Driffield Championship Dog Show

 Driffield Championship Show 28th August 2026

 Norfolk Terrier Critique

I would like to thank the committee for their invitation and hospitality, and the exhibitors for a lovely entry. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to judge this lovely breed, and I was particularly pleased with the overall depth of quality in several of the classes. Throughout my judging, I was looking for the essential characteristics of the Norfolk Terrier: a small, compact and well-balanced terrier, with a good deal of substance for his size, short legs, a strong and compact body, and the typical harsh, straight and wiry coat. Above all, breed type, soundness and the characteristic keen and alert expression were important considerations.

Veteran Dog (1, 0 abs)

1st – POWELL, Miss L – Watercroft Brown Boots

Seven-year-old male who presented a pleasing, compact and cobby outline, with good substance and well-sprung ribs. He has a typical wedge-shaped muzzle and dark eyes, giving the required keen and alert expression. Maintained a level back and was presented in a decent coat of the correct texture. Moved steadily around the ring, maintaining his shape well. Best Veteran.

Puppy Dog (1, 0 abs)

1st – GEE, Mrs R – Watercroft Rumour Has It

What a smart young man. A very promising puppy who already displays much of the required Norfolk character and breed type. Broad skull with dark, oval eyes and a keen, alert expression. Ears well set and a good wedge-shaped muzzle, with strength appropriate to his age. Good length and strength of neck, flowing into well-placed shoulders. Short, level back and pleasing compact proportions, with the short-legged, sturdy appearance required of the breed. Presented in a good, hard coat. On the move he showed true, parallel action behind with good drive, while remaining sound and correct in front. A most promising youngster with a lovely attitude. Best Puppy In Breed

Junior Dog (2, 0 abs)

1st – THOMPSON-MORGAN, Mrs C – Belleville Turn The Tables

Liked this young male very much. Excellent proportions, being small, compact and full of the required Terrier character, with good substance for his size. Particularly pleasing head, with dark eyes giving a keen and expressive look. Straight front, short back and well-angulated hindquarters, with small, round feet . Moved truly, and as his confidence grew throughout the class he continued to impress. His overall balance made me take a second look at him in the challenge.

2nd – JENKINS, Miss D – Kinsridge Dark Moon

Slightly bigger in overall frame than first, but still possessing pleasing breed type. Typical head with dark eyes and a keen expression. Correctly set ears and a good wedge-shaped muzzle. Good strength of neck, leading into a level back, with a hard and wiry coat of the desired texture. Moved steadily and carried his tail well, presenting a pleasing overall outline.

Limit Dog (4, 0 abs)

1st – SMITH, Mrs A – Javidel Repeat If I May

A smart black and tan male, presented in a super hard coat. He really suits the description of a Norfolk Terrier as a “demon for his size”, combining his compact stature with plenty of substance and terrier character. Loved his attitude and presence. Short-backed and well ribbed, giving him a strong and compact body. Good hind angulation and neat, small, round feet. Won this class on his overall breed type, balance and movement , once settled maintaining his topline well as he moved around the ring.

2nd – THOMPSON, Mrs Justine Claire & POPE, Mr Neil – Belleville In A Word

Another good male, full of type. Broad skull, dark eye and strong, wedge-shaped muzzle, producing a pleasing keen expression. Shoulders well laid, with a correct harsh and wiry coat. Moved steadily, although just a little closer behind than the winner today.

3rd – WARD, Mrs Pat – Littlemount Celyn Y Mor

Reserve – TOMS, Miss Lauren & TOMS, Ms Janice & DAWS, Mr Kev – Jaeva Party Boy

Open Dog (3, 0 abs)

1st – GEE, Mrs R – Ch Watercroft Easy Tiger

Loved this quality young male, who is small, cobby and full of the essential Norfolk Terrier characteristics. Broad skull, dark oval eyes and a strong wedge-shaped muzzle, producing that keen, alert and expressive appearance so typical of the breed. Excellent front and short legs, giving him the correct low, compact outline, with well-turned stifles and strong hindquarters.

Presented in a hard jacket and in excellent overall condition. On the move he was particularly impressive, moving low and with purpose, showing good impulsion from his strong rear quarters while maintaining a firm, level topline. True and parallel in his action, assured and confident throughout, and a lovely little showman who really made the most of himself in the ring. A quality exhibit combining breed type, construction, movement and character. Delighted to award him Best Dog and Best of Breed. Congratulations also on his subsequent Group 3 placing.

