This weekend has to be the favorite of all true terrier lovers, and Hatboro is one of the weekend’s highlights. It is a superbly run show, thanks in large part to its indefatigable show chair, Bob Black. Breeder-judge Thom Parrotti took center ring on the first day to pass on an entry of 39 Scottish Terriers. Best of Breed went to the top Scottie Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, owned by Amelia Musser. Mr. Parrotti found his Winners Dog in McVan’s Rainy Day Man, who went on not only to Best of Winners, but all the way to Best Opposite. He is owned by Victor Malzoni. Winners Bitch went to Stalwart’s Protective Spirit, also from Bred By, owned by Kyra Dennis, Alice Dennis and Sheila Scott.
Hatboro II saw Ireland’s Harry O’Donoghue in center ring, with an entry of 47. Since our Sweepstakes takes place on Friday afternoon, some of the exhibitors with young dogs give the second Hatboro a miss, rather than face the death-defying rush hour transit from Wrightstown to Plymouth Meeting (been there, done that). BOB on this day went to Daphne and John Eggert’s Ch. Blueberry’s Surely You Jest, with BOS going to Ch. Barbary BitOfA Vamp, owned by Ron and Maureen McConnell. McVan’s Rainy Day Man repeated his Thursday win. Winners Bitch under Mr. O’Donoghue was the Japanese bitch Land Rose R JP Dear Mrs., owned by Yoshimi Itoya.
Scottie people were spoiled for choice this year, as the STCA sponsored the multi-day agility trials at Kimberton on Thursday, as well as obedience classes on Friday morning. Three STCA members garnered blues at the agility trial, and a remarkable dog named Possum became the first MACH IV in our history. My apologies to his very proud owner for missing her name. Four Scotties received qualifying scores in obedience. For those who couldn’t get enough, there was also an Earthdog trial on Monday!
The Lulu Temple in Plymouth Meeting was packed for puppy sweeps, with talented young breeder/exhibitor Rebecca Johnson in center ring. She did a stellar job, giving everyone a good look, and managing her ring like a pro. Best in Sweeps ultimately went to the lovely brindle bitch Glenby’s Regal Spirit, owned by Christine Stephens and Barbara Casey, whose great weekend was just beginning.
After Sweeps is over, willing volunteers all pitch in to turn the show site into a dining room. Buffet dinner, the bestowing of annual awards and our annual meeting take place on Friday night. The food was predictable, and I couldn’t help but miss my good friend Donna Cone who often so expertly catered this event.
Saturday is “Devon Day,” a show that has had its share of criticism. This year the layout was more workable, so perhaps they DO read the reviews of the weekend! Under breeder/judge and former pro handler Merle Taylor, Mercedes repeated her BOB win of Thursday. Winners Dog, a new player on Saturday, was Friendship Hill Crown Royal, owned by Peggy Browne and Patty Gallatin. Merle liked him well enough to take him all the way to Best Opposite. Winners Bitch went to J-Mars All That Jazz, owned by Peggy, Jerry and Danica Burge. BOW went to the dog.
Longtime breeder/judge Bill deVilleneuve had the honor of passing on Montgomery’s largest entry, 157 Scottish Terriers. After some growing pains (and some hellacious weather-karma) the “new” Blue Bell site just continues to get better.
Bill was faced with a stunning entry of 42 dogs, 74 bitches, 25 specials and 16 in the non-regular classes (less absentees). It was an overjoyed Bergit Coady who found herself in the top spot, winning BOB from the Veteran Bitch class with Ch. Blueberry’s Attitude Dancing. This must have been deja vu, as Bergit and “Carly” also took the top spot in 2004. Carly is owned by Kathi Brown and Susan Getgood. Best Opposite went to Ch. Deblin’s Just Talk’N, owned by Deborah Brooks and Joel Goldberg. Bill found his Winners Dog in Gaidoune Offer U Can’t Refuse owned by Gene and Linda Haines. He is a son of the Best of Breed bitch. Winners Bitch and BOW went to Friday’s Best In Sweeps winner, Glenby’s Regal Spirit.
