Show Placings
The Yorkshire, Lancs & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
26th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs Kathy Wilkinson (Otterkin)
What a privilege to be invited by the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club to judge their Diamond Jubilee Championship show, marking 60 years since the Club was first incorporated. The event was tinged with sadness that their long time Secretary, Mrs Cynthia Knight, could not be here to witness this special occasion. A minutes silence in her memory was called at the beginning of the show. I like to think she would have been looking down on the Club and the show with satisfaction with the way her team have continued to run the Club, always remembering the great influence and impact she and her husband Gordon ("Tag") had on their Club. Also being remembered at the show, were recent sad losses to the breed of Eva Heslop and Kathy Fell and to terriers in general, the redoubtable Maureen Micklethwaite.
Congratulations to the Acting Secretary, Tina and her husband and Chairman, Kevin Green and the rest of the team on a well run show and thanks to my ring stewards, Graham Richardson and Sharon Pickering for keeping everything running smoothly.
A show is not held for the benefit of a judge or a society; it is held for the dogs to be assessed and their owners and exhibitors to have a good day out, win or lose. I therefore hope that everyone enjoyed their day.
Very pleased with the entry of 211 dogs making 242 entries, both in terms of numbers and in depth of quality of the entry. Class entry numbers shown are give or take some catalogue changes during the day, which are reflected in my numbers below. Absentees in new dogs gave an absentee rate of 34%.
Given that I have previously had to talk about dogs being kept too thin, it was good that there were only one or two dogs who could have done with more weight on them (one especially where I could feel the pin bones protruding), but most of those shown today were in good body weight and condition. While it is a real thrill, it is also a sadness to me to be judging well filled classes of quality dogs or bitches, knowing that some of those I really like have to go card-less, just because of the excellence of the entry.
Many times, in quite a few classes, hard decisions had to be made. Spanning is to me, one of the most important things after breed type (after all, you can span other breeds of terrier and I was looking for a Border!), but even the best typy dogs cannot win if I am unable to span them. A Border that cannot get to ground and back out, is not "essentially a working terrier". There were so many good ones today who were easily spanned, who also had excellent heads and moved so well and who came to hand well when lifted from the floor. Although some I had loved from ringside, were difficult to span and so paid the price, it is surprising that others, who might have looked on the large side from ringside in earlier days, were surprisingly easy to span. Nothing beats getting hands on. Judging by today's quality entry, I can safely say that the breed is in a good place.
I understand that during the day, a Diamond Jubilee Celebration cake, arranged by Pat and Brian Baxter, was cut into and offered to exhibitors, with a glass of fizz to toast the Club. Special gifts were awarded to each exhibitor/member (one per household) of a glass paperweight bearing the Club's name and notation to celebrate the Club's Diamond Jubilee. I was also pleased to receive one of the paperweights as the judge, along with a nice bottle, thank you!
It was a long day, with a 10am start. In future, the Club may decide to think about an earlier start and while the 2 classes held in the interval were a good idea, I thought, and well received, it did mean that I was not able to ask for the 20 minute or 1/2 hour break I would have preferred, but in the end, while waiting for those classes to be judged, I believe the break lasted around an hour and a quarter (we finished Puppy bitch at 1.25pm but could not get back into the ring to start Junior Bitch until 2.40pm), which put the show's ending back to much later than it might have been. Perhaps if Clubs decide to put on those extra classes, they would best be done either at an Open show, or at a Championship show where the venue is big enough for a separate ring. There was an entry of 26 for the judge of the 2 separate classes. What if it had been 50? Having said that, I offer my congratulations to the society for being innovative and forward thinking on this, but I just think it needs tweaking.
A long day, but a very enjoyable one; thanks again to all who entered under me at this special Diamond Jubilee Show of the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club and thank you to the Club for their hospitality and the lovely gifts.
