Bath Canine Society

Terrier Group Bath Championship Show 2026 Many thanks to the Officers and Committee of Bath for the honour of being invited to judge the terrier group. The group ring was, as expected pristine, and it really must be one the best anywhere. Before the group assembled the Australian terrier and Scottish terrier, both sportingly did a lap of honour due to our RKC connections, these two very typical specimens rightly were well applauded, and both looked a picture as they went around. Once assembled it was clear this was to be a strong terrier group and after due consideration I cut to eight dogs. These included the border terrier Ch Brumberhill Bit O’ Blarney JW, my BOB at Manchester this year, a quality blue and tan with a super expression, in good hard condition and best of jackets and pelts, he pushed the winners hard, the Smooth Fox Terrier Ch Kanix Quickstep, another to whom I have awarded a CC and a group place previously, this smooth bitch has a beautiful head with correct chiseling, lovely dark eye and ideal ears. Always a showgirl and has that desired varminty expression, the Kerry blue Terrier Ch Kebulak Royal Flush, has really come on since I last judged him, he is good for size and shape, and now has a wonderful colour to his jacket, moved with ease, and finally the Skye Terrier Ch Flanagan Energizer at Feorlig (Imp Svk), he impressed me with his powerful head piece of good length under his jacket and ease of movement. My overall winner was the Cairn Terrier Int US Swe Fin DK Est Ch Hjohoo's Hjo Knock 'em Down. I had never seen this young brindle dog before, but he immediately took my eye as he came into the ring. On inspection I absolutely loved him. Small proportionate head with the most typical of expressions. He has breadth to his skull, strength in muzzle, desired indentation and a correct stop. Good dark eye, and super small ears which he uses to advantage. Correct length of neck into well laid shoulders. Overall, his body proportions are correct, and he is well ribbed back. Super bone and feet. Correct angulation at the rear which is in good hard muscle. This dog was in the best of jackets with a wonderful closed harsh topcoat. On the move I think he is exceptional with excellent reach in front, he maintained his topline and drove form the rear. I thought him so balanced and typical which together with his attitude made him an easy group winner. I think he is World Class. Was so pleased to see him go onto RBIS under David Guy. Pushing the cairn was the young West Highland White Terrier Bellevue Lucky Devil at Krisma. Another new one to me. Creates the most typical silhouette and then on closer inspection lives up expectation. Beautiful head and expression with dark keen eye. Good length of neck and good shoulder. Correct depth of chest, well ribbed, short backed with tail on top. Plenty behind the tail which is hard to find in many Westies. Good strong hindquarters. Put down in A1 condition. Moved soundly. Shall watch this dog with interest. Third was the Norwich Terrier Ch Tinkave Vibe Setter at Belleville Ww25. No secret I like this young male to whom I awarded his first CC to as a puppy. He is so typical in head with correct skull to foreface proportions, correctly shaped oval eye, and well placed ears of good size. Super front assembly with correct bone and tight foot. Short with good topline and well angulated rear, a sound mover this dog really deserves his place in the cards. Finally, the Irish Terrier Sonorra Enter The Dragon, another that won his first ticket from me from the puppy class at Manchester. I think he is a super example of an Irish and is really coming into himself. I saw nothing to change my opinion today. Super length of head, which is lean back, and he has the best set of natural ears. He has good depth to his chest and is neither too wide nor too narrow, well ribbed back with the correct Irish top-line. He has fractionally leaned down since I last judged him and this further accentuates his racy outline to advantage. I am sure we will hear more of this dog. Ian H Gabriel