CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 7TH JUNE 2025 - CRITIQUE
- Elspeth Parkinson
- Jun 9
- 14 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 2JH
Entries: 112 dogs making 115 entries, plus 10 NFC
JUDGE: MRS JANE ROBERTS (SMALESMOUTH)
BITCH CC & BEST IN SHOW: CH WINTERGARDEN BLUESTOCKING AT TYTHROP
RESERVE BITCH CC & BEST VETERAN: GAMEWAY FRENCH FANCY AVEC ORANGEBOX
BEST PUPPY BITCH & BEST PUPPY: ALCUMLOW SIP AND SWIRL
DOG CC, BEST OPPOSITE SEX & RESERVE BEST IN SHOW: CH OTTERBOBS TOLSON
RESERVE DOG CC: BRUMBERHILL BESWICK JW
BEST PUPPY DOG: OTTERBOBS BEAZON
Judges Critique
Many thanks to the officers and committee of the Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge at the club’s championship show on 7th June. Congratulations to them for providing such an excellent and well-run show. Thanks also to my stewards Sian Mckay and Sophie Leggat for their cheerful and efficient help. Many thanks to all who entered. It is always a priviledge and pleasure to go over your dogs and I thank all the exhibitors for that opportunity. It was also an honour to be the 51st judge to award a DCC to CH Otterbobs Tolson, making him the Breed CC record holder. Many congratulations to his owners.
Overall, I thought there was plenty of quality from puppies through to the veterans. I thought that size was good, as were coats and heads. I was really pleased that I also found an improvement in length and shape of tails. Downside was front movement as there were a significant number who were not accurate in this department.
MINOR PUPPY DOG ENTRIES: 3 ABSENTEES: 2
1st Fairhambrook The Tyler (Mr P Tomlinson) 6 mnths dark grizzle. Nice head and expression. Balanced outline. Good reach of neck into narrow shoulders. Spannable. Good legs, feet and tail. Well presented in good double jacket. Movement was OK but unsettled at times.
PUPPY DOG ENTRIES: 4 ABSENTEES: 1
1st Otterbobs Beazon (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin) Very good 9 month light grizzle who is built on narrow lines. Rangy type with good head properties and lovely reach of neck into narrow shoulders. Liked his topline and tail set. Spannable. Good legs and feet. Balanced outline. He moved accurately from all angles. Very well presented.
2nd Alcumlow Penderyn (Mr R G Thomas) 10mnths. Blue and tan puppy, enjoying himself. Nice size. Head needs to develop but he has nice eye. Handles well with good reach of neck, shoulder placement, length of body and rib. Spannable. Well presented. Moved well.
3rd Aldamar's The Only One I Know At Brumborder (Dr M D McCall) Almost 12mnths. More mature then 1 and 2. Nice head with keen expression. OK for size. Nice length of neck. Spannable. Good bone and feet. Presented in good harsh coat. Unsettled on the move at times.
JUNIOR DOG ENTRIES: 4 ABSENTEES: 1
1st Brumberhill Beswick JW (Mr S A Mcpherson) 17 months grizzle. Lovely balanced dog bult on narrow lines. Excellent head with dark eye, keen expression. I liked his length of neck into narrow shoulders. Very good length and shape of rib. Excels in topline and tailset. Easily spanned. He moved accurately on a long stride from all angles. Presented in very good double coat with thick pelt. Handles really well. Very promising young dog who just needs a little more time to mature but fully deserved his RDCC today.
2nd Chesterton Vancouver (Mr A J & Mrs W Mooney) Another really likeable young dog. Almost 18 months. Another who I thought fitted the standard very well. Good otter shaped head lovely front with narrow shoulders and length of rib. Balanced and of good size. Moving well on a long stride and shown in correct double coat.
3rd Ebffiniau Whiskey In The Jar (Miss E Brinkley) Lots to like about this grizzle dog. Good size. Very good head with keen expression and dark eye. Balanced outline. Well presented in very good coat and pelt. Movement OK.
YEARLING DOG ENTRIES: 3 ABSENTEES: 0
Three quality dogs. All of them fitted the standard well and on another day the outcome could be different.
