First Place in Post Graduate - Bitch, Judge: Nicola Howard (Tyneotter)
I would like to thank the club and committee for the invite to judge their show, this was my first judging appointment for several years so I particularly appreciated of my stewards, Katrina and Liz in keeping the ring running smoothly.
Thank you to all the exhibitors for making the journey and allowing me to go over their dogs. There was a lovely friendly atmosphere around the ringside.
On the day I thought the quality of the bitches surpassed the dogs overall. Movement seems to be an issue, particularly coming but I did find some lovely exhibits who covered the ground effortless.
Fitness and muscle tone was lacking in a few of the exhibits which I was surprised about and did factor into my decision making, they are ‘essentially a working terrier’ after all.
Coats were varied with a number in full coat, some in between and a few with little coats. Bites were good .I found one kinked tail.
The most difficult class of the day to judge as the first 3 bitches were all quite different in type but all had many positive attributes.
A lovely feminine3 yr old bitch who had a super head and expression, she had a correct bite and good strength in jaw. She was narrow throughout making her easily spanned with a straight front. Shown in excellent double coat with a good pelt, she had tight neat feet and was in lovely condition. Her tail was well set on and she had a level topline which she held nicely on the move. She moved steadily around the ring, better going away than coming. She shows herself very well for her handler.