WELKS (29-04-2011)

Second Place in Open - Dog, Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon

Show Critique:

Many thanks to my stewards who had everything running smoothly in a calm and good-humoured manner, it makes judging such a pleasure. I had a good entry of 132 dogs with a lower than usual absentee rate of 14%, which was good for a Friday in the present economic climate and I was very pleased to be able to judge outside, although I understand some of the exhibitors found it rather chilly. Quality was rather varied but some of the classes were closely contested and I was delighted with my top winners. Front construction is still a problem with some and coats were rather varied but that could be due to the unseasonal weather which we have had recently. I was also pleased to see a number of the dogs moving freely, with reach in front and good drive from the hindquarters, Border Terriers could not work as they were intended to do without this asset.

Placing Critique:

beautifully constructed dog and I have given him a RCC before but he was not on top form today and paid the penalty for this. Narrow throughout, easily spanned; good coat and pelt, not moving so well in front today but covers the ground with a long stride.