Lucas Terrier Club

Chacombe Village Hall, Chacombe, Northamptonshire

30th September 2001

Judge - Mr Kevin Holmes

Judge’s Critique

Firstly, my very grateful thanks for the invitation to judge this show and for such a memorable day. Everyone was so friendly and such a nice atmosphere was evident; if all Kennel Club dog shows were like this, I am sure they would be far more popular with people and have far bigger entries.

I was asked to give some background of my dogs and myself. As a child we always had a terrier as a family pet, firstly a Manchester, then after she died we had a Cairn. In 1975 I had my own first Cairn who I showed, eventually she had a litter and I kept a bitch puppy that became my first Champion and was Best of Breed at Crufts in 1983. I have made up several Cairn Champions, along with a Border terrier Champion. I also have a long association with Sealyhams through my partner’s Davmar kennel. I am approved by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates in Cairns and Sealyhams. Have judged extensively in Europe and the USA, and am due to judge at Crufts in 2003.

On to your dogs – temperaments were excellent and several gave me a few licks!! Presentation on the whole was very good and many had obviously spent a lot of time on them. Please, though, do not forget to clean teeth, there are some excellent dog enzyme toothpastes available. If used regularly prevent the build up of tartar and in the long term prevent gum disease and expensive veterinary fees for descaling, and not least bad breath. Handling was mixed, some were excellent and I know for others it was their first ever show and both dogs and handlers need time. Do try and get some practice in before your next show, if you have never shown a dog before! Many local canine clubs have handling classes and I’m sure would welcome you. Type was again mixed, some as one would expect, tended to be more Norfolk and others more Sealyham, but I did feel that you had several excellent Lucas terriers that fully meet your Breed Standard.

On to specific dogs – all the main winners were good representatives of the breed. Best Bitch and Best In Show was Thomas’ Daisychain. I really liked this feminine bitch, who took time to settle but once she did I felt she met the Breed Standard very well. A good working terrier in nice, hard condition and strong, powerful straight movement both front and rear. Neither Sealyham nor Norfolk in type, well presented with a good head, correct scissor bite, good topline and held her tail well on the move.

Best Dog and Reserve BIS Thomas’ Buster Keaton. Interestingly both he and Daisychain had the same dam in Coffee Bean. I was surprised to see he was sired by a Sealyham that I had seen shown. A real stallion who was big enough but who could be useful to the breed. Sturdy, with good substance and in hard condition, giving power. Unmistakably male, a good mover and real showman, sound in all respects.

From the Winners Class, Frost’s Tippytoes. A real eye-catcher, who I felt was outstanding and in lovely condition for his age, very sound masculine dog, real showman, moved so well, tail bang on top. Frost’s Gertrude Lawrence was alone in Winners Bitch, but again a really lovely example, correct size, good topline, sound, excellently presented, so feminine and of such good type. Interestingly, Gertrude was the dam of Best Puppy, Frost’s Bundle, another very sound, well presented dog of excellent type that showed much promise.

Many thanks again for such an enjoyable day among such nice people and lovely dogs.

Kevin Holmes