I very much enjoyed judging this delightful breed, they usually make me smile.

With this entry I found happy healthy dogs with most enjoying their day. Temperaments excellent.

I believe my term ‘good return’ caused some confusion. A Cairn should stand over its forepaws and to achieve this it must have a well laid shoulder meeting the upper arm of roughly the same length at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. This allows for freedom of movement giving good forward extension. So when I made this comment I generally was happy with this part of confirmation.

Quite a proportion of the Cairns exhibited could have a better lay of shoulder. This is a universal problem and not just with Cairns. This is something that should be kept in mind when breeding. Upright shoulders usually result in short choppy front movement that may look attractive from the ringside but in wasteful of energy in a working terrier.

With very few exceptions I found this entry to have deep well sprung ribs , good strong loins and well carried tails. A couple were a little shallow.

Hind angulation again was generally good with most having nice short hocks essential for driving action. Again a few had longer hocks which shows in stilted hind movement.

Most heads were acceptable with dentition excellent. To be very critical some muzzles were bordering on being too long in proportion to the scull. Some sculls too short from stop to occiput thus changing the expression and resulting in a plainer head. Ear placement in general very good but with the weaker scull some were a little wide.

Most were shown in good double coat with workmanlike presentation. Just a few open coats.

Many decisions were very close and often it was the dog who made the most of himself that came out the winner. Cairns not the easiest of breeds as they must show themselves (no stacking allowed!). Handlers need to work at keeping their dogs alert and interested. Showing must be fun.

Again I thank everyone for giving me the opportunity of judging your breed.

Modwena Johnston

BIS 3 VETERAN
CALE HILL'S VIGGO