National Terrier Club (07-04-2018)

First Place in Puppy - Dog, Judge: Mr. W. R. Irving

Show Critique:

Thanks to the exhibitors for the entry of 160 from 157 dogs.
There were some very strong classes and interestingly the biggest class was Limit Dog with seventeen entries. My biggest worry about the overall entry was that there seemed be some very large exhibits which were well over the standard size. Even in bitches there were a good number that were too big and in dogs some were enormous. And it was not so much that they were too leggy – rather that so many were far from being able to be spanned. I think we really ought to try to do something about that.
Heads were by and large good but there were quite a few with big ears. Coats of course were variable and I only found one really bad mouth and one kinked tail.
Movement left a bit to be desired especially in front but I was disappointed also that so many were not moving well behind either.
My thanks to my two very efficient stewards which enabled us to finish by around 1 p.m. and to the exhibitors most of whom seemed to take my decisions in the sporting way befitting the breed

Placing Critique:

coming on well in head, with good eye and correct ears and enough strength of jaw. OK in neck and topline. Good coat and correct thick skin. Good tail correctly carried. Moved OK in front and strode out well behind. I was pleased to award him Best Puppy in Breed later in the day and to see that he had gone on to win Reserve Best Puppy in Show under the Group Judge.