The National terrier show was held at the Bingley Hall, County Showground (Stafford) on Saturday 5th April. We reached by car and soon we verified we wouldn’t have problems to leave the car in the big parking; an important part of it was green grass, as the venue is located outside the urban centre. When we saw the indoor premises we noted quickly the difference with the NEC where Cruft’s is held: the venue is smaller so you can take control of all the activities easily, and the glamorous air your breath in Cruft’s simply becomes in a countryside, family atmosphere. Of course, the organization of the event is near to perfection as you can expect of British people. Before to entry in the comments of the KBT judgement of the day, I just want to refer some of the entries: 187 Borders, 101 Cairns, 59 Bedlingtons, 88 Norfolks, 49 Dandie Dinmonts, 257 Staffords or 138 Westies, for a total of 1.780 dogs and 2.179 entries.

      KBT’s were judged by Pat Munro, one of the big names in the Terrier British scene and breed specialist with a brilliant curriculum in the breed history. In fact, the BOB last year was Ch. Edbrios Bohemian Ivanhoe at Arkama, owned by Pat and Cara Davani. Regarding the judgement, the entry was smaller than the Club show, with some absences, but we saw some interesting dogs. In males the most attractive class was open with four dogs in the ring: Lemracdream Banaek (19/07/05 Torum’s Electrik Bill x Torum’s Dancing Mist), handled by breeder-owner Ms. Clarke-O’Neill, and winner of the RDCC in the last Northern KBT Club ch. Show; Edbrios Amadeus (28/11/05 Ch. Torum’s Hollywood Jack x Ch. Kerrydom Court Dhaulagiri at Edbrios), winner of one CC at Belfast show last year and showed in Ireland by Phillip O’ Brien in a limited basis due to obvious reasons; Torum’s Lemracdream Rainbow George (19/07/05 litter brother to Banaek), who was BOB at Manchester in January under Ken Connor, handled by Michael Coad for owner Ron Ramsay, and Cranmoss Fergal (13/10/04 Granemore Milngavie x Granemore Dardjine), winner of 2 CC’s last year, handled by breeder-owner Lynette Wilkinson. First was Amadeus, second Rainbow George, third Banaek and fourth Fergal.

      In bitches, there were two interesting classes, Junior and Open. In Junior the exhibits were Dollagh Razzle Dazzle (6/01/07 Cranmoss Fergal x Dollagh Bright Spark); Step n Out of Irisblu (24/03/07 Irisblu Artfu Dodger x Kamaghan Unforgettable for Irisblu); the sisters Cranmoss Jinty and Cranmoss Bronty (28/10/06 Ch. Torum’s Tunde Bayou x Cranmoss Fizzy Lizzy) and Newent Serenity (27/06/07 Newent Orpheus x Lunabrook Make it hi life for Newent). The winner was Cranmoss Bronty, a bitch who delighted all the fanciers in the last Northern KBT Club Championship show in October ’07 and she confirmed her options for a bright future in the circuit. Second was Step n Out for Irisblu and third Dollagh Razzle Dazzle.

      The open class had four exhibits with three absences. It was exciting to see the BOB at Cruft’s Neat Petite at Hallsblu (13/05/05 Ch. Glenfitor DJ Carey x Sky Dancer) in the game against the BIS of the Northern KBT Club show ’07 Am.Ch. Torum’s Dornicks Luella (21/10/04 Ch. Torum’s Corky Capers x Torum’s Domino); moreover, a nice bitch who travelled from Ireland, Ir.Ch. Sharp n Shocking of Irisblu (02/07/05 Ch. Kamaghan Mr. Ballistic x Lunabrook just look at me now), and Cranmoss Fizzy Lizzy (28/09/03 sister to Cranmoss Fergal). The final positions were: 1. Neat Petite at Hallsblu, who travelled from Northern Ireland too, handled expertly as always by owner John Weatherhead of famous Hallsblu kennels; 2. Sharp n Shocking of Irisblu; 3. Torum’s Dornicks Luella.

