British Manchester Terrier Club

The British Manchester Terrier Club Championship Show 25th October, 2025.

I would like to thank the Officers, Committee and Members of the Club for thinking me worthy of judging your Championship Show and for affording me the honour. I was most grateful to have the efficient support of a team of stewards and officials allowing me to concentrate on the job in hand.

I have devoted 25 years to the smaller Black & Tans and have been fortunate to have achieve great success as both a breeder and an exhibitor of English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan). We have been very fortunate to have been granted access to some of the very best bloodlines both from here in the UK, from Scandinavia and from the USA.

 I have always followed the breeding and judging of Manchester Terriers all over the world with a keen interest. As with the ETT’s, the global gene pool for Manchesters is relatively small compared to other breeds. I commend the UK breeders for importing new bloodlines and would encourage you to continue working together and sharing your bloodlines with each other. Having been impressed when I judged the Manchesters in Finland three years ago (and again when I watched the judging at the 2025 Finnish Terrier Speciality) I was not surprised to find that my choice for the Dog CC and Bitch CC today were both sired by a dog imported from the famous X-Pected Dine Mites kennel in Norway.

JD (1,0) 1st Lomas’ Axaldam Viking Wolf JW. Immediately attracted to his overall balance and breed typical silhouette. This young lad has a super head and expression; keen and alert. He has dark almond shape eyes and ears of a perfect size with thick leathers, set high and dropped neatly. He shows strength to his underjaw. Big, clean teeth and perfect scissor bite. Elegant neck with slight crest. Well-developed fore chest and deep brisket. Compact body, with well sprung ribs supporting a level back with slight rise over his loin. Has a well angled croup and low set tail which is so important for the desired silhouette. Rich tans and well-defined thumbprints. Fabulous short, thick shiny black coat. On the move he has a long stride and drive from low hocks. Nice and parallel away and back. Dog CC and is sure to gain his crown.

GD (1,0) 1st Bird’s Kaiser Aurora Dream Katar. A larger boy who appeared curious about the ‘job in hand’ and inquisitive giving me a little warning that he wasn’t willing to be prodded and poked by a stranger. He has a very long head which needs more underjaw. He has super almond shaped eyes but they are a little pale in colour. He has big ears which are carried like a whippet and are not set high on his head or dropped. He has the correct top line with slight rise over his loin falling nicely to a low set tail. His forequarters are well-angulated and he has a good bend of stifle and low hocks so moves with accurate foot fall in side gait. Moves a little narrow behind going away. In good thick shiny black jacket with rich tans.

PGD (3,0) 1st Bailey & Hancock’s Rattustrap Crimes At Night. Immediately attracted to his size and overall shape. He also has a super head with really dark expressive almond shaped eyes and tightly dropped high set ears. Elegant neck into a typical top line with level back and slight rose over the loin falling to low set tail. Rich tans and well-defined markings. Straight front and neat feet. On the move he shows accurate footfall in side gait. Going away he lacks strength in his hocks and second thigh. Moves too close behind. 2nd Earle’s Rattustrap Beer Humbug. Super for size and in fabulous condition. His coat was so short and dense and shining like wet coal. His tans were rich and his thumbprints and pencilling could have been ‘hand painted’ as was their clarity. Strong wedge-shaped head with dark eyes; ears not as settled and neatly dropped as the winner. Slight arch to his neck. Not moving so well today and insisted on pacing which spoilt his side gait and outline overall. 3rd Lancaster’s Erkenwyne Wildfire.

LD (3,0) 1st Hayllor’s Isari King Of Hearts at Starryedge. Won this class on his accurate free-flowing movement. He is very sound away and drives from low hocks with a nice long stride to match. I liked his height and his deep chest but could be a fraction shorter in loin. Low set tail which he carries nicely on the move. He has a long wedge with strong underjaw. Dark almond eyes and an alert expression. His ears are dropped neatly but could be set a fraction higher on his skull for even greater benefit. He has a quality coat and is well conditioned. His thumbprints and pencilling were well defined on super rich tans. A contender for green cards. 2nd Palmer’s Egloshayle Sorcerer. A fit and healthy dog who stood a little higher on the leg and lacked the angulation of the winner which showed in his movement; today he decided to pace too and carried his tail high. Long narrow wedge-shaped head carried proudly on an elegant neck with slight arch. His eyes are a larger almond shape but could be darker. Ears are dropped but a little untidy. Very well-defined thumbprints and bright tans. 3rd Swart’s Plantocracy Dapper Dexter.

