Lucas Terrier Club

Introduction

I had never seen a Lucas terrier in the flesh before adjudicating. Therefore, this was an exciting and new challenge. Moreover, I love new challenges. However, I must admit to having more than forty years experience of involvement in the Sealyham ranks. As a matter of fact, my initial involvement, and introduction to the canine world came about through Stanley Bourne of Bolton. His kennel affix was Bournefield. The town of Bolton in that epoch had numerous and highly successful Sealyham exhibitors resulting in numerous champions to cast one's eye over and appraise. I also piloted three Sealyhams to UK Championship status and a considerable number of other breeds to their title of Champion.

The venue added a great deal to the success of the Show. The entry was quite magnificent. I hope you enjoyed the day as much as I did. My hard working Ring Stewards Lillian Hopwood and Jack and Shirley Watson, who are known to me personally, eased my task for some of the later classes were quite large.

So what was I looking for in my adjudication? Three very important points concerning canine anatomy: type, conformation and soundness. In a working breed one might expect a missing tooth providing the mouth was sound; that did not come into my adjudication. A couple of exhibits had forefaces a tad too long to be ideal, rather than anything else they lacked the necessary strength of jaw. However, coat texture did play a factor. The terrier, working or merely a couch potato, should have inherited, hopefully, the genes and coat of correct texture. Ideally hand plucked rather than shorn like a lamb with clippers; should this be a breed requirement? Clipping, though grossly convenient, can be damaging in two respects; the ideal texture and natural colour of that breed. Those that show 'trim' terriers usually spend weeks, if not months, preparing their exhibits to 'showroom' condition. Timing of the coat is equally a skilled task, but every dog's re-growth proves to be different, dependant on grooming, housing and feeding regimes. Nevertheless, a skilled judge can and should see past such points and invariably take into account the prevailing reasons, along with inexpert handling. All exhibitors were beginners once and were not born with the skills and expertise, although some might like to think they were.



CLASS 1 MINOR PUPPY DOG

1ST - COLVILLE'S LUCCA - Stood alone, which hardly helps an inexperienced puppy. Obviously a first timer, nicely formed head, promising body and hindquarters. Plenty of time to develop. I would have preferred a better textured coat but this can be worked upon.

CLASS 2 - PUPPY DOG

1ST - CHILLINGWORTH'S CHARLIE BROWN - Good for size and expression. Well placed eye and ear. Shapely body for age. Sufficient bone. Firm topline and well made hindquarters. His type, conformation and action carried him to Best Puppy In Show.

2ND - FROST'S SAMUEL WHISKERS - Close up in many respects, with increased confidence should move better. A little overawed.

CLASS 3 - JUNIOR DOG

1ST - FROST'S HAPPY HARRY - Has type, conformation and movement. Shows great promise and, on this showing, should surely have a bright future when matured.

2ND - FROST'S FORTUNE COOKIE - Lacks ring experience but owns the better coat. Not as purposeful when asked to move.

CLASS 4 - NOVICE DOG

1ST - FROST'S MAXIM'S TIMMIE - A virtuous extrovert whose make and shape could hardly be bettered although I would have preferred him a size smaller. His coat was colourful and doubly textured. Sound action and mover. Pleased to award this fine fellow Best In Show.

2ND - ROLAFF'S CHARLIE T - Scores in type, size and conformation but might be shown in firmer condition.

CLASS 5 - OPEN DOG

1ST - FROST'S RAMBO DANCER - Surprisingly only one exhibit, a sturdily made, gassy fellow. Strong, punishing jaw, detected a little steepness in shoulder placement, well boned legs and feet, balanced mature body, well rounded hindquarters, nice turn of stifle ensured positive movement. Coat might have proved crisper.

CLASS 6 - VETERAN DOG

1ST - THOMAS' THE TANK ENGINE - The applause suggested a favourite and a popular decision. A first class terrier, cleverly put together, probably suffering, like myself, from a little middle aged spread. In great form and beautifully handled. Reserve Best Dog.

2ND - KENYON'S TEDDY - Close up in many respects. A close decision, slightly younger than T. The Tank Engine but wasn't as positive in action or movement.

CLASS 7 - MINOR PUPPY BITCH

1ST - UPTON'S DAISY - Born in June '04 and in the throes of teething. Shows great promise but it would be unfair to say more. Pleasing temperament that is so important at this age.

CLASS 8 - PUPPY BITCH

1ST - PEAT'S ERICA - Lots to like about this babe such as her size, type, balance and general make and shape. Lovely expression, well placed ears, eye and temperament, not in the least overawed. Forgave her coat texture as she is still just a babe.

2ND - ALLFREY'S COCO BEAN - Scores in expression and general make and shape. Slightly higher on the leg than the winner. Sound action and movement. Nicely turned out and handled.

CLASS 9 - JUNIOR BITCH

1ST - HOYER-MILLAR'S MOLLY - Nice headed, well made forehand, good for type and size. Well shaped ribcage, muscular loin and quarters. In good coat, able mover.

2ND - CHILLINGWORTH'S BELLA - A great deal to like but not the front or verve of the winner. Perhaps the foreleg furnishings could be tidied up to great advantage.

CLASS 10 - NOVICE BITCH

1ST - FROST'S HARRIET - I like the style, size and shape of this gal. Lovely expression made by eye and ear placement. Sound forehand, well boned legs and feet. Shapely body and ribbing, strong through loin, well let down quarters that provided her driving action. Coat of good colour.

2ND - HORSELY'S MOLLY - A contender for she conforms in many ways. Good breed type and nicely put together but I felt Harriet just had the edge overall. Nicely coated and well handled.

CLASS 11 - OPEN BITCH

1ST - THOMAS' MARY POPPINS - Leaning to Sealyham type. Owns a scrubbing brush of a top coat that would delight any terrier adherent, although very difficult to deal with. In profile her topline appears suspect however my terrier expertise suggested that inexpert trimming of the coat was the fault. Excesses of coat over the croup (before the tail) and neckline afforded this impression. She satisfied otherwise in every respect. Reserve Best Bitch.

2ND - FROST'S TANGO BOLERO - Has terrier spirit. So much to like. As they say: 'Another day, another Judge.'

CLASS 12 - VETERAN BITCH

1ST - THOMAS' COFFEE BEAN - Has so much going for her. Conformation, character and movement. When all is said and done movement always confirms conformation. Put plainly - if made right they go right. The catalogue confirmed that Coffee Bean was the dam of the Open Bitch winner. Best Bitch.

2ND - THOMAS' GINGER ROGERS - Same breeding as the winner. Very good size, sound throughout, splendid well let down quarters.

Frank Jones

Judge