Specialty Results 2008 with critiques.

Sunday May 18th was a good day that was filled with Border Terriers. The Ontario Specialty for the breed included mostly owner handled and conditioned dogs. This gives the judge a very good perspective on the breed. The skill and professionalism was remarkable and sportsmanship commendable.

Both the Bred By Exhibitor dog and Bred By Exhibitor bitch, one in each class, showed the efforts put forth by those breeders. The bitch was the eventual Best of Winners.

The winner of the Open Dog class became the Winners Dog, and was sporting a big coat, He had a typical outline and good going and coming. He won over the second place dog, on condition and side gate. The second place dog was better than the third, in his front, and down and back. The third was placed ahead of four on overall appearance and head.

There were 2 puppy bitch classes, which were both a delight. The handlers took care to let the experience be a good one. The Junior Puppy class saw a very promising lass in number one spot. She showed herself like a pro. She was in a fresh new coat and topped the second placed bitch, on her condition and movement. First in the Senior Puppy class was well trained and well presented. The coat would be improved by having a harsher texture (perhaps this will improve as the coat lengthens).

The Bred By Exhibitor bitch was the Best of Winners. She was a nice specimen, she had a short coat with texture and a thick pelt. She covered ground well and was of pleasing size.

A single entry in Canadian Bred exhibited quality with a tight coat. She had a nice outline but with more coat it will be even better.

Open Bitch also had a nice outline except for the tuckup. She went ahead of the second place on condition size and balance.

The Specials entered the ring and what an honour to have them in front of me. As I examined and sorted the ones with the characteristics that most exemplified breed type, the Best of Breed and Best Bred By Exhibitor was found in a sturdy bitch with correct purposeful movement covering ground to my liking. The Best of Opposite Sex went to a deserving dog of strong type and in good condition. The Award Of Merit went to a male and that was well won. He carried himself well and with good balance.

I want to mention the Best Puppy in went to a perky female and a happy one. A real crowd pleaser she was. It will be fun to follow her "career".

As I turned the dogs forward to observe the front assembly there was some less than ideal spacing between the front legs. I think that many of the dogs were in coats that were too short, but only 2 were lacking texture. The expressions generally were petty good. I saw intelligence looking back at me in many entries. I understand the engaging qualities in this breed and respect your choice of the Border Terrier.

Your Show Chair Karen Nesbitt and her committee left nothing to be desired. A job well done. Catherine Lambert and myself were well treated and well gifted and were very comfortable at the Inn where we stayed. Thank for the honour bestowed upon me to judge your Specialty.

Respectfully submitted, Sandra Anderson.

SWEEPSTAKES 12- 18 MONTH DOG

1st - Ch Duet’s Smokin In The Boys Room (Pamela Bruce & Beverly Kolb).
Strong headed blue and tan dog. Correct bite, good dentition, strong muzzle. Broad skull.
Good length of neck. Correct shoulders. Excellent bone. Thick double coat and excellent
thick pelt. Good length of rib. Easily spanned. Good topline but slightly lowset tail.
Rear movement better than front, but still moved with drive. Not overdone in any way.
Delighted to award him Best in Sweepstakes.

JUNIOR PUPPY BITCH (6-9 mths)

1st- Baytree Miss Moneypenny (Jane Cairns).
Feminine headed 7 month old puppy. Needs to fill out more under the eyes. Correct bite.
Good layback of shoulder. Narrow throughout. Easily spanned. Unfortunately shown out of
coat, pelt ok. Movement ok. Would liked to have seen a bit more of her.

2nd- Braemar’s Mayhem (Victor Burrell).
7 month old puppy. Stronger head than 1. Correct bite, good muzzle. Bit short of coat,
but what was there was correct. Correct bone. Wide in front, shoulders slightly upright.
Carrying too much weight which spoiled her outline. SENIOR PUPPY BITCH (9-12 mths)

1st- Ristle’s Cross Border Shopping (Julie Calleja; Kathy Robinson; Beverly Kolb).
Very attractive headed bitch. Good earset. Correct bite. Good length of neck, good
shoulders. Good topline which she kept on the move. Nice narrow ribs, good length of
loin. Rear angulation a little upright. A little short of coat but harsh coat coming
through. Good pelt. Very easily spanned. Did not move with the drive of my winner but
covered the ground adequately. Pleased to award her Best of Opposite.

12-18 MONTH BITCH

1st- Sulan Fancy That (Sue Baxter).
Nice headed bitch. Correct bite. Good length of neck. Slightly upright shoulders.
Good bone, not overdone. Slightly short of coat but what was there was correct. Good length
of rib, easily spanned. Rear angulation ok. Movement not as sound as 2.

2nd- Dixielands Mikki Maustrappe (Elaine Brown & Ellen D. Tate).
Not as strong in head as 1. Correct bite. Not as good a coat as 1. Shoulders ok. Good length
of rib and easily spanned. Excellent topline which she kept on the move. Moved slightly better than 1.

BEST IN SWEEPSTAKES - CH DUET’s SMOKIN IN THE BOYS ROOM - O: PAMELA BRUCE & BEVERLY KOLB
BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX - RISTLE CROSS BORDER SHOPPING - O: JULIE CALLEJA, KATHY ROBINSON, BEVERLY KOLB