First Place in Graduate - Dog, Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for giving me the opportunity to judge Border Terriers in their spiritual home territory. My stewards, Audrey & Judith did a great job in running the class changes efficiently on a hot humid day. It was a lovely entry, with many exhibits that I had not judged before – thank you all. I found some exhibits which could have been better prepared with attention to coat, body condition and clean teeth. A few level bites a couple of kink tails influenced placings but all dogs were entire and overall a nice group of BT’s to go over. My main winners had breed qualities that outweighed any imperfection, that in my opinion wouldn’t impact on its ability to perform its traditional work.
Smaller in stature, this dog has so many good qualities that fit the standard so well, including otter like head with neat V shaped, well placed ears, harsh double jacket over good pelt, good shoulder and rear angulation. Not over exaggerated in any way, he carried his top-line well on the move and kept showing with enthusiasm in the challenge.