1st Brumberhill Bit O’Blarney JW (Mr S A Mcpherson) Quality B/T with a very good head and expression. Presents a balanced outline. Good reach of neck into excellent front. I liked his length of body with ribs laid well back. Easily spanned. Strong loin. Correct topline and tailset held on the move. Presented in excellent double coat. He moved soundly from all angles. Won this class on size and movement. I liked him a lot and he was considered in the challenge.
2nd Chesterton Viva Las Vegas (Mr A J & Mrs W Mooney) Plenty of quality about this lovely balanced grizzle dog. Correct head properties. Big teeth. Very good narrow front with ribs carried well back. Spannable. Good topline and tailset with correct length of tail. Moved soundly from all angles. Presented in very fit condition with really good double jacket and thick pelt.
3rd Forest Zpod Chlumskych Haju Glebeheath JW (Mrs J Guvercin) Another quality grizzle dog. Excellent head properties with dark eye, keen expression. Well angulated front and rear. Correct in topline and tailset. In very good condition and very well handled. He was rather unsettled in movement today which is where he lost out to second placed dog.
NOVICE DOG ENTRIES: 1 ABSENTEES: 0
1st Aldamar's The Only One I Know At Brumborder (Dr M D McCall) 3rd in Puppy.
POST GRADUATE DOG ENTRIES: 7 ABSENTEES: 2
1st Ragatam Master Dreamer (Miss T J Peacock) Very nice grizzle dog that has all the essentials. Excellent head with dark eye and keen expression. Balanced outline with good reach of neck and narrow front. Correct top line and tailset. Good length of rib. Spannable. Good underline. He moved accurately from all angles. Presented in excellent double jacket with thick pelt.
2nd Ravenside Play The Game Kersfell JW (Mrs M Sneddon) A grizzle dog that fits the standard well. Handy sized workmanlike. Very good head and expression. Narrow front, correct length of rib. Spannable. Balanced outline. In good coat and condition. Moved with purpose covering the ground well.
3rd Mysulan Byards Legend JW (Mrs S J Baxter) Grizzzle dog that I liked for size. Good head proportions. Narrow front. Good length of ribs. Easily spanned. Level topline and good tail set. Moved well from all angles.
Res – Foxchapel Perfect Day with Foxcourt (Mr &Mrs S P Greenway)
VHC – Roxammbor Tap to the Music (Mr B J &Mrs A E Read)
LIMIT DOG ENTRIES: 9 ABSENTEES: 4
1st Alcumlow Painter Man On Hobhill (Mrs S Pickerin) 3 year old grizzle in fit condition he looked like he could follow a horse. Good otter shaped head , shallow stop and dark eye. Correct neck and front construction. Good length of body with ribs carried well back. Spannable. Good top line and tail set. In double jacket with harsh top coat and pelt. He moved accurately on a long easy stride.
2nd Digmoor Turn The Page (Mr M P & Mrs S V Regan) Darker Grizzle than 1 and more compact but has all the essentials. He has a well proportioned head with dark eye and keen expression. Good reach of neck into narrow front. Ribs well back with strong loin. Easily spanned. In thick double jacket with pliable pelt. Moved well from all angles.
3rd Bluebabel Border Song JW (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yates) Lots to like about this dog. Good head and expression, neck and shoulders. Narrow front. Balanced outline. In good coat and condition. He was reluctant on the move today which is where he lost out to the 2nd dog
Res Prince Rainbow Blue (Miss R Bevan)
VHC Roxambor Tap to the Music (Mr B J &Mrs A E Read
OPEN DOG ENTRIES: 3 ABSENTEES: 1
1st Cobstoneway Stand By Me JW (Mrs G Stevens) Has matured into a lovely dog. Full of quality. Masculine head with strong muzzle, large teeth and keen expression. Balanced outline. Correct length of neck into well constructed shoulder. Good legs and feet. Well laid rib, spannable. Good topline and tail set. He moved round the ring with purpose on a long stride. In correct double jacket with thick pelt. Considered in the challenge.
