• Show Date: 14/12/2025
  • Show Type: Championship Show
  • Judged by: Tom Mather Contact Judge
  • Published Date: 18/12/2025

Ladies Kennel Association

Breed: Best in Show

THE LADIES KENNEL ASSOCIATION

14/12/2025

Best In Show

It was a real pleasure and an honour to be invited to judge Best in Show for the Ladies Kennel Association. My thanks go to Jackie Kitchener and Gillian Marley and all the team for their kindness and hospitality.

My fellow Group judges had selected some top class exhibits to go forward to the final, some I had judged before and some were new to me. I thought all seven fitted their breed standard beautifully and there was certainly lots of quality evident. It was quite a late finish and at this level performance certainly played a part in my decision making.

For Best in Show I chose Mrs Kari Wilberg’s Fox Terrier (Smooth), Ch. Kanix Quickstep. Handled to perfection by Warren Bradley. This bitch was my group winner at Darlington in 2023 and I continue to be impressed by her. Really good head and keen expression. Excellent forehand, clean neck and with good legs and feet. Good depth of chest with short, strong back and some strength over the loins. Strong muscular hindquarters with good rump. True and sound on the move with plenty of drive. Despite the long day she was absolutely on her toes and ready for anything.

Reserve Best in Show was Michelle Chapman and Tanya Ireland’s C.K.C.S., Ch Ellemich American Express. I have judged this breed since the 1970’s and first awarded challenge certificates to the breed in 1999. He is certainly one of the best I have judged. Masculine with a gorgeous gentle expression (and a temperament to match it). His rich chestnut and gleaming white coat was presented in perfect condition. Beautifully balanced with good spring of rib and excellent topline and tailset. He too moved with some drive. Standing, he looked a picture with his good posture and gently wagging tail.

Judge: Tom Mather