The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Great Britain Open Show South
March 29th 2015, Steventon, Oxford
Judge: Lynn Carter
BIS - Meister & Brooks’ Silkcroft Crests of Waves
RBIS, BOS - Hill’s Janeyjimjams Jive Queen
Best Puppy - Barrett’s Saffini Sugar and Spice
Best Veteran - Charleton’s Snowmeadow Janey Jimjams With Showadiwady
Best Dog - Meister & Brooks’ Silkcroft Crests of Waves
Res Dog - Johnstone’s Whitevale Motorway Madness
Best Bitch - Hill’s Janeyjimjams Jive Queen
Res Bitch - Satherley’s Silkcroft Sky Full Of Stars
I would like to thank the SCWT Club of GB for the opportunity to judge at this show. It was especially memorable for me, not only because the Club celebrates its landmark Diamond Jubilee this year but I had also decided the show was to be my last judging appointment. I must thank the Club for the really lovely engraved gift and also the super hospitality offered throughout. I had two extremely efficient Stewards; thank you, Craig and Rachel, for your help in making things run smoothly.
I thank the exhibitors for their entries and sporting acceptance of my decisions. Firstly, I wish to make some general observations. The hall posed some limitations for a breed such as ours; with rather limited space across the ring and a slippery hard floor surface (please exhibitors - try to ensure the dogs are on the non-slip mats and change your footwear to cope with a polished surface; hard soled, noisy footwear is generally not a good choice for exhibiting dogs!).
Although all the dogs were similarly challenged by these circumstances, I felt several exhibits were prevented from giving of their best and some placings were probably subsequently affected.
There is still wide variation in type, which always makes for challenging decisions when judging the SCWT. Above and beyond this, there are some areas where general changes seem to be taking place and some less desirable traits appear to be becoming the norm. Mouths were generally good with very few with the ‘dropped’ bottom front teeth which were once so common. However, quite a few of the exhibits seemed to have over-long hocks, some pasterns at the rear were weak and consequently there were quite a lot of exhibits which did not display the drive from the rear as described in the Breed Standard. There were some exhibits with pale or even white nails.
I also feel that we must be very watchful on the issue of our Wheaten coats. I admit it is a particular bugbear of mine (having dealt with it myself on occasions!) when the ‘…soft, wheaten coloured, natural coat…’ called for in the Standard, is marred by darker hair. When dark, sometimes black, coat falls right from the top of the head and continues down over the whole face and into the beard, a Wheaten head is totally altered. The wonderful, black-pigmented large nose, lips and classic ‘kohl-painted’ eye rims are just lost amongst the darkness and all facial expression is gone. Whilst such things can be forgiven in a youngster, the Breed Standard states this and any other shading (apart from the somewhat darker or silvery shading on ears) should have cleared by 24 months and must be considered as a fault, in a mature Wheaten. As our Breed is one of the few which is named explicitly by a description of its coat, in my opinion, we have to be extremely careful to protect that requirement. Having said all this, I was pleased with my winners and felt they presented many of the qualities I was hoping to see. As anyone who judges knows, the dog is more than the sum of his/her parts; there is always the indefinable ‘x-factor’, which sets one apart from the others – for me this could be classed as ‘Wheaten Terrier Spirit’ and it should always be taken into the reckoning.
Veteran Dog 2 (2)
Puppy Dog 3
1. Blandford’s Janeyjimjams Joshua
A nicely put-together puppy of 10 months, sporting a pleasing coat of good texture and colour, which augurs well for the future. Good head with small ears, pleasing ear carriage and stop. Good dark hazel eye and pigment. Correct dentition. Movement still needs to tighten and settle with maturity but overall presented a nice picture.
2. Charleton’s Janeyjimjams Jonah
Litter brother to 1 and many of the same comments apply. The difference on the day was that I preferred the ear carriage of my winner and I felt that he was rather more settled.
