National Terrier Club

Thank you to Stuart Plane and his team for inviting me to judge at this very prestigious terrier show. I had a very busy day and enjoyed it tremendously. A special thanks to my hardworking stewards and those that exhibited. I was extremely pleased with my Australian Terrier entry, both in quantity and quality. As a breed specialist, being in the breed for over forty years, I have seen this breed change in so many ways over the years. I feel it is certainly on the way up again, with the appearance of some lovely puppies.

I judged the breed at National Terrier twenty-six years ago, it was then my second CC appointment. There were twenty-six Aussies entered with two exhibitors entering both in 1998 and 2024.

VETERAN DOG OR BITCH (1)

1. Ferris’ Wyeafon Percival. I have judged this chap many times and he never disappoints. He is such a lovely ambassador for the breed, with his wonderful temperament. Correct head, flat skull with thumb marks. Definite stop, equal length of skull to muzzle, topped with a ‘top-knot’ of lighter colour. Nice almond eyes, small, pointed ears, well placed. Correct scissor bite. Slightly arched neck and good straight front. Well-constructed body with level topline. Nicely muscled and fit, giving good movement. Blue and tan coloured coat of a super harsh texture and nice ruff around his neck. Best Veteran

MINOR PUPPY DOG (2)

What a wonderful start to my full day! Two super litter brothers, nearly 8 months old and very hard to separate. I liked different parts of each dog. Putting the best parts together, I would have had the perfect Australian Terrier! I consider ‘free standing’ usually better for the breed, unless the handler is very skilled.

1. Manson & Mackin’s Bareve Third Degree. A very masculine puppy dog. Good head, scissor bite, with strong, large teeth. I would have preferred the muzzle not so trimmed, as it spoils the overall look of the head. Remember the breed standard states ‘untrimmed, harsh coat, hard bitten and rugged appearance’. So, just tidied is usually sufficient. I was very impressed with this dog’s construction, balance and bone, who should grow into a lovely masculine dog. He excels in his forequarters, being well boned and perfectly straight. Especially when viewed from the front when moved, rarely seen in the breed. He has the correct length of body with level topline. Good spring of rib, strong muscular thighs, stifles well turned, hocks well bent and let down. Well set tail. Moved very well, with drive. A super red, harsh coat finishes the picture. One to watch for the future. Dog CC & Best Puppy.

2. Lawler & Nottingham’s Bareve Top Hat N’ Tails. Another super puppy, not quite so masculine as his brother, but still very nice. I preferred his head, which I thought was excellent. It was well proportioned with a flat skull and defined stop. Keen expression in his eyes, pointed ears, set correctly. He was also well bodied with good bone and presented in lovely condition. Correct shape and outline with a level topline. He moved well. Not a lot between them and I am sure they will swap places from time to time.

PUPPY DOG (1)

1. Jones’ Icy Imany Von Den Grauen Anfurten at Wyeafon (Imp Ned). This was another puppy dog with a super head. Well-proportioned long head with flat skull and defined stop, leading to a strong muzzle. Correct keen eyes. Erect, pointed ears set very well and used sensitively. Good body, but tail detracts for me. Nice harsh coat texture.

LIMIT DOG (1)

1. Webb’a Wilfnbell Nite Owl. A good ‘honest’ dog. Masculine head of correct proportions and strong muzzle. Perhaps the ears could be a little smaller, as per the breed standard. He appeared to have a ‘winter’ nose, leather developing. Excellent long, slightly arched neck. Correct length of body with level topline, presenting a nice outline. Well sprung ribs ribbed back. Strong, muscular thighs, stifles well turned, hocks well bent and let down. Small ‘cat’ feet. Blue and tan coat of correct texture. ‘Apron’ developed nicely. Moved soundly. Presented in good condition.

OPEN DOG (2)

1. Taylor’s Wilfnbell Barney’s Blue. This was the best I have ever seen this 7-year-old dog. Better presented and excellently handled. It makes such a difference. Very mature and masculine, but certainly not course. Well-proportioned head and flat skull, defined stop and strong muzzle. Silky ‘top knot’ and leather extending to bridge of muzzle. Ears set a little close for me. Long, slightly arched neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Nice length of body with level topline. Muscular thighs, stifles well turned, hocks well bent and let down. Good tail set. Moved freely, with drive. Not in the best of coats on the day, but adequate. Blue and tans do sometimes lose their coat gloom as they get older. Dog RCC.

