Show Placings
Selkirk & DCS Open Show
10th Sep 2017
Judge: Mrs N Anderson
Many thanks to the club for the invite to judge at their 90th Anniversary show, it was a lovely well run show. Also thanks to my capable steward, Judy Carr who kept things running smoothly throughout. Thanks to all the exhibitors who entered on the day and accepted my decisions in a sporting way. All males were entire, no bad mouths or kinked tails. There was quite a variety in type on the day. The biggest issue was movement with many dogs swinging in front or pinning and lacking the drive from behind to follow a horse. I like my dogs in hard, fit condition and found many lacking in this area with little muscle tone. However I found some quality dogs and was delighted to see my BOB go TG1.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
11 month old male who was 3rd in Junior. A fun lively character who was full of confidence and enjoying his day. A compact type who was well off for bone and nicely angulated. He had a strong head and muzzle with little stop. Shown in harsh double coat with a super loose thick pelt, just spanable. Moved well. Best Puppy in Breed.
Open /
Reserve
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Oct 2017
Judge: Ms. Suzanne Coldham (nee Marwood) (Annesuz)
It was an absolute honour and pleasure to judge the Border Terrier Club’s Open show in Low Hesket and I would like to thank a very hardworking committee for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the exhibitors and spectators for their warm welcome and genuine applause at my placings. There was a good atmosphere throughout the day and good to see so many still ringside to see the top honours at the end.
I was greeted with an excellent entry of 104 dogs making 122 entries and from these I was able to select some top specimens truly representative of our breed. I am not going to wax lyrical about the breed in general but suffice to say in my humble opinion a watch needs to be kept on heads, movement and coats/pelt.
I was pleasantly surprised to find my Best Dog is the grandsire of my Reserve Best Dog and my Best Bitch and Reserve Best Bitch share the same sire as each other.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
I thought this dog was my winner. He goes over very well, in excellent coat and a fabulous head. Very clean lines. He needs handling better to enable him to show off his true potential.
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2017
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the Officers, Committee and members of the Club for this appointment. It was a privilege to judge, with a very nice entry and sporting atmosphere throughout the day.
My thanks for the hospitality, gift and excellent lunch, and to my steward Shona.
I was pleased with the entry overall, coats varied throughout. My main concern not only today but with the breed in general would be size with many being too big and something that must be considered in future breeding. Front movement with pinning in lost some dogs placings today. It was rewarding to start two youngsters off with their first CC’s and I wish them well for their future.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Limit Show
28th Jan 2018
Judge: Mrs M Armstrong (Carrickfarm)
I would like to thank The Scottish Border Terrier Club committee for inviting me to judge the 2018 Limited Show and to the exhibitors who gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs. I enjoyed the day very much.
Reserve Best Dog
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
Compact type with a masculine head, well off for bone and nicely angulated. Neat tight feet and short carrot tail. Spannable with a strong loin and harsh double jacket with a super pliable pelt. Moved slightly wide in front.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Selkirk & DCS Open Show
30th Sep 2018
Judge:
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
Good head, nice dark eye, nice front assembly but bit deep in chest, nice pelt and moved well.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Nov 2018
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
My sincere thanks to the Scottish Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their Championship show, one of my favourites. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to judge their dogs.
My main concern is size and weight, it really does matter, there were a number of exhibits that were too heavy/big, and at the other end of the spectrum, not enough muscle/bone/condition, which is essential for a working dog. However, I was very happy with the main winners, and both line ups.
Mid Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
a little deeper than 1, harder to span, short of coat, good for bone,didn't move as effortlessly as 1.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Limited Show
27th Jan 2019
Judge: Mr P Lothian (Lairhope)
I would like to thank the Scottish Border Terrier Cub for inviting me to judge their 2019 Limited Show and to Exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. I really enjoyed my day. Thank you also to the Committee for the excellent hospitality. Many thanks...
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Feb 2019
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
May I take the opportunity to thank the Club and its members for inviting me to judge at this show, and for the super warm hospitality I received. Special thanks to my ring stewards Carolyn Richardson and Janice Johnson, for being so efficient and keeping me on track.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
A few observations from the day, I felt rear movement on the whole was good but a few lacked the drive that I looked for, whilst in others it was their elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal. Today I saw too many that were far too wide in front, lacking the narrowness to go to ground. I like to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
Heads which are such a defining aspect of this breed, varied greatly, I found some too exaggerated and coarse for my liking, whilst others were narrow and somewhat snipey in muzzle, neither are correct.