Unfortunately many folks wander off after the breed judging, just when the non-regular classes are being judged. This year a class for dogs and bitches with Earthdog titles was offered, rewarding those whose Scotties can still do “what comes natur’lly.” Winner was what had to be the most titled Scottie of the weekend, Ch. Fireheart’s Mona Lisa UD RAE AX NAP NF JE owned by Kathleen and Anne Foley, and bred by John and Marianne Melucci. She is not only a conformation champ, but sports a string of agility titles, as well as Junior Earthdog and the ultimate obedience title, Utility Dog. She also topped the Brood Bitch class. Congratulations to her very talented trainer/owners. My hat is off to anyone who can show a Scottie brace. This year the number one spot went to Shelia Scott and Kyra Dennis’ Stalwart’s Spin Doctor and Stalwart’s Lyric, who did us proud in the Group ring.
Montgomery has for many years hosted our national specialty, and it is my fervent hope that the membership of the STCA does not move the national to a more “convenient” Midwest location, as has been discussed in recent years. We have never seriously considered moving Westminster to New Jersey for convenience sake; the historical significance of the show taking place at the Garden is indisputable. Nor should we lose sight of the significance of Montgomery and the importance of having our showcase event at the world’s premier terrier show. The finest terriers in the world stood in the big ring on Sunday night, cheered on by terrier lovers from around the country and around the world. If it didn’t bring a lump to your throat, you either are not a terrier lover, or you weren’t paying attention. Montgomery is magic. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

After the fantastic turnout for the Dandie Club’s 75th Anniversary show in November of 2007, 2008’s more average entry, which, according to anecdotal reports additionally was curtailed by the economy, gas prices and airline rates, seemed small indeed. Size aside, the entry had broad representation, with Dandies from both coasts, the south to the north and both ends of Canada. The entry was basically stable across the four days, from 23 to 26, although by Sunday there was some absentee attrition. Many fanciers arrived Tuesday at the Best Western host hotel: those not attending the Annual Board meeting Wednesday wandered over to Hatboro grounds to claim a spot and take advantage of the quiet day to catch up with old friends.
Nine in the morning ring time on the first day seemed a bit brutal, but a sparkling entry was ready and raring to go in the brisk morning air for Judge Dr Scott Kellogg. The first purple of the weekend went to the mustard dog KING’S MTN. FIEVEL MOUSEKEWITZ, (by Ch Jollygaze Quick Step x Ch King’s Mtn. Minnie Mouse) breeder/owners Betty-Anne Stenmark and Sandra Pretari , handled by co-owner Jennifer Hecker. In bitches, Dr. Kellogg took the Canadian Open Bitch GLAHMS TOB OR NOT TOBE to Winners and Best of Winners. This mustard by Ch Glahms Heir Presumptive x Ch Glahms Mistress Maud had breeder/owner Mike Macbeth on the lead. For the first Terrier Group of the weekend, Dr. Kellogg sent Ch. PENNYWISE HOT PURSUIT (by Ch Tigh O’Tykes Bobby Burns x Ch Pennywise Gilded Lily)as his breed winner; this mustard boy was bred, owned and shown by Cathy Nelson. The rosette for BOS was awarded to mustard Ch. KING’S MTN. MINNIE MOUSE (by Ch Hobergay’s Fineus Fogg x Ch King’s Mtn. Mouse Trap). Owned by Don Watkins, Mark Smith and Sandra Pretari – handled by Don - breeders are Sandra Pretari, Ryan Horvath and Betty-Anne and Roy Stenmark.
