Second Place in Open - Bitch, Judge: Mr Alan Hedges (Ramblix)
My thanks go to the Officers and Committee of Bath show for inviting me to come and judge Border Terriers for the first time, and on the Bath Billiard Table as well, it was a fabulous day for me and will live long in my memory.
I thought the dogs were better than the bitches although reading through my critique it doesn’t sound like that, but it was. If I may make a couple of points. Nobody who goes to shows goes to lose and some are making it rather easy for the judge to give them a hard time. Long pointed nails are not good news , nor is standing the dog like a rocking horse. If you are going to use bait, the dog needs to think it has a chance of getting it, the idea is to bring him up on his toes and make a much better picture. Every little helps, none of the opposition are going to roll over and make it easy for you!
Hind movement was generally better than front movement, and plenty could have been fitter.
My thanks go to all who entered, you gave me a wonderful day and I was honoured by each and every one of you
Having seen all of the above (first three placed) since they were puppies, I never imagined for one second I would ever judge them, thank you for doing me the honour of bringing them.
Presented in immaculate condition without a hair out of place as you would expect, this lovely bitch put up a terrific fight for the first place. She has a lovely head, a straight and narrow front, a narrow body and very good hindquarters, she has a good coat and tail, but in the final analysis, she got outmoved in the front by the winner. A lovely bitch.