Manchester Terrier Association

Manchester Terrier Association Open Show 28th December 2025 – Critique from Catherine Lomas. (Axaldarn)

I would like to extend my thanks to the Manchester Terrier Association for the privilege of judging their Open Show. This appointment is one I’ve looked forward to for a long time, and I was truly humbled by the number of entries and the excellent sportsmanship shown throughout some exceptionally competitive classes.

My gratitude also goes to my steward, Jess, who managed single-handedly with out-standing efficiency, ensuring that all the administration was handled seamlessly.

The puppy classes were an absolute delight to judge. It was a pleasure to assess such promising youngsters, each exhibiting the potential for a bright future-highly en-couraging for the continued development of this vulnerable breed. I was also delighted to find that temperaments were consistently excellent, with even the youngest exhibits demonstrating commendable behaviour throughout.

Class 1 - Special Beginners Dog or Bitch 1 (0)

1. Bailey, MS L, Magicus Silvestris Prins Peter Pan (Imp Nor). Seven month all puppy boy with a good masculine head. Dark almond shaped eyes, scissor bite, well carried ears. His rich tan colouring is complemented by the required markings. He has well-laid shoulders, a good top line and a pleasing bend of stifle. Moved sound away and back moving swiftly around the ring. Really nice youngster.

Class 2 - Baby Puppy Dog or Bitch 3 (0).

1. O’Neill, Mrs B, Wystry Blaze of Orange. Liked the outline of this 5-month-old baby puppy girl. Excellent feminine headshape with almond shaped dark eyes, rich tan with required markings, body as desired for age. Moved well round the ring, friendly and playful how a baby puppy should be not phased at all by the occasion. Please to award Best Baby Puppy In Show.

2. Miss A Whitwell, Cacwn Starling, 4-month-old baby puppy girl with a lot to like. In good coat with correct markings, ears v shaped carried correctly with body as desired for age. Had a good rapport with handler just needs a little more confidence to have greater ring presence. Winner just had the edge on this occasion.

Class 3 - Minor Puppy Dog 2 (0)

1. Bailey, Ms L, Magicus Silvestris Prins Peter Pan (Imp Nor) See class 1 Pleased to award Best Puppy in Show.

2. Hall, Miss J E, Fernleafred’s Fixation. 8-month-old puppy dog of pleasing overall proportions. I liked his head, dark, almond-shaped eyes, excellent mouth and scissor bite. Short body with well sprung ribs slightly arched over the loin and well-set tail. Although initially a little unsure, he responded well to his handler and once settled, moved soundly fore and aft. Another youngster with good balance and potential.

Class 4 – Puppy Dog 1 (0)

1. Hall, Miss J E, Fernleafred’s Fixation. See class 3

Class 5 – Junior Dog 0 entries

Class 6 – Yearling Dog 0 entries

Class 7 – Post Graduate Dog 1 (0)

1. Bailey & Hancocks, Miss L & Mr G. Rattustrap Crimes At Night. A compact dog with a masculine head, dark eye and correctly carried ears. He has a strong, level jaw with a correct scissor bite, an elegant neck and a glossy coat with well-defined markings. He shows good spring of rib and a firm topline. He has a small vent excellent tail carriage, tapering neatly into a bee-sting finish. He moved soundly fore and aft.

Class 8 – Limit Dog 1 (0)

1. Davies-Brown, Mr G & Mrs M. Wystry Agony and Ecstasy JW. A masculine dog with alert expression. He presents a well-proportioned, wedge-shaped head with dark almond shaped eyes and correctly set ears of appropriate size. He has good depth of rib and a good tuck up. His coat is in excellent condition, displaying all the required markings. On the move, he was sound both fore and aft holding his topline well throughout. Expertly handled.

Class 9 – Open dog 6 (0)

1. Oxley, Mr M, Mrs G M & Miss S R. CH Digelsa Double Agent. A masculine dog heading a class of excellent exhibits. He is up to size but remains balanced throughout and was presented in superb, well-toned condition. He has an impressive wedge-shaped head with excellent ear set, dark almond-shaped eyes, and a correct scissor bite. His glossy coat and rich colour combination further enhance his overall appeal. He shows well-sprung ribs, a firm topline with a slight rise over the loin and a well-set tail. On the move he was sound both fore and aft and in profile he is the ultimate showman. He pressed the winner hard, and the final decision was a difficult one, but I ultimately preferred the winner’s movement in the challenge A pleasure to award him Reserve Best in show and Best Opposite Sex In Show.

2. Walker, Mrs J. Wystry Depths of Glory For Sizlin JW. A clean masculine head, dark almond eyes of correct shape, scissor bite with neat well-placed ears. He is excellent for size and presents a very pleasing outline. His coat is richly marked with strong thumbprints and clear pencilling. He is compact, with well sprung ribs, the desired rise over the loin and a good tailset. Sound fore and aft with accurate footfall.