Friday at Hatboro brought another early start for the Dandie group, but the pain of the 8 a.m. schedule was mitigated by Mr. Robert Hutton’s ring assignment in one of the pavilions, putting the pooches on a hard surface instead of dewy grass. The pepper Open Dog GATEWAY SPARKS OF GLAHMS (by Glahms Lord Albertson x Ch Glahms Lady Katherine) collected WD and BW for breeder/owner Anne Johnston and co-owner Mike Macbeth. In bitches Mr Hutton pulled his winner from the Bred-By Class, sending KING’S MTN. APPLEY DAPPLEY to the marker. The top winners repeated their Thursday success, with Best of Breed to Ch. PENNYWISE HOT PURSUIT and Best of Opposite to Ch. KING’S MTN. MINNIE MOUSE.
Friday evening marked the Annual Banquet and Auction, held in the charming Victorian “Washington House” restaurant. The private room was just the right size for convivial mingling and the food terrific (no rubber chicken at this event!) Merlyn Green ably stepped in for scheduled auctioneer Dwayne Early, casted and home bound with a broken leg, and the troops trooped home at a reasonable hour with party favors and auction treasures in hand.
As we all know, another glorious day dawned at Devon, where the modified and much improved layout and 11 AM ring time brought smiles to exhibitor faces. Judge Mr. Rod Herner evaluated the dogs and presented KING’S MTN. FIEVEL MOUSEKEWITZ the Winners Dog ribbon and the mustard’s second major of the weekend. The 9 to 12 mustard puppy bitch CLOSSONGREY FROST ON THE PUMPKIN (by Ch Pennywise King’s Mtn. MVP x Ch Clossongrey King’s Mtn. Camilla) picked up WB and BW for breeder Miriam Couto and her owner handler Cathy Nelson. A mustard day at the markers, Ch. PENNYWISE HOT PURSUIT and Ch. KING’S MTN. MINNIE MOUSE ‘three-peated’ as BOB and BOs respectively.
Before heading to the hotel and the Annual Meeting and club buffet, many detoured to the Montgomery grounds to snare a grooming spot. With afternoon ring time for the Specialty the prospect of a more leisurely morning and avoiding the dawn traffic jam was quite appealing. Business aside, the Annual Meeting is the time for some of the club’s award presentations, including sterling pins for extraordinary sustained membership. Top award went to our own Dr. Josephine Deubler for fifty-five years in the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America. Although unable to be with us in person, her presence strongly was felt that evening and the next day at her beloved Montgomery. The Windsedge Trophy for outstanding club service was given to Jerry and Linda Glick for a combination of sustained efforts as Jerry serves as editor of the club magazine and they have been hosts of the hospitality room for several years of east coast specialties. Miriam Couto was cheered and honored as the recipient of the Sportsmanship Trophy.-
Ask any terrier person to describe the ideal day for a dog show and they only need say “Montgomery 2008”. Cool in the shade, pleasant in the sun, rings many deep with terrier aficionados and you have the ideal setting to showcase the breed. For Dandies the specialty theme was “Picture This” and Specialty chair Norma Ryan carried out the plan with an array of digital cameras, camera cases, LCD photo displays and even mini key ring “spy” cameras covering the table amid the gleaming sterling collection of prized challenge trophies.
Mr. Kenneth McDermott officiated for the Specialty, and if his wide smile as we began was any indication, was eagerly anticipated the assignment. With a consistent ring pattern and procedure he sorted through the dogs and sent ELFWISH DARYL to the winners spot (and eventually BW), finishing the dog in fine fashion! GLAHMS TOBE OR NOT TOBE as WB took her second major of the weekend. Finally – the finale – Mr. McDermott placed Ch. PENNYWISE HOT PURSUIT at the front of lineup as Best of Breed followed by Ch. KING’S MTN. MINNIE MOUSE as his selection for BOS, making it four for four in these positions for these winners.
Every other year the Dandie Specialty rotates and next year will see the clan gathering in Columbus Ohio in November for the big event. Until then, good wishes for safe travel, good health and beautiful puppies.