First Place in Open - Dog, Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
I would like to thank the East Anglian Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge their 2015 Championship Show. It was both an honour and a pleasure to accept this appointment. Thank you to the committee for their hospitality, and special acknowledgement to Bev, Laurence and Zoe Jackson for their efficient stewarding and keeping everything running smoothly throughout the day.
I terms of exhibits, there were many difficult decisions during the day and some real quality dogs were left unplaced. In general, the quality was very good and the majority of dogs were spannable and I only saw one example of an incorrect bite. All dogs were entire and as is usual some coats were exceptional whilst others were either just coming in or past their best.
There were a few examples of heads that are untypical of the breed, in that they lack strength of foreface, width of skull and have eyes that are too close together – these are not what I would describe as ‘like that of an otter’.
On a more positive note I was very happy with all my winners, believing them to be excellent examples of the breed and would like to say thank you to all exhibitors for allowing me the honour of judging their dogs
A class out of the Top Draw, some exceptional borders which are a joy to go over – a lovely class to judge.
Another dog that I have watched with interest from the side of the ring, he didn’t disappoint as he was presented in his best bib and tucker. An attractive blue and tan dog with lovely body lines in profile. A proper otter head, plenty of strength under the eye, a strong muzzle and well placed ears completing the picture. Good shoulder placement and lovely straight, level top line with tail straight off his back Excellent hindquarters with the right amount of muscle. Presented in an excellent double coat. Moved around the ring with style carrying a level top line. RDCC – this was a very close decision when coming to the challenge