What a privilege it is to have been elected President of the Smooth Fox Terrier Association in its 90th year and consequently to judge their 80th show. After a two year break the committee worked hard to make the occasion special and it felt like a happy day for the spectators and exhibitors. It was good to see many ‘old faces’ from the 40 years that I have been attending this event. The hall was well decorated and my thanks go to everyone who contributed to the occasion.
I don’t think there is a better pair of stewards in the land than Chris and Sue Wiggins. They know the job inside out and run the ring efficiently and unobtrusively. Thank you to them for their support of the club as well as the judge!
When judging the Smooth Fox Terrier I try to remember its origins as well as studying the breed standard. Bred by hunt kennels to follow the horses it’s no co incidence that they were described as built like a cleverly made hunter. Therefore they need good bone, legs and feet plus correct construction, substance and stamina in a not too large frame. Although the standard calls for a short back, I personally feel this is a relative term based on their function. They need some flexibility of loin to keep running over distance. Too short a back restricts fluidity of movement and I was relieved not to come across the very short stepping ‘pit pat’ movement that can sometimes be seen. I was looking for movement that covers the ground easily and wasn’t stilted, choppy or an upward flipping of the forelegs. I was pleased to find most dogs had dense double coats and virtually no over trimming of the hindquarters.
Thank you to the exhibitors for their support. There wasn’t a large number of puppies present but my goodness, the quality was high and I shall enjoy watching their progress over the next year!

MPD (2,0):

1. Care & Mutum’s Spirit du Manoir Saint Adrien for Thunderail. He sparkled on his debut at 6 months! Tan/ white baby appealed for his square body shape with level topline and super bone. Excellent feet, quality head with a strong muzzle. He moved well and gained confidence as the day progressed. Had no hesitation in making him BPD and RBPIS. A little charmer! 

2. Arustamyan’s Lorecon White Light. Almost 9 months of a different type, like his head proportions and well set ears giving an alert expression. Not as good in angulations as above but needs time to show his potential.

PD (2,1):

1. Julian’s Lanyons Prime Suspect. 10 months tan/white of square appearance with a level topline and nicely turned quarters. Well set on tail which showed his sunny disposition and lively movement. Could do with more bone to give a stronger muzzle and feet.

JD (1,1): 1.
SBD (No entries)
MD (No entries)

ND (1,0):

1. Morris’ Sanamaris Stoker. There is a lot to like about this 15 month black / white. Has the most attractive bone, legs and feet. Correct viewed from the front he has a good head and well set ears giving a true alert terrier outlook. Sound mover with drive. Shame he stood alone.

GD (No entries)

PGD (1,0):

1. Murray’s Yarrum Dixie Dash. Attractively marked tan/white of the type that this exhibitor used to show. Medium sized square dog with a lot to like about his well-proportioned body. Has a good length of head with a keen expression, ears could be set a little higher. Correct set on of tail. He wasn’t fully co-operating with his handler on the move.

 LD (3,1):

1.McLaughlan’s Nisyros Crossfire at Azrams. Black headed white dog that is very well made and not overdone. Correct height to length, I loved his bone, legs and feet. Has a strong punishing muzzle while his skull is in good proportion to it. Correct sized and shaped ears giving a varminty expression. A lot of dog in a medium package, he moved soundly and it was a pleasure to award him Res CC.

2. Nichols’ Zetamaz Just Inked. Heavily marked black and white with a well ribbed and dare I say it, well fed body carrying too much condition today. Lost on head type and ear carriage. He moved with energy.

OD (7,2):

A class of good quality dogs of different types. This was the first time I had to put my mind to the task of sorting them out!

1. Wilberg’s Ch Kanix Quintus. Appeals to the eye from all angles. Full of quality he has the right amount of chest between straight legs which have good bone and feet. His muzzle is in proportion to his skull and he has an intense expression. His body is well ribbed with a strong loin and his quarters are proportionate with enough angulation. He has a good double coat and is in first class show condition. He moved with drive and energy and despite strong opposition could not be denied the CC today. CC & RBIS.

2. Schoneberg’s Schneeman vd Schonen Bergen. Of a completely different type to the above. A dog of sleek lines and angles. Liked his head with flat planes and good eye and expression. Attractive body which with a bit more time will make him the finished article. Moved with drive. Preferred the feet of the winner.

3. Davies’ Ch Mosvalley Brian May.

VD or B (8,1):

The class of the day! I don’t mind saying it took some judging! It was full of top class dogs many of whom I have admired over the years.

 1. Broom’s Ch Oaxaca Del Boy with Roxway. 8 year old to whom I have given a ticket and best of breed in the past.  My fulsome remarks then still apply. He is an ideal picture of balance and symmetry, full of quality. I’m pleased to see his offspring appearing in the ring now, bred in the purple I say again he has much to offer the breed. In the challenge I was tempted! BV.

