Scottish Kennel Club

Terrier group

Scottish Kennel Club (May show) 2024

Many thanks to the Convener, Officers, and Committee of the SKC for the honour of inviting me to judge the group at their May show. Apart from the Bull and Cairn Terrier it was a full complement of breeds and the breed judges had sent me through some excellent terriers. After initial inspection I shortlisted eight for further consideration. This included the Border Lakeland, and both the Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers. After a final inspection and go around, the top spot went to the Welsh Terrier Ch Perrisblu The Phantom. I have seen this dog ringside on several occasions and he has impressed me, so was I pleased to be able to go over him today. The first thing that one notices when he enters the ring is that there is no doubt that this dog is a Welsh. His silhouette is typical, he is neither too fancy, nor is he too cloddy which is also not typical of the Welsh, yet he is a robust dog of ample bone and substance. First you come to his headpiece which is quite superb and is of good length and is proportionate with minimal stop and with a strong muzzle. There is adequate breadth to his skull, but he is not overdone, and is clean in cheek. His small dark keen eye together with well set closely laying ear completes a classical Welsh head. Good moderate slightly arched neck into well laid shoulders on correct upper arm, and a correct front assembly with moderate width. Decent bone and under those furnishings, there is a tight cat like foot which is becoming a rarity. Well ribbed up with short loin. Level topline and tail on top. Pleasing hindquarters. In excellent harsh coat with clean tan and in good hard muscle tone. Sound on the move in all directions with correct front action for the breed. On the final move The Phantom upped his game further and put on a faultless performance. Delighted to see him go on to Res BIS. Well done. Pushing the Welsh all the way was the precocious thirteen month old Norwich Terrier, Ch Ragus Punch Bowl. It is no secret that I really do admire this young wheaten male, having awarded him the CC and BOB from minor puppy at this show last year. He has realised that potential and has matured into a World Class dog and I later was told he had annexed his 13th CC earlier in the day. Punch Bowl’s head is of correct proportions with broad skull, correct skull to muzzle ratio, and correctly placed and sized ears. He has a keen dark eye of correct shape and size, and his excellent pigmentation is further enhanced by the contrast to his rarer coat colour. Correct length of neck into well laid shoulders. Super bone and the tightest of feet on strong pasterns. Short backed, well ribbed up with short strong loin. This dog is nicely angulated behind and well let down hocks. Last time I had him I felt he just needed to muscle up behind, this has come with age and shows when he moves away from you. His side gait is very impressive for a Norwich with perfect footfall. Yes his tail could be carried slightly straighter, but I had no intention of throwing the baby out with the bathwater in an otherwise super dog (whose breed was traditionally short docked). His wheaten coat is of good hard texture, and as one would expect from this master breeder and trimmer was put down in A1 order. I wrote of him at the last SKC that I anticipated him annexing high honours and accolades, I was pleased to be able to award him such today. Third was the very lovely SCWT put through by Cathy Collins-Neil, Am Can Ch Keepsake’s No Jacket Required (Imp Can) a new one to me and at his first UK show. Impressive dog of good size and shape. Pleasing quality head with good eye and well-placed ears of correct thickness. Good length of neck into good shoulders. Good front assembly, compact through with level topline and short loin. Well sprung with required deep chest. This dog comes to his own on the move. His side gait is impressive with long, low strides and a powerful drive from behind. Importantly his coat is of correct colour and texture. I note that his is just in from North America, and he just has to lose the last slight hint of previous trimming for completeness, and then I think we will see a lot more of this young man in the coming year. Completing the line-up was the Kerry Blue Terrier Balboa Leonida. Another good one with a super head and expression. Lovely small ear correctly carried. Well-made throughout. Good bone and feet. Level topline and the best of back ends which is well developed and muscled up and with plenty behind the tail. Leonida come’s into his own on the move with typical Kerry action and was very impressive on the final run off.

Dr Ian H Gabriel