First Place in Open - Bitch, Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gaybryl)
Many thanks for the lovely entry, both in terms of quality and quantity. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with the Border Terriers. When I last judged I felt there were too many with houndy large ears, this did not seem to be replicated in today’s entry which was pleasing and expression was generally much improved. What I did notice was that front action is something that we need to watch. Being Manchester and the last Championship show pre Crufts there were quite a few dogs who had been stripped in preparation and quite a few out of coat. In part that did play a part in some of my fineer placings.
This was a very difficult class to sort out as again there was a variance of type, size and maturity. The first two bitches were very different, both carry their title and both richly deserved to do so.
Impressed me for her good size and balance. She is moderate and balanced throughout. Typical head, she has breadth through her skull without being overdone, well placed ears, correct stop, good strong muzzle of correct length, she has strength through the foreface but in no way loses on feminity. Clean neck into good shoulders. Neat front assembly with good bone and nice tight foot. She has depth in her chest and is well ribbed back. Strong loin. Held her topline throughout. I liked her racy hindquarters which are well muscled. She was in excellent jacket and moved with preciseness both fore and aft and has a nice profile on the side gait. She won this class and subsequently annexed the BCC which I was pleased to award her