My thanks to the committee and Border Collie Club of Great Britain for inviting me to judge at this friendly and well run show, and to my stewards who kept the ring organised. I was pleased to find a larger ring waiting for me, which allowed me to assess movement easily (crucial for this breed).

Tail length continues to be fairly short, barely reaching to the hock in most exhibits, and necks appear to be getting shorter too, particularly in dogs. I noticed a couple of exhibits with almost level bites, which is another fault that breeders need to address when planning litters.

Puppy (4 entries, 1 absent)
1st GREEN & PATERSON Arrodare Family Tradition – 9 month old dog. Lovely well proportioned dark head with correct dentition, good angulation front and rear with well let down hocks and a good length of tail. Moved with drive for a youngster and always alert to his handler. BPIB and pleased to hear he was shortlisted in a big group at the end of the day.

2nd HODSON & JOHNSON Littlethorn Mini Two – 10 month old bitch. Nice feminine head topped with prick ears. Correct dentition. Good angulation and gave the appearance of balance. Moved well, just preferred the drive of 1st.

3rd SMALL Malindibeach Mullion Cove

Junior (4 entries, 1 absent)

1st KNIGHT Wizaland Put A Sock In It – 15 month old dog. Masculine head, good proportions and correct dentition. Good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Well angulated front and rear. Effortless movement, responsive to his handler. RBOB

2nd LEA Calaretto All My Loving JW – 16 month old bitch. Feminine, well proportioned head and correct dentition. Ears used well and always alert to her handler. Well angulated front and rear and moved with drive. Shown out of coat today which just left her looking a little unbalanced but nothing to hide.

3rd RICHARDS Calaretto Please Please Me For Kizbreez

Post Graduate (2 entries)

1st LEA Calaretto All My Loving JW – As 2ndin Junior

2nd LEE & RATCLIFFE Arrodare No Wonder – Feminine head with prick ears. Would like a slightly longer neck to create a more balanced profile, but well angulated and well let down hocks and excellent length of tail. Moved well, but just preferred the drive of 1st.

Limit (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st LEE & RATCLIFFE Arrodare Showdown JW – Well proportioned head with correct dentition. Ears used sensitively. Good length of neck and well angulated front and rear, with a long tail. Moved with drive and balance, exactly as required for this breed. BOB and pleased to hear she went Group 2 under Breed Specialist Marion Hodgson.

2nd WEBB Borderbrook Fire and Flame – Very masculine dog. Good angulation and depth of chest. Appeared a bit heavy set and would prefer a longer neck and tail to create the balanced working picture of this breed.

Open (2 entries, 1 absent)

1st LEE & RATCLIFFE Arrodare True Legend – Masculine head with ears used sensitively and very alert to his handler. Good angulation and well let down hocks. Moved well, but could do with being moved a bit slower to regain the balance required for the breed.