Thanks again to all exhibitors for a super entry for this special celebration show.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Class Critique
1 transferred to Puppy Dog. What an excellent class to start the day.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Nov 2015
Judge: Mr Dave Matthews (Tojamatt)
Really pleased to be invited to judge the midland open show, so my thanks to the committee for inviting me and for the hospitality received. Many thanks to Margaret Bailey and Paul Brannan for stewarding and making things run smoothly and keeping me on track. Also my thanks to the competitors for taking my decisions so well and for bringing real quality to the show ring it was hugely appreciated, whether you were first or third there were some close decisions and exceptional quality.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
9 Month old nice otter head, big teeth correct bite and good ear set, easily spanned with nice rear angulation and narrow front but not settled today a little erratic on the move.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Nov 2015
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge their show, to the exhibitors for giving me such a super entry and especially to Robert Brewster for his excellent stewarding. I really enjoyed my day.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
9 mths g/t, nice head and reach of neck,narrow throughout, good angulation and body lines, harsh coat , moved OK
Boston & District Canine Society
10th Jan 2016
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
My thanks to the Society for my invitation to judge at Boston show . Thanks too to my stewards who were both efficient and unobtrusive , great timesavers and cheerful ! I very much enjoyed my day on the woolsack and had some lovely dogs and bitches who I felt could do a days work , having the construction to enable them to run the equivalent of a marathon over rough terrain , as well as being narrow , lithe and spannable to get in underground and ultimately back out again . Some did pay the penalty of being too big in rib and thus were heavily over standard for weight when picked up or too wide in front to get in , others failed in their construction to move in a sound , balanced , long , free striding way making one think they could not follow a horse any distance ! All bar 1 male were entire , there were a few with kinks in their tails and I had more than the usual number of level bites , some with very jumbled or small teeth which I feel must be watched carefully and please try to breed out as they are the defence of a working terrier – Border Terriers should have big scissor bite dentition . I still believe a BT should be capable of free standing and moving on a looser lead as of yore , rather than having their legs screwed on and being too strung up , I understand some dogs do not make the most of themselves free stood , but a lot are pushed into a very strange shape by their handlers ,and lose the vivacity and ‘active and game’ outlook that is part and parcel of the breed , making them very depressed , even some of the puppies looked as though they would rather be anywhere else but in a show ring , either from being over shown or over handled . There were a few dogs who I felt needed more weight on them , their coats hiding their stuck up spine & pin bones – this may be to try and make them more easily spannable or weigh nearer the standard , but it is very unfair on any adult or puppy to starve them , and they did pay the price in some classes as they could not work as thin and lacking strength as they were. In other words they should be made right not starved into shape .
Both my challenge line ups pleased me , and I was especially pleased to have such a good even bitch challenge where I was spoilt for choice , ultimately the dog and bitch I could visualize most easily following horse and hounds and then working gained top honours , being well made , spannable , good coats and pelts , sound free accurate movers with quality and breed type .
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
11m red grizzle of handy size and light framed build . He is typical in head with dark eye and well set ears. Narrow front with well boned , straight legs and good feet. Easy span rib of good shape , picks up not too heavy, though he too could carry more weight for his frame . Moved straight and took a decent stride keeping same outline as when stood.
Manchester Championship Show
14th Jan 2016
Judge: Mrs Ruth Ann Naun (USA)
I would like to thank the Manchester Dog Show Society, as well as Kate & Ronnie Irving who were my hosts while in Britain, I thoroughly enjoyed my judging and your hospitality.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
14th Feb 2016
Judge: Mr Rob Taylor (Foxthorn)
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Apr 2016
Judge: Mr D. Fryer (Irton)
The Border terrier breed standard is relatively brief, but implies a lot. To me, the most important clause is the first; 'Essentially a working terrier'. This must be interpreted; to me, it means that it must be capable of working to fox after following a possibly lengthy hunt across rough upland country, arriving under it's own steam, fit for purpose, at the same time as the huntsman who will typically be mounted. Thus it must have the length and depth of rib to allow good heart and lung room, and the conformation to allow properly efficient movement . It must also be narrow enough in rib to allow it to follow a fox to ground; and it must have the head and muzzle strength, and size of teeth and bite, to allow it to deal with whatever it finds. It must also have the coat and pelt to protect it from weather and quarry underground.
In my entry today, I found a lot of quality , but also a few worries. Front movement left a lot to be desired in too many exhibits; generally as a result of imperfect shoulder construction; though a worrying lack of muscle may well be a factor here. The puppy classes in particular left a lot to be desired in front movement; hopefully some will improve as they tighten up and mature. Coats were generally of good quality and mostly well prepared; though in some cases attempts at creative grooming did more to highlight shortcomings than to hide them. I found no undershot or overshot bites; though I did note a few with teeth not 'set square to the jaws', a few (older) dogs with missing teeth and several with somewhat crooked or undersized teeth. I was particularly impressed with the depth of quality in the upper dog classes.
