Dandie Dinmont Terriers in the UK

Caledonian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club Championship Show 2006:

Judge's Remarks

The border country of Scotland is the birthplace of the Dandie Dinmont. It was thus an honour to have the opportunity to judge what I was told is a Scottish record for Dandies in competition in Kelso, their historical and spiritual home. Although the Caledonian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club is the youngest of the three U.K. breed clubs, it is the most enthusiastic and passionate. Tait Hall was festooned with Dandie memorabilia and Scottish décor. Giant tartan rosettes hung from the ceiling, and arrangements of giant thistles and heather graced the show ring, all cleverly designed by talented committee members Moira Harper, Ann Skitt, Maureen Morrice and Gill Denham. Thank you so much ladies, for including the Canadian flag! Vice Convenor Jean Bedborough tempted money from our wallets with her memorabilia stall, and Moira Harper, her sister Lillias and friend Moira tempted us with their lovely luncheon. Convenor Brian Kerrush doubled capably as announcer, and his tribute to Deidre MacLeod was heart warming.

My thanks also to Honorary Secretary Keith Derry, whose guidance, encouragement and quiet presence was felt everywhere. It is said if you want something done, give it to a busy person, and Keith personifies that statement. Congratulations to Margaret Derry, for her tireless work on the excellent Caledonian magazine, which was available at the show.

Treasurer and webmaster extraordinaire Hilary Cheyne and club member Paul Keevil magnetized the press with an outstanding pre-show publicity initiative, resulting in record attendance by the public to see the 54 dogs in competition (representing 83 entries). Over 200 visitors were met in the foyer by charming Dandie ambassadors, and information about the vulnerable state of this ancient breed.

My first assignment on British soil was effortless thanks to my two excellent and organized stewards, Meriel Taylor and Carol Dunford who conducted the proceedings seamlessly.

As a second generation Dandie breeder, born in Britain, who showed Dandies as a child before emigrating to Canada and who has observed the vicissitudes of the breed over five decades, my overall impression is that the breed has improved considerably, particularly in the past twenty years. The current British breeders, both novice and experienced, should be congratulated. Gone are the over-exaggerated toplines, with too steep a rise over the loin and tails growing out of the highest point of the back. (The standard calls for a "slight" dip behind the wither and "corresponding" rise over the loin - which one must remember also means slight.) Gone are what the old breeders used to refer to as the dreaded "oriental eyes", small beady almond shaped eyes, set high on the head, more at home on a Collie.

For the most part, the shape, size, set and colour of the eye, which gives the Dandie its unique, luminous and almost human expression, has improved significantly. Skulls could be a little larger, generally, and a deep, good stop, which is imperative for a quality head, was appropriately rewarded.

Unfortunately, a correct head, with its large skull and deep square muzzle can sometimes be carried on heavy and wide apart shoulders, and often on a shorter coupled body. The challenge for the Dandie breeder is to place this beautiful head on a long curvaceous body with a clean shoulder, a good front, correct ribbing, a short loin and well angulated hindquarters.

Generally necks, shoulders and the all-important ribbing, which provides the foundation for the unique topline, have definitely improved over the past decades. However, although there were fewer "tummy tappers" than there have been in the past, many dogs did not display the reach and even more important, drive that correct front and rear angulation assures.

Jackets were, as always, dependent upon the skill of the presenter and the timing since the last stripping. But coats were generally correct in texture and the balance between undercoat and guard hairs, and colour was excellent. Although teeth in some specimens could be larger, and two exhibits had missing teeth,

there were no undershot mouths.

 I thank the show committee, the exhibitors, the enthusiasts, and most important, the beautiful Dandies for the privilege of judging my beloved breed in my ancestral nation. Particularly as I understand I am the first North American to judge a U.K. Dandie club championship show. In conclusion, I must congratulate the exhibitors and the breeders. Despite being a "vulnerable breed", despite our small numbers, it is comforting to know Dandies in Britain are in good hands.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Macbeth, Ontario, Canada.

Results:

Minor Puppy Dog (1)

Morrice's Shonillian Dandilly Digby Balanced, elegant, sound mustard youngster with lovely head and skull, beautiful expression, excellent topline and tail set, rich coat colour and correct texture. Deserving winner of Best Puppy in Show

Puppy Dog (1)

Fisher's Mosterlada Who Dares Wins at Gypsywish Nice headed pepper dog, good skull particularly for his age. Excellent mouth with desired wide teeth, nice pepper coat with correct balance of undercoat and overcoat. Body is still maturing and still in its awkward stage.