2nd Mansergh History of Art (Miss D Wills) Lots to like about this rangy and fit looking grizzle. 5 yrs old. Very good overall construction with nice reach of neck, narrow body lines. Well laid back rib and good topline and tail set. Spannable. Moved out well on a long stride. Another dog with thick coat and pelt.
CHAMPION DOG ENTRIES: 1 ABSENTEES: 0
1st CH Otterbobs Tolson (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin) 5 yr old grizzle in excellent coat and condition. Handled so well. He was in tip top condition. Excellent head with moderately broad skull, keen expression and strong jaw. Well laid shoulder, into correct top line. Ribs carried well back. Spannable. Strong loin. Good legs and feet. Overall he presents a lovely balanced picture. He has sound movement from all angles and covers the ground well on a long stride. Shown in double coat with harsh top coat and thick pelt. Could do a day’s work. Delighted to award him DCC.
VETERAN DOG ENTRIES: 4 ABSENTEES: 2
Close decision
1st Mysulan Going Solo JW VW (Mrs S J Baxter) 10 year old B/T dog. In very good condition and enjoying his day out. I liked his head and expression. Narrow front and easily spanned. Good length of rib. Balanced outline. Very good legs and feet. Very good jacket and pelt. Moved very well. A real credit to his owner.
2nd Glen Mara Oh Viedo At Kersfell JW (Mrs M Sneddon) 8. year old grizzle dog. Another enjoying himself. Loved his head and expression. Balanced outline. Another with correct length of rib and spannable. Liked his front assembly. Still maintains a good topline and tailset. Another who was moving well. A credit to his owner.
SPECIAL OPEN WORKING DOG OR BITCH ENTRIES: 0 ABSENTEES: 0
MINOR PUPPY BITCH ENTRIES: 6 ABSENTEES: 2
1st Flegato Fons Amoris (Mrs M Fleming) Lovely 7 mnth grizzle bitch. Enjoying herself. Balanced outline Feminine head and narrow bodylines with excellent front, ribbed well back, good topline and tail set. Presented in very good double jacket and thick pelt. Moved accurately from all angles. Liked her a lot. Very promising.
2nd Ranthorn Return Favour For Cobstoneway (Mrs G Stevens) Almost 9 mnths. Lovely head with dark eye and keen expression. Good reach of neck into well made shoulders. Standing on good legs and feet. Liked her length of body. Another presented in really good coat and pelt and that moved soundly.
3rd Badgerbeck Little Jeannie At Bluebabel (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yeates) 8 mnth grizzle bitch. Another with correct head and expression. Neat ears framing her head. Good length of ribs and easily spannable. In very good condition with good quality jacket and pelt. I thought she was less mature than 1 and 2.
Res – Clydbeck Opal (Mrs S A & Miss J A Taylor)
PUPPY BITCH ENTRIES: 2 ABSENTEES: 0
1st Alcumlow Sip And Swirl (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber) This lovely 10mnth blue and tan caught my eye when she entered the ring. Good head and keen expression. Narrow bodylines. Excellent shoulders and length/ shape of rib making her easy to span. Well angulated front and rear giving a lovely balanced outline. She moved really well from all angles with a ground covering stride. Correct double jacket with thick pelt. Delighted to award her BPB and BPIS
2nd Mysulan Byards Lass (Mrs S J Baxter) Ten months. This grizzle has plenty of quality about her. Typical head and expression. Good for size and built along narrow lines with good front, length of ribs, topline and tailset. Balanced outline and presented in excellent condition with double jacket and pelt. Sound movement from all angles
JUNIOR BITCH ENTRIES: 7 ABSENTEES: 4
1st Itsaso A Beacon Of Hope (Mrs L Wain) Lovely balanced grizzle bitch. Good otter head with dark eye and keen expression. Narrow rib easily spannable. Well angulated hindquarters. Correct length and shape of tail. Moved accurately and with purpose covering the ground well. In very good double jacket and thick pelt. Well handled.
2nd Itsaso All Hands On Deck (Mr L Andrews) Grizzle bitch of nice size. Good head properties. Narrow bodylines and length of rib. Easily spanned. Good legs and feet. Correct length of tail. Shown in good coat and condition. Moved well in profile.
