Manchester Dog Show Society

Manchester 2025

Norwich Terriers

I have a big soft spot for Norwich terriers, I really love judging this super breed and was so looking forward to today. However, I have to admit I am disappointed at the overall quality of stock at the present time. Nevertheless, what was very pleasing was that the young classes have up-and coming youngsters of good quality and breed type that just need time. It will be an interesting breed to watch in 12 months time. One thing I should point out is that we are again seeing small teeth and what I describe as a keyhole mouth, this was evident in a couple of exhibits, and I did penalise them for this fault, which I think is significant in a working terrier.

Puppy Dog. First class of the day and by far away the best class of the day. 1. Tinkave Vibe Setter At Belleville This young male immediately impressed me as soon as he came into the ring. On the table he did not disappoint. He has a very typical and pleasing head and has exactly the expression I was looking to find. He has a good breath of skull and well-placed ears. His skull to muzzle ratio is correct. A small dark eye, of correct shape and set completed the overall expression. He has good length of neck into very well-placed shoulders. He already has good depth of chest. He is short backed with a level top line and a correct tail set. What really impressed me was that he has, what many are lacking, in that he has plenty behind that tail. Super bone and lovely tight foot. Nicely angulated rear quarters. In good harsh jacket and presented as one would expect from this exhibitor in top order. Movement is true and his side gate is a pleasure to watch. I could have watched him go round the Ring all day. His front action is spot on, he just needs to firm up a little and muscle up a fraction behind. He is still a young dog so I am sure he will with roadwork. I had no hesitation in awarding him the CC. I was pleased later in the day to award him the breed and delighted to watch him shortlisted in a strong Terrier group of mature adult terriers. Well done.2. Casahasabi Lick Of Paint. Another smart young red dog with many of the attributes of the first placed dog. Pleasing head and expression. Correct overall head proportions. Nice neck into well laid shoulders. Correct front assembly. Of good bone. A fraction longer than the first dog but another with a good level top line. Nicely set tail. Moved very well. Needs to come back into full jacket to complete the picture.3 Ragus Lazy Sunday Afternoon A super typey young dog who I am sure we will see more of. Just not on top form today

Junior Dog. 1. Winflash Feather Furever Another smart red dog. This young male impressed with his overall outline. He is a dog with a very pleasing headpiece with good breath of skull. He has neat ears of correct size and set and a good dark keen eye. Pleasing front assembly. Good bone and tight feet. He is really short and cobby and has good spring of rib. Has the desired short muscular loin. Well angulated hind quarters which are nice and muscular. He moves well in both directions. In A1 condition, with a good harsh coat which is well presented. I think with a little more maturity this dog will achieve his title. I was pleased toward him the RCC today. 2. Jaeva Tom Kitten. Neat black and tan dog. Nice for overall size and shape. This young dog has a pleasing head and expression. Good neck and shoulder. Has super spring of rib and is well ribbed back. Nicely angulated hindquarters. Good harsh jacket. Well let down hock and drives from behind on the move, just moved a little wide in front which cost him higher honours. 3. Sir Algenon Jaeva Hunca Munca.

Post Graduate Dog.1. Ragus Blue Steel B/T. Pleasing dog for size and overall shape. Excels in the body with super rib and lovely short loin. Typifies short and cobby. Pleasing head of quality with good breadth to skull and well-placed ears which he uses well. If I am being picky, I would prefer a more oval eye. In good muscle and nice jacket which is well maintained. Moved with drive but could have a fraction more reach in the front.

Limit Dog. 1. Brickin Blame The Game. Red dog. Another who looks a male and is good for size and overall balance. Pleasing head proportions with ideal skull to muzzle ratio. Good ear and eye. Just for me falls away a little too much under the eye. Nice strength to muzzle. Good neck and shoulder. Good bone and feet. A fraction wide in the front. Well ribbed up and well ribbed back with good short muscular loin. Nicely angulated hind quarters. Moved with reach but could be a fraction better going away.

