First Place in Open - Dog, Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
First of all I would like to thank the Kennel Club for the honour and pleasure of judging this prestigious show. I must then thank my efficient and capable stewards who kept me on track and looked after me through the day. Most of all I would like thank the exhibitors who rose from their beds at early hours and drove many miles to give me an entry of Border Terriers to be proud of and one which is was a delight to judge. It was not only strong numerically strong but also in depth of quality. It is a cliché to say that there were not enough cards to go around but in this entry it was certainly true. Determining all the final line up in each class was difficult and also in many deciding who should make the short list was also a challenge. Good dogs went without a card, ones who in a different entry I would have been happy to see as winners. In the challenges decisions remained tough and more than those that took the top honours were worthy of doing so and I would have been very pleased to have had more awards to give out.
In the days following this year’s show Crufts, dog shows and those who participate in them came in for some criticism. The picture painted by the media at this time was certainly not my experience. Before, during and after the show I found show people to be nothing but good natured, genuine and supportive. I enjoyed every minute of my day and hope that those that supported me with an entry or as spectators at the ringside did so too
I really needed more cards for this hotly contested class where some super dogs did not make the line up.
A true showman who makes the most of all his attributes. Even in this strong class of quality border dogs he stood away. However, he is not just an eye catcher and when you get your hands on him you find a quality, right sized, spannable dog with a strong masculine head with a keen expression. He is balanced and narrow with good ribs carried well back to a good loin with strong racy quarters and a super turn of stifle. He was my best puppy last time I judged and I could not deny him the Dog CC and Best of Breed this time and I was thrilled to see him go 3rd in the group.