2nd – THOMPSON-MORGAN, Mrs C – Ch Layhefields Great Ridge By Belleville

Delighted to have the opportunity to judge these two quality males together, and there were many similarities between them. A super head with a typical keen expression, and particularly impressive coat texture, being presented in an excellent hard jacket. Well-sprung ribs and clean over the shoulders, with strong, well-angulated hindquarters providing a sound and balanced outline. A quality exhibit with much to admire. Just preferred the movement and overall flow of the winner on the day. Reserve Best Dog.

3rd – NUNEZ, Mr John H – Treehouse Always There For You

Special Beginners Bitch (2, 1 abs)

1st – WARD, Mrs Pat – Littlemount Raspberry Leaf

A pleasing exhibit, shown sympathetically and making the most of herself. Compact and feminine, with a typical Norfolk Terrier outline and a happy attitude in the ring. Pleased to award her Best Special Beginner.

Minor Puppy Bitch (4, 0 abs)

1st – MOUNFIELD, Mrs D – Kinsridge Happy Hour

A promising young bitch who headed a lovely class of youngsters. Balanced in her overall proportions, with a compact outline and good substance appropriate to her age. Showing lovely breed character and a feminine expression. Moved with confidence and purpose and was the one who came together best for me on the day.

2nd – GEE, Mrs R – Watercroft Full Of Fizz

Another promising youngster with much to like. Pleasing in outline and displaying good breed character. Feminine and compact, with a super feminine head and expression, combined with a confident attitude. A youngster with plenty of potential as she continues to mature, and already showing promise in her developing harsh, wiry coat.

3rd – TATE, Mrs K – Jaeva Rings A Bell

Puppy Bitch (3, 0 abs)

1st – GEE, Mrs R – Watercroft Juicy Gossip

Smart puppy bitch who presented a pleasing, compact outline and good overall balance. Feminine without losing the substance required in the breed. Showing typical Norfolk character and a keen expression, with a promising outline for one so young. Well-laid shoulders, and she held her topline at all times. Moved steadily and confidently, showing good promise for the future.

2nd – MULLAN, Mrs B & MULLAN, Mr R – Watercroft Tittle Tattle

Another attractive youngster, close up to the winner. Pleasing for type and proportions, with a feminine head and typical expression. Compact and well put together, moving steadily, and I saw enough to appreciate her promising quality. A promising puppy who should continue to improve with maturity.

3rd – WARD, Mrs Pat – Littlemount Raspberry Leaf

Post Graduate Bitch (3, 1 abs)

1st – MCDERMOTT, Mr Liam – Macdiarmada Alderfen

A pleasing bitch with good overall Norfolk Terrier type. Compact and well balanced, with a feminine appearance, lovely expression and a great attitude. Moved steadily, showing parallel action behind , well muscled throughout . Her coat could have been straighter and harder in texture, but she had sufficient quality and breed type to deservedly take the class.

2nd – TOMS, Miss Lauren & TATE, Mrs K – Heilurihannan Burning Question With Jaeva (Imp Fin)

Another quality bitch with much to admire. Pleasing in type and overall balance, with a feminine expression and good compact proportions. Moved low in front, although just a little close behind on the up and down today.

Limit Bitch (2, 1 abs)

1st – TATE, Mrs K & DRAGON, Miss Oliwia – Jaeva Poker Face

A quality bitch who combined femininity with the required strength and substance. Pleasing for overall type, balance and compact proportions, with a feminine head and keen expression. Certainly not a robot—and that is exactly what appealed to me on the day! I loved her character and terrier attitude. Presented in good condition in a hard, harsh jacket. She moved soundly, maintaining her outline, and her overall quality, balance and unmistakable character carried her through the challenge. Pleased to award her Best Bitch.

Open Bitch (3, 2 abs)

1st – GEE, Mrs R – Watercroft Showboat

A quality bitch with a compact and balanced outline. Feminine, while retaining the substance and strength required in this breed. Typical in head and expression, with good overall Norfolk Terrier character—another little “demon” who certainly gave her handler a hard time! Presented in good condition, although not quite as settled on the move today as I would have liked. Nevertheless, she had sufficient quality and breed type to take the class, and I was pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch.

Tania Gardner

Danwish