3rd Ragatam Sky Lark (Dr S P and Dr A M Wadsworth) Grizzle bitch, taller than 1 and 2 and more immature. Another with correct head properties. She has a balanced outline. Good length of rib, Easily spanned. In good coat and condition. Sound movement .
YEARLING BITCH ENTRIES: 5 ABSENTEES: 2
1st Ragatam Daydreamer JW (Miss T J Peacock) Lots to like about this quality grizzle. Correct head properties, strong muzzle, Balanced outline. Liked her length of neck into narrow front. Ribs carried well back, good topline and tail set. Easily spanned. Good bone and neat feet. Covered the ground well with long easy stride. Very good coat and pelt. Well handled. Not far behind top winners today.
2nd Earthtaw Peony (E.Larner, J.Phillips & R.Larner) Nicely constructed grizzle bitch. Liked her head and expression. Good narrow front, length of rib. Spannable. Good rear angulation. Presented in harsh coat and thick pelt. Moved well from all angles. Well handled.
3rd Jordith Serenella (Mrs L.M. & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith) Handy sized compact grizzle bitch. Balanced with nice head and expression with dark eye and neat ears. Narrow front, easy to span. Very good coat and pelt. Moved soundly.
NOVICE BITCH ENTRIES: 9 ABSENTEES: 2
1st Mansergh Final Fling (Miss A Roslin Williams) Blue and Tan. Good for size. Has all the essentials having a lovely otter head. Good front, narrow body lines ribs carried well back. Easy to span. Good hind quarters. Presents a balanced picture. In good coat. Moved well from all angles.
2nd Itsaso All Hands On Deck (Mr L Andrews) 2ND In junior bitch
3rd Daeargi Sacred Fire (Miss R L Jones) Nice type with typical head and expression. Narrow front, good length of ribs spannable. Good topline. Well presented in good coat and pelt. Moved OK
Res Ragatam Sky Lark (Dr S P and Dr A M Wadsworth)
VHC Badgerbeck Little Jeannie At Bluebabel (Mr K P & Mrs N B Yeates)
POST GRADUATE BITCH ENTRIES: 13 ABSENTEES: 4
Very close decision between 1 and 2
1st Digmoor Bright Sparkle (Mrs S V Regan) Very nice grizzle. Lovely otter like head, dark eye with keen expression. Correct bite and neat ears. Balanced outline. Moderate length of neck, correct length of rib, easily spanned. Firm topline kept on the move. Good for bone and neat feet with thick pads. Presented in very good coat and condition. Moved well from all angles.
2nd Thistlestone Kiss Of Fire (Mr S Whisker & Miss J May) Lots to like about this 15mnth grizzle. She looked very well in a double jacket with thick pelt. Similar remarks as 1 as she fits the standard very well. She has a balanced outline and was presented in really good order. Moved freely on a long stride round the ring. She has time on her side.
3rd Glenaig Gleeful (Miss C Spencer) Grizzle bitch of good type who was in lovely condition. Typical head and expression, good reach of neck, length of ribs and spannable. Good harsh topcoat and thick pelt. Well handled. Moved well.
Res – Louajak Blue Fizz (Miss C Gwilliam)
VHC – Rhozzum Wood Lark at Daeargri (Miss R Bevan)
LIMIT – BITCH ENTRIES: 17 ABSENTEES: 6
An interesting class to judge with quality in many of the exhibits. Close decision and order could change on another day.
1st Alcumlow Monet's Garden (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber) Blue and Tan in very good fettle. Excellent head properties with dark eye and keen expression. Good length of neck into narrow shoulder. Ribs carried well back. Easily Spanned. Nicely angulated hind quarters. Her movement was really good. She covered the ground on a long stride in profile and moved true from all angles. Shown in a very good double coat.
2nd Otterbobs Beatrix JW (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin) Light grizzle and tan who was beautifully presented. Another with very good head properties. Well angulated front and rear. Correct front, topline, easily spanned. Liked her length and shape of tail. Standing on thick padded feet. Moved well from all angles. A really good bitch.
3rd Borderxpress Echo Beach (Mr R Wright) Good size grizzle She fits the standard very well. She was another of the trio who was looking really fit. Well constructed throughout, narrow front, good length of body, easily spanned. Moved soundly from all angles. I liked her a lot but not as much coat as 1 and 2.
