Show Placings
Scottish Kennel Club
19th May 2013
Judge: Mrs M J Alexander (Glenbucket)
I would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for their kind invitation to judge this my first championship appointment. I would also like to thank my stewards who kept things running smoothly and the exhibitors for their sporting acceptance of my decisions
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Sedgley & Gornal CA
24th Nov 2013
Judge: Callie Harris (Nickeltweed)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
West Midland Terrier Society
7th Dec 2013
Judge: Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
This lovely blue and tan bitch was enjoying her day out and her tail never stopped wagging. She is still very immature but had a good head with a sweet expression. Coat coming in and evidence of ticking. She was a handy size with a good level topline with tail well set on. A bit exuberant on the move.
Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship Show
20th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr Peter Bakewell
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Well balanced with good outline, good head, eye and expression, good shoulders and forequarters, spannable ribs, well made body, good hindquarters and tail. Moved well.
Derbyshire County Show
22nd Jun 2014
Judge: Mr Robert F Taylor (Foxthorn)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Nov 2014
Judge: Mrs P McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the Scottish Committee for the invitation to judge our prestigious annual Championship Show; to my excellent steward Joyce Orr, and to the exhibitors for such a good entry.
I was happy with my class winners which were super examples of the breed. On the down side a number of exhibits were short in the leg and in the body, giving an unbalanced appearance and it’s very unlikely that they would be capable of following a horse, as the breed standard requires. Some pelts were too thin and too many dogs were single coated.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Blue and tan bitch in good coat with pleasing head and expression. Good reach of neck and topline. Well set on tail. Moved with drive.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2014
Judge: Miss Tracy Peacock (Ragatam)
I would like to thank the committee for the judging appointment and the two stewards, Jem Thomas and Margaret Davies. I enjoyed my day very much. Thanks to the exhibitors for an excellent entry. I was pleased with my principle winners. Some dogs were penalised today for lack of coat, I know coats will grow back. Movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Nov 2014
Judge: Jane Moreton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
I would like to thank the committee and members for inviting me to judge at the show, and to all those who entered under me. Also thanks to my two stewards Robert Brewster and Jeremy Young and for those who prepared lunch.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was very happy with my winners. In a couple of classes the decision was very close. There were no kinked tails, temperaments were good on the whole, with only 3 that were roughly handled, subsequently the dogs were behaving nervously. I had a couple of bad bites and a couple of level bites. All bar two were spannable. Coats again on the whole were good. Thank you to the exhibitors for accepting my decisions, apart from one unsportsmanlike behaviour in the ring!! The class I enjoyed judging the most on the day was Veteran Bitch. Lovely classy bitches in good condition and very close decisions between them all.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
A nice blue bitch that moved well. Good head & expression. Correct ear set, bend of stifle & angulation. Lovely length of rib. Neat feet. Moved ok.
West Midland Terrier Society
29th Nov 2014
Judge: Mr Dave Matthews (Tojamatt)
Many thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge at there open show many thanks to my steaward, unfortunately a high absentee rate,
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Blue, 2 year old Blue and Tan with nice head and expression, correct bite, in good harsh coat with thick loose pelt, she is easily spanned with good rear angulation, was very happy today.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Carl-Gunnar Stafberg (Bombax) Sweden
I will thank the club and the show committee for inviting me to judge this prestigious show, I feel very honoured to be invited. I really enjoyed my day and was very pleased with huge entries. My winner was really top quality border terriers, excelling in type and heads. The overall quality was very good, but I hoped to see more quality in the younger classes. Size was ok, coats in different stages because of the time of year. It was about 40 years since I judged my first CCshow in England and I still enjoy it so much. My stewards did a fantastic job on the day, keeping both me and the dogs in order. They make it running very smooth and efficient, thank you!!!
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Excellent blue and tan, very nice head and expression, nice balanced body with nice proportions, very nice mover.
National Terrier
4th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Overall, I felt there was reasonable quality in those forward. Some exhibitors continue to have their dogs underfed and/or carrying little muscle, both to the detriment of a terrier expected to put in a day’s work. There were a number of untypical heads – lacking width to the skull and strength to the muzzle. Please keep in mind the shape of an otter’s skull.