2. Jacques Residenset’s Hands in the Air for Jacqspot. White male with bone, substance and feet to be envied. A super flat well balanced head with perfectly set small ears giving an alert expression. Liked his well ribbed body and strong quarters. He moved soundly.

3. Davies’ L’Magali Du Manoir Sait Adrien of Mosvalley. Well-made bitch who held her own in this strong class.

MPB (1,0):

1  Hannar’s Bokma Kirie at Borovale. I liked this 7 month tan and white with her lovely head, well set ears giving an alert expression. Strong bone in a well-made frame, excellent quarters, good coat details moved with drive. Very promising.

PB (4,1):

1. Griffiths’ Yoxella Well in Touch. An eyecatcher of excellent type who is so well put together and presents a picture of a top class show dog. Excels in bone and feet, ears and expression. Well bodied for age and moves fluidly. Shown to perfection on a long lead, she demands attention. BPB and BPIS. A star in the making!

2. Roberts’ Lanyons Secrets and Lies. A very nice tan/ white just unlucky to meet the above. Has a pretty head with nice ears. Good bone and feet. I liked her shoulder construction and level topline. Tail set bang on, nicely turned quarters. Moved soundly with purpose.

3. Kettle’s Foxindean Radio Ga Ga.

JB (4,0):

1. Anderson & Watt’s Nisyros Girl Power. Well named as she has substance but still retains femininity. Apart from a slightly deep rib cage nothing is overdone and is beautifully in balance. Pleasing head details, her elegant neck leads into a solid topline. Well-made throughout her movement was a pleasure to watch. Made the cut and was close up on the top winners.

2. Marston’s Chipstead Petal. Another very good bitch with a head of good length and well set alert ears. She is elegant all through and well made. Moved with purpose and energy. I liked her a lot.

3. Morris’ Sanamaris Serena.

SPB (1,0):

1. Martin’s Tamedale Fenella. Lively energetic spirited Smooth. She has a feminine head that is of good width and substance. Her ears are well set. Has a correct front assembly which gives her a level firm topline. Well shaped quarters she moved correctly fore and aft and was enthusiastically handled by her novice owner. Congratulations! BSB.

MB (1,1)
NB (2,2)

GB (6,2):

1. McLaughlan’s Nisyros Hot Diamond at Azrams. White bitch with a tan head of excellent breed type. Correct bone, legs and feet. I liked her head details and neat ears. Another who looks right from all sides with just the right combination of substance and elegance in her well ribbed body and powerful quarters. Beautifully presented with a glistening double jacket, she moved soundly both ways and I felt she was a worthy Res CC winner in strong competition .

2. Tamedale Fenella.

3. Kettle’s Foxindean Wild is the Wind.

PGB (1,0):

1. Care & Mutum’s Foxindean Shining Star of Thunderail. Another lovely black and white who deserved her place in the line-up at the end. The prettiest of heads with good detail, expressive ears. Her crested neck leads into a strong firm body of good depth. Her quarters are hammy with plenty behind the tail, hocks are well let down with good feet and pasterns. Moves a little close behind but has a happy attitude on the move.

LB (6,1):

1. Kettle’s Foxindean Future Legend. Another one from the same breeder who must be congratulated on the quality of stock that she is producing. Many similar remarks for this one apply as for the previous winner. Won this strong class on her excellent feet and lovely overall balance. Presented to a high standard, she looked a picture moving freely around the ring.

2. Hannar’s Borovale Amber. Smart white of a different type with very good head details and ears. Liked her firm body and level topline, pleasing rear assembly. Stands four square. Was close up to the winner.

3. Richardson’s Lizoni Hoochie Coochie.

OB (2,0):

1. Wilberg’s Ch Kanix Quickstep. The star of the show! Eye-catching black and white who stands over a lot of ground with her forelegs straight under her supporting the front assembly. Not overdone anywhere despite having strong bone legs and feet. She has the desired strength of muzzle yet retains an elegant head with flat planes and nicely set ears. Her body is well ribbed up and of correct length to height. Her quarters are well muscled and powerful with plenty behind the tail. She moves around the ring with purpose and energy and won the CC in a strong line up. She went on to beat her litter brother for BIS expertly handled by a sweet 9 year old girl, daughter of her regular handler. She is presented in tip top condition and her handler and owners are to be congratulated on producing her in such fine form.CC & BIS.

2. Brookes’ Zetamaz Crystal Rainbow. Unlucky to meet the above. She has many qualities including her feminine head and ear carriage. She is well made and when she pulls herself together, she shows off her many virtues and looks very smart. I liked her hind action. A lot of terrier spirit there I felt!

 Margaret Rose

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