Photo shows John Caldwell and Leila O'Reilly cutting the cake to celebrate the club's 20th anniversary.

History of the Border Terrier in NSW.

There were reports of Border Terriers in Australia during the 1930’s but no records or details were kept.  The first recorded owner of a Border Terrier in Australia was Mrs Russell of Melbourne in the mid 1940’s.  The first record of Border Terriers in NSW was in the early 1960’s when Mr George Sheaves imported a pair, from Solways Kennels in the UK, into Sydney.  Unfortunately the bitch died shortly afterwards but the dog became a champion being handled by John Ellem of NSW.  He was the first Border Terrier to win a Best in Group award in Australia.  His win was under Theo Shannon (Fox Terrier Wires).

In the late 70’s Tom and Anne Morrow (RULEWATER) imported Andrus of Patterdale & Robert Bartram (CRAIGEND) imported Brigit of Patterdale from New Zealand.  Other dogs came into the country at this time and this small gene pool formed the basis of the breed in Australia for the late 70’s and early 1980’s.  To complement these dogs Robert Bartram arranged to have Rhozzum Venture imported from the UK.  Venture was a very successful stud dog and produced 4 sons that had considerable impact on the breed.

Today the breed is popular in all states of Australia and there are two breed clubs.  The Border Terrier Club of NSW and the Border Terrier Club of Victoria.  The Border Terrier Club of NSW started as an idea of John Caldwell (BARAMBAH) in 1981 and when it was first established it was an Australia wide social club.  The first newsletter, The Border Bugle, was produced in June 1981 and on 27^th February 1982 the inaugural meeting of the Border Terrier club was held.  Derek Hastie was elected President; John Caldwell was the Secretary/Treasurer & Robert Bartram was the Publicity Officer.  Area Reps were appointed and The Border Bugle was adopted as the quarterly newsletter to keep exhibitors and enthusiasts in touch.  The first parade was held one year later at Queanbeyan showground, Francis Sefton, original owner and editor of National Dog and the first Patron of the club, judged the breed and Derek Hyde judged the sweepstakes and property classes.  Best in Show was Rhozzum Venture (Bartram) and Runner up was Foxjoy Berberis (Emery).  In 1985 the club was granted provisional affiliation with the RASKC and became the Border Terrier Club of NSW.  The club has now been active for 25 years and holds one sanction show and one championship show every year.  There is a competitive spirit alive and obvious at both shows and not only in the dog judging.  The club is famous for its catering and gets the breed judge to judge best dish at each show lunch, an enjoyable monster raffle also creates much fun for exhibitors and officials alike.

The club has continued to grow in size with entries at the Championship shows averaging about 45 to 50 dogs.  Earth Dog Trials were commenced in 2005 and this has added strength and depth to the club as well as another dimension of club activities for exhibitors and their dogs.

Imports continue to come into Australia and numbers at shows throughout the country have gradually increased.  We still need to encourage newcomers to the breed.  It does seem more judges understand and are interested the breed and remember the breed’s most important characteristics.  They are being able to be spanned, having an otter head and having a thick pelt.

Currently the club has 2 patrons.  Anne Roslin Williams (MANSERGH – UK) and Prue Massey (AUST) both keen supporters of the club.  The club has 10 life members and the membership has increased from 9 in 1982 to 60 currently.  Special mention should be made of Di Cross who has been club president for about 20 years and she does not even own the breed.

Ch Rhozzum Venture sired many significant dogs, foremost being Ch Craigend Cheviot Piper who won BIS five times at Club shows, an All Breeds Runner Up BIS and many Best in Group awards.  He sired 20 Australian Champions, 1 American Champion and 3 New Zealand Champions.  He made a major contribution to the breed in NSW.  His son Ch Craigend Cheviot Major was BIS twice at the club show and his grandson Ch Craigend Chowchilla won Best in Show 6 times.

Ch Brigand of Brockhole and Lynsett (Imp UK) who was imported by Elaine Davies sired many champions and had a large impact on the breed including siring Ch Ramarego Hunter’s Moon who was BIS at the club show in 1994 and Dog CC winner in 1993. 

Ch Rhozzum Argos (Imp UK) came in 1994 though used infrequently he produced significant dogs who were winners at the club show and at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.  From this same kennel came Ch Rhozzum MacBeth (Imp UK) who also has had considerable impact on the breed in NSW.

Other dogs have been imported into Australia and have had significant impact including Grand Ch Foxforest one For The Road (Imp Fnl) imported into Victoria.  He has been significant in siring many of the Best in Show winners at the Club shows in recent years, far too many to mention here.

The breed in NSW does not have a lot of exhibitors but most who show and breed are dedicated to breeding the best they can.  Still breeding and exhibiting also an original member of the club is Robert Bartram (Craigend), others seen at ringside include Delma Nelson (Borterr), Angela Swain (Glenboyd), Mike and Margaret Derbyshire (Notabena), newcomer Ron Richmond (DIAVOLO). Hilary Spence who, with John and Toni Comerford, imported litter brothers from Sweeping Kennels in Sweden in 2005 and Garth and Pamela Harding (Guilcroft). 

Garth is the current club secretary and can be contacted on 62268929 if any one has any questions about the breed or the club.