There was a good entry of Cairns and my overall impression was favourable. I was very pleased with my final lineup in both dogs and bitches, they were similar in type and could all move well and had very nice heads, it was very close competition!

There was a variety of type with some being a little too short in body and without the forelegs well set under the body which made them more like Westies in type. Equally there were also a few who were just too long in body which made them look unbalanced!

I was impressed that the majority were of nice size and had very nice heads in correct proportion to the overall dog, also very few bad eyes. Most had correct coats although some were a little overtrimmed as seems to be the current fashion, whatever happened to the shaggy cairn of yesteryears!

It was disappointing that the ring size and slippery floor made it difficult for the dogs to show their full potential on the move but even allowing for these circumstances, there were quite a few dogs who did not have that light easy movement, with plenty of drive which is so typical of the breed. Mostly this was due to lack of angulation of the hindquarters so they did not have the power to give that nice easy movement. Toplines were generally good although there were a few tails which could have had a better set on.

Temperaments were also very good, I was just sorry I did not have a better ring!

Ann Ingram