Antrim & District Canine Club

Club: Antrim & District Canine Club Open Show

Date: 6th December 2025

Location: Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland

Judge: Dr Neil Lowndes (Lienlo)

What an enjoyable day it was to judge this show, and my thanks go to June Gould and her hardworking committee for their warm welcome and kind hospitality. Congratulations to you all for pulling off a really lovely show with a wonderful atmosphere! Thank you again for the invitation to judge the terrier breeds. Thanks also to my very efficient ring steward, John Pollock, for keeping things moving along so well! Lastly, an enormous thank you to all exhibitors for the opportunity to go over your lovely dogs, and your sportsmanlike spirit. 

I was happy to find some quality terriers present on the day – of good type, size, and coat. Indeed, many of the broken-coated exhibits must be commended for their fine presentation – it takes a lot of ongoing, dedicated work to achieve such results! 

That said, exhibits in some breeds were far too big, possessing wide frames, and chests that were not spannable. For working terrier breeds, no attribute is more critical than size, for if a terrier cannot get down a hole, nothing else matters. 

Scottish Terrier 

OD (2, 1) 1, Leonard & Smit-Kamerbeek, Plenard What The Deuce. A well-balanced dog of correct size and substance, giving a strong impression of power and activity. Pleasing head, long and well-proportioned with keen dark eyes, and neat, well-set ears. Well-laid shoulders into a firm, well-ribbed body with a level topline and strong loin. Powerful hindquarters, well-muscled. Soundest of movers, free and smooth. Coat of correct double texture – not yet in full bloom, but coming along nicely. BOB. OB (4, 3) 1, Mallon, Yottyy Belladonna House. Of good size and substance, with a well-proportioned head, dark expressive eyes, neat ears, and correct bite. Clean, muscular neck into well-laid shoulders. Slightly too long in loin for me which softens the overall balance. Coat of correct double texture though not yet in full bloom. Sound mover, smooth and free.  

West Highland White Terrier 

OD or B (1, 0) 1, Cantley, Frazandmitch Back In The Day. Strong, compact youngster with varminty appearance. Head shows correct proportions, with a bite that is clean and jaws strong. Neck flows well into sloping shoulders, and a well-ribbed body. Promising for her age, with plenty of time to mature and strengthen into her full potential.

Airedale Terrier 

Although only 2 present today, both were presented in fine form, smart as paint, and exuding quality. OD (1, 0) 1, Gregg, Ir. Ch. Bambusa Noble Heir. A strongly made, well-balanced, handsome dog, fairly cobby in appearance, with keen expression clearly demonstrated from eyes, ear, and tail carriage. Clean, powerful head. Neck flows smoothly into good shoulders, with straight forelegs, a short, level back, and strong hindquarters producing purposeful movement. Well set tail carried gaily. The coat is exceptionally well presented - hard, dense, wiry, and lying close, showing correct texture. BOB. OB (1, 0), 1, Gregg, Ir. Ch. Bambusa Just Another Dream. Well-balanced with a clean, powerful head and keen expression. Excelled in front construction, with well-laid shoulders, straight, well-boned forelegs. The coat was well-presented – hard, dense, and wiry, lying close with correct texture. Hindquarters strong and well angled. Tail well set and carried gaily, completing a quality outline. Movement did not quite match the fluidity of today’s winner. Could easily swap places on another day, I am sure. 

Norfolk Terrier 

OD or B (1, 0) 1, Armstrong, Watercroft Pure Gold at Dunnaney. Keen, and strongly made with excellent substance and a bright, alert expression. Broad, clean head with a strong muzzle and dark, intelligent eyes. Body is firm with a level topline and good rib spring, supported by well-muscled hindquarters producing true, low, driving movement. Coat was a particular strength - hard, wiry, close lying, and well-presented, enhancing overall outline. A typey, confident dog shown to great advantage. BOB. 