I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
The East Anglian Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
I would like to thank the East Anglian Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge their 2015 Championship Show. It was both an honour and a pleasure to accept this appointment. Thank you to the committee for their hospitality, and special acknowledgement to Bev, Laurence and Zoe Jackson for their efficient stewarding and keeping everything running smoothly throughout the day.
I terms of exhibits, there were many difficult decisions during the day and some real quality dogs were left unplaced. In general, the quality was very good and the majority of dogs were spannable and I only saw one example of an incorrect bite. All dogs were entire and as is usual some coats were exceptional whilst others were either just coming in or past their best.
There were a few examples of heads that are untypical of the breed, in that they lack strength of foreface, width of skull and have eyes that are too close together – these are not what I would describe as ‘like that of an otter’.
On a more positive note I was very happy with all my winners, believing them to be excellent examples of the breed and would like to say thank you to all exhibitors for allowing me the honour of judging their dogs
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr. J. Todd (Roxess)
I would like to express my thanks to the officers and committee of The Northern Border Terrier club for the invitation to judge my first Breed Club show and also acknowledge the help and assistance in the ring by my stewards Ann Maltby and Scott Cranson.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and would like to thank the exhibitors for providing me with the opportunity to go over so many quality dogs.
I found the majority to be in good fit condition and in good coat. There was a variation in head type but most fit the standard in my interpretation.
Mouths were generally good with only a couple with an acceptable level bite. In some presentation could have been better with a few having untidy feet. I was impressed with both line ups and some decisions were very close.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
A Blue and Tan bitch that has a good balanced head with strong under jaw, good eye and ear placement. On first glance she looked slightly heavy however hands on this proved otherwise as she was in hard fit condition and has a thick dense harsh coat, moved well.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
2nd Aug 2015
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam & Mr Mick Rushby
*Dogs*
What a pleasure it was to be invited to judge the males at the Midland BTC Championship show on 2nd August 2015, and thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry of males to go over. Thanks must also go to my stewards Chris Wallace and Margaret Davies who did a great job, making sure everything ran smoothly. It was interesting to be judging alongside my Co-judge Mick Rushby who I felt has similar views to how I interpret the Breed Standard and when it came to choosing Best of Breed, I appreciated the good qualities of his bitch CC winner and after a thorough deliberation we jointly decided that my Dog CC winner had the edge, and awarded him Best of Breed. Although I didn’t judge the bitches, from the ringside they did look a much more even entry than the males, which were quite mixed, but I was very happy with my main winners with several males who I felt were champion standard, my eventual CC winner stood away from the rest but I had a few contenders for the Reserve CC whom I really liked. No matter what time of year I judge there is always a percentage of exhibits out of coat, I am not normally too hung up on that, as coat is a transient thing and if there is evidence of a harsh coat and thick pelt, movement is good and the dog is well constructed I don’t penalize them too much, but when you get a dog before you with good construction, good movement and a fabulous coat, they really have the edge and stand out. Having said that and not wanting to sound as old as Methuselah, I really feel the correct Border coat is in decline, you rarely find the really good, harsh, dense wiry coats and pelts you did in the past, and is an important element to give the breed, type and is a requirement in the Breed Standard. The fashion for several years has been to show dogs with little coat, with all the undercoat scraped out to reveal a sleek outline. Thankfully not all exhibitors do this, and it was good to see some with decent coats, but judging by some of the poor toplines, and profiles on Sunday, I really think exhibitors should be thinking of leaving some undercoat in, and keep a good depth of coat, as it creates a more finished, Border Terrier look, rather than a thin skinned whippet look. Ultimately good coats and pelts need to be bred for. When I am judging, I tend to look at the overall dog, I never pick out one thing and allow it to seduce me into thinking it’s a good Border Terrier, the whole dog has to be balanced and fit for function, display good breed type and have the ability to follow a horse, moving with economy with long low strides. I don’t go in for extremes or exaggerations either, or a dog which looks like a caricature of a Border Terrier, because the breed standard doesn’t allow for that. I do like ring presence, clean dogs with good presentation and showmanship, a working dog can still have all that and it is a show after all, but it has to be a good Border Terrier first and foremost.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
30th Jan 2016
Judge: Mrs. Tracy Butler (Ycart)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge there show,and there hospitality throughout the day.
