting manner. I know it is always said there are too many good dogs for the number of cards and that was especially true of the limit and open classes. I was spoiled for choice in a number of classes and had to split hairs on a number of occasions. Dog’s are never static and can have good days and bad days just the same as us, and condition and coats can change dramatically. Some dogs were out of top coat or had no harshness to their coat on the day which cost them on this occasion. Repeating myself from my last judging appointment, I made mention that true movement isn’t necessarily conducive to good movement if no ground is covered at the same time, ideally of course we want both but I would rather see a dog with a good outline in profile than one very accurate that’s going nowhere. Good construction should be a given, I know not much mention is made to that in our breed standard, but to constitute soundness to follow a horse, the construction must be balanced and correct with no exaggeration. Thankfully, there were not many exaggerations on the day. One or two were big ribbed and not quite spannable, and surprisingly they were not necessarily the ones that looked up to size. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs presented.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
Placing Critique
Another grizzle and tan, and another from the top drawer. Just right for size. Good otter head with lovely eye and well set ears. Excellent neck and shoulders, with good angulations front and back. Just right for bone, standing on straight front legs through to neat well padded feet. Ribbed well back and easily spanned. She has a very good topline and short, well set tail. Shown in the best of coats, with a harsh dense topcoat and thick undercoat and pelt. I really loved this girl; unfortunately she wasn’t too happy today. Hopefully with a few more miles on the clock, she’ll come into her own
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
26th Apr 2024
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
National Dog Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mr Patrick Glover (USA)
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tojamatt Something Wicked