Puppy Bitch. Good class with some nice promising puppies. 1. Tinkave Summer Vibes. Red bitch who is very raw, but I think has all the essentials to be a nice bitch when finished. Not as finished as her litter brother. She has a lovely overall outline and is nicely angulated front and rear, and importantly like Vibe Setter has plenty behind the tail which pleases me greatly. Good topline and short enough with well set and well carried tail. Head is of correct proportions, and she has a lovely eye. However, her head needs to break and to mature. Overall type is excellent. Moved well. In good harsh jacket. 2. Trouble And Chaos. Bigger bitch and longer cast than 1. Good for overall type, with pleasing head of nice proportions and good strength through the muzzle. Good eye and ear. Pleasing length of neck into well placed shoulders. Nice front. Level topline and well angulated rear. I just preferred the overall expression of 1. Moved well. 3. Elantiz The Seasons Diamond

Junior Bitch. 1. Javidel Pillow Talk. Red. By a dog I admired and clearly, he has inherited some of his qualities. Very typical bitch who still has a little maturing to before she is at her best. Won this class on her lovely head and expression. Has a lovely dark keen eye of the correct shape and good ears. Correct muzzle length and in no way snipy. Lovely tight foot. Moved well, was tiring toward the end of the class but did enough. 2. Alantro Regal Jewel . Quality youngster who scores in her overall size and proportions. Pleasing head. Would prefer a slightly smaller eye. Good neck and shoulder. Needs to settle in topline. Plenty behind the tail and nicely angulated at the rear. Moved ok. 3. Alantro Botanical Jewel

Post Graduate Bitch. 1. Ragus A Fine Romance Taf. Ten month old bitch who immediately impressed for her overall shape and balance. Super head of good proportions. A fine Romance has the most lovely expression with super eye and neat ear. She has clearly inherited her sire’s qualities in this regard, and it is no secret that I thought that dog special. Good neck into well laid shoulders with correct length of upper arm. Lovely front assembly and good bone and feet. Short and level. Lovely rear and tail set. In the best of jackets and well put down. Moved well. Very finished for ten months and pushed the CC winner hard. I wouldn’t want her to grow on too much at this stage. RCC. 2. Second in junior. Alantro Regal Jewel

Limit Bitch. Difficult class with bitches who differed in style. 1. Casahasabi Poster Paint. Wheaten. This bitch really has the expression I was looking for. Super keen eye. Well made through with correct front assembly, decent bone and good feet. Super neck into good shoulders. Excels in rib and is as level as she can be. Enough behind the tail. To be critical I would like her a fraction shorter. Good rear. In good jacket. Sound on the move, and well handled. 2. Elantiz I Am Who I Am. Nice type. Good size and well balanced. Head of good properties although would benefit from whiskers and a ruff. Head proportions correct although would like the eye a little less round. Good bone and nice feet. Well ribbed. Moved ok. 3. Dorinor Royal Maid

Open Bitch. Another class that challenged. 1. Brickin Mint Edition. I have admired this bitch many times before. I think she is full of quality and is a very typical Norwich. I love that she has substance and size yet in no way looks doggy. That said she was carrying too much weight today. Beautiful head proportions, super eye, well placed ears. Super strength in neck of good length into well placed shoulders. Nice front. Level topline. Best of ribcages. Super broad, strong and muscular, hind quarters and well angulated with well turned stifle. She could have been in better jacket but I forgave her this. Watch this bitch move, she really drives from her rear and this is where some really lack. Happy to award her the CC which was her fourth I was told. 2. Ch Kreatin Truly Extra Another with a very typical head and expression. This bitch has the keenest of eyes. Good for size and bone. Not quite the neck and shoulder placement of 1. Well ribbed. In good coat and condition. Moved well. 3. Elantiz Autumnal Spice

Dr Ian H Gabriel