Mr Emerald Tease Murphy

Many thanks for the invitation to judge and for the warm welcome and support received on the day, special mention to my lead steward Robert Brewster. I was pleased that I received such large minor puppy entries in both dogs and bitches; it was lovely to see the youngsters and so many new and enthusiastic exhibitors too. The show represented a first outing for some and I hope the day was enjoyable for both four and two legged beginners. Overall the exhibits were well turned out and in good condition with only a few slightly overweight and some dirty or stained teeth; coats were at both ends of the scale. I really did feel the show had a good sporting atmosphere throughout the day and I thank all those who attended for making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I would like to express my thanks to the officers, committee and members for the invitation to judge their championship show. I enjoyed it very much. Special thanks go to my two very able stewards who kept everything running smoothly for me. I appreciated it. There was a good selection of quality dogs and bitches for me to pick from. Coats on the whole were pleasing. As was size. Temperament too apart from one blip. Some with winter noses, possibly more than I have noticed before. A few with domed skulls which makes for an untypical head. I felt that the depth of quality in the bitch classes outweighed the dogs. Both the puppy bitch classes were a joy. Some lovely pups having to go cardless. Its very encouraging and surely bodes well for the breed. I was very happy with my main winners. It was a pleasure to award them their honours. Thank you EABTC.

*Judge: Dogs: Diane Bullen (Fevstone)* I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their show and making me feel most welcome. I would also like to thank my Stewards for a sterling job. A good exhibit entry on the day with couple of them forgetting to remove their carpet slippers judging by their feet, and also a couple that I felt they were impersonating Austin Powers international man of mystery judging by the amount of chest hair left on! But on a more serious note, yet again underweight dogs with some having barely a covering of flesh which was disappointing, some dogs also un-spannable. Both of the above reflecting in my placing’s. On a more positive note some excellent specimens shown today both in coat, movement and good old fashioned strong otter type heads. *Judge: Bitches: Sally Leslie (Risdene)* Thank you to the Committee and Exhibitors for a super day. It must always be a pleasure and honour to judge at a club show where the depth of quality is clearly high and this was especially appreciated after so many had also made the long journey to Devon the day before. I’m not going to lecture. After all we are all on the same side and want our breed to thrive. However I think I should mention that movement is not generally true and accurate fore and aft. I did see some strange limb and joint placement. Notwithstanding less than perfect gait I still sought something that did not make me uncomfortable to watch and importantly for me exhibited easy freedom using the whole of the foot and leg assembly to take energy from the ground not jolting or with feet flipping limply but fluid placement with reach and drive. That does not imply exaggeration and wasted energy just simple low to the ground daisy cutting propulsion and economy which is a thing of beauty to behold. Mouths and jaws generally were pleasing. The small pearly dentition of a while ago were not in evidence and I enjoyed the large teeth that never fail to surprise and please. For this reason I have not felt the need to remark individually. I never penalise stacked exhibits but I Ioved the preponderance of handler’s free showing. Relaxed, well made examples do stand nicely naturally and it often seems to me that exhibitors know less than their charges when it comes to limb placement and balance. Coats - I really appreciated those exhibitors who felt able to leave coats in place even though a little past their sell by date. I can happily judge through a good coat which enables me to ascertain texture and quality whereas however neat an outline the lack of any evidence of coat in this working breed must be a negative. Happily my fellow judge and I agreed on most of the main placings and I did not trouble the Referee as for me the prime consideration for any exhibitor must surely be the CC.

I’d like to thank the society for asking me to judge at this their first premier open show, and the lovely hospitality received. Thanks also to my stewards Sue and Alison who kept the ring running smoothly. Thank you to all the exhibitors for the privilege of judging your dogs.

My thanks to the officers and committee of the Guildford and District Canine Society for inviting me to judge at their Valentine’s open show, and the exhibitors who managed to attend despite the storms and flooding. My steward George Wingfield kept everything running smoothly and I was delighted to hear that both my BOB and BP were placed under group judge Dave Burrage (Sametova).