2. McCourt’s Ch Silhill Super Trooper. Not so masculine as above, but very nice. His head reminds me of our old champion bitch. Correct shape and proportions, keen expression and well-set ears with the ‘Aussie’ distinctive silky topknot to finish it off. Nicely arched neck into well laid shoulders. Correct length of body, level topline and super tail set. Excellent cat like feet. Super coloured and textured coat. Works in unison with his handler to present a lovely outline. A great showman. Presented in tip top condition.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1)

1. Golby’s Bareve In Magic at Shadymoore. A sister to the Minor Puppy dogs. She is more immature than her brothers but should grow into a very smart Aussie bitch. She is another that reminds me of our old champion bitch. She started with large ears, but when her ‘top knot’ grew and head developed everything went into place. This bitch also has velvety textured ears, that will never grow long hair. Some will say she is lacking in coat, but I doubt if she will ever get a thick, heavy coat. We were accused of stripping our bitch, but we never did. It was the harshness of the coat. This puppy has a balanced head and flat skull. She is well proportioned with a level topline and moves very well. She may be a slow developer, but it will certainly be worth the wait. Very promising.

PUPPY BITCH (2)

1. Notingham & Arrowsmith’s Ruarokatiro A Star is Born. What a showgirl! Excellently presented and handled. Almost 12 months old and having just enough bone and substance. Well-proportioned, super, attractive head. Eyes giving keen expression and well-placed, neat ears, sensitively used. Correct length of body with level topline. Good hindquarters. Small, ‘cat like’ feet. Good tail set. Moved very well, with drive. Super harsh red coat.

2. Pinkerton’s Bareve Absolutely Fabulous. Another sister to the Minor puppy dogs, who will certainly take a long time to mature. Again, she has larger ears. She is well made, presented in lovely condition. It will be interesting to see how she develops. She has a very thick, harsh jacket at the moment.

POST GRADUATE BITCH (2)

1. Cox’s Wyeafon Illusion in Ember at Petitpaws. A very nice bitch who is maturing well. She has a lovely ‘old fashioned’ head. Well proportioned, flat skull and defined stop. Leather coming, as is her ‘apron.’ Correct keen eyes and pointed ears. Nice length of neck, slightly arched. Well-constructed and ribbed back, a little long in body for me, with nice level topline. Muscular thighs, stifles well turned, hocks well bent and let down. Good tail set. Moved very well with drive from the rear. Super blue and rich tan colour and coat of correct texture. Presented and handled well.

2. Leeson’s Amberush You Are My Sunshine. Unfortunately, her temperament let her down on the day. She is a ‘lockdown baby’ which does not help. She is lacking the ‘strong terrier character’ at the moment, a shame as she has the makings of a very nice bitch. She has a well-proportioned head, nice reach of neck, good length of body, well angulated hindquarters and good tail set. Although rather nervous, her movement was OK. Her condition and coat need more attention. As does her confidence building.

LIMIT BITCH ( 1)

1. Lapthorne & Thompson’s Jem’appelle Jenina. A very nice ‘honest’ type of Aussie bitch. Correctly proportioned head with flat skull. The long hair on the ears detracted from the overall look of her head, which was a shame. She was very well constructed, with the correct length of body and level topline. She had super small ‘cat like’ feet. Moved well and had a nice coat.

OPEN BITCH (3)

1. Nottingham & McCourt’s Ch Ruarokatiro Top of The Pops (AI). Such a showgirl. Well-handled, free standing, showing off her arched neck and in unison with her handler. Such a beautiful red bitch. Well-proportioned head, expressive eyes and good ears. Long, arched neck, flowing into well laid shoulders. Balanced outline with body just long enough. Level topline, good spring of ribs, muscled thighs, stifles well turned, hocks well bent and let down. Correct feet and well-set tail. Moved freely with true springy forcefulness and drive from behind, covering a lot of ground. Super harsh, red coat to finish the picture. I was pleased to award her Bitch CC & Best of Breed and a little disappointed she did not go further in ’the big ring’.

2. Jones’ Wyeafon Illusion in Blue. I see I judged this bitch as a puppy, who threw away her chances being naughty. I thought she was very nice then and would be a star when she settles and grows up. I am pleased I was right. She has matured into a lovely blue and tan bitch oozing Aussie character, being 3 on my birthday. She still has one of the best feminine heads and expressions, with correct ears. Good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Lovely length of body, level topline with ribs finishing with a strong loin, well-muscled thighs and good hindquarters, with a nice high set erect tail. She was presented in good condition with a lovely harsh blue and rich tan coat. She moved very well, but not with quite the animation of my winner. Bitch RCC.

3. Cawdell-Owen’s Millvalley True Blue.

Felicity A. Snook

JUDGE