Bournemouth Canine Association

Bournemouth General Championship Show 2025

Terrier Group

My appreciation to Secretary, Sally Duffin, and her committee for affording me the opportunity to judge my first Terrier Group at Championship Show level. Without doubt an extremely hard-working and enthusiastic committee who strive to put on a super show for all to enjoy; always with a friendly smile and nothing too much trouble for this outstanding team. It was wonderful to see the Association back in the heart of the New Forest, bring back lots of wonderful memories of shows past.

An interesting group from which I made a shortlist of eight dogs, the Jack Russell Terrier, Jones’ Perfect Love Di Sutri at Laserna (Imp Ita) Jun Ch, the Kerry Blue Terrier, Davani & Potts’ Ch Kebulak Killer Queen, the Norfolk Terrier, Gee’s Ch Watercroft Easy Tiger, the Scottish Terrier, Plane’s Sparkling Spirit Von Tinsdal at Stuane, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Satherley’s Ch Silkcroft Never Miss A Beat, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Davies’ Hasburystaff Top Gun JWW-11, the Welsh Terrier, Cole’s Ch Perrisblu The Phantom, and the West Highland White Terrier, Britten’s Krisma Winter Sun.

After a further go around, the nod for Group 1 went to the Welsh Terrier. A 3 yr old who is fully mature, carrying good bone and of excellent type. A real stallion of a dog who presented a superb outline with a muscular neck of correct length to balance, short firm back, excellent ribbing, deep in brisket, short in the couplings and tail set on high and of excellent carriage. He has a masculine headpiece with the keenest of expressions, excellent eye and ear, strength to foreface and correct dentition. This lad never stops showing and gives his absolute all to his handler and when gaiting, moves out with purpose and excellent carriage. Close fitting, hard wiry jacket and put down in first class order. Delighted to see him go on to take Reserve Best in Show from a quality line-up.

For Group 2, I selected the 3 yr old Kerry Blue Terrier bitch. Another of top quality and she was a delight hands on. Presenting a super compact outline with strong muscular neck, firm through the topline, correct ribbing, good depth to chest, well-muscled loin and tail well set on and of correct carriage. Feminine head and expression, excelling in skull, correct eye and ear, powerful muzzle and scissor bite. As sound as they come, she stands foot perfect at all times and certainly didn’t disappoint on the move, accurate on the down and back and holding herself so well as she goes. Soft, silky coat and perfectly presented.

The 6 yr old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier bitch was my choice for Group 3 and yet another who greatly appealed and was so good to go over given her correct construction. Beautifully balanced with the desired compact outline of the breed and shown with excellent muscle-tone. She has a super neck which is slightly arched, firm topline, brisket reaches the elbows, ribbing extends well back and her tail is set on high. Well proportioned head with parallel planes, first class eye and ear, strength to muzzle and good dentition. It was a pleasure to watch her gaiting from all angles and she carries herself so well and was so very well handled.

Finally, completing a super final four was the Scottish Terrier bitch. This 21 mth old was really quite exciting, catching my eye when entering the ring and I thought her profile action and carriage quite outstanding. Obviously not yet fully mature but she was so good to go over and so very well balanced with strong, muscular neck, firm topline, deep brisket with good clearance, excellent couplings, good croup and tail set well on. Quality headpiece with good length overall, keen expressive eyes, excellent ears, clean through the cheeks and muzzle proportionate in length to that of skull. Purposeful true action fore and aft and shown to advantage. Quality jacket and presentation.

Judge: Tim Ball