First Place in Graduate - Dog, Judge: Lesley Armstrong-Rodgers (Atron/Scottsway)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show and therefore my thanks go to the Committee for the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed my day at this friendly well run show. It was advantageous in having such a good sized ring in which to watch the dogs move. Borders need room to get into their stride and show their effortless movement and profile when viewed in side gait.
A special thank you also to Richard and Sharon, my two stewards for keeping things running smoothly. It is always a great help for any judge to be blessed with competent stewards. Finally a big thank you to all the Exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me for my opinion and for accepting my decisions with good grace. As always coats were at differing stages, often reflected in the placings, but coats do come and go, construction does not !. Overall I found temperaments excellent, as well it should be, which bodes well for the breed.
This Grizzle has a masculine head with good proportions, a strong muzzle, correct dentition and neatly placed ears. A pleasing straight front and neat feet. Has a good length of body with a level topline. Ribs carried well back. Loose thick pelt and firm in loin followed by a correctly set on tail. Looks balanced standing and didn’t disappoint when moving using his strong hindquarters. Shown in good jacket today and moved soundly. I seriously considered him for higher honours.