First Place in Open - Dog, Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gabybryl)
This was my first-time awarding Challenge Certificates in Border Terriers and many thanks to those that entered under a non-breed specialist, and well done for braving what was a bitter wind. If this was a representative entry, then I am heartened by the general health and condition of the breed. Good coats, good pelts and super large dentition were the majority. There are some nice youngsters in the lower classes. Just two points as a non-specialist if I might be permitted, firstly the standard calls for a small ear and I found quite a few otherwise nice exhibits with large houndy ears which did somewhat detract from the overall expression. Secondly several dogs broke quite markedly at the front pastern which spoilt the overall impression on the move, these points need watching.
Not the easiest of classes as all were of different type. Overall disappointing for an OD class.
Easily my star of the day and won this class with plenty to spare. I have judged this dog before, indeed at this show a year ago, when he annexed a group 4 under me in a very strong Terrier Group. I wrote of him that time that he is just a lovely dog to go over and is totally balanced. My opinion remains unchanged, this mature male has the most pleasing typical head and his dark keen eye and decent ear size and set combined with his overall proportions and head furnishings gave him the expression I was looking for. Correct depth to his chest and narrow in body, he is well ribbed back with a short strong loin. Correct topline. Lovely thick pelt and in good jacket of correct texture. Correct tail set. Last time I had him I felt he was a little too proud of his tail, today however there was little to fault. Movement was super both fore and aft. It was a pleasure to award him the CC and subsequently BOB. He looked super in the group, annexing Grp 4, although I felt he did well enough to have had higher honours.