Res Flegato Favorita (Mrs M Fleming)
VHC Totherend Greta Garbo (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright)
OPEN BITCH ENTRIES: 6 ABSENTEES: 2
1st CH Wintergarden Bluestocking At Tythrop (Mrs J L Lee) A lovely blue bitch, she caught my eye when she entered the ring. It was a pleasure to go over her as she is so well constructed. Excellent head qualities with shallow stop, strong lower jaw. Large teeth. Correct length of neck into well constructed shoulders. Narrow front with right amount of bone and small feet with thick pads. Correct length of ribs carried well back. Easily spanned. Strong loin. Correct length and shape of tail. In thick double coat with thick pelt. Correct movement from all angles and covered the ground well on a long stride. One that would be able to do a day’s work. Delighted to award her BCC and BOB
2nd CH Mansergh Paint The Dream (Miss A Roslin Williams) Another blue bitch who I think could carry out the job she was bred to do and fits the breed standard well. Very good head with keen expression. Balanced outline. Narrow front, good bone . and length of rib, easily spanned . Liked her topline and tailset. Good coat and pelt. Sound movement from all angles. Not quite the movement of 1.
3rd Clydebeck Layla's Gem (Mrs S A & Miss J A Taylor) Another nice bitch who fits the standard. Typical head with good width of skull. Dark eye and keen expression. Neat ears. Good topline and tailset. Spannable. Balanced outline. Looking fit and shown in good harsh coat with thick pelt. Moved well.
Res Hawcoat Patience (Mrs E J & Miss R C Larner)
CHAMPION BITCH ENTRIES: 5 ABSENTEES: 2
1st CH Bohamer York'ist Celeste By Tythrop (Mrs J L Lee) Excellent blue bitch who is very well made and not over done in any way. Very good head with flat skull and little stop. Keen expression. Pleasing neck and shoulder with narrow front. Like her length of body and correct ribs. Firm loin. Very good for length and shape of tail. Good topline on the move and standing. Moved very well from all angles. Shown in good tight double jacket with thick pelt. Considered in the challenge.
2nd CH Orangebox A New Hope At Itsaso ShCEx (Mrs L Wain) Enjoying her day out. In excellent fit condition. Handy size. Grizzle that I liked a lot. Typical head with dark eye and keen expression. Neat ears. Good front assembly with good reach of neck. Narrow front. Ribbed well back. Easily spannable and well angulated hind quarter. Shown in very good condition. Expertly handled.
3rd Ir Ch Totherend Honeybee (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright) Nice sized grizzle and tan with good head proportions. Keen expression. Good length of neck and correct shoulder placement. Easy to span, with a good top line and tail set. Moved soundly from all angles. A little short of coat but evidence of top coat was there.
VETERAN BITCH ENTRIES: 6 ABSENTEES: 3
Three lovely examples of the breed. All were fit looking, had kept their figures and were moving freely. A credit to their owners.
1st Gameway French Fancy Avec Orangebox (Mr M & Mrs T Anscombe) 8. yr old grizzle who was very fit and in excellent condition. Ideal size and could get anywhere. Well balanced and full of quality, she was a pleasure to go over. Good otter head of correct proportions. Liked her reach of neck and narrow front. Good angulation in front and behind. Easily spanned. Level topline and tailset. Covered the ground really well on a long stride. Presented in quality double coat with a thick pelt. She was very well handled and thoroughly deserved her RBCC.
2nd Totherend Tickety Blue (Mr R G & Mrs E A Wright) 12 yr old Blue thoroughly enjoying herself. Good for size, she has a good otter shaped head. Narrow all through with good length of neck into well placed shoulder. Good length of rib. Spannable. Moved out soundly using well angulated hindquarters. Good depth of jacket with thick pelt.
3rd Foxcourt Amber Spirit Gambler (Ms S P Greenway) 8 yr old grizzle looking fit and in good condition. Typical head and expression. Narrow bodylines with nice length of rib. Easily spanned. Good legs and feet. Presented in double jacket and good pelt. Moved out well.
Jane Roberts
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