My thanks to the Club and to the exhibitors for the opportunity to get my hands on so many quality Border terriers; particular thanks to Bev Jackson and family, and the collecting ring stewards, for the efficient marshalling of the ring which allowed me to concentrate solely on judging the dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging , and the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere throughout the show.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
Lighter body , coat still to come, well made in front.
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
1st May 2016
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the exhibitors for their entry, always an honour to be allowed to go over their dogs, I did thoroughly enjoy my day. My thanks also to my stewards who helped to keep things on the move throughout.
It was in many ways an interesting entry, the standard asks for a dog that is essentially a working terrier and I wonder how many breeders keep this in mind when planning their litters? This implies a dog of correct size, capable of going all day and with strength but not coarseness. Whilst there were many good dogs present that could answer these requirements, there were many that could not.
The quality was very much in the upper classes of both sexes with a few notable exceptions. The major problem is movement, particularly in front, and the puppies were disappointing in this respect. Many otherwise excellent dogs simply could not cover their ground with any ease; it was an excellent ring with good mats so no excuses there.
In general coats and pelts were good, some could have been tidied to effect, feet and nails were poorly presented and fitness varied, which I always find very disappointing in a breed that does so love to run! I was surprised to find a number of mouths that at best could be described as “iffy”, whilst these would not necessarily effect the dogs ability to work it is a worrying trend. I did, however, have some lovely dogs to go over and I was very pleased with my winners, not enough cards to go round in many classes.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
West Bromwich & Wednesbury Canine Association Open Show
27th Aug 2016
Judge: Mr Edward Allen (Penparc)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Sep 2016
Judge: Mrs Chris Davis (Hesselemere)
Firstly my thanks to the Committee of Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge their show this year. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. It was lovely to see such a good bunch of Borders as I have not been around any shows of late due to other commitments. The quality was excellent; I was really pleased with both my line ups, but particularly the males. Size was very pleasing, as was condition, well muscled animals that could do a day’s work. Temperaments were excellent too. The breed is ‘looking good’.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
Dark G/T smaller than winner with good shoulder, feet and tail.
The Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2016
Judge: Mrs Jena Tuck (Nettleby)
I would like to thank the Committee of the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this very enjoyable and well run show. It was an honour and pleasure. In the ring I was very ably assisted by my two capable stewards Ian and Bridget, who I would like to thank. The hospitality of the Club was second to none I had a truly wonderful day. Thanks must go to the exhibitors, who allowed me to go over their dogs. The depth of quality was remarkable and some very good exhibits had to go cardless I was delighted by my main winners, thank you again for giving me the pleasure of judging them. I chose the dog as BIS because he had that extra attitude and showmanship.
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Nov 2016
Judge: Mrs Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for their invitation to judge this show. It was a great privilege to be asked and I would like to thank my two ring stewards Jem Thomas and Richard Wright for keeping everything moving smoothly for me throughout the day.
Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
19 month old grizzle dog with a nice head and keen expression. Built on racy lines, narrow throughout with good reach of neck. Good angulation and had a loose pelt and harsh double jacket. Moved ok when settled. Liked his size.
East Anglian Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Nov 2016
Judge: Mr Dave Matthews (Tojamatt)
My thanks to The East Anglian Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge the November Open Show also my stewards Rob Brewster and Bev Jackson for their help throughout the day. It was a lovely venue and atmosphere and a very well run show. Thanks also to all the exhibitors who entered the show and accepted my decisions with great sportsmanship.
Reserve Best Dog
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
Reserve Best Dog 21 months old red dog narrow throughout broad skull dark eye nice expression, lovely outline very easily spanned excellent shoulders good topline and tailset a little exited but once settled he covered the ground well, shown in a good jacket not overdone in any aspect
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
19th Mar 2017
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
What a pleasure it was for me to judge the East Anglian Border Terrier Club Championship Show on Sunday 19th March 2017. Thanks to the EABTC for inviting me to judge and to the exhibitors for the lovely entry and the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. A really friendly relaxed atmosphere and a good big well lit ring awaited me, along with a good steward in Robert Brewster who did a sterling job keeping everything running smoothly. It certainly was a quality entry and I really enjoyed going over all the dogs and coats and pelts were much improved since the last time I judged. Toplines, shoulders and movement were varied but I was very pleased with my winners on the day, in some classes they would change places on another occasion but I was judging them today as I saw them, and how I interpreted the Breed Standard.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
Rangier type than my winner and nicely angulated fore and aft, good in rib, but looked very bare with little top coat, took time to settle on the move, but didn’t show himself to advantage today.
Joint Border Terriers Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2017
Judge: Mrs. K. Wilkinson (Otterkin)
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
VERY hard decision here between the first and second. Love the type on this dark red grizzle boy. Yes, he tends to move very fast around the ring and could be slowed down to get the most out of him I think. He has a superb head, with a lovely keen, dark eye. Lovely straight front. Good shoulders and excellent topline. Loved his rib shape.
Coventry & District Kennel Association
21st May 2017
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at this friendly, well run show, and for their hospitality. Also thank you to my two efficient stewards who kept everything running smoothly. Thank you so much to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of going over their lovely dogs who were all well behaved on the day, all in coat, and all males entire.
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
2 year old grizzle and tan dog who has such a lovely male head with short, strong muzzle, scissor bite, keen dark eye and pleasing expression. Straight, narrow front with just the right amount of bone. Good length and angle of upper arm, narrow, well placed shoulders and narrow ribs carried well back. Strong loin, nice tailset, and a lovely harsh topcoat and loose pelt. Easily spannable and moved well when settled.
Nuneaton & District Canine Society Open Show
14th Jan 2018
Judge: Paul Eardley (Sherex)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
The Southern Border Terrier Club Limit Show
15th Apr 2018
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My sincere thanks to the committee for the kind invitation to judge at my first club show, I enjoyed the day immensely. Thank you to my efficient stewards Tina Morgan, Rachel Larner and Wendy Mooney, show manager for keeping things running so smoothly.
My thanks must go to the exhibitors for bringing along their dogs today, and the sporting acceptance of my decisions.
I did note some untypical heads, which for me lacked for me the characterising feature of the breed, I found such heads to be somewhat exaggerated with too much stop, not the ‘moderately’ broad skull I was looking for.
On the whole, I found mouths were good, a couple of level bites, and one or two with misaligned teeth, but it was pleasing to find big strong teeth in most exhibits.
I was very pleased with my class winners; some decisions were very close especially in the bitch classes. In both sexes there were some promising youngsters coming through which can only auger well for the breed.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
National Dog Show
11th May 2019
Judge: Mrs Anne Heathcote (Saxheath)
I would like to thank the Society for giving me the opportunity to judge our breed for the first time at their 160th Anniversary show and for their hospitality. I was able to complete the judging in good time thanks to my two excellent Stewards Steph and Alan.
The quality of the entry was pleasing overall but one or two could have benefited from tidying , it is a show and you owe it to your dog to present them well , and I was unable to span a few . However , my main winners were for me the correct size and in some of the classes the decisions were very close.
Thank you for accepting my decisions so gracefully.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
R gr with a decent head and profuse beard. Good reach of neck leading to a nice outline. Another very harsh coat and thick pelt . Moved well
Bath Championship Show
27th May 2019
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Many thanks to the Officers and Committee for my invitation to judge this superb breed. The weather was not on our side to start but it warmed up and made for a superb day. I have owned or shown this breed for over 20 years and found a real mixed bag today. I found the youngsters to be really pleasing which is promising for the breed. Many thanks to all the exhibitors for taking the time to show under me.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2019
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge at their Championship show, it was an interesting day going over the dogs and I thank the exhibitors for their good sized entry and the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Thanks must also go to my excellent stewards, Tina Morgan and Felicity Freer who kept me on track and everything running smoothly throughout the day.
Coats were at varying stages of growth and there was a wide variety of types, and a few with heavy shoulders and short, round oversprung ribs and poor toplines. I was quite surprised to see some faults in the entry which I wasn’t expecting, I found a young male with only one testicle descended, three with teeth out of line, one whose mouth didn’t close correctly and two kinked tails.
I judged the entry as I saw the dogs on the day, and as always I was looking for a dog which excels in breed type, fits the standard and appears capable of doing a day’s work. I value all the essentials required in a working dog and also those who have that extra something as a show dog. I was pleased with my winners and look forward to watching show careers with interest.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Alfreton & DCS Open Show
20th Jul 2019
Judge: Ron Punter (Lacus)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Brumborder Willow Balm
Placing Critique
Shorter type than winner. Good straight front. Not as strong a bite as winner.
