Midland Bedlington Terrier Club

Thank you to the officers, committee and members for inviting me to judge your Club Open show. I felt very honoured to be asked to judge this prestigious event. A special thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such a large entry of excellent, quality dogs. There was a super atmosphere at this well run show, with both experienced and less experienced exhibitors, which was so nice to see. A lovely, friendly welcome from the Chairman, Dr Jones, is always appreciated, assisted by your very hard working secretary, Yvonne Bannister. The lunch was sumptuous and all in all, it turned out to be a very enjoyable day for me. I was extremely pleased with my eventual winners. Thank you so much for the lovely glass gift, given from the club. I will always cherish it.

MINOR PUPPY (4) 1. Kinns’ Kinnuva Hawaiian Velvet. A very promising 8 month old liver puppy bitch. Correct shaped head with no ‘stop’. Small lighter eye and colouring to blend with her colour, with good length of ear. Nice front and feet. Super body outline, with natural arch over loin. Good rib and depth of brisket for age. Well- muscled for a young bitch, enabling her to have the distinctive, Bedlington movement. 2. Brynes & Gibbens’ Miteymidgets What is Love. Not such an experienced dog or handler. Dog needs to mature to grow into the body of my winner. Correct head and shape of skull, with nice sized, dark eye, with thin ears and scissor bite. Correct body shape and tail set. Moved OK. Just needs time to mature. BEST PUPPY DOG.

PUPPY (2) Both nice puppies. 1. Martin’s Grace Iz Moskovskoy Bemty. A very attractive mature bitch puppy. The more I saw her, the more I liked her. Pretty, narrow head of correct shape, nice jaw, with good silky ‘top-knot’. Small, dark, bright eyes, giving the appearance of being triangular, with well hung, thin, velvety ears. Nice flat ribs. Initially, I thought she should have a better topline and roach, but it appeared to get better as time went on. Good turn of stifles, correct tail set, neat hocks and correct hare feet. Nicely muscled and in excellent condition with a beautifully presented linty, blue coat. Movement improved and I hope she continues to get better with age. BEST PUPPY BITCH, BEST PUPPY IN SHOW AND RESERVE BEST BITCH. 2. Owen’s Bisbee Razzle Dazzle. A month younger with similar comments to above. Nice head with dark eye, nice thin ears and correct bite. A lovely dark linty coat. I found the movement hard to access and needs time to mature.

JUNIOR DOG (1) 1. Brynes & Gibbens’ Miteymidgets What is Love.

POST GRADUATE DOG (2) 1. Ward’s Tcheria Tchorister. Nice head with deep, rounded skull, no ‘stop’ and well hung thin, velvety ears. Correct body outline with moderate turn of stifle and low set tail. Moved OK. A little more trimming and presentation could improve the picture. 2. Mitchell’s Bluesmurf Semper Paratus. Good head, with correct triangular eyes. Well placed ears, although I preferred the length of ear on the first dog. Lovely coat texture.

LIMIT DOG (2) 1. Kinns’ Kinnuva Dark Sleekster. Nicely shaped head with profusion of silky topknot and no ‘stop’. Well hung, velvety, thin ears, good muzzle and jaw. Good depth of chest and brisket with straight forelegs and hare feet. Good neck to shoulder with slight rise over the loin with tuck up of underline, muscular hindquarters with good turn of stifle and straight hocks. Moved out with good action producing good side gait, but tail carriage a little high and back movement a bit close. Beautifully coated with well -presented linty texture. 2. Hewitt-Taylor’s Mollora Red Kite for Tobanie. Good head and ears with strong neck. Straight forelegs, good body shape and roach over loin. Nice tail set and carriage, with moderate turn of stifle. In good condition and muscled. Would have preferred different front movement.

OPEN DOG (4) An excellent class, as I would expect. 1. Butler’s Yarbach Federers Final. A super, mature, well balanced, correct sized dog. Presented in excellent condition, both in coat and body. A credit to his owner and handler. Super shaped head, narrow skull covered with the correct amount of silky ‘top-knot’ and no ‘stop’. Small, bright triangular appearing eyes and thin, velvety ears. Long neck blending into good shoulders. Excellent front, with deep chest and flat ribs. Muscular body with natural arch over loin. Well set tail of moderate length. Moderate turn of stifle, giving him a wonderful distinct Bedlington action. Presented in super linty coat. I was very pleased to award him BEST DOG AND BEST IN SHOW. 2. Middlebrook’s Tcheria Tcharleston. Another nice well matured dog with similar remarks applying. Blue of correct size, really good head, eyes and ears with good length of neck in to well-laid shoulders. I preferred my BIS’s topline, but this one was very nice. Excellent muscled body with correct turn of stifle. Very good sound, distinct Bedlington movement. Presented in excellent coat. 3. Bannister’s Miteymidgets English Dream. Another excellent, mature dog. Not with his usual handler, which made a great difference. Presented well.

VETERAN DOG (1) 1. Walters & Mitchell’s Ch Rathsrigg Millrace. A very, worthy champion. At 9 years old he certainly does not show his age, other than not having quite the same muscle tone as his younger competitors, which one would naturally expect. I was told after judging that he was sire to my Best in Show dog and he pushed him very hard for that award. All the same attributes apply to this super elderly gentleman. RESERVE BEST DOG, RESERVE BEST IN SHOW AND BEST VETERAN IN SHOW.