I would also like to thank the exhibitors for there lovely entry,and there sportsmanship,wether you agreed with my desision or not.
On the whole exhibits had good dentation,coats where varied,but evidence of good coat was there,temperments where good.
Sadly i found a few dogs that where pityfully thin,and would benefit from a good meal,and some free running exercise,some exhibits would benefit from a good tidy up of removel of dead coat,and please leave the clippers in the box.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Aug 2016
Judge: Dogs: Ms Elspeth Jackson, Bitches: Mr Mike Hollingsbee
Dogs - Elspeth Jackson
I would like to extend many thanks to The Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for once again organising an enjoyable, well run show with a relaxed garden party atmosphere. It was an honour and a pleasure this year to enjoy it as Judge of the dog classes and I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for this honour. I was very ably assisted by two capable and efficient stewards to whom I would like to give thanks both for their help and for their hospitality. Further and important thanks are due to all the exhibitors who did me the honour of going over their dogs. It was a super entry both numerically and in depth of quality with cc quality dogs right down the line in some classes.
Bitches - Mike Hollingsbee
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the Club for inviting me to judge bitches at their show. I would also like to thank my stewards Sharon Pickering and Helen Thomas for keeping me in order and running the ring so efficiently. My thanks also go to the exhibitors for allowing me to examine their dogs and accepting my decisions.
Together with my co-judge Elspeth Jackson we managed to agree on the major honours of the day apart from Best Veteran. I preferred Elspeth’s dog choice and she chose my selection of veteran bitch. Our referee John Dace was called in and awarded Best Veteran to the bitch.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Oct 2016
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
Many thanks to Officers and Committee of the Northern Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge their Open Show and the exhibitors for the sporting way they accepted my decisions. Thank you also to my Ring Steward Allen Horner and Dave Mitchell. I was very pleased with my winners on the day.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
11th Feb 2017
Judge: Mr Jem Thomas (Daluce)
I would like to thank the club and it's committee for giving me the great honour and opportunity of judging their show. Thank you to my stewards on the day Sharon Pickering and Liz Wright who kept me on my toes and made sure everything ran smoothly. A massive thank you to the exhibitors who braved the elements on what what's a horrible morning weather wise and accepted my decisions In a wonderfully sporting manner.
Thank you all.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Joint Border Terriers Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2017
Judge: Mrs. K. Wilkinson (Otterkin)
Mid Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Another bitch who could look rather heavy from a distance, which is why it is so important to get close up and personal to them and not ringside judge. I could span her easily and she has the most glorious otter head with a lovely dark eye. Another one with a good straight front. Last notes on tape say "She's super"!
The Banbury and District Canine Association Open Show
1st May 2017
Judge: Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow)
I would very much like to thank the officers and committee for offering me this appointment, and for their hospitality. Thanks also to the two ring stewards. Mostly, of course, I would like to thank the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs and their sporting acceptance of my decisions Temperaments on the day were excellent; I found no dogs with incorrect bites and the one male dog was entire.
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
4 year old blue and tan bitch with super otter shaped head with keen expression and neat ears. Straight front and good thick pads. Nice flat rib and short loin, leading to well angulated hindquarters. Very good tail and tailset. Very happy showgirl, quite bouncy on the move at first but was good when settled.
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.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Nov 2017
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge my first club show. My very competent and Friendly stewards Jem Thomas and Richard Wright, were well organised to keep the day flowing so many thanks for their help. A special thank you to all the exhibitors who trusted me to evaluate their Border Terriers, accepting my decisions graciously.