Fox Terrier (Wire) 

OD or B (2, 1) 1, Boyd & Thompson, Ir. Ch. Burrencroft The Hitman. Smart as paint! This dog takes the eye the moment he enters the ring, presenting a well-balanced, strongly made outline with the desired short back and excellent ground coverage. The head is well-proportioned, with a flat skull, correctly tapering foreface, dark, intelligent eyes, and neatly folded ears, giving a keen, alert expression. The neck is clean and muscular, flowing smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. Forelegs are straight with strong bone and free-moving elbows. Body is short, firm, and well-ribbed, with good depth and coupling. Hindquarters are powerful and well-angulated, with well-set hocks providing efficient, straight, parallel movement. Presentation is excellent, enhancing his overall outline. Though the coat is not yet in full bloom, it is coming along very well, with the correct harsh texture developing nicely. A dog of distinct quality, combining type, balance, and presence. I was very happy to see him go on to win the Terrier Group, and later Best in Show. BOB, TG1, BIS. 

Jack Russell Terrier 

Size a concern here with exhibits too big to span. 

OD (2, 0) 1, Orr, Ir. Ch. Chandlimore Emerald King. A confident, friendly dog. Neck is strong and clean, leading into good shoulder layback. Firm topline and strong loin. Hindquarters are muscular and provide good drive. Movement is free, balanced, and efficient. Although he possesses a lot of quality, for me, he is too big and I could not span him. BOB. 2, Agnew, Manchela Jackdaw. A dog with a lovely expression, and a delightful, confident temperament. Presented in good coat, and showing more typical proportions than the winner, although he needs to settle in his front movement. Similar to the winner, for me personally, he is larger than ideal and I could not span him.

Bull Terrier 

Only 2 present today, however, both good exemplars of their breed. Although in need of more schooling, for me personally, the bitch just had a touch more overall quality today. OD or B (2, 0) 1, Hylands, Penny For Your Thoughts. Well-balanced, strongly made dog. Strong, arched neck into well-laid shoulders. Firm topline and good rib. Powerful, well-angulated hindquarters. Feet tight; tail correctly set. Moves smoothly with good reach and drive. Typey, sound, and confident. BOB. 2, McMeekin, Paint A Picture. Balanced, strongly built dog with good type. Well-filled head, correct ears and dark eyes; bite sound. Strong neck, good shoulder layback, straight heavy-boned forelegs. Compact, deep body with firm topline. Powerful, well-angulated rear. Tight feet, correct tail. Moves cleanly with good drive and confidence.

Border Terrier 

Some exhibits too big to span, rather than lithe, narrow, and spannable. That said, coat and condition was fairly good.   

OD (3, 0) 1, Higham, Comberdown Likely Lad. Otter-like head, strong muzzle, keen dark eyes, and small, neatly set ears. Importantly, his frame is notably narrow and easily spanned. He offers a good lay of shoulder, with straight forelegs. Hindquarters clean and racy, and he proves to be the soundest of movers. Coat is harsh and dense with a solid undercoat, and the tail is well set. BOB. 2, Clarke, Hot Rocks. Rather different type to the winner, but a handy size with narrow, spannable frame. Presented in hard condition, with good coat, and the soundest of movers. Preferred size to three. 3, Clarke, Ir. Ch. Oakyard Over The Moon. OB (4, 2) 1, Higham, Comberdown The Emerald. Otter-like head, with strong muzzle and alert dark eyes. Excels in body – narrow, lithe, and easy to span. Good lay of shoulder, allowing free, efficient movement, and she maintains soundness throughout. Forelegs are straight, hindquarters neat and racy, and coat is harsh and dense with a proper undercoat. Tail is well set and carried. 2, Clarke, Madragorm Ailsa. The soundest of movers with good basic qualities. A credit to her owner for being in such good condition for her age!

Bedlington Terrier 

OB (2, 1) 1, Boyd, Agnellinos Dark Sorceress. A clean, pear-shaped head, bright triangular eyes, and well-set filbert ears. Elegant neck into smooth shoulders, supple body with a correct arch over the loin, and strong, balanced hindquarters. Coat is true in texture with good twist. Movement is light, springy, and effortlessly athletic. BOB. 

Dandie Dinmont Terrier 

OD or B (3, 2) 1, Rooney, Ir. Ch. Sjobolyckans Offensive Vanilla Coke. Displays a well-made, expressive head with correct doming and silky covering; eyes large and bright. Ears well set and harmonious in shape. Strong, clean neck into well-laid shoulders. Forelegs sturdy with ample bone; chest well let down. Body long, flexible, and well ribbed with correct rise over the loin. Hindquarters well-muscled with good angulation. Coat shows proper pencilling and texture. Moves freely with strong rear drive and smooth forward reach. BOB.