BREEDERS DOG (1) 1. Kinns’ Kinnuva Dark Sleekster.

SPECIAL NON BREEDERS DOG (1) 1. Brynes & Gibbens’ Miteymidgets What is Love.

JUNIOR BITCH (2) 1. Walters & Mitchell’s Bisbee Blue Brocade of Tunman. Promising youngster, who needs a bit more confidence. Being just over 12 months old is still rather immature. Correct head, eyes, and ears. Nice reach of neck set onto shoulders with balanced top-line. Strong pasterns and moderate turn of stifle. Excellent movement in distinct Bedlington fashion. Presented in good, linty, coat of good colour. I hope when she matures, she will have a bright future.

POST GRADUATE BITCH (1) 1. Smith’s Vakurblue Ship of the Fens. Nice, well bodied, blue bitch with good head shape, eyes and ears. Good length of neck, flat ribs and good topline, when stood correctly. On the day, she would not oblige her handler in moving straight and tended to move one sided, but I believe her movement may well have been fine. Extra presentation would have also improved her outline.

LIMIT BITCH (9) An excellent entry of Bedlington Terriers. I have never judged so many in one class! 1. Tonner & Oxbury’s Miteymidgets Nations Unite at Jukenblu ShCM. Caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring and she did not disappoint. Super head, eyes and ears. Would have preferred a better body outline, to complete the picture. Presented in excellent coat and condition. One of the best movers of the day. 2. Walters & Mitchell’s Aireview Limelight of Tunman. Up to size, but still had a nice feminine expression. Good head, eyes and ears. Neck sloops gently into well placed shoulders with a good top-line & rise. Moved soundly and well, but not as good as the winner. Correct coat colour and texture. 3. Middlebrook’s Poppyblu Elara.

OPEN BITCH (5) 1. Bannister’s Ch. Miteymidgets Going Global JW. I judged her when she was quite young and fell in love with her then, placing her above other kennel mates. The next year she was made into a champion and won Best of Breed at Crufts. I was so pleased. She never disappoints and a very worthy champion. A blue bitch with a great colour, lovely head, small dark eyes and super thin ears. Good length of neck into good shoulders, nice topline with good carriage. Wonderful movement. A change of handler today, but still showed well enough for BEST BITCH AND BEST OPPOSITE SEX IN SHOW. 2. Mrs & Dr Jones’ Tcheria Tydfil of Pengerrig. I have judged this bitch before. She is quite a different type to the first placed. However, she is a very good example of the breed. A nicely balanced bitch, that moves well in the distinct Bedlington way. Good head with narrow skull, profusion of silky ‘top-knot’, small, bright deep set eyes and thin ears. Correct front, with flat ribs, natural roach over the loin and defined tuck-up. Good hindquarters and tail set. Correct, very distinctive coat. Well presented in good muscle tone. 3. Lawrie’s Miteymidgets Endless Love.

VETERAN BITCH (4) 1. Bannister’s Ch. Miteymidgets Hawkers Cove ShCM. Another worthy champion and at 11 years old, a credit to her owner. Still an excellent mover to win the class. Her daughter beat her when I judged them several years ago, but she still has an excellent structure, up on pasterns and in tip-top condition. Still has a wonderful topline and movement especially drive out from the rear. In good coat, balanced outline when standing, ribs down to the elbows and a definite underline tuck up, hocks well let down and good tail carriage. A shame my Reserve Best in Show was a Veteran. 2. Godden’s Vakurblu Bacon Buttie. Another lovely Veteran, but not so old. Good head with excellent small, bright, deep set triangular eyes and thin ears. Good length of neck and shoulders. Deep chest and flat ribs, producing a super outline. Moved well. Presented beautifully in wonderful condition both bodily and coat. A credit to her owner. 3. Hewitt-Taylor’s Tobanie Earth Song.

BREEDERS BITCH (5) 1. Bannister’s Miteymidgets Love in Bloom JW. Another lovely exhibit from this kennel. Well balanced 4 year old blue bitch. She is so feminine and shapely, with lovely body lines. Her head is narrow and deep, with a lovely dark eye. Good depth to the brisket, holding her topline on the move. Coat of good texture and in good condition. Another that moves so well. 2. Godden’s Vakurblu Bacon Buttie. 3. Hewitt-Taylor’s Tobanie Earth Song.

SPECIAL NON BREEDERS BITCH (7) 1. Martin’s Grace Iz Moskovskoy Bemty. RESERVE BEST BITCH. 2. Walters & Mitchell’s Bisbee Blue Brocade of Tunman. 3. Lawrie’s Miteymidgets Endless Love.

BEST IN SHOW - Butler’s Yarbach Federers Final.

RESERVE BEST IN SHOW - Walters & Mitchell’s Ch Rathsrigg Millrace.

BEST OPPOSITE SEX IN SHOW - Bannister’s Ch. Miteymidgets Going Global JW.

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW - Martin’s Grace Iz Moskovskoy Bemty.

BEST VETERAN IN SHOW - Walters & Mitchell’s Ch Rathsrigg Millrace.

Felicity A. Snook JUDGE