First Place in Open - Bitch, Judge: Mr S A Mcpherson (Brumberhill))
Thank you to the WELKS committee for the invitation to judge their show and to my stewards, who did a sterling job, keeping everything moving, to get through the entry.
Wasn’t sure what to expect, being on a Monday, in the current financial climate, so was delighted to receive an entry of 126 dogs, making 181 entries, topping the Terrier Group, by quite a margin. Thank you to those exhibitors, for bringing their dogs, and wanting my opinion. There were very few I’d actually judged before, having last judged at Blackpool ’19.
We were blessed with a lovely sunny day, and a huge double sized ring, giving everyone full chance to show their dogs to full advantage.
I felt it was a high quality entry, especially the bitches, where, I felt, my final bitch challenge line up was one of the best I’ve judged. There were a number of bitches, both there, and in the placings, I have no doubt will gain their crowns, given a fair chance.
Main points of concern, as last time I judged, at Blackpool ’19, are still deep stops, with a rounder eye, giving an untypical expression. A few, with this problem, also had tighter, untidy bites, as they were very short in muzzle.
A few knobbly tails, some too long, carried high, but most were ok and well carried.
On the whole, I thought movement had improved, although still a few high steppers, due to incorrect shoulder and upper arm. Toplines were good, on most. Presentation, on the whole, was good, as most were in good coat, or evidence of texture.
Blue and tan. Beautiful head and expression. Excellent neck, shoulder, front and feet. Excellent topline and tailset. Super hindquarters. Exceptional coat and pelt, of good colour, beautifully presented. Sound free mover. No secret she’s a great favourite of mine, having given her a Res CC, at 11 months old, predicting a very bright future for her. Delighted she went on to gain her crown, now with six CCs. Just pipped at the post, today, by her very beautiful kennel mate, who I felt was just a touch more “together “ on the move, in the challenge, so had to settle for another Res CC, but it could easily have gone either way. What a fabulous brood, their dam, Gold Dust, has been, another who did well under me, to produce two of their calibre.