I was very impressed by the standard of presentation particularly the quality of coats. I had some amazingly difficult decisions and in many classes placings were hotly contested, forcing me to ‘split hairs’ over placings. I appreciated that some quality exhibits did not win their classes despite some outstanding breed features. I looked for accurate movement and narrow body lines which were present in my primary winners. The youngsters were particularly noteworthy staying enthusiastic and keen right to the end of the show.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Open Show
30th May 2018
Judge: Mr Joe Ashe (Ebrooks)
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Derbyshire Agricultural & Horticultural Society Open Show
24th Jun 2018
Judge: Mr Colin Gullon (Barnfall)
Open /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Leek and District Show Society Open Show
28th Jul 2018
Judge: Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow)
I would very much like to thank the officers and committee for offering me this appointment at this lovely agricultural show, and for their hospitality. Thanks also to the efficient and helpful ring steward and most of all to all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs. It was a very windy day, which bothered some dogs on the table. Temperaments on the day were excellent, coats were very varied and all male dogs were entire.
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Hyde & DCA Open Show
17th Nov 2019
Judge: Nigel Merrick (Magicgem)
Best Veteran
Name at show: TVG1, Totherend Tickety Blue
Manchester Championship Show
18th Jan 2020
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge at this level for the first time, and also to my very efficient ring steward who kept things running smoothly. I had a lovely day and felt it was a great honour and responsibility. I really appreciated each and every entry, and had some lovely exhibits to go over, the depth of quality in some classes meaning that some nice dogs went cardless. Coats were understandably at different stages, and although this has no bearing on the construction of the dog, a good coat does complete the picture of what is essentially a working terrier.
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
A 7 year old blue and tan thoroughly enjoying her outing. She is narrow throughout with a good length of body, is strong in loin and has a good topline and tailset. She has a pleasing head with correct bite, and nice front. Her coat is wonderfully harsh and of correct colour, and she moved out accurately and enthusiastically.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
9th Feb 2020
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
I would like to thank Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge and to thank my Stewards Pete Armstrong and Sue Baxter. Unfortunately, the entry was somewhat reduced due to the awful storm conditions keeping many at home, but I was pleased with the quaity of dogs present for me to go over and very happy with my winners.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Another fit veteran with typical head and earset. Good front, ok for rib. Correct double coat. Easily spanned. Just preferred rear movement of 1.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th Feb 2022
Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
Many sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for the kind invitation to judge at this Show, It really seemed to be a success judging by the happy atmosphere in the venue and congratulations must go to all the hard working Committee for the superb organization on the day despite the Covid regulations and the inclement weather. My thanks must also go to my two efficient stewards, Mr. Richard Wright and Mrs. Joyce Whiting, for their invaluable assistance in keeping the ring running smoothly and keeping me in check.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Typical Blue & Tan bitch, alone but certainly not disgraced. Pleasing head of good proportions and correct bite. Good front, adequate length of body, good topline and tailset. Good harsh coat. Moved out soundly and well. Could certainly show the youngsters a thing or two about exhuberance in the ring
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Jun 2022
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My sincere thanks to the officers and committee of the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge at this show on such a special occasion as the Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebration day, I am sure the celebration cakes were enjoyed by all. Thanks also to the various stewards who organised the entries on the day and kept the classes running smoothly. Having been show manager of this show for the past 12 years I appreciate the effort that was made by the committee members present on the day. A final thank you to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to assess your dogs.
