National Terrier Club (07-04-2018)

First Place in Open - Dog, Judge: Mr. W. R. Irving

Show Critique:

Thanks to the exhibitors for the entry of 160 from 157 dogs.
There were some very strong classes and interestingly the biggest class was Limit Dog with seventeen entries. My biggest worry about the overall entry was that there seemed be some very large exhibits which were well over the standard size. Even in bitches there were a good number that were too big and in dogs some were enormous. And it was not so much that they were too leggy – rather that so many were far from being able to be spanned. I think we really ought to try to do something about that.
Heads were by and large good but there were quite a few with big ears. Coats of course were variable and I only found one really bad mouth and one kinked tail.
Movement left a bit to be desired especially in front but I was disappointed also that so many were not moving well behind either.
My thanks to my two very efficient stewards which enabled us to finish by around 1 p.m. and to the exhibitors most of whom seemed to take my decisions in the sporting way befitting the breed

Placing Critique:

a good smart dog of correct size, not in the best of coats but texture of what was there was OK. Good in head with pleasing skull and good eye and expression. Good thickness of tail and OK tailset. Moved well behind. Well balanced for bone and not over exaggerated in any way. Showed well throughout. Went on to win DCC and BOB