3. Ward’s Saffini For You To Love
Another attractive puppy with a promising coat in development. Good head and dentition. Liked his ear-set and overall shape but didn’t come together enough to change the placings today .
Junior Dog 1
1. Meister & Brooks' Silkcroft Crests of Waves
A promising youngster sporting a super coat of correct warm, wheaten colour and texture. Good head with correctly placed ears, carried well. Good dark hazel eye, nice pigment and dentition. Very pleasing front. Good lay-back of shoulder and sound topline with well-set tail. Moved well within the limitations of the venue. He stood alone in this class but, although a youngster, on the day no-one bettered his performance and he went on to take Best Dog, and Best In Show. I look forward to seeing him mature.
Yearling Dog 4
1. Meister & Brooks’ Silkcroft Crests of Waves
Winner of JD Class
2. Calvert & Naylor’s Amaricy Bullet Proof
A male still a little on the immature side; coat and muzzle still to clear. Good head, neck and lay-back of shoulders. Nice bite. Moved reasonably well towards - but rear movement rather more difficult to assess.
3. Howe’s Stevelyn Kings Call Of Sunnydayze
Good head, lovely coat developing. Good lay back of shoulders and topline. Movement rather hard to assess and didn’t make life easy for his handler but got into his stride eventually. A little close behind.
Res. Suckling’s Glensallagh Alphonso Bora
Maiden Dog 2
1. Howe’s Stevelyn Kings Call Of Sunnydayze
Comments apply from YD
2. Suckling’s Glensallagh Alphonso Bora
Nice for size. Small, well-set ears. Lovely Irish coat developing but this type needs time. Front feet turned slightly out. Preferred rear assembly of the winner.
Novice Dog 2
1. Blandford’s Janeyjimjams Joshua
Winner of PD
2. Suckling’s Strasallagh Aleksander
A work in progress. Nice compact size. Good coat. Correct dark hazel eye. Preferred bite and pigment of 1
Graduate Dog 0
Special Beginners Dog 3
1. Johnstone’s Whitevale Motorway Madness
A lot to like here. Great topline held on the move. Super coat of correct colour. Good head, nice, well-carried ears and good reach of neck. Good depth of chest, strong hindquarters. Correct ‘punishing’ jaw and dentition. One of those that may have been adversely affected by the venue as it seemed his movement going away was perhaps a little cumbersome and this held him back slightly in the Challenge.
2. Blandford’s Janeyjimjams Joshua
Winner of PD and ND Classes
3. Suckling’s Strasallagh Aleksander
Comments from ND Class apply
Limit Dog 2
1. Johnstone’s Whitevale Motorway Madness
Winner of SB Dog
2.William’s Snowmeadow Peregrine Piper
Good size and type. Nice head with well-set ears, though ear carriage could have been better. Good coat. Preferred the movement of winner
Open Dog 0
Veteran Bitch 3
1. Charleton’s Snowmeadow Janey Jimjams With Showadiwady
Rather on the large size for me but with a good head and correct ear placement giving typical Wheaten expression. Well-bodied, carrying topline well on move. Lovely Wheaten coat of loose soft curls. Belied her age with her good movement fore and aft.
2. Munn’s Ch & Ir Ch Snowmeadow Jellybean Jilly JW ShCM
Good for type. Good head, neck and layback of shoulder. Preferred ears of 1. Slightly longer cast bitch but still moving lightly and covering the ground well at coming up to 12 years of age. Profuse coat of good quality but would personally prefer some judicious trimming.
3. Jefferies’ Cuddly Keira
Another lovely coat and good pigment, preferred shoulder placement and movement of 2.
Puppy Bitch 6 (1)
A nice class of babies! All had lovely pigment and although all at varying stages of development it must augur well for the breed.
