Well, the so-called “terrier weekend” started off with a little Frenchie going Best at Hatboro on Thursday, followed by a Wire bitch on Friday, an Airedale class bitch on Saturday and the number two terrier, the Lakeland dog, capping off a great year with his Montgomery award. The four days of intense terrier competition had three all breed shows precede this, the last year of its venue for Montgomery in Ambler. Truth be known, the expansions at the Temple campus have made the show virtually unholdable there. Fortunately, the Montgomery people have found what appears to be a great new venue in nearby Blue Bell on the Montgomery Junior College Campus. Parking sounds as though it will be incredibly improved, and the clubs will certainly be able to continue their independently operated specialties in even greater profusion and with greater ease than in the past.
Let's start with Montgomery and work backwards—what an incredible weather day for showing dogs. This notwithstanding the need to arrive close to 5:30 a.m. in order to find any parking and not get
involved with the bus rides to and fro the outside parking area. This resulted in long lines and two or more hours of waiting time. That inconvenience will become a bad memory with the change in venue. Of course, each breed win for the terrier people here is a major achievement, and I have listed elsewhere in this issue all the breed winners. As far as I am concerned, the group here is icing on the cake, nonetheless there are few wins as greatly appreciated and anticipated as being named Best in Show at what is arguably the most prestigious show, if not in the world, then certainly in America-to dog people. And what a thrill it must have been for his owners, Mickey and Linda Low, to not only capture their third club show title in a row but to have their dog awarded the top prize as well. Following his group two of last year, Ch. Northcote Delzar Serious Riot, shown by Gabriel Rangel, justly earned this accolade and
became the first Lakeland in 17 years to be so honored. There is no denying the fact that he is as good a showdog as has ever been seen in America. Gabe has done one of the top, if not the top, great jobs in getting
this exhibit to perform perfectly and freshly on each and every occasion he is shown. It is as though it is a first outing, which is an amazing achievement for both the dog and his handler. And how proud his breeder Terri Alloway from Canada must have been. Happily, she was there with her husband Miller to see this all happen. An interesting sidelight to this entire episode, of course, is the fact that the Lows purchased this Larkspur-sired dog from Tracy Deloria, the handler of the heretofore mentioned Wire bitch that won Hatboro 2, and along with the Lakie and the colored Bull Terrier, were the only three exhibits to capture their breeds all four days.
The other group placements were the smooth fox terrier ranked number three terrier, Ch. Broxden Rio Oso Best Dressed; a comparatively new Border, Ch. Skyline Sgt Pepper, and the number four ranked terrier, the colored bull Ch. Rocky Top's Sundance Kid. Quite frankly, I thought the overall quality in the group to be the best in years, which is a 
tribute to both the breeders for having bred such fine dogs and to the judges for basically having found them. Really, how often does one find mediocre breed winners, not because they weren't there but because they have failed to get out of their breeds? The crowds stayed to the end rooting on their various breed favorites, which has become quite the thing to do at this show. All in all, it was a most satisfactory Montgomery notwithstanding the parking problems. Again, Dr. Deubler, Walter Goodman and Jim McTernan are most capable mainstays, without whom it is hard to imagine 
the day's events running as smoothly as they did.
Now for Saturday and Devon. A class Airedale bitch imported from Australia was the ultimate winner. She won the club show on Sunday too and was best of breed the day before at Hatboro 2 as well. Her name is Oldiron Margaret River, and she was bred by Mr. R. and A. Sorraghan. Shown by one of her co owners, Maripi Wooldridge, she captured the hearts and eye of many. Devon has truly outgrown its grounds, although I must say this year ran as smoothly as any in many a year. I find that when dog people are aware that there may be physical inconveniences, they seen to rally to the fore, anticipate problems and roll with the punches. It's when things happen unexpectedly that problems arise. Perhaps if the Blue Belle site proves as good as everyone anticipates, Devon should give it a peek!
Bob Black has certainly through the years improved upon Hatboro. Both the grounds and the general demeanor here are tops, and while I have never been a fan of back to backs for this show, it works better each year. The pretty Wire bitch I wrote about before, Ch. Jadee Poetry For A Lady, owned and bred by the team of Linda Hembree, Ruth Dawson and Joyce Diehl, won Hatboro 2. As for Hatboro 1, Larry Cornelius showed the Frenchie adjudicated Best for owners Dr. and Mrs. Abel and Dr. and Mrs. Sullivan. Bred by the Sosa's, his name is Ch. Bandog's Jump For Joy. Certainly the Group competition was extremely high and competitive all three of the days, with some of the country's top ranked and recognized dogs in competition.
No matter how you look at it or how you may sum it up, this is one of the most exciting weekends and series of shows of the entire dog show circuit. Can't wait for next year, can you? •
