First Place in Puppy - Dog, Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the club for inviting me to judge this 40th Anniversary show, and for the hospitality on the day. Thank you also to the hardworking stewards, it was a long and very busy day. Most of all, thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such a fabulous entry. I appreciated each and every exhibit, and had the privilege of going over so many quality dogs that difficult decisions had to be made and many lovely dogs went cardless. Foremost, I see the Border Terrier as ‘essentially a working terrier’ and was therefore looking for construction that would render this possible. A few exhibits were too big, too wide or too deep in brisket which might prevent them from going to ground, or even cause them to get stuck. A few had very thin skin – skin must be thick. Most bites were good, just a few with teeth out of line or missing. Coats come and go, so were understandably at different stages. However, on a working terrier a good hard coat does complete the picture. Good movement and a strong, even, economical gait comes from soundness of construction and the muscle tone of a well exercised dog. Therefore I looked for good layback of shoulder and the correct length and angle of upper arm to give a good reach in front, a strong loin, good bend of stifle and well angulated, well muscled hindquarters to give matching drive from the rear.
What a lovely boy, he took my eye as soon as he entered the ring. This eleven month old blue and tan was turned out in a quality coat of correct colour and texture, and moved steadily and so accurately. He had a wonderful head with broad skull and short, strong muzzle housing large teeth, well set on ears and dark eyes. He had a straight, narrow front, was good for bone, had a good length and angle of upper arm and good layback of shoulder. Good bend of stifle and strong in loin, his narrow ribs were carried well back, and his topline level with his tail straight off his back. BPD and BPIS.