1. Barrett’s Saffini Sugar and Spice
What a little stunner. Super richly coloured puppy coat of good texture. Very feminine. Good head proportions and correct pigment and dentition. Nice size. Short coupled. Still moving with typical puppy laxity but should all tighten up with maturity. Gave her serious consideration for Reserve Best Bitch in the challenge but I am sure there will be plenty more opportunities in time. Pleased to award her BPIS
2. Bott’s Whitevale Sweet Butterfly
A lovely sized feminine bitch with so much to like about her. Lovely head, good stop and strong muzzle with good bite. Good reach of neck and shoulder placement. Moved well. Lovely straight front but rather heavily coated, making assessment of the movement when coming towards a little difficult. Just going through that stage of development where things are maturing and coat needs to clear a little more and develop more wave and curl for the full package - one to watch .
3. Satherley’s Silkcroft One Step Closer
Another lovely-sized and feminine young bitch. Good coat of excellent texture. Movement going away rather more difficult to assess.
Res:Hughlock’s Janeyjimjams Jolene
Vhc: Stone’s Braelochyen Izzy Wizzy
Junior Bitch 5 (1)
1. Satherley’s Silkcroft Sky Full Of Stars
Nice size bitch with pale golden coat of excellent silky texture. Pretty feminine head. Good pigment. Good rear angulation. Lovely topline and tailset. Moved well. Still rather on the ‘fine’ side, for me, which played a part in the bitch challenge.
2. William’s Kellynack Joie De Vivre
Good head and body proportions. Nice bite and good pigment and dentition. Good shoulder placement and reach of neck. Preferred movement of 1st on the day.
3. Shrive’s Emalot Santa Maria
Another feminine dog of good size and clean lines. Nice head planes. Good bite. Good reach of neck. Good front. Pretty pale golden coat but preferred the texture of 2 at the moment.
Res. Stone’s Braelochyen Izzy Wizzy
Yearling Bitch 3
1. Satherley’s Silkcroft Sky Full Of Stars
Winner of JB
2. Howe’s Stevelyn Black Magic Woman
Pale golden profuse coat still to mature. Strong head with good pigment and bite. Good reach of neck and shoulder placement. Good topline and tailset. Good front and rear assembly - just needs to pull it all together in her performance.
3. Suckling’s Glensallagh Cierzo
A very different type from 1 and 2. A little paler in pigment but a lovely alert expression from the terrier head and earset. Still very immature but the coat will be a beauty. Did not have the reach of front movement of 1 and 2.
Maiden Bitch 3 (1)
1. Howe’s Stevelyn Black Magic Woman
Comments from YB apply
2. Suckling’s Glensallagh Cierzo
Comments from YB apply
Novice Bitch 0
Graduate Bitch 6 (2)
1. Maleary’s Wheaten Rebel's Them There Eyes
Good sized bitch with nice head, good pigment and dentition. Good angulation. Topline held on the move. Nice coat of good colour but some judicious trimming to body would give more balance to the head. Won on movement
2. Herbert’s Calvenace She's The One At Julibidd
A feminine bitch with a lovely coat. Nice head, Good rear angulation and topline, held on the move. Would like a little more leg.
3. Grant’s Dannebriel Cirque Surreal
Taller exhibit, short coupled with good coat. Good head properties. Good topline and rear angulation. Preferred shoulder placement of 2.
Res. Stone’s Braelochyen Blue Empress
Special Beginners Bitch 3
1. Jefferies’ Frontline Simply Beautiful
Feminine bitch with pale blond coat of good texture. Head planes could be stronger but excellent pigment. Tailset and carriage were good. Good angulation and fluid movement around the ring.
2. Bredemear-Walters & Walters’ Gwendonydd Gwenith Aur
Good head. Sound topline and tail carriage. Good coat but still to reach its best. Preferred shoulder placement and movement of winner.