With showers forecast and cool blustery weather outside it was decided to judge inside using a good sized ring that had good lighting with exhibitors/visitors able to view from 3 sides. I thought the entry was of a high quality, with several entries of both dogs and bitches deserving higher honours. In general the entries were in good condition. All males were entire and I found no kinked tails. Bites were of a good standard with just a few misplaced teeth, although teeth size varied considerably. Several exhibits would benefit from attention to feet to produce the small feet as required. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front. As usual coats were at various stages, with some exceptionally thick pelts to examine.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
9 year old b & t and a typical border. She is of a smaller type, but looks good and spans easily. With a feminine head and good bite she has a pleasing reach of neck that flows to a well shaped body and strong loin with good rear angulation. Another in fit condition with a thick jacket. She moved well and never stopped wagging her tail.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss Rebecca Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you very much to the committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this show, it is a club that is very dear to me having been a member for over 30 years and I very much enjoyed my day. Thank you to my three stewards Laura, La and Richard for doing an amazing job of looking after me and keeping me well fuelled! Thank you also to all of the exhibitors who made the decision to enter their beautiful dogs under me, I know that we have to be selective in this current climate and I was absolutely delighted with such a fabulous entry. I felt overall that the dogs were of excellent quality and the majority were turned out beautifully. Heads are good in the main, we are getting away from that bulbus rounded skull and teddy bear expression and going back to a more traditional look. I would say the things that need addressing the most are front angulation, there are still quite a few dogs lacking in upper arm and also poor rear angulation appears to be creeping in a little. However, I found some beautiful dogs and I was very pleased with my main winners, some classes were extremely competitive and some good dogs had to go cardless. I thank you all for persevering in the heat, it was a tough day for me judging in such intense heat, so I am sure it was difficult for the exhibits too. I hope my winners appreciated our crochet efforts with the personalised rosettes, which mum and I took a lot of pleasure in making.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Blue and tan 9 year old bitch, very game bitch who showed her socks off, a very happy girl. Turned out beautifully with an excellent blue coat. Lovely head with flat skull and short strong muzzle. Good shoulder placement, nice level topline and tailset. Well ribbed back, racy hindquarters. She moved out beautifully, covering the ground with ease. Pleased to award her BVIS.
Clonmel and DCC Championship Show
14th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr A Sotoca Santos
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Green Star Bitch
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Killarney and DCC Championship Show
16th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr R McCoy
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Limerick and DCC Championship Show
18th Aug 2022
Judge: Thomas Hehir
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Tralee DCC Championship Show
20th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr S Taggart
Reserve Green Star Bitch
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
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.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Good head just preferred 1, Narrow front and finer bone, nice front & rear angulation. Moved well & enjoyed her day.
National Dog Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Brigitte Belin Bernaudin (France)
First, I thank the committee for the invitation to judge this prestigious show. Thanks to my stewards for making a super job and keep my judging running smoothly. It was a real honour and privilege as foreign judge and breeder to have the opportunity of this 1st appointment to give CC in my breed, and thank to exhibitors to allow me to go over so many good Border.
Being able in my country to work my dogs, I have been looking for the right conformation as asks in the standard, making dogs able to do their original work underground and was happy many could do so.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Blue and tan bitch a lovely type. Feminine head with strong bite. Good reach of neck and well placed shoulders. Ribs well back and easily spannable. Good length of body and strong loins. Balanced front ans rear angulations. Excellent coat and pelt. She moved with good drive but not as freely as 1st.
Darlington Championship Show
17th Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs D Bullen (Fevstone)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge for the second time. I had a good entry of 125 with a few absentees as is usual, the dogs were of varying types and sizes which is to be expected. The ones that were unspannable aren’t fit for function as they fall at the first hurdle so to speak.
There are quite a lot creeping into the breed of late which lack power in the foreface. Falling away below the eye with a foreign expression. Also lacking in underjaw. Again a weakness in the breed which needs addressing or we will lose these qualities essential to work. A lot now have too short an upperarm which is vital in construction as it propels the dog forward as he should cover the ground effortlessly striding out. Not Pitter patter slowly. On a more positive note I found a lot of quality true to type borders that were a pleasure to judge. Effortless free movement which is essential. I’m sure the breed will go on to have a bright future if we all keep to the breed type.
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
Good size bitch with tight blue and tan jacket. Level topline with well set on tail. Excellent bend of stifle which she put to good use with her effortless stride.
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.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
Placing Critique
A good jacket on this Blue and Tan bitch who belies her years, now nearing 12 !. Owns such a feminine head with good bite, dark eye, and a strong jaw. Narrow throughout with a good length of neck fitting into well placed shoulder. Stands on a straight front with enough bone. Level topline with carroty tail set on correctly and used to advantage on the move. Well bent stifle which gave her very sound rear movement. She certainly was having a good time and enjoying herself showing the youngsters how to stride out.
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.
Veteran - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Tickety Blue