Class 10 – Veteran Dog 3 (0)

1. Barlow, Mrs D. CH Talanors Time For Magic. A delightful class of veteran’s, each a testament to the care shown by their owners. This impressive 7-year-old dog certainly wasn’t ready to concede the spotlight and true to his name, he brought a little magic to the ring. He responded to his handler with enthusiasm and went round the ring as though he owned it. I loved his wedge-shaped head with keen terrier attitude, neat, shaped ears, dark almond shaped eyes and correct dentation. Tight feet, deep chest and a tidy tuck-up completed the picture. He looked well on the move, with accurate footfall and balanced reach and drive. Pleased to award him Best Veteran In Show.

2. Hebb, Mr D & Mrs A. Paucelin Falster JW. At 11 years young this dog still absolutely has it. He remains remarkably fit and well balanced with dark, expressive eyes and a good ear carriage. He shows a pleasing reach of neck, well-placed shoulders and firm topline. His movement remains impressively sound, and he covers the ground with style and ease, showing all the enthusiasm of a dog half his age.

Class 11 – Minor Puppy Bitch 2 (0)

1. O’Neill, Mrs B. Megellan Black Bird. Another with attitude and personality a 7-month-old puppy who was entirely unfazed by the occasion. Daughter of the Best in Show she has ring presence. She has a super wedge-shaped head, scissor bite and dark almond eyes. Her shoulder blades are well laid and her forechest is developing nicely for her age. True to her name, she wears a shiny black jacket correctly marked with defined thumbprints. She moved well showing soundness and balance beyond her months. Considered for Best Puppy In Show but I felt the winning puppy dog had the edge on movement in the final challenge. Pleased to award Reserve Best Puppy In Show.

2. Bailey, Ms L. Magicus Silvestris Bad Princess (IMP NOR). A 7-month-old puppy and litter sister to Best Puppy Dog in Show. A pleasing youngster with a correctly proportioned head, dark eyes and ear set. She was a little unsure on the table which made a full assessment difficult, but she presented a balanced outline with well-set shoulders and sufficient bone for her frame. Very patiently and sympathetically handled once settled moved well.

Class 12 – Puppy Bitch 0 entries

Class 13 – Junior Bitch 0 entries

Class 14 - Yearling Bitch 1 (1)

Class 15 - Post Graduate Bitch 1 (0)

1. Brown, Mr & Mrs L. Reidaldson Luna. Feminine bitch throughout. Super expression showing keenness and alert temperament. Her head is balanced with proportion wedge, dark alert eyes, scissor bite and neat ears. Reasonable length of neck, good topline and tuck up. In top condition with gleaming coat rich tan and clearly defined markings. On the move once settled she showed accurate footfall moving soundly.

Class 16 – Limit Bitch 1 (0)

1. O’Neill, Mrs B. Astonblank Fern At Megellan. Feminine bitch who looks the part, nice head, dark almond eyes, alert expression well set ears. Very balanced throughout. Good length of neck leading into well-laid shoulders. Well sprung ribs slightly arched over the loin. In good coat with rich tan and correctly marked. Held topline on the move, foot perfect fore and aft. Showed well.

Class 17 – Open Bitch 4 (2)

1. O’Neill, Mrs B. CH Magicus Silvestris Sweet Bonnie (IMP NOR). A Striking bitch with excellent ring presence, epitomising the elegance of the breed. She displays a beautiful clean cone-shaped head, correct scissor bite and dark almond-shaped eyes that convey a classic, breed-typical expression. Her ears are neat, v-shaped and correctly carried, enhancing her overall refinement. A well-arched neck flows smoothly into correct shoulder placement with balanced angulation. Her coat is in superb condition, the rich black and tan presented to full advantage with clear, well-defined markings. Feminine in outline yet possessing appropriate strength and substance expected of the breed. On the move, she was effortless, showing excellent reach and drive. In the challenge she stepped up a gear, moving superbly on a loose lead showing all the attitude of a true showgirl. Fully aware of the occasion, she demanded to be noticed. Pleased to award her Best In Show.

2. Walshaw, Mr M & Mrs J. CH Kentwone Lyra At Janmark JW. Sadly, today she didn’t seem to be enjoying her time in the ring. Lovely feminine bitch with good head, complemented by dark, expressive eyes and a well-set ear carriage that enhances her overall expression. I liked her forequarters and well-laid shoulders and firm topline. Her coat was of good texture and correctly marked. Once settled she moved out well just couldn’t match the movement of the winner. Nonetheless a very good bitch of good quality.

Class 18 – Veteran Bitch 3 (0)

1. Goodwin, Mr A & Mrs JA. CH Digelsa Date Night At Holtaire. A class full of quality, worthy of their Champion titles. An 8-year-old lady beautiful presented in excellent condition. She does not disappoint on further inspection. she has such a gentle demeanour and presents a lovely wedge-shaped head, dark eye and correct dentation. Her flowing neck leads into well angulated forequarters, completed by well sprung ribs and tuck up. She moved with attitude style and purpose displaying accurate footfall an absolute credit to her owner. Pleased to award Reserve Best Veteran In Show.

2. Davies-Brown, Mr G & Mrs M. CH Digelsa Dark Indulgence At Wystry, JW ShCEx OSW. A 7-year-old lady who was presented in excellent condition. Very typical head features dark almond eyes, good ear carriage. Good spring of rib and topline. Perfectly sound on the move. A very close decision just preferred overall movement of the winner.