All seven of the breed clubs for Border Terriers are concerned about the lack of breed specialists coming forward to become judges for the breed under the revised Kennel Club system for the development and approval of dog show judges - the Judges Education Programme (JEP).
This point is underlined by the fact that the present list of Challenge Certificate approved judges for the breed includes around 20% multi breed judges and 80% specialists. On the other hand the current list of Level 2 judges (able to judge an unlimited number of classes at open shows) under the KC Judges Education Programme shows around 70% as multi breed judges and only around 30% as breed specialists.
Historically, our breed has always enjoyed a high level of breeder/judges (breed specialists) compared with many other terrier breeds. This has ensured our breed hasn't fallen victim to becoming just a show dog, it has maintained a relatively unchanged appearance combined with its working roots. Therefore, it is essential that the breed has a continual flow of specialist judges coming through from the grass roots level, as it always has in the past.
The seven breed clubs want it to be widely known that they encourage up-and-coming breed enthusiasts to take up judging the breed when they feel that their knowledge of the breed justifies this. They also believe that prospective breed judges can gain valuable ring experience by stewarding, particularly at breed shows and breed supported entry shows.
Information on how Border Terrier people can set about taking up judging the breed, can be found on the Kennel Club Website at https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/dog-showing/judging-dog-shows/ and those wishing to be recognised as judges approved by the breed clubs should go to the respective breed club websites for a copy of the questionnaire which can lead to endorsement by the clubs concerned.
For further information, our Breed Education Coordinator Jayne Gillam (email address
If you are interested in judging and would like to increase your knowledge of the breed and dogs in general, then be sure to make a start along the judge's training process, don't hold back! Instead go ahead and work towards becoming a Level 1 judge? Every judge started out on the first rung of the ladder and grew in confidence and knowledge as they went along. The same applies to you so please don’t forget - your breed needs you to get involved!