Southern Counties Canine Association

Many thanks to Angela Cavill and the hard-working committee of Southern Counties for the invitation to judge the Terrier group at this well run and friendly summer show. Once assembled it was clear that this was indeed a high-quality terrier group and one containing several dogs to whom I have awarded top honours in the past. I shortlisted eight dogs for further examination including the Irish terrier, Jack Russell terrier, WHWT and Skye terrier all of which are excellent examples of their breed. In my opinion the final four are outstanding quality specimens who could in fact change places on a different day. After some consideration it was the beautiful Bedlington Ch Conekesheved Too Shy JW who topped the group. It is no secret that I rate her highly having annexed under me both the puppy group at this show last year and subsequently CC and BOB earlier this year. This bitch has a classic head piece with narrow skull of good length and depth, covered by a top knot of correct texture, neat dark eye, super length of neck into the best of shoulders. Correct front, deep and broad throughout the chest with correct flat rib. Her outline is for me ideal with no exaggeration. In good hard condition. Her front movement is so correct for the breed and her side gait is a joy to watch. Really didn’t put a foot wrong today, and despite the heat further upped her game in the final go around. Delighted to award her the top spot. Pushing the Bedlington hard was the SFT Ch Kanix Quickstep who was Group 2. She has also annexed a CC and BOB from me previously. B/W quality bitch who scores for her overall shape. I expect I was slightly more critical of a SFT and she had to be extra special, she is. It cannot be denied that her head piece is quite lovely, of good length and correct proportions. Clean in back skull, she has an excellent dark eye and neatly sized ears with correct carriage. Quickstep has the desired varminty expression which is essential for a SFT and now often lacking. Correctly chiselled, this bitch has a punishing foreface yet without any loss of femininity. Elegant neck into excellent shoulder placement. Clean front with no obvious fore chest. Good bone and cat feet, short backed, and tail on top with plenty behind the tail. Moved very well. In third place was the Norfolk terrier Ch Watercroft Boozy Miller, one who I have seen many times ringside, but not had the opportunity to handle. Compact dog who impressed for his overall size and outline. Typical head with good broad skull and correct head proportions. Lovely dark keen eye of correct shape and neat correctly placed ears. Excellent neck and shoulder. Correct front assembly with good bone and feet. Level topline and short enough. Moved very well with drive and correctly carried tail. His topcoat is harsh, and he is put down in A1 order. I liked his dog very much. Just feeling the heat towards the end or would have made mine a harder decision. Fourth was the quality border Ch Otterbobs Tolson, well known dog and it is easy to see how he has done the winning he has. He is lovely to go over with a superb headpiece and correct ear size. Good neck and shoulder, correct front and feet. Well ribbed up with strong loin. Correct hindquarters. Good pelt and harsh coat. Moved well in all directions just was a little happy with his tail in the final go around.

Ian H Gabriel