Show Placings
The All Terrier Association Group Championship Show (Ireland)
13th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss C Neill
Green Star Dog
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
The Border Terrier Club of Ireland Championship Show
13th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr Bob Wright (Totherend)
Green Star Dog
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
The All Terrier Association Group Championship Show (Ireland)
13th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss C Neill
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge the show, also making me feel so welcomed. A big thank you to my 2 stewards Tracey and Kathleen who kept me on track, also to all the exhibits and exhibitors, who gave me a lots of quality Borders to go over. I wish I had more CC’s especially in the dog classes. My concern with in the breed, is their fronts, straight shoulders, with very little angulation, which effects the front movement. All dogs had a good bite, a couple with level bite, but not a problem. All males were entire. Grooming needs to be addressed, tidying their underneath, also the feet need to be neatly trimmed and the nails cut correctly, it makes such a difference when presenting them to the Judge. 1or 2 needed ring craft classes. However, overall what a great representation of the breed. I was very pleased with my main winners.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Best Puppy
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
Promising Pup, good strong head, keen eye, neat ears. Moderate neck, well laid shoulders into level topline held on the move, short carroty tail.
Excellent double coated harsh. moved out well for a youngster. BPD BPIS.
The Scottish Kennel Club (October Show)
1st Oct 2022
Judge: Mr G Richardson
I would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for offering me the chance to award C.Cs for the first time, thanks to their hospitality i had a very enjoyable experience . Thank you to the exhibitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner . Also thank you to my very efficient Steward on the day Judy Carr , with her experience she kept the day flowing excellently. Overall I was very pleased with the dogs placed on the day, generally there was a better quality bitch entry compared to dogs. Movement and wide fronts was an issue with some exhibits but generally ok. I was happy to see my B.P, take Puppy Group 2 and B.S.B.I.B. take S.B. Group 1 .
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
Blue & tan 9 mth old promising pup. Otter head with good ear set, strong jaw with correct bite. Nice length of neck leading into narrow shoulders with straight front. Easily spanned with good length of rib leading into well angulated rear quarters, moved well around the ring. Correct double coat with loose pelt. Pleased to award this B.P.I.B and see him go on to be awarded P.G. 2.
Midland Counties Canine Society
30th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr Alan Small (Bethane)
I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging the Border Teriers at Midland Counties Champ. Show. Thanks to the Officers & Committee for the invite & especially to the exhibitors who presented me with such a wonderful entry of 230 from 174 dogs. It was a quality entry overall and I was particuarly impressed with the quality of the young stock which augers well for the breed. There's no Puppy or Veteran Groups at the Midland, which is a pity because I feel both would have done well. Must not be too greedy, as it was nice to see my BOB, Ch. Otterbobs Tolson top the Terrier Group and my Best Special Beginners, Thistlemead Sundance, take her respective Group as well.....Well done.
Special thanks to my Ring Stewards, Penny Lloyd & Gavin Argyle, who kept things moving along nicely. Border Terriers are dear to my heart having owned & bred them over a number of years. Thanks again for such a wonderful entry, I enjoyed your dogs and a nice atmosphere prevailed.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Nov 2022
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
I won my first Crufts qualifier at this show 25 years ago and it has always been one of my favourites. It was an honour to be invited to judge and my thanks go to the Scottish Club for their hospitality. Thanks also to my very capable stewards Bill Shorthose and Judy Carr.My sincere thanks to all those who entered and allowed me the privilege of going over their dogs.
Today I found there to be a much greater depth of quality among the bitches with there being many promising puppies and some very nice animals in the upper classes,particularly limit and open. This depth of quality was not apparent in a number of the dog classes although I was pleased with my main winners.
As would be expected there was some diversity in size and type.A number of exhibits of both sexes were up to size- I have big hands so if I find them difficult to span they are probably too big. I found all males to be entire, no serious mouth faults and one kinked tail.Of most concern was the number of dogs with very poor front movement and the number with atypical heads; some too long in muzzle and a few where the muzzle was too short, the latter giving a rather cat like look. Coats and pelts were generally good and a few dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.A fairly minor fault, but one which detracts from the overall outline, were the dogs which carried their tails curled over their backs i.e “gay tailed” as opposed to carrying their tails gaily.
Some of these faults are aesthetic but others such as size and soundness are not and we should be mindful that our breed is “essentially a working terrier.”
Best Puppy
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
Smart blue of 9 months.Good angulation front and rear giving a well balanced outline. Masculine head developing nicely with flat skull, dark eye and good bite.Well set tail,,moderate bone and moving freely. Enough topcoat to determine texture, good pelt. Promising youngster. BPD, BPIS.