Today I found coats at all stages, perhaps a sign that Crufts was not far around the corner, so perhaps not the best month to find a thick double jacket, so I found myself forgiving a lack of coat if the construction and balance I look for was there.
I found temperaments superb, dentition all good and all dogs entire. I felt the depth of quality was in the bitches, and in some classes I was spoilt for choice. Both puppy bitch classes were high in quality, and I look forward to seeing how they mature.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
National Terrier
6th Apr 2019
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my stewards Dave and Pat who kept things moving and most especially to all the exhibitors for entering and allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs.
I was very pleased with my main winners and there was a lot of quality in the puppy classes which should augur well for the future. Temperaments were excellent, all males were entire and there were no serious mouth faults.
On the minus side there were quite a number of animals of both sexes which were up to size and front movement is a real problem throughout the age range. A few dogs were carrying too much weight and a couple could have done with carrying a bit more. There were a number of dogs lacking in muscle-ours is a working breed and an unfit dog would not be able to fulfill the job of a working terrier.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
5th May 2019
Judge: Mrs Su Williams (Hollybridge)
I would like to thank The Border Terrier Club for the invitation & thank my 2 very capable Stewards Carolyn Richardson & Liz Barrett for their help on the day. I would also like to thank those exhibitors who entered under me and who accepted the placing's sportingly. I was pleased to have a number of high quality entries but the down side of that is, some good dogs went card less
Mouths are a bit of a worry as I noticed a few with a tooth or teeth out of line, small teeth and one even undershot. Movement on the whole was good especially in my winners. Coats & Pelts were good too,with just a few thin pelted dogs.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
An attractive headed dog with a good typical coat, not helping his handler when standing today but he moved out very well with drive winning him the class.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Jun 2019
Judge: Mr Jem Thomas (Daluce)
I would like to thank the club and committee for inviting me to judge their show. My ring steward on the day Lesley Roberts kept things flowing wonderfully for us all. I must pass my complements to the chef. Lunch and hospitality on the day was fantastic. All of this and some very nice dogs to go over on the day. Thank you all very much for a wonderful day.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Border Union Agricultural Society
15th Jun 2019
Judge: Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank Border Union Agricultural Society for the invitation to judge my first CC appointment in Border Terriers and to my ring steward Alicia Wilson for keeping me right and the smooth efficiency of getting each class in the ring to keep things going.
I was delighted with the super entry of 123 dogs making 142 entries and appreciate all the exhibitors that gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs and the sporting way they accepted my decisions.
The overall quality was excellent, I was privileged to judge so many lovely dogs and I was pleased with my main winners, all looking in tip top condition on the day.
I was surprised that in some of the exhibits that underneath good coats there was lack of condition and a bit thin and some were lacking thick skin and loose pelt that is important in our breed.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
A darker g/tan dog who has a strong head and dark ear. He has a super harsh jacket and moved ok when settled
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
A big thanks to The Northern Border Terrier Club for there invitation to judge their club show, my first club open show was for the Northern many years ago, and the friendliness and hospitality has not changed. Thank you to the exhibitors for such a good entry and great atmosphere around the ring, and most especially to my two capable stewards Carolyn and Graham Richardson for keeping every thing flowing, and not putting a foot wrong all day. The quality of exhibits was second to none and many good dogs had to go home without a card, teeth were excellent and not one kinked tail or missing testicle all day, nice to see so many of the borders looked capable of doing a days work.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2019
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
19th Oct 2019
Judge: Miss Katie Hamilton (Cromlechs)
Firstly I would like to thank The Border Terrier Club for giving me the honour of judging the open show at Low Hesket, with this show and venue being very memorable from a young age I was delighted and privileged to accept the invitation to judge the show. A huge thank you goes to my two stewards on the day who kept my ring moving smoothly, also appreciation goes to the club as a whole for the great hospitality shown. The standard of the exhibits on the day was overall pleasing with quality of bitches slightly outweighing the dogs, many thanks to all exhibitors for giving me the chance to go over their dogs and making my day such a pleasure.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Nov 2019
Judge: Mrs J Johnson (Ratcheugh)
Firstly my thanks to the Scottish Border Terrier Club for giving me the opportunities to judge their Championship show, the committee for their hospitality and my stewards for keeping me on track. My thanks also to Joyce Martin for giving me memories of the day.