OD (5,1) 1st Bodsworth’s Saffiete Theos Doron. He is an ideal size and has the typical Manchester silhouette I was looking for. His body proportions are excellent from his well-developed fore chest to his deep brisket and long rib cage. Showing strength to his loin with top line slightly rising over. Super low set tail. He has a well-balanced wedge-shaped head. Strong jaw, small almond eyes (could be a shade darker perhaps) and neatly dropped ears giving a super alert expression. His ears could be set a little higher on his head for absolute perfection. He is very impressive on the move. He is definitely sound……. I wrote this twice !! RCC. 2nd Broadhurst’s Eaglespur Dutch Showman. Another of ideal size and overall shape. His head is his fortune. Strong muzzle and balanced wedge with dark almond eyes and the best ears; correct size for head, set high and dropped perfectly. Would be a real contender for best head and expression; looking keen and alert at all times. Could not quite match the winner on accuracy of movement away and back. Showed accurate footfall in side gait. Rich tans but markings not so well defined and thumbprints have run. 3rd Walker’s Wystry Depths Of Glory for Sizlin JW.

ChD (2,0) Two worthy champions. 1st Knight’s Ch Talanors Typically Elite. The slightly larger frame of the two but made a very balanced picture and typical silhouette. Long narrow wedge with dark almond eyes and keen alert expression. His ears are set on top of his flat skull and dropped; one just having a tendency to fly so not quite a matching pair. Lovely deep chest and short, well-defined loin. Level back and slight rise over loin with low set tail. Very parallel away and back moves with freedom in profile. Well defined thumbprints and pencilling with rich tan markings and a thick jet black coat. 2nd Barlow’s Ch Talanors Time For Magic. Just entered his Veteran years but looking fit and healthy and could still win a CC. A perfect size and very typical shape. Alert expression with high set ears perfectly dropped forward. Small dark almond eyes, A balanced wedge-shaped head and a strong jaw and big clean teeth. Compact in body with deep chest, long rib and slight rise over loin. Tail set and carried low. Very balanced footfall in side gait and moves away soundly. Just a little close coming towards. Well defined thumbprints and pencilling. Paler tans now.

VD (1,0) 1st Warner’s Ch Talanors Time For Fun ShCEx. Litter brother to the 2nd in Open and another very worthy Champion; what a great litter. In immaculate order with a black shiny coat, good tans, clearly defined markings and superb condition; fit and well defined muscle. Strong wedge with firm jaw line and big healthy white teeth. Dark almond shaped eyes and ears set high and dropped well but one tends to fly. Slight arch to neck and well angulated forequarters. Moderate bend of stifle and short strong hocks. Moves freely with accurate footfall. Parallel away and back.

Sp VintageD (1,0)1st Hebb’s Paucelin Falster JW. I feel I have written this several times before but I feel exactly the same. I cannot believe this handsome 11 year old does not have his Champion title. He is unmistakeable a Manchester in outline making an elegant silhouette starting with his beautiful wedge-shaped head which has depth to his muzzle , a flat skull and high set ears which are dropped perfectly and so neat. His eyes are small, dark and almond shaped. He still has all his teeth which are clean and look strong. Slight arch to his neck and a level back with slight rise over his loin. Correct angle of pelvis giving a low set tail. He has a long stride and whilst lacking a little drive these days he is super sound going away. Just crossing his front legs a little coming towards. His tans have faded understandably in his vintage years but he still has beautifully defined pencilling, clear thumbprints and no breaching. I could give him a CC for his beautiful head alone. Best Veteran Dog & BVIS.

PB (1,0) Knight’s Talanors True Magic. A beautiful bitch puppy who although only 6 months appealed instantly for the perfect silhouette she presents both stood and on the move. Her head is long and narrow with a flat skull and good depth to her muzzle with strong underjaw. Her eyes are small, dark and almond shaped with a real spark in them. She has a gorgeous expression. Ears are set high on her flat skull and are dropping perfectly for her young age; just need to finish dropping completely. Her teeth are big and strong and bite is perfect scissor. Long, elegant neck with slight crest. She is compact with ideal height to length body ratio. Chest already well dropped and well-developed fore chest. Slight arch over the loin and low set tail which is carried perfectly. Her fore quarters are clean and well angulated. Her good bend of stifle and low set hocks complement her front angulation which creates balance. She shows freedom in side gait as well as accuracy in her footfall. A little enthusiastic at times on the move but ‘made right…..moves right’ and she is parallel going away and coming towards. BCC, BIS and BPIS. 2nd Bacolibay’s Shrike. I pretty girl who likes her food and as such lacked a little elegance and definition in her loin. She is an ideal height but a little longer in loin so not quite as compact. Long wedge-shaped head with small dark almond eyes. Ears set just high enough but need to settle and drop. Jet black. Had parallel hocks going away and drives well but wide coming towards. She has a shiny coat with rich tans and well-defined pencilling and clear thumbprints. RBPIS.

NB (1,0) 1st Brown’s Reidaldson Luna. In immaculate condition with dense black coat shining like a piece of wet coal. Super rich tans. Thumbprints just evident and clear pencilling. Tans markings in all the right places. Her head is long and narrow. Eyes are good shape but need to be darker. Clean teeth with neat scissor bite. Ears set just high enough but not dropped. Elegant neck. Well angulated forequarters. Quite straight in stifle so loses her top line and dips towards the withers. This also affected her movement which included intermittent pacing.