3. Suckling’s Glensallagh Cierzo
Comments apply from YB
Limit Bitch 7 (1)
1. Hill’s Janeyjimjams Jive Queen
Feminine bitch of good size with a beautiful coat of honey colour and good texture. Head well-proportioned with a good earset giving typical expression. Dark hazel eye and correct pigment. Deep chest and short-coupled. Good topline and well-angulated rear quarters. Moved well fore and aft. Pleased to give her Best Bitch, BOS and RBIS
2. Jones’ Zaraslake Pumpkin Pie At Silverluka
When she came into the ring I wondered if this one might be my class winner. Another bitch of excellent type, well-presented and in good coat. Really liked her size and shape and many of the comments above regarding structure would equally well apply to this exhibit. The telling point came when assessing the movement from the rear. It is possible that this bitch was also adversely affected by the venue as I never managed to see her moving straight away from me today; there was a tendency to crab. I hope to see her reach her full potential next time.
3. Salisbury’s Orliscwt Lillee The Pink
A lovely Irish-type Wheaten with beautiful pale golden coat of silky texture. Good head planes, length of neck. Topline held on the move. Just preferred the over-all package presented by 1 and 2
Res. Munn’s Snowmeadow Oolla O'Luna
Vhc. Bredemear-Walters & Walters’ Gwendonydd Gwenith Aur
Open Bitch 9 (1)
1. Barrett’s Saffini Truly Madly Deeply
Super for size and displaying terrier attitude. Very feminine. Good head. Using ears well on the go-around . Pigment good and correct bite. Lovely reach of neck. Compact and short-coupled. Good angulation. Tail well set-on.
2. Charleton’s Janeyjimjams Jemima
Another nice exhibit. Slightly less compact than winner of the class but another lovely coat. Lovely dark hazel eye. Strong jaw and bite. Moved with reach and drive. Preferred head of 1.
3. Salisbury’s Killeshin Libaneire
An Irish-type bitch with a silky-textured pale curly coat. Good proportions, level topline and good tailset. Good jaw and dentition. Super muscle development. Preferred movement of 2
Res. Munn’s Snowmeadow Peggy Phurrari JW ShCM
Vhc. Witheyman’s Steefsgrace Dutch Kiss By Dascol
Progeny 2 (1)
Charleton’s Snowmeadow Janey Jimjams With Showadiwady
Certainly commonality of type and looked the part.
Brace 3 (2)
Charleton’s
A well-matched pair, moving round the ring together pretty effectively.
Junior Handling 6-11 years 1
1. Alice Hill
This young exhibitor was smartly dressed and worked hard to present her dog to advantage. She understood what she was asked to do and only needs to polish her performance. She was gentle with her dog and used effective methods of gaining its attention. Learning the points of the dog generally and in particular with regard to the Breed Standard will be time well-spent. Remember to talk to your dog when in the ring to build the rapport between you.
Junior Handling 12-16 years 3 (1)
Both handlers were very smartly dressed and equipped and wearing suitable shoes. Shadowing from both was very pleasing. They were very evidently focussed on trying to present their exhibits to their best advantage and displayed good manners and sportsmanship in the ring. I am sure that both of them will continue to be a credit to the world of Junior Handling and I look forward to watching them gain in confidence and skill.
I asked both handlers to perform a straight up and down and then a reverse triangle which required each handler to think about which side they needed to put the dog on to avoid being between the judge and the exhibit.
Both handlers also correctly answered the question posed on the points of the dog.
1. Min Witheyman
This handler worked extremely effectively with her dog and as soon as my request was made, there was no hesitation in moving off with the dog and completing the exercise with assurance and with the dog on the correct hand throughout. She concluded the exercise having kept to straight lines and effectively working with a dog which was slightly distracted by the presence of her owner elsewhere in the room.
2. Ethan Hill
This handler also displayed a good rapport with the dog and presented it to the best of his ability. The disadvantage to this handler in having to go first was his slight hesitation in the decision over which side the dog needed to be on during the exercise. Although he carried out the exercise successfully the hesitation was ultimately a deciding factor in the placings.
Best Junior Handler
Min Witheyman
Lynn Carter
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