WITH PHIL FREILICH, PATRICK GLOVER, RONNIE IRVING, RUTH ANN NAUN & MARG POUGH border terrier Q&A
1. What makes the Border an outstanding show dog? What makes him a great pet? PF: Most Border Terriers are not natural show dogs. Exhibi- tors and handlers have to work at training a Border Terrier to be a good to outstanding show dog. The Border Terrier is a friendly, active dog with an excellent tempera- ment that fits most families life styles. Borders love to be part of any family activity. They are a medium to small size dog with relatively few major health problems. PG: I do not think the Border is an outstanding show dog. A Border is an extremely attractive, functional animal. An outgoing, friendly demeanor completes the picture. When I think of an outstanding show dog, I think of a very stylish, flashy breed—of which a Border is neither. A Border’s beauty stems from all the ingredients that make it “essentially a working terrier” and its calm, pleasant nature—when not at work—complete the picture. What makes him a great pet is that very same nature, his ability to get along well with other dogs. The fact that he can keep up with you, no matter what your pursuits, then curl up with you and read a book if that’s what you are doing next, is what is attractive to me. This is not a Terrier that needs to go all the time. RI: I’m not sure that Borders are outstanding show dogs. There are many breeds such as Wire Fox Terriers etc., that are far more flashy and spectacular and are rather easier to persuade to show with enthusiasm. What makes him a great pet? Easy to look after and groom, steady in temperament and not generally subject to many health problems. The pet dogs that you meet in the street often look like the ones you see in the show ring. There are not many Terrier breeds that could claim that! RN: Both questions can be answered by directing focus back to the breed standard. Bred to live within farm families in the Border country between Scotland and England, to run out with hound packs after fox and then to go to ground after the fox when the fox does to earth, the form of the Border Terrier follows its function. They are intel- ligent, agreeable, hearty, sound and sensible. MP: Borders are the Terrier that can do it all—anything from showing to obedience, Earthdog, agility, hunting, or just hanging out. It is primarily an owner-handled breed and those dogs go home to family after the shows. 2. What is the most prevalent fault you see today? PF: Poor shoulders seem to be a universal problem for most breeds. There are the exceptions, but very few breeds have adequate to good shoulders. PG: It would have to be fronts, and incorrect shoulder assembly. Your hopes are dashed so many times when you are looking at a very attractive Border, but it moves improperly due to some issue in the front. RI: Poor fronts both for construction and movement, and not enough Border Terriers with enough harsh double coat. RN: In my view, the most prevalent fault today is poor fronts, shoulders and movement. MP: Showing in too short a coat, so that you cannot evaluate if it is a working coat with both correct under
coat and harsh topcoat. Lack of thick hide. Lack of cor- rect length of rib. Inadequate shoulder layback leading to restricted movement.
3. Describe the breed in three words. PF: Friendly, active and intelligent.
PG: Narrow, rugged and stoic. RI: Active, friendly and stoical. RN: Hard to do, but I would say, “natural working Terrier”. MP: “Essentially a Working Terrier” 4. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? PF: Correct otter varmint headpiece and expression, a span- nable dog that can work in the field, and a dog with thick loose hide with a hard, thick jacket. PG: Proper head, with strong muzzle, underjaw and large punishing teeth. Correct build for a working Terrier, strongly made, narrow throughout, ribs well laid back, with enough length and range. A weather-resistant dou- ble coat, and truly sound enough to follow a horse all day. RI: The head of the Border Terrier—like that of an otter—is its most distinguishing feature. Good sound movement is also an essential as is a correct mouth. Also, for the Border Terrier, a person with average sized man’s hands ought to be able to span it behind the shoulder so as to ensure it would be able to follow a fox into its lair—the job for which the breed was originally bred. But it is the totality of the dog that counts and judges should not become obsessed with any one feature. RN: Must have traits include: otter-like head, strong proper scissors bite, soundness front and rear, spannable, heavy hide and double coat. MP: Enough length of leg to run free with the Terrier man and climb the steep fells. Correct shoulder and movement. Correct rib, in shape and length and flexibility. Correct double coat with thick hide. Pleasing head without exaggeration. 5. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? PF: Breeders today are doing a good job of maintaining the integrity of the Border Terrier. It is a breed without exag- gerations. When dogs start to become too big, breeders tend to put more emphasize on size. I see many exhibits that lack substance and need more bone. It is question- able if some of the smaller bitches you see in the ring today can work and go to ground. PG: Exaggeration is something to be avoided at all costs in the Border Terrier. The word “moderate” or “moderately” appears six times in our standard. A good Border is usu- ally quite moderate in all aspects. Excessive rear angula- tion is the only consistent exaggeration I have noticed. Putting a rear out behind the dog does it quite a disservice. RI: In the UK, excessive length of body. The UK breed standard asks for the body to be “fairly long”, but some people are construing this as “long” rather than “fairly long”. The AKC breed standard says,
178 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A PRIL 2017
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