Secondly my appreciation to all exhibitors some who had travelled many miles on a very cold and frosty morning, it was a privilege to go over your dogs and thank you for accepting my decisions.
I was extremely pleased with my main winners, it’s very pleasing to have a class of borders and find one which ticks all your boxes.
Some puppies were in my opinion are too big and some I found difficult to span. I also prefer if handlers allowed the puppy to walk loosely and not strung up, this throws the front movement.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Crufts
8th Mar 2020
Judge: Mr Simon Jackson (Clipstone)
Firstly, I would like to thank the Kennel Club for allowing me the honour of judging this Border Terrier Centenary year. I also thank my excellent stewards for keeping me on track and to everybody who gave me such a fantastic entry, both in numbers and quality across all classes. To be blunt, I don't think I have ever seen and enjoyed such a very high quality entry before. Unfortunately many good exhibits went home unrewarded. Several classes the placed exhibits could have all stood in first place. I really was splitting hairs. I can honestly say that I really enjoyed myself and hope everybody else did too. I'd also like to thank Joyce Martin and my son, Laurence Jackson, for the excellent photographs which has made the writing of this critique so much easier. I understand Laurence also live-streamed the CC's and BOB – technology far above me – but thanks!
Mid Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Border Union Championship Show
4th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Many thanks go to the exhibitors and my two stewards who kept going throughout a rather damp session during the judging of the bitch classes. One of the essentials of a working terrier is being able to withstand a little rain but there were a few exhibits with thin skins and short of coat. I found that some lacked muscle, particularly behind, which affected the driving movement necessary for the breed’s function. My other main concern was the lack of width in the jaws of some, detracting from the desired, ‘like that of an otter’, head shape. This is a most identifying feature of the breed and needs to be carefully adhered to.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
The Terrier Club of Scotland Open Show
10th Oct 2021
Judge: Anne Speake
I’d like to extend my thanks to the society for their invitation to judge the border terriers at this friendly well run terrier show, to my efficient steward Elaine, who ensured things ran smoothly. To the exhibitors, it was a privilege to judge your dogs. Temperaments were excellent; all dogs were entire; and mouths were good.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
attractive dark g/t dog who has a broad skull, dark eye and neat ears, large teeth. Moderate length of neck, in to a good shoulder, with enough bone, in good coat, moved ok.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lynda Ward (Roundtown)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this, our parent club’s show. My thanks to the committee who ran such a lovely event with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. My judge’s gift is much appreciated and will be a treasured momento of the day.
My superstar stewards, Janice Johnson and Liz Barrett, worked hard and unobtrusively whilst keeping the classes moving smoothly over a long day – well done ladies.
Many thanks of course to the exhibitors who made the journey on a major bank holiday weekend giving a large and quality entry of 190 dogs making 229 entries plus 10 NFC.
I had some lovely sound and typical Borders to go over and, had I had them, I would have had no qualms in awarding 4 dog tickets and 5 bitch tickets.
Unfortunately there are always downsides in a big entry and today size was an issue with some overly large exhibits who were not spannable and very heavily built.
There were a number of youngsters which were obviously unused to having their mouths examined and more practice in a calm atmosphere would help to make them comfortable and avoid stress for them and their handlers.
Ears need watching as some were quite large and spoiled the head.
Sadly, as in the past I must complain about long tails. Tails are an integral aspect of the overall picture of a typical Border outline and long is simply wrong. Our breed standard is spartan compared to many others but for tails the description is clear and begins with, “Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering.” Hopefully the issue will be addressed before the untypical becomes the norm.
On a positive note …
Feet were overall small and thickly padded although some would benefit from trimming and shorter nails.
There was a good number of lovely otter-like heads of correct proportions with well placed dark eyes and a keen expression.
As is usual these days coat presentation was generally good and today there were plenty of dense coats of correct texture and thick skins.
Do I think the quality shown in this entry bodes well for the breed? Yes.
Veteran - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Akenside Feckless
Placing Critique
7 years old strong headed dog with good bite, narrow front, good jacket and proper tail.
Class Critique
I always enjoy the Veteran classes and this was full of grand dogs still belying their age.