Special Yearling Dog (1)

Mosterlada Who Dares Wins at Gypsywish (as above)

Post Graduate Dog (1)

Denham's Dentgate Royal Approval Nice headed dog with good skull and expression, thin ears. A little restricted in movement due to a heavier than desired shoulder. Wonderful eye catching pepper colour

Limit Dog (1)

Halliwell's Dengold Enterprise Pleasing pepper with charming personality. Good skull and muzzle, thin ears, correct ribbing, good coat, a little restricted in movement.

Open Dog (5 - 1 ab)

1. Jamieson and Buist's Ch Inzievar Silver Gilt Outstanding pepper dog that dominated the ring standing and moving. Fabulous head, with great skull, large wide, low set dark liquid eyes. Beautiful coat and condition. Perfectly balanced with an elegant neck flowing into clean well angulated shoulders, correct topline and tail set. A wonderful front assembly, and perfect ribbing, combined with an exceptional hindquarter with correct length of stifle and rear angulation creates superb movement with flowing reach and drive. CC AND BOB

2. Derry's Ch Vistca Van Der Valk Eye catching mustard dog with outstanding ring presence. Lovely head and skull, atop a beautiful sound body with all the required lovely curves so desired in this breed. Excellent ribbing. Superb coat, rich beautiful colour and correct texture, in beautiful condition. RCC

Veteran Dog (3)

1. Coleman's Follycott Frank Lee Lovely older gentleman, with a good head and a large nose, which gives a Dandie a much more attractive expression. Excellent topline and length and a superb pepper coat. Best Veteran in Show

2. Jarvis' Ch Mosterlada Golden Loon Charming mustard dog, just shy of his 9^th birthday, with an excellent coat and beautiful colour. Nice outline, but preferred the eye set and depth of stop of the winner. Excellent ring attitude.

Puppy Bitch (2) 

1. Jarvis' Mosterlada Shooting Star Nicely balanced sound mustard puppy with a good, dark eye, lovely front, nice neck and shoulders, with lovely coat and rich colour.

2. Coleman's Schalulleke Izzydibble Larger, slightly older and more mature mustard, with nice neck and topline, well made body, but a little heavier in front than #1.

Junior Bitch (4 - 1 ab)

1. Kerrush's Inzievar Gold Ring Beautiful, elegant mustard with good head and expression. Exceptional neck and shoulder, well balanced body, great ribbing, correct topline and tailset. Stunning red coat with correct texture. RCC

2. Jarvis' Mosterlada Shooting Star (as above)

Special Yearling Bitch (5 - 1 ab)

1. Morris' Hendell Tassel at Pennywave Mustard with nice head and expression, good topline. Despite her obvious quality, being overweight encumbered and spoiled her movement

2. Halliwell's Hendell Cassiopia of Dengold Litter sister to #1. Good head, skull and expression, nice mustard coat. Preferred her sister's shoulders and hindquarter.

Novice Bitch (5 - 1 ab)

1. Morris' Hendell Tassel at Pennywave (as above)

2. Roberts de Fernandez' Hendell Thornbird Another litter sister, pepper with sweet expression, nice outline. Unfortunately timing being everything, she was out of coat on the day.

Graduate Bitch (2 - 1 ab)

1. Smethurst's Finloren Betsy Trotwood Nice headed pepper bitch with pretty eye and expression. Correct outline standing still but limited in movement fore and aft, possibly in part due to inexperience and reticence.

Post Graduate Bitch (5 - 1 ab)

1. Smethurst's Finloren Betsy Trotwood (as above)

2. Bedborough's Pitfirrane Lady Jane Quality mustard with good head and lovely liquid eye, good topline, and nice coat. Like the winner, also a reluctant mover.

Limit Bitch (6 - 1 ab)

1. Cameron's Inzievar Silver Bonnet Elegant pepper with exceptional head, so difficult to find in a bitch, large skull, low set wide apart dark eyes, deep square balanced muzzle. Lovely outline, graceful neck and topline, sound body, perfect ribbing, beautiful movement, in outstanding condition. Littermate to the BOB. CC and BOS

2. Mannia's Wazzly Persephone at Kirskill Another lovely free moving pepper bitch, with a nice topline and good coat. Nice head, muzzle a little longer with not as much stop as #1.

Open Bitch (7 - 4 ab)

1. Hislop's Inzievar Sterling Silver The most difficult class of the day to judge, with several excellent females. The winner had the best overall quality, with a good head, nice outline and topline and excellent pepper coat.

2. Jarvis' Mosterlada Silver Lining Another quality female with good head and topline, good front, correct movement. Being out of coat on the day made the difference between #1 and #2.

Veteran Bitch (3 - 1 ab)

1. Motler's Renald Iolanthe of Wazzly Delightful 9 year old with a lovely head and exceptional personality. Persistent tail wagger, oozing charm. Has kept her shapely figure. Lovely mustard coat of correct texture.

2. Oakes and Searle's Brackenford Cameo Another sweet happy veteran, 8 years old with good head and expression, