Lucas Terrier Club

Judge: Julie Moyes (Plumhollow)

Attached is the critique of the Lucas Terrier Club Show. I would like to extend my thanks to you all for such a lovely day. I very much enjoyed spending time with you and your dogs. You are very lucky to have such dedicated people amongst you to ensure that the day runs smoothly. The hospitality is second to none. Everyone seems to enjoy themselves, adults, children and canine. I would like to thank you all for taking my decisions so sportingly, and I will treasure the Sealyham model given to me, a great reminder of the wonderful day spent with the Lucas.

Judge's Antecedents I owned my first show dog in 1982, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, who became my first of the eight Champions owned or bred by me in that breed. I began my judging career in 1988. 1990 was the year I owned my first of three Norfolk terriers in partnership. I was passed by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates to SCWTs in 1993. 1997 was the year I owned my first Sealyham terrier, Ch. Davmar Bo Cilla (Nancy). The year 2000 was very special to me, I made up my first Sealy Champion (Nancy), judged the Norfolk Terrier Club open show, and was passed by the American Kennel Club to judge the SCWT Club of Southern California Championship Show. 2001 was the year I bred my first litter of Sealys and am proud that my first home bred bitch received her title in 2003, Ch Plumhollow Dance With Dan. Judging highlights of 2002 were the Sealyham Terrier Club open show and Cesky terriers at Bournemouth Championship Show. I am honoured to have been invited to judge SCWTs at Crufts in 2004.

Class Judgements

Note: To save space 3rd and subsequent dogs where there is no comment are omitted.

CLASS 1 MINOR PUPPY DOG

1st - Rodwell's Archie. A good class of promising males. 1 & 2 very close. I see they are litter brothers, on show day presentation tipped in favour of 1. Archie has a handsome, masculine and balanced head, kindly dark eye, neat ears and good bite. Good length of neck, level topline, strong rear with good angulation providing drive to movement. Lovely coat, handled well to show the best of him.

2nd - Rodwell's Sammy. Well balanced puppy with good head, body and rear. Shown 'au naturel'

CLASS 2 JUNIOR DOG

1st Frost's Maxim's Dancer - Another set of litter brothers fighting for first place. Dancer looked the more mature, full of himself, just the right size and very well balanced. Good shoulder placement, deep chest and excellent ribbing, sturdy straight legs, good topline and broad, muscular hindquarters. Topped with excellent head, broad skull, good length of muzzle, good bite with large teeth, gorgeous dark eyes and neat well placed ears. Excellent texture to his tan jacket, presentation first class. A sound mover, free and effortless. Best Dog. Congratulations. Reserve Best Of Winners. BEST IN SHOW

2nd Frost's Maxim's Timmie. With the number of places won today, and only beaten by the Best Dog, yes I do like him!

CLASS 3 NOVICE DOG

1st Hoyer- Millar's Trouble - Thankfully did not live up to his name, well handled by a youngster. Smart white and tan chap, lovely coat. Good front, straight legs and strong rear. Well balanced throughout. I liked his size. Good head biut muzzle could be deeper, dark eyes, neat ears, good bite. The best movement of the day.

2nd Thomas' Bertie - A youngster who was determined not to give of his best.

CLASS 4 OPEN DOG

1st Thomas' The Tank Engine - A good class, 2nd ran close for top spot but this dog's movement just edged him out. A very showy saddle marked dog, well present but too much hair left over elbows made him appear wide in front which he definitely is not! Classic head of good proportions with super dark eyes, well balanced forequarters, excellent topline and tail set, good rear. Looked fit and well; when moved at the correct pace he drove out well. Reserve Best Dog.

2nd Rodwell's Maxim - Shown free standing to display all his virtues, gorgeous coated dog with a melting expression.

CLASS 5 VETERAN DOG

1st Parsons' Monty - Another one I could find room at home for. I don't know what it is about individual dogs that appeal personally but this old gentleman certainly had it! A fit, smart, white and tan 10 year old with excellent texture to his coat. Stood alert, looked a good working type, I wonder if he does, as his muscle tone showed some of the younger dogs up! Kept his level topline on the move, good head with strength to muzzle, he could be a little long in body, but his general appearance fitted the Standard well.

2nd Whitehead's Horatio - A good honest type carrying a little too much weight!

CLASS 6 MINOR PUPPY BITCH

1st Frost's Pianola Lola - Such a sweetie, with a pretty black tipped coat, lovely for size, good head with melting expression, fine front assembly and good rear, well balanced. When she put her mind to it she moved really well. Reserve Best Puppy.

CLASS 7 PUPPY BITCH

1st Chillingworth's Lulu - Difficult class to judge, various types but each with lots to like. Another day and placings could be reversed! Again a battle between siblings, Lulu just pulled out the stops to take the class. I loved her arched neck and well placed shoulders. A pretty head with good width to skull, good for eye, ear and bite. Good for size and balance, strong level back, good rear angulation. Excellent coat texture. A little light in bone, as was her sister, but time is on their side and with maturity they could develop on.

2nd Chillingworth's Bella - A dainty well coated lady, very well presented.

CLASS 8 JUNIOR BITCH

1st Frost's Maxim's Gizmo - Litter sisters again. It is pleasing for a judge to find they have placed siblings closely but draining on the brain power sorting them out! Gizmo just had the edge on heads, super skull to muzzle ratio, giving balance, lovely dark, expressive eyes, small neat ears and good mouth. Well placed shoulders, deep chest, level topline and broad loins. Good rear angulation. Right for size, new coat of good texture just arriving. Moved positively.

2nd Frost's Maxim's Blondie - Very pretty and when her movement settles will trouble the best.

CLASS 9 NOVICE BITCH

1st Frost's Martha - Attractive coloured bitch whose coat was of excellent texture, a double coat (soft undercoat overlaid with harsher, longer hairs) that is required to be truly waterproof. Beautifully presented with that gorgeous typey head, feminine expression, lovely length of body and correct size, she looked a picture. Movement could be a little sloppy in front, but really drove from the rear. Reserve Best Bitch.

2nd Thomas' Mary Poppins - Smart bitch wearing and excellent, harsh jacket. Unlucky to meet 1.

CLASS 10 OPEN BITCH

1st Thomas' Lottie - Such a heart stopper. Beautiful tan marked white bitch, size and balance just so. Although a touch short of body coat, what there was is of excellent texture. Feminine head of good proportions, gorgeous dark eye with good pigmentation, small, neat ears which she used expressively, good bite. Arched neck leading cleanly into well set shoulders, straight legs of good bone, deep chest, level topline and good rear angulation. She moved with such animation, head and tail go up, full of joy, with positive driving action. Best Bitch RESERVE BEST IN SHOW

2nd Frost's Mini Bi-Bi - Sorry, no notes were taken as all places were moved up one after judging, but good class of typey bitches.

CLASS 11 VETERAN BITCH

1st Thomas' Ginger Rogers - Litter sisters, so alike. I chose Ginger first as I prefer her head proportions and balance to body. Along with that pretty head she has the kindly dark eye, good bite and neat ears. She possesses a beautifully coloured double coat. That, and her movement belies her 9 years. Top drawer presentation, very well handled. Best Veteran.

2nd Thomas' Coffee Bean - Under 'false pretences' she had been placed in the previous class, just shows how well this 9 year old is faring!

CLASS 12 WINNERS DOG

1st Thomas' Buster Keaton - A super dog with such panache and one not to be overlooked. Perfect size and balance, really good for length and condition of body. Broad masculine head, cheeky expression, good bite and muzzle. Muscular neck, lovely front, straight and true. Best of legs and feet. Level topline, well set-on tail, well developed hindquarters. Moved around the ring as if he owned it! Excellent texture to coat which was beautifully presented. One could say that he was not the preferred colouring, but his outstanding qualities should be recognised. I had no hesitation in awarding him Best of Winners - congratulations.

2nd Frost's Boris Sir Archie - A nice stamp of dog, similar to 1 but not quite the showman.

CLASS 13 WINNERS BITCH

1st Frost's Gertrude Lawrence - A very close call, 1 just topped the class with superior forequarters, allowing her freedom of movement. Good topline and tailset, strong rear. Excellent, beautifully coloured coat, well presented.

2nd Frost's Bustle - Beautiful headed bitch who pushed hard for the top spot.