Welsh Terrier Association

Welsh Terrier Association

Championship Show – 5th May 2024

My thanks to the committee of the Welsh Terrier Association for their kind invitation to officiate at their Championship Show. My first time judging the breed at this level. A challenging entry with considerable diversity which gave me lots to think about. It was nice to hear applause for all winners and even though numbers are not high in the breed, it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to spend time with the Welsh!

MPD (1,0)

1. Frimston & Bilobrk’s Mickey O Sali Daeargi Cymru (Imp Cro). 8 mths old. Well handled pup who was making the most of himself. Neck of correct length to balance, short back, rib developing well, firm loin and tail set on well. Pleasing head with flat skull, dark expressive eyes, ears set on fairly high, powerful jaws and good dentition. Stands well naturally in front and moved true on the down and back but could open up a little more on the go around. Good quality jacket and presentation.

JD (1,0)

1. Vickers & Dams’ Jodean Jolly Roger. This 14 mth old is a really smart youngster, absolutely full of himself, pleased for bone and substance and was good to go over. Compact with strong, slightly arched neck, lovely short back, deep brisket, muscular loin and tail set on well and of good carriage. Masculine headpiece with correct skull and proportions, dark expressive eyes, plenty of strength to jaws and scissor bite. Good angles front and rear, standing true on excellent feet and was very well presented. Really went well on the go around, using himself as he goes albeit a tad over-enthusiastic at times! Close, hard jacket. CC & RBIS.

PGD (1,0)

1. Nitka & Schmid’s Omar vom Granitfelsen. This 3 yr old boy pleased for type but wasn’t quite as compact as I would like. Having said that he has a very good neck, firm topline, well-muscled loin and tail good for both set and carriage. Flat skull, ears set on fairly high, eye a tad bolder, strong muzzle and good dentition. Carrying enough bone, pleasing angles both ends and stands true in front. Moves freely on the down and back and was well handled.

OD (1,0)

1. Smeets & Hughes’ Knowlelion Real Deal. Mature lad of 5 yrs who pleased for type, carried good bone and was well handled here. He is all male, balanced in outline with moderate length of neck, firm topline, good ribbing, firm loin and tail good for set and carriage. Pleasing head with flat skull and moderate width between his correctly set ears, eyes of good colour, strong jaws and good dentition. Stands true in front and certainly didn’t disappoint when gaiting. Good quality jacket. Nails could be shorter. RCC.

VB (2,1)

1. Watkin-Jones’ Little Blossom of the Sky. At 10 yrs, understandably, age is beginning to catch up with this girl. Feminine all through with neck of good length, topline a little slack, deep brisket and tail good for both set and carriage. Flat skull but a little more stop, eyes of good colour and scissor bite. Moving ok on the go around and did all that was asked of her. BVIS.

PB (2,0)

1. Robertson’s Cunnings Xeeyou at Renevis (Imp Ita). Two very different pups challenged in this class. My winner was this 11 mth old. Compact youngster with correct length of neck to balance, short back, ribbed well back, short in the couplings and very good tail. Feminine headpiece with flat skull and good proportions, expressive eyes, very good ears and good dentition. Stands true and moved accurately on the down and back. Good jacket and presentation. BPIS.

2. Harrison’s Gaelic Rose. This 11 mth old is heavier in build than the winner and she too, pleased in outline with slightly arched neck of moderate length, short back and tail set on well. Nicely proportioned head with flat skull, good ears and dark eyes but overall preferred expression of 1. She could use a touch more width in front and this reflects when gaiting where she is a tad wayward. Good quality jacket.

NB (1,0)

1. Watkin-Jones’ Westpenn Just For You. 20 mth old girl who certainly has a mind of her own. Feminine throughout, she is compact in outline with slightly arched neck, pleasing rib development and muscular loin. Tail carried over the back somewhat. Good skull, nice dark eyes, ears set on fairly high and correct dentition. Good depth of colour. Would like to see a little more bend of stifle but she moves ok all through. Nails could be shorter.

LB (2,0)

1. Robertson’s Tiltser Caffe Americano at Renevis. Another class where two quite different bitches challenged. This 18 mth old came out on top. She presented a well balanced outline with slightly arched neck of moderate length, nice short back with firm topline, short muscular loin and tail correct for both set and carriage. Pleasing head and expression with flat skull, very good eye and ear, strong jaws and scissor bite. She stands well naturally and has very good feet. Moving true fore and aft. Quality jacket. RCC.

2. Smeets’ Nikki of the Southern Point. 20 mth old who carries more bone than the winner. She also pleased in outline with neck of correct length to give balance, firm topline, muscular loin and tail set on well. Feminine headpiece with good skull, eyes of good colour but preferred those of winner, very good ears and strong jaws. She has pleasing angulation both end although could stand better in front but she went well on the go around.

OB (4,1)

1. Fergeson-Blakeley’s Kebulak Black Orchid. Yet another diverse class. My winner was this 3 yr old. Soundly constructed all through and good to go over. Slightly arched neck, firm topline, excellent ribbing, well-muscled loin and tail set on well. Well proportioned, feminine head with dark expressive eyes, ears set on fairly high, strong jaws and good dentition. Carrying nice bone, standing straight in front on the best of feet and certainly didn’t let herself down on the move; gaiting freely and with good carriage. CC & BIS.

2. Denk’s Etna from Michel. 4 yr old who also has lots to like. She carries good bone and has the desired compact outline with muscular neck, short back, well developed rib and tail good for both set and carriage. Feminine head with flat skull but not quite planes of winner, dark expressive eyes, ears set on well and strong jaws. She stands on good feet and is straight in front. Goes well on the down and back but couldn’t quite match winner on the go around. Good jacket and presentation.

3. Hughes’ Knowlelion Twist N Shout

SBB (1,0)

1. Harrison’s Gaelic Rose. Best Special Beginners in Show.

Judge: Tim Ball