First Place in Junior - Dog, 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.
So much to like about this willful young dog who tries his best to throw away his chances !. I liked him for size and shape. Head is of correct proportions with a strong muzzle and he has a real varminty expression. Narrow all through and comes to hand easily, with ribs carried well back. Strong in loin and carries his tail correctly with a really good underline. Moved well once he decided to settle and start to concentrate. Held his topline in side gait, moving true coming and going covering the ground with ease. Coat was harsh and he has a pliable pelt. Perhaps a little more attention to detail on his coat would only enhance him even more. I liked him very much and feel if his handler could calm him down a little more to show off his true potential then he may well be destined for higher honors .