National Terrier 2023

All photos by Alan Seymour

Pictured in all win photos is Best in Show judge Mr. W. Browne-Cole

On April 1, a week following the UK Toydog Society show and in the same venue, we had the National Terrier. This is the only group show for Terriers, which have a long history as the Kennel Club was formed from the Terrier breeds.

This is one of my most favorite shows, and I have never missed one in my years of showing, starting with my beloved West Highland Whites. In days gone by, the excitement when you walked into the building was palpable, just like when you first step onto the grounds for the wonderful Montgomery County show in the U.S., though a comparison of the two would be rather silly. They each have a charm of their own.

At National Terriers of the past, from the crack of dawn there were all the handlers, dressed in white coats with teams of dogs, getting them ready. Handlers like the great Ernie Sharpe, Fred Sills, Frank Kellett, Albert Langley, Joe Cartledge, Georgie Barr, Edgar Sargison … oh, the list goes on. This was a show where young stars would make their debut, and loads of overseas buyers would be there to see what they could add to their kennels. Famous handlers from America would be there on behalf of clients: Peter Green, George Ward, Cliff Hallmark, Wood Wornall — again, the list goes on. 

We had so many great breeders around then, and so many of them owner-handlers who could easily keep up with the pros. Who could forget the great Linda Beak and her sister Brownie, and a team of Newmaidley Wires and Smooths? A young Geir Pedersen, well known for his Louline Wires, but he also would have an exciting Lakeland or a Welsh. Those were the day when there was a young blond girl from the then-Czechoslovakia showing a Westie, a certain Bergit Zakschewski, who was working at the famous Reanda Scottie kennel of Elsa Meyer. Of course, you know her better as Bergit Coady-Kabel.

Those were the days of the National Terrier.

But back to the present, and those days are long gone, sadly. The number of pro handlers has diminished, really just a handful nowadays. But even so, the show still has a magic of its own. We still see new stars, we still see exhibitors from the Continent regularly appear and win top awards. This year it was good to see Bruce Schwartz viewing and enjoying part of his European tour.

One interesting fact about this show is that to be invited to judge here, you have to be a Terrier person. Judging Terriers is not always easy, and there are certain parts of a Terrier that you must be able to appreciate. I know from my own personal view, expression is so important, and it is something that is hard to teach. You have to know it to appreciate it. Also, coat care and presentation are another very important part of a Terrier. Those are just my thoughts; others may differ!

So the day progressed, and as I said, many awards going overseas. I judged Kerry Blues, with the dog challenge going to the famous Italian kennel with Balboa Leonida. In Smooths, the dog challenge again going the well-known German kennel of Friedrich Schonenberg, handled by Croatian Juraj Sokolic with Earl vd Schoenen Bergen; they also won BOB in Wires with Blanca vd Schoenen Bergen. And also in Lakelands with the Canadian import Northcotes Isn't That The Way, co-owned with Terri Alloway and Kim Wendling. Jack Russells were won by the Japanese-bred Jap Ch. Monamour Hot Dance at Saredon. Italy again was successful in Westies with Best of Breed to Francesco Zaccariello's Ch/It Ch. Violent Warrior Vertragus, bred in Poland by Justyna and Paulina Skrobiszewska. And from Hungary came the BOB in Welsh Terriers, Monaline Unicum.

Reserve Best Terrier in Show was the Wire Fox Terrier Blanca vd Schoenen Bergen, owned by Mr. F.W. Schoenenberg, handled by Mr. J. Sokolic.

Terrier Group 3 was the West Highland White Terrier Ch. & It Ch. Violent Warrior Vertragus, owned by Mr. F. Zaccariello.

Terrier Group 3 was the West Highland White Terrier Ch. & It Ch. Violent Warrior Vertragus, owned by Mr. F. Zaccariello.

Mr. Bill Browne-Cole stepped into the ring to judge Best in Show, and from his line-up BIS went to last year’s Best Puppy in Show, the Bedlington Ch. Conekesheved Too Shy. Into second the before-mentioned Wire Fox Terrier. Third was the Italian-owned Westie, and fourth the Australian Terrier Ch Silhill Super Trouper.

Best Terrier Puppy in Show was the Scottish Terrier Brueik Olivia’s Star Chaser With Berrybreeze, owned by Miss C. Chapman.

Best Puppy in Show has to be decided after BIS now, and again from his line-up Mr. Browne-Cole chose the Scottish Terrier Brueik Olivia's Star Chaser with Berrybreeze. Second was the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Silkcroft Fortune and Glory. Third, the Irish Terrier Holbam Ace of Saredon, and fourth to the Parson Russell Terrier Dramalex She Is A Belter.

Reserve Best Terrier Puppy in Show was the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier  Silkcroft Fortune and Glory, owned by Mrs. C. and Mr. C.W. Satherley and Miss H. Billingham.

Terrier Puppy Group 3 was the Irish Terrier Holbam Ace of Saredon, owned by Mr. J. Averis and Mr. A. Barker.

Terrier Puppy Group 3 was the Irish Terrier Holbam Ace of Saredon, owned by Mr. J. Averis and Mr. A. Barker.