PGB (1,0) Brown’s Erkenwyne Firecracker. Is an ideal size and makes a very typical overall shape. She has well angulated forequarters, straight front legs and a good bend of stifle with low hocks. She is sound going away and coming towards and shows reach and drive in profile. Her body is compact but tail set and carried a little high. Black jacket in fine order, bright tans and neat thumbprints. Larger eyes which could be darker in colour. She has very large ears which are set lower on her head. Big strong teeth. Would like a stronger chin.

LB (5,1) 1st Thurlow’s Erkenwyne Silver Seraph. Headed this class for her size and overall shape both stood and on the move. Nice and compact with deep chest, well sprung ribs and short loin creating the correct body proportions. Shows strength to her long narrow wedge-shaped head. Small dark almond eyes. Her ears are dropped neatly but set a little lower on her skull. Super black jacket with bright tans and clearly defined thumbprints. Moved with drive and freedom in side gait with reach and accurate foot fall. 2nd West’s Junettea Fenetta. Appealed in head with long narrow wedge and flat skull. Ears are set high and well dropped. Eyes could be smaller and a bit darker in colour. Long elegant neck with slight arch. Deep chest and well angulated forequarters. Straight front legs with neat feet. Good spring of rib but with longer loin so not as compact as the winner and lost her top line on the move. Moved parallel away and back. 3rd Entwistle’s Holtaire Runa.

OB (2,0) 1st Forshaw’s Jandor Moonlight Melody. A smaller bitch finer boned bitch who is very balanced in body proportions and makes a typical outline stood. I liked her head and keen expression. Long narrow wedge shape head with ears set high and neatly dropped. Elegant neck with slight arch. Level back and slight rise over the loin. Low set tail. Sound away and back but just lacking the drive from her hocks and reach in front. Black shiny coat and rich tans with well-defined markings. 2nd Plant’s Spring Wren at Plantocracy. I really liked the strength of her long narrow wedge and her keen expression. Small almond eyes which could be a fraction darker and ears set high on her flat skull and dropped neatly. Elegant neck and holds her top line with super low set tail. Short, dense black coat with paler tans and light thumbprints. She enjoys her food and was carrying a little too much weight so not as elegant looking today. Today straight front coming towards but moving close behind going away.

ChB (2,0) 1st Sharp’s Ch Rosettia Keepsake JW. A larger impressive looking bitch who will always catch the eye both stood and on the move with her very typical breed silhouette. She has great strength to her head with an alert keen expression created by her small dark sparkling almond shaped eyes and her small perfectly dropped high set ears. Beautiful, elegant neck with slight arch. Her side gait shows her perfectly balanced fore quarters complimented by the angle of her pelvis and her bend of stifle. She moves with freedom and accurate footfall. Proud head carriage and low set tail. Jet black short ‘wet coal’ coat with bright tans. Thumbprints have run. Would have benefitted from a pound or two less weight as just lacking a little definition in loin. Of absolute Champion quality but today the RBCC and RBIS. 2nd Walshaw’s Ch Kentwone Lyra at Janmark JW. Another very worthy Champion and of an ideal size. Beautiful head; long and narrow with small dark almond eye and ears set high and dropped neatly. Loved her alert expression and keen spirit. Compact in body with level back and slight rise over loin falling gently over croup to perfectly set tail. In really fit condition showing in her muscle tone and shiny black coat. Bright tans and really clearly defined thumbprints. Moving slightly closer behind but clean front coming towards. Just loses her top line on the move in profile,

VB (1,0) 1st Knight’s Ch Talanors Typically Special. Another special and very worthy Champion about to reach her 9th year and could easily win CC’s still today. Super size and body proportions. Oozes breed type with a formidable head and expression Small dark almond eyes and small highs et well dropped ears. Makes such a typical shape stood. Compact in body with good depth of brisket and well angulated forequarters. Straight front legs. Long rib cage and short loin with low set tail. In fit condition with shiny jet black coat, paler tans now but still very well-defined pencilling and thumbprints. Moved parallel away and back. Shows good reach in front but lacking a little drive in side gait. BVB.

SpVB (2,0) 1st Thurlow’s Ekenwyne Lady Guinevere JW ShCM. What a credit this old lady is to her owner/breeder at coming up for 13 years old. In fabulous condition with full dentition and a strong underjaw – definitely fit for function. Long narrow edge with high set ears which are dropped but can fly at times. When dropped she has great expression. Compact in body with low set tail. Very sound still and moved with free easy stride. Thick short black coat, greying tans with well-defined markings and clear thumbprints. 2nd Walker’s Ch Talanors Treat Me Good At Sizlin ShCM. Another worthy of her title and loved her wicked expression; so alert and keen with true terrier spirit. Her head is a joy; long and narrow with strength to her underjaw. Small dark almond eye and small high set ears perfectly dropped. A super overall size and shape with a compact body and an elegant neck with slight crest. Level back and slight rise over her loin. Low set tail. Rich tans, dense black jacket and clearly defined markings. Moved away and back soundly enough but just lacking the freedom and length of stride of the winner.

Nick Gourley (Witchstone)