      Then we had an Irish final in the breed. That moment was very nice to see due the quality of the contenders and the little time of game they dedicate us. At the end and after a lot of time of thinking, Pat Munro gave the rosette to Phillip O’Brien. The bitch became champion in the show. Later, Amadeus did well in the show final, achieving a fourth position behind the Norwich who is winning BIS in the last Championship shows in the UK, and the nice Lakeland and Wire.

      The KBTA Show was on the Sunday and in Penkridge, which is only about 15 minutes drive from the National terrier venue. The show was held in a hotel where exhibitors and public had rooms booked for the weekend. Mr. John Madden (Madragorm) from Ireland was the judge with 67 dogs in the catalogue. I would like to pay special attention to the bitch classes in my comments because I saw a higher number of exhibits and more quality in the minor classes. Really, the breeding in Great Britain have a brilliant future if we think every solid breeding stock must to count with excellent brood bitches.

      The open dog and bitch classes were specially interesting, so I will dedicate the next lines to that moments of the show to avoid a text too long for the reader. Only one note to refer a very promising young dog: Netherwood’s Nedavir Notorious, who won the limit class; he is by Ch. Cranmoss Finbar of Colinca and he’s beautifully constructed, with a powerful movement, nice head, long neck and superb tailset. The open dog class was possibly the best I saw in the last years I attended Cruft’s and some other Club shows in Great Britain. Different types of dogs, but the judge had a difficult task that day because majority of them had a heavy presence in the ring; I’m talking about that special virtue that every exhibitor looks for in a showdog.

      Finally, John Madden gave the first place to Amadeus, presented in top condition by owner Phillip O’Brien. He’s an attractive dog in a moderate appearance, and I would say the same the judge said in his comments: ‘this dog did not put a foot wrong’. Second was the famous Nagle’s Ch. Cranmoss Finbar of Colinca (18/02/03 Ch. Torum’s Tunde Bayou x Granemore Dardjine), with an exceptional career in the last years in Great Britain and Ireland.: he’s a strong dog with an impressive presence in static and an easy powerful movement. Third was Gaelachgorm Flurry Knox (12/01/03 Ch. Sign Seal and Delivered x Ch. Dasumianco Face Value); a controversial dog who generate different feelings in the fanciers, but he has 2 CC’s and he only needs one more for the crown. Talking about this dog we can’t pronounce the word moderate: he has a super long neck and a cartoon shape that makes him a little exaggerated. He was in the outstanding handling of owner Bob Deardon. Fourth was Cranmoss Fergal, handled this time by Tony Manning and fitth Arkama Pinball Wizard at Philwyre, owned by Phil Carvey and Cara Davani, and handled by Phil.

      In the bitch class the judge had a hard work again. Four bitches in the ring with three absences. The winner, as previous day, was John Weatherhead’s Ch. Neat Petite at Hallsblu (13/05/05 Ch. Glenfitor DJ Carey by Miculadh x Sky Dancer). In my opinion this bitch displays a feminine appearance in a superb coat and colour, and she shows an excellent movement. Second was Granemore Imperial Beauty of Colinca ( 22/02/06 Ch. Torum’s Tunde Bayou x Granemore Calaamintha of Colinca), one of the best ones in the British circuit , and, like the judge, I would say she will be winning CC’s soon in the future. Third was Quigg’s Ch. Sharp n Shocking of Irisblu (05/07/05 Ch. Kamaghan Mr. Ballistic x Lunabrook Just Look at me now), expertly handled as always by owner. Fourth was Moss’ Montealto’s Rainy Day Woman at Kopykats (25/01/06 Perrisblu Emperor x Lescareiot Magical Millie), handled by Tony Manning for owner.

      Curiously, the BIS and RBIS were to two dogs, Edbrios Amadeus and Ch. Cranmoss Finbar of Colinca. Once more, the best male and best of opposite sex were bred in Ireland and showed by Irish people: it happened at Cruft’s, and naturally in this weekend where Phillip O’Brien and John Weatherhead made double-double both in the National and the KBTA show. Amadeus and Neat Petite achieved their third CC this weekend and now they are British champions. No dude in my opinion they deserved that honours.

      Maybe, someone could ask him/herself where are the best Kerries. I don’t have the answer, but if you know the Kerries in Europe, and you have the opportunity to travel to Great Britain or Ireland, it could be interesting to attend some important show and seeing the breeding there.