First Place in Open - 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 fabulous class of top quality dogs, so many going without because there just weren’t enough cards to go round.
A well known grizzle and tan champion who just looked the picture both stood and on the move. He was correct for size came to hand so well and was so balanced and narrow throughout, with a lovely topline. He had a superb head with broad strong, muzzle and big white teeth, flat skull with very little stop, a dark eye and keen expression. His front was straight and narrow with a good length of upper arm, good lay back of shoulder, narrow ribs carried well back, strong loin and well angulated, well muscled hindquarters. He had a thick pelt, close undercoat and short but harsh topcoat. He moved well, I just preferred the tail carriage of the bitch CC winner in the final challenge, but pleased to award him DCC and RBIS.