First Place in Post Graduate - Dog, Judge: Mrs V Atkinson (Raedwulf)
Thank you so much to the society for inviting me to judge this wonderful show. To my steward, Judy Carr, thank you for running my ring so efficiently, especially in the heat. Thanks must go to the ladies for our delicious lunch too. I was presented with some super examples of the breed and there were some tough decisions, especially in the bitches. I do also think the heat affected the performance of some as the day progressed. On the whole mouths were good, but a couple of very knotted tails and some dogs I was unable to span, even with generous allowance which would preclude them from fulfilling the breed standard of ‘essentially a working terrier’.
Masculine grizzle dog. All in proportion and very easy on the eye, he was balanced with enough bone and tight feet. Presented in harsh coat with thick pliable pelt. Broad skull with strong muzzle and excellent bite with large white teeth and a strong underjaw. He had good reach of neck and excellent shoulder placement. Easily spannable and with strong loin he had a level top line and well set tail. He was in hard condition. Once his handler gained the co-operation of this dog he really powered around the ring. I was very pleased to award him first in this class and BIS.