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.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
almost 14 mths b/t longer cast than the first 2, straight front, keen expression, lovely dark eye, in super condition with plenty of ticking, moved well.
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
A very big thank you to the SBTC for inviting me to judge this very well run show, to Marina for stewarding and to the exhibitors for entering under me.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
BL/T with ticking, slightly heavier in build than 1st but he was in a harsh thick coat, strong muzzle with big white teeth, another masculine head level topline and correct set on of tail, good bend of stifle, made the most of his movement around the big ring.
Bath Canine Society
29th May 2023
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for inviting me to judge today. A big thank you to my two very efficient stewards, Mark and Joyce, who kept the ring running smoothly and efficiently. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, it is always a privilege to do so. I was disappointed not to have been able to stay and watch the groups but circumstances outwith my control prevented me from doing so.
While there were plenty of good ‘otter’ heads in evidence, I found some heads lacking in muzzle strength and some with stops that were too deep, neither of which is desirable. Some exhibits were too heavy in frame and consequently didn’t come to hand easily. Some dogs had weak pasterns and feet that could have been tighter. Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, some just going over the top, and in some cases, this was a deciding factor. Overall, movement was good with correct tracking, plenty of drive off well angulated hindquarters and good length of stride. Some dogs could have benefited from more ring training and, at times, baiting on the table was excessive. A dog scrambling to get to bait makes it more difficult to assess. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners and final line-up. I was also pleased to see my Best Veteran win the Terrier Veteran Group, my Best Puppy shortlisted in the Terrier Puppy Group and my Best Special Beginners, Special Beginners Terrier Group 4
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
Head of good proportions with very little stop, flat skull, strong muzzle, correct bite with big teeth, dark eye, keen expression, stood on straight front legs with good feet, good length of neck into well placed shoulders, narrow rib, well laid back, harsh jacket over thick, loose pelt, good topline and tailset, moved soundly.
Three Counties Championship Dog Show
9th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Three Counties Championship Dog Show. My appointment was originally for 2020 but it was worth the wait to be able to judge at this lovely showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Many thanks indeed to my stewards Bill and Trish who kept everything moving ringside in an efficient and pleasant manner. My thanks go to all the exhibitors who brought their dogs under me. It was a real privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There were some close decisions and I would like to thank all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly.
Based on my entry I felt that the overall quality of the breed was good. Most were fit and I thought that fronts and heads had improved from the last time I judged. There were only a few that I was unable to span and a couple who had missing teeth and one that had a kinked tail. I was particularly pleased with my bitch line-up and I thought there were some very good quality exhibits who on another day could be ticket winners.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
B/T Rising 18mnths. Presented in very good coat and condition. Very good otter head with lovely eye and expression. Big teeth. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Well padded feet. Liked his length of body and length of rib making him easily spannable. Very good top line and tail set. Correct double jacket with an excellent top coat and thick pelt. He moved really well from all angles. A well balanced dog that I liked a lot.
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.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
Slightly bigger overall than my winner, but was easily spannable. A very typey dog with a pleasing head, keen expression and good teeth. Loved his profile movement long low, ground covering stride which secured him his second place.
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.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
well presented and on point with pleasing head, full harsh coat c/w ticking, lovely topline through to well set short tail, neat feet, just preferred the front movement on (1)
Belfast Championship Show
23rd Sep 2023
Judge: Mr John Scanlon (Pantycelyn)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
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.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
blue/tan with very nice head and eye giving a lovely expression. Strong muzzle with big teeth Nice neck into a lovely topline and correctly set and carried tail. Still yet to reach his peak looking a little immature in front but has a nice forehand and good shaped rib that is well back to his medium length loin. Good coat and pelt covering an easily spanned body. Ideal bone with good feet and strong rear, has all the essentials, just needs time to mature and finish to complete the picture.
The Scottish Kennel Club
1st Oct 2023
Judge: Mr M Armstrong (Bitcon)
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
Super head and eye, correct bite, well made body, nice legs and feet, ok top-line and tail set, excellent quarters, in good jacket and pelt, easy span, moved well.
Midland Counties Championship Show
26th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I would like to thank the officers & committee for giving me the opportunity to judge the Border Terrier classes, & also a big thank you to Penny Winger & Gavin Argill my two ring stewards who kept things in order & also made sure we finished on time, and a special mention to my Best of Breed winner for attending the terrier group, and being rewarded with being short listed in the final seven.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Placing Critique
Looked the real deal as he paraded around the ring with the others, lovely profile, masculine head excellent front and shoulders, properly shaped rib cage carried well back, excellent rear assembly, with a harsh blue coat.
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.
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
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.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
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.
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Ir CH Benattivo Woody At Ploughdown
Class Critique
What a super class of quality dogs in all the placings and beyond.
