Southern Counties Australian Terrier Club

SOUTHERN COUNTIES AUSTRALIAN TERRIER CLUB-60th birthday championship show held on Sunday 19th July at Steventon Village Hall 

Thank you so much to the Officers and Committee of SCATC for inviting me to judge this special show and thank you so much to the exhibitors and all the other supporters for coming along and making this a very special day indeed. There was a lovely atmosphere, some super specials and spectacular rosettes. It was good to be at a “stand alone” show with such a buzz; it felt like some of the shows from a few years back.  

A special thank you to Marion Sargent who stewarded with such efficiency.  

Sadly an entry of 20 is good by today’s standards. I am pleased to say that although it was only 20 there were enough good ones to make the job both interesting and enjoyable. Being still fairly active in the breed the dogs were mostly familiar to me but it is always good to stand back and look at them with a more objective mindset and indeed to examine the dogs more closely. On the plus side we have excellent temperaments in this country; that lovely assertiveness without aggression is so much part of the Aussie. Presentation is generally now good and the mouths were all good. We do have some variation in type and size, a variety of head types and movement can be a little hit and miss. Coat and colour is good in the majority of dogs.    

The one thing that we all agree upon is that we cannot understand why the breed is not more popular. It is no consolation but breeders were saying much the same thing when I was a teenager.    

Veteran dog-2 entries

1st Taylor’s Wilfnbell Barney’s Blue-super outline and tail on this boy. Topline is excellent. Looks really good in profile. Tan could be richer and coat was a bit in- between but he is in great condition for a veteran and was a well- deserved best veteran in show.   

2nd Willmett’s Ch Wilfnbell Midnight Cowboy- an old favourite who has inevitably slowed down a bit. I liked his head and expression which was very much my sort, in decent coat, has gone a little close behind.  

Puppy dog-1 entry

1st Jones’ Wyeafon Red Illusion-lovely young red boy who is still settling to his job, spot on for proportions, super neck, good outline and tail. In lovely puppy bloom. Front tightening quite nicely, plenty of drive behind and that will look better when he settles a little. Decent head and eye, ears a little big and will look better when he furnishes up. Could have coped with some competition as he is quality. In the challenge he looked lovely when his owner settled him and I could not resist him for the Res CC. Was best puppy in show. 

Post graduate dog-1 entry

1st Foskett, Harris & Jones’ Wondereye Green Emerald -would like a bit more of this young man, however he put on a good show, was well presented and handled to get the very best out of him, super tan, ok in front, lovely character.  

Limit dog-2 entries

1st Golby’s Bareve Relight My Fire at Shadymoore -pleased to see and indeed feel how well this boy is maturing. Super muscle and in lovely hard condition, good size, excellent proportions, holds his topline really well, tail just right, head type slightly old fashioned but absolutely correct in skull and muzzle proportions, I loved his tan and there is blue coming through. Has been a little slow but now that he has some furnishings and some more coat he is looking the finished article and it is a very appealing finished article. I was delighted to give him the CC. Should gain the 3rd CC easily in my opinion.  

2nd Lapthorne & Thompson’s Jackaroo Jazzman Jenina -it was an interesting contest between these two. This red boy is very striking, absolutely on his toes and very showy. Just a bit too much of him for me and I would prefer a slightly less strong head. 

Open dog-2 entries

1st Webb’s Wilfnbell Nite Owl-this was another interesting contest. A stylish boy, holds himself really well on the move with a super outline in profile, I like his head and expression, colour is not his fortune and a bit loose in front which pegged him in the challenge.  

2nd Harrison’s Ch Bareve Rocket Man -not helping himself today as he was a bit slack in stance, but pulled himself together on the move. Lovely clear red coat and well presented. Front is not his fortune. Still has some maturing to do.  

Champion dog-2 entries  

1st Dennis’s Ch Cotarinn Diamond Dust over Yorcrechi -very much in his prime, well coated and presented although coat could be harsher, correct expression, masculine but not too strong, good outline in profile, good rear, is a bit proud of his elbows, super show temperament.    

Veteran bitch -2 entries

1st Garon’s Belyndi I’ve Got Spirit-was the steadier of the two in this class, good rear and ok in front, topline not as firm as it was in her prime, typical expression, super character.   

2nd Knightly-Brown’s Wyeafon Periwinkle Blue -lovely headed girl with a delightful temperament, good colour and her tan is still quite rich. Lovely to see her. 

Post graduate bitch -4 entries, 1 absent 

1st-Toma’s Wondereye Pink Sapphire at Wyeafon -litter sister to the post graduate dog and a similar type. Put on a good show and she was very together with her young handler who did an excellent job. Feminine expression, lovely tail, would prefer a touch more bone.  

2nd Wyeafon Periwinkle Blue 

3rd-Garon’s Jenina Jasmina 

Limit bitch-2 entries 

1st Leveridge’s Bareve Play With Fire-the star of the show today. Super type, looks great standing, unmistakeably an Aussie bitch and was the soundest mover here today up and back. Excellent rear movement and clean in front. She is also excellent in profile as she reaches, drives and holds her outline so well. Has been a little slower than her champion red litter sister but she was certainly worth waiting for. Good head and expression and in good coat of correct length and texture. CC (her second) and BIS.  

2nd Wyeafon Periwinkle Blue 

Open bitch -5 entries 

1st Jones’ Lazy Lou Von Den Grauen Anfurten at Wyeafon (imp NLD) -her super Aussie temperament won her this class. Never stopped showing. Good outline, good topline and a strong rear with drive. Coat needs to clear and would prefer a better tan. A bit untidy in front although she is still young so this could tighten a little. 

2nd Vine & Hassell’s Bareve Absolutely Fabulous-fully mature red lady with a lovely clear coat, well presented, good head and expression, decent size, good bone, with a little more “attitude” she would look much better. 

3rd Cox’s Wyeafon Illusion In Ember at Petitpaws 

Champion bitch-1 entry 

1st Leveridge’s Ch Bareve Fire Cracker-stood alone but could have coped with some competition. Another good mover who moves well in all directions. Feminine, a decent size and lovely coat of correct length and texture. In the challenge when amongst the other bitches she really came into her own. Did not quite have the length of body of her blue and tan litter sister today. Res CC   

Special beginner’s bitch-1 entry

1st Wondereye Pink Sapphire at Wyeafon 

Paul Eardley-Judge