Show Placings
Boston & District Canine Society
8th Jan 2023
Judge: Tracy Butler (Ycart)
Firstly I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge there well run show,also many thanks must go to my very capable stewards on an excellent job in keeping the ring running smoothly.
The biggest thanks must go the exhibitors for there entries,and there sportsmanship on my decisions.
In my opinon,my findings where as follows,the standard asks for “essencially a working terrier”,this is a statement that is very close to my heart.
Unfortunatley some do not fit this,short upperarms are still very present,restricting reach in movement.Some dogs would benefit from less food and more exercise.
Muscle tone varied greatly,some dogs lacking,these dogs are bred to do a job.
With the rising costs of entries,some exhibits would benefit greatly from a good tidy up and the mud removed from there under bellies.
I was pleased with my overall winners,some nice quality exhibits.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
6 month grizzle,feminine head,correct dentation,clean neck,good shoulders,striaght front,neat tight well padded feet,easily spanned,strong loin,well muscled quarters for one so young,excellent harsh jacket & thick pelt,overall balanced picture,moved out well once settled,pleased to award her BPB.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Feb 2023
Judge: Roger Mann (Lynsett)
My thanks go to the committee of Midland Border Terrier Club for their invitation to judge the February Open show. I had some lovely dogs to judge & would like to thank the exhibitors for their entries. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Best Puppy
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
6mth Grizzle with a lovely feminine head. Good eye shape, bite & neat ears. Good reach of neck leads to level topline & well set carrot tail. Thick loose pelt, good coat texture & easily spanned. Moved well. BPB, Best Puppy in Show.
The Southern Border Terrier Open Show
5th Mar 2023
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Many thanks to the club for the invitation to judge at their show and for their hospitality. Thank you to my stewards, and the exhibitors for entering under me. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was pleased with the quality present. Many of the classes were close decisions and coats played a big part in final standings. Whilst I didn’t find any dogs that I couldn’t span, having spent a lifetime around working terriers some of the bitches in particular were on the larger end of the scale for preference.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
lovely sized bitch in good coat. Nice feminine head with neat ears. Good neck and topline. Enough bone with good feet. Nicely balanced. Moved well when settled. Promising pup.
Crufts
11th Mar 2023
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
To judge Border Terriers at Crufts was both a privilege and a honour and I must thank the Crufts Committee for the appointment to judge the breed at what is the greatest dog show in the world. A big thanks go to the exhibitors from both home and abroad for such a super entry which made for a great days judging with quality in depth in many of the classes. Finally I must thank my two stewards who kept things moving in the ring to allow me to finish judging in good time.
On the day I was looking for a workmanlike dog as the standard asks for but one also must remember that in the show ring you also need that attitude and showmanship to complete the picture. I felt my BOB put up a great show in the Group and was so pleased to see him take Group 2 in a quality line up.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Promising young lady built on clean and flowing lines. Nicely balanced throughout and has a very typical appearance. Liked her head, good strength for her age along with neat well set ears and a good eye and expression. Pleasing length of body, good depth but easily spanned and racy hindquarters. Good coat and pelt. Positive mover.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2023
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
What an absolute honour and a privilege to be invited to judge this show, my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Border Terrier Club, and my two excellent stewards for the day, Judy and Marina.
My sincere thanks also, to ALL the exhibitors for making it truly memorable, with 196 dogs, 233 entries.
Some very close decisions had to be made!
On the down side, I found some very short muzzles and small teeth, and quite a number of filthy teeth!! Temperaments were generally good, there were 2 kinked tails and 1 suspect mouth, a lack of muscle tone and condition in some exhibits, which is essential for a terrier to do it’s job.
That said, it was an absolute joy to see so many super dogs.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
26th Mar 2023
Judge: Anne Higham (Comberdown)
I would like to thank The Northern Border Terrier Club for nominating me and the committee of the Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association for inviting me to judge at this wonderful friendly and hospitable show. Thank you to my two stewards who kept everything running smoothly and to the exhibitors for their entry and attendance on such a cold day.
I found all males entire and one level bite.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
9 month old grizzle & tan. Typical feminine head. Correct dentition. Nice length to body with level topline. Easily spanned. Good coat and pelt.
The Scottish Kennel Club (May) Championship Show
21st May 2023
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Class Critique
Two top bitches in a close decision
Southern Counties Canine Association
2nd Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Pushed hard for 1st but not as positive as 1 and short of coat today. Superb head and expression.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Julie Price (Oxcroft)
Thank you to all at the Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge your championship show this year, it was a great honour and privilege. The weather was hot and the venue was good to gain some shade for the dogs and myself! I had two very capable stewards who kept things running smoothy throughout the day, so thank to Kathleen Haugh and Sophie Liggat for their support. I really enjoyed my day and was more than happy with my winners. Thank you again for your hospitality.
I was looking for type, gameness, soundness and dogs that were fit to do a day’s work whilst not losing any attributes of the breed standard. Some exhibits were rather well muscled around the shoulders which made it difficult to feel the lay of the shoulders and this would also restrict their ability to go to ground. As a breed I think we are losing the otter heads and keen expressions which distinguishes the Border Terrier from other terrier breeds. A lady contacted me a week after the show and explained that she had attended the show during some of the bitch classes as she was looking to purchase a puppy having recently lost two of her old Borders. She explained she was now thinking of buying another breed as the dogs in the show ring did not look like the Borders she had had previously. She felt that they did not have the characteristic otter heads, and sadly I had to agree with her.
Overall, most dogs were fit for purpose and I am sure you all took the best dog home with you. In the current financial climate, all your entries were valuable to the club and it was a pleasure and an honour to go over your dogs.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Heavier in shoulder and wider in front than the other two. Pleasing head and expression with a good reach of neck. Level topline, but short in loin with good tail set.
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2023
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for giving me the opportunity to judge Border Terriers in their spiritual home territory. My stewards, Audrey & Judith did a great job in running the class changes efficiently on a hot humid day. It was a lovely entry, with many exhibits that I had not judged before – thank you all. I found some exhibits which could have been better prepared with attention to coat, body condition and clean teeth. A few level bites a couple of kink tails influenced placings but all dogs were entire and overall a nice group of BT’s to go over. My main winners had breed qualities that outweighed any imperfection, that in my opinion wouldn’t impact on its ability to perform its traditional work.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
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.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
strong feminine head with dark eye, good dentition, good topline to thick carrot tail, ribs carried well back, straight front, full harsh coat and good pelt, drove well on the move with small neat feet, would have liked a little more rear angulation but still impressive
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.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Feminine head with strong muzzle, good teeth and keen expression. Harsh coat with thick pelt, presented in good condition, narrow throughout and moved with ease.
Leicester City CS Open Show
28th Aug 2023
Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
Many thanks go to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at this, the Leicester City Canine Society Open Dog Show and also to the exhibitors for presenting me with such an excellent entry, which was a real privilege to assess. There were some close decisions and I would like to thank all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly.
Special thanks must also to my two stewards Keith Price and Nicky Holden for keeping both the ring, and me, in check. Our allocated ring was remarkably quite extensive, which is often not the case in indoor areas of this nature, with plenty of space around for cages and seating etc. One minor glitch however, was the provision of a full size trestle table as a ring table. This did cause some problems for exhibitors, when standing their dogs and for myself, the vertically challenged judge, when going over the exhibits.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch who caught my eye for overall type and presence when first entering the ring. Possesses a quality feminine head with a keen expression, good eye shape and colour, well set on ears, strong muzzle, a decisive scissor bite and good sized teeth. Muscular neck, good topline, ribs carried well back, firm loin. Easily spanned. Thick carroty tail of good length. Well constructed throughout with straight front and small neat feet. Presented with a harsh jacket with a dense undercoat and thick loose pelt. Moved positively around the ring with drive. It was a pleasure to go over her. Delighted to award her BEST OF BREED.
City of Birmingham Championship Show
2nd Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs K Wilkinson (Otterkin)
Thank you to City of Birmingham for the invitation to judge this show, for the very large ring provided to the breed and to all the exhibitors who entered under me – I was very pleased with the overall quality of the entry of 122 dogs making 144 entries in these days of falling entries, with very few absentees (16 from “new dogs” by my count).
The ring stewards did an excellent job of keeping everything running smoothly – so thank you to John Gardner and Ken Francis.
I would like to send my best wishes to Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow) who had initially been under contract to judge this as her very first Championship Show. Having seen Anna judge at the Border Terrier Club’s Open show in February 2022, I know she is a very experienced and knowledgeable judge as well as an excellent breeder and hope in time that she is able to take on another Championship Show appointment in the future. I had originally been invited to judge this show in 2024 and had sent my acceptance letter, but when the Secretary contacted me, I agreed to bring forward the appointment to 2023.
I have taken the name/s of the owner/s and the dogs’ names direct from the catalogue. Some may have other owners or Kennel Names added, or awards such as Ch or JW added now, but I must use the details from the catalogue.
*Handlers* – please do not stuff food/tubes of treats into your dogs’ mouths just before the judge needs to look at their dentition. Those who stood behind their dogs and held the lead, I had no problem examining their dogs’ mouths, but a small number of others who were stuffing food into their dog’s mouth as I approached, once they moved away, some dogs were up on their hind legs trying to get more food/treats from you. I had to examine the rest of the dog then come back and look in the mouth again when the dogs were not fidgeting about looking for food. If you are doing it to avoid the dentition being checked, it won’t work as a judge will just come back to it!
It was quite hot in the hall. Kudos to all the dogs as they were not put off by the noise made when judge and/or handler stood on whatever was under the carpet making a “clunk” noise. I found when spanning dogs, almost all of them were hot underneath. Never felt that before, even when judging in 90 degree heat outside in America, so just be aware that your dog may be getting overheated.
Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2023
Judge: Mr Robert Brewster (Stowthorney & Breckgreen)
I would like to thanks the officers and committee of The Southern Border Terrier Club for giving me the honour of judging their Open Show. I first signed the contract for the show in 2017, but due to Covid and the Lockdown I have only just fulfilled my judging appointment. Whist remembering those who are no longer with us due to the Covid Pandemic. I was happy with my entry and would like to also thank the exhibitors for entering under me and thank them all for taking my decisions, some of which were difficult, in a sportsmanlike way. I found most exhibits to be in good order, but I was quite worried that I found some younger exhibits with a build-up of scale on their teeth. This should be addressed as soon as possible. I was also delighted with a young exhibitor, attending her first show, on a whole handling her young dog so well whilst full of nerves and inexperience. We need to encourage these youngsters as they are the custodians of our breed
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Another nice sized bitch of nice type. Pleasing otter head with neat ears. Good scissor bite with large teeth. Nice reach of neck into correct shoulder placement. Nicely angulated all round. Narrow throughout and easy to span. Move round the ring with ease and drive.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
See Novice Bitch
Coventry Ladies’ Kennel Society Open Show
1st Jan 2024
Judge: David Bell (Balintyne)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
A typy bitch of the correct size, in excellent coat and condition, she has a lovely outline, thick pelt and easily spanned, good bone and feet, she showed really well and moved steadily
Wellingborough & District Canine Society Open Show
28th Jan 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Feb 2024
Judge: Lesley Armstrong-Rodgers (Atron/Scottsway)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show and therefore my thanks go to the Committee for the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed my day at this friendly well run show. It was advantageous in having such a good sized ring in which to watch the dogs move. Borders need room to get into their stride and show their effortless movement and profile when viewed in side gait.
A special thank you also to Richard and Sharon, my two stewards for keeping things running smoothly. It is always a great help for any judge to be blessed with competent stewards. Finally a big thank you to all the Exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me for my opinion and for accepting my decisions with good grace. As always coats were at differing stages, often reflected in the placings, but coats do come and go, construction does not !. Overall I found temperaments excellent, as well it should be, which bodes well for the breed.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
A well presented Grizzle who could not be ignored on first appraisal She has a lovely head with a strong muzzle and a super keen expression. Dark eye, big teeth with a correct scissor bite. Ears set neatly and close to her cheek. A good reach of neck which fits well into a correct shoulder placement, ribs carried well back. Straight front and well padded feet. Spanned with ease and has a loose pliable pelt. A good topline, strong in loin with a well set on tail. Shown today in a dense undercoat and good jacket. Moved out true in both front action and driving from strong well developed hindquarters. In the challenge she pushed for top honours and I was so pleased to award her RESERVE BEST BITCH
Class Critique
A lovely class of quality bitches
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
17th Feb 2024
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
3rd Mar 2024
Judge: Miss Nicola Foster (Thozow)
It was a great honour to be invited to Judge a Border Terrier Club Open show so I would like to thank the Southern Club for this opportunity. It was a day I had been looking forward too, so I would also like to thank the exhibitors for their entries, allowing me to access their dogs and for accepting my decisions. I was most grateful to my stewards Sian McKay & Marina Fleming who kept the ring running efficiently, and also live streamed the challenges and BIS.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Feminine head with keen expression, this lovely bitch is alert with a straight front with enough width, good length of neck well set onto correct lay of shoulder and return of upper arm giving her enough forechest . Her ribs are well sprung and she is compact in body with muscular racy hindquarters and correct carrot like tail. Excellent harsh double coat. Moved with extension and drive.
Crufts
10th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
A tremendous entry of 275 Borders ( 25 absentees on the day)to enjoy handling, judging and placing. I must extend my appreciation to my two valiant stewards for their patience and skill in keeping classes moving. Thank you all.
I do believe our breed is changing, but in subtle ways. The lack of opportunities for true terrier work below ground for some Borders has been replaced by agility and other energetic pursuits, but lack of hard muscle tone has produced a ‘softer’ body on some exhibits. Some feet are slacker, pads are more spread and thinner and some fronts are wide. Movement is not always positive and a ‘driving’ action is lacking. Size is fluctuating too. We have a ‘working’ breed - let’s ensure that features defining the breed are not lost, i.e. ‘spannability’; a hard, harsh top coat and soft protective undercoat (not enough of those today); a dark, expressive eye, a broad skull and strong quarters – ‘the engine is at the back!’. Heads generally were good, but some bitch heads veered towards coarseness.
One thing not lost is the Border’s kind temperament – curious, interested and ready for anything.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
National Terrier Club
6th Apr 2024
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
Thanks to the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this prestigious show and to the exhibitors who did me the honour of judging their dogs. I was lucky to have two efficient stewards who kept things running smoothly, thank you Laura and Dave.
The entry showed a good depth of quality. In many classes the places were hotly contested with decisions needing to be made on the narrowest of margins. I was very pleased to find that there were some good coats on thick pelts and the nice thick short tails which set off a good border so well.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Olliesorchids Vintage Fizz
Placing Critique
Shown in good thick coat this girl has a decent neck of good length, good underline and pleasing top line with well set tail of correct length. She possesses an otter like head with a good muzzle and broad skull with neat ears.
