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, “The height at the withers is slightly greater than the distance from the withers to the tail.” In my view that’s correct and gives the right balance. In the US on the other hand, there is at times a tendency to go for dogs that are over angulated behind, with too much bend of stifle. And these days, certainly in the UK, not enough people allow the dogs to show on a loose lead—too many are stacked. RN: Exaggerations in the US Borders, in my view include over grooming, foreign substances in coat and scissoring of coat.
MP: Heads are in some cases become “cute” and too short in muzzle resulting in a rounder eye. Also some have too much back skull. Temperament, too much on their toes, as some are selecting for a showy dog, which may result in temperament issues. Borders are not a showy Terrier and being bored in the show ring is NOT atypical nor a fault. Borders may drop their tail when at rest. 6. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? PF: Border Terriers you see in the ring today are overall better than when I started in 1989. The dogs are better balanced with more length of leg to cover ground. Fronts are better than they were 25 years ago, yet still a major problem today. You seldom see wide or thick dogs in the ring today, compared to 25 years ago. PG: I have been involved with Borders for almost 40 years, so I will speak from that standpoint, rather than my shorter tenure as a judge. I think Borders are more “con- sistently better” than they used to be. By that I mean that traits like straight bone, good length of rib, animals that are balanced, excellent heads and have proper angula- tion, appear in a larger population of animals. Some traits that are important to hold onto, but might appear less, are tails of a proper shape and length, good strong nose leathers, proper hide or pelt and that excellent and unique temperament I mentioned earlier. RI: Yes. There are more with the required head properties than there used to be. RN: The increase in breed numbers here, and worldwide, together with continuing high levels of responsible breeding practices, have brought us to a generally higher standard of dogs in competition. MP: Overall I think they are better, better movement. Size is always a misunderstood issue. We see them get too big and broad with huge heads, and too small and sometimes weedy. Always strive for the moderate, honest Border with the conformation to do a day’s work in the field. 7. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? PF: First and foremost, the Border Terrier is a working breed meant to go to ground and dispense small vermin. Your final decisions should be based on if a Border can get the job done and then consider showmanship. Many new judges are either uncomfortable or do not know how to properly span a Border Terrier. PG: When I see animals put up that are fine boned, shelly, not strongly put together, with weak fore face and jaw, I question whether a judge has an understanding of a working Terrier. Our Borders are first and foremost a working Terrier and should be judged accordingly.
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