My 14 month old border terrier bitch had a lump removed (luckily it turned out to be nothing sinister) a couple of weeks ago and there is still  a slight swelling there at the moment and the hair is coming back nicely.  My question is having won several best in shows at open shows she is/was due to go to the championship show at Richmond on Sunday and I was just wondering whether it is worth the long journey from Devon if she is not in absolutely first class condition (which she is apart from this very tiny swelling and a couple more layers of hair need to come through).  I think the hair will have all grown back by Sunday, it is growing very fast). I am just wondering whether the judges will complete overlook her because of the tiny lump or will the other factors she has in her favour override this?  Any comments greatly appreciated, thanks, shaz

I've known quality dogs do well even with stitches in, so I wouldn't worry too much!

Thanks for that positive comment.  It will be her first champ show and of course when we entered we didn't know a lump would appear and don't want to enter a champ show feeling nervous (well more nervous)!!  We have been told numerous times she is a nice little dog so hopefully if her hair is not all quite there we can just keep her facing the other way and  hope the judge doesn't look too closely.  Actually if you don't know it is there you wouldn't really notice as it is at the top of her leg and looks just like a shadow.  Thanks once again.

I agree with Jeangenie. Go, and have a good day out and  enjoy yourselves. Its only a bit of fun :)  I'll be there on the same day as you, at the Tibetan Terrier ring. Might see you :)
Anne

I would go for it, to be honest it shouldn't make any difference, particularly in the Border Ring, I have been placed at Crufts with a dog who had a missing tooth from working.

Apart from anything else you will enjoy your first experience at a champ Show and just remember win or lose, and we all do both of those things, you will always take the best dog home with you.

We will be down there too, so will be looking very hard at the Junior Bitch class, to see if I can see the lack of hair ;-)

Regards

Jayne

Yes, I think you should go - I've done well with my dog when he's had a foreleg partly shaved (forgot to remind the vet he was a show dog!)

Our aussie boy won pastoral puppy group with staples in his leg once!!!! I would go for it, it's only abit of hair, any judge can proberly tell she has had a lump removed, they may query it and just tell them! :)

I show a blind in one eye dog who places very well under the right judges, beaten our boy who was on a run and beaing her sister who is better then her....However I did win all my classes that day so won't complain...

As a terrier she should be forgiven 'honorable' scars, go and enjoy yourselves :D

thanks for all your replies, sounds like we should go for it.  Still 3 more "hair growing" days to go and the lump getting smaller by the day too.  Good luck everyone  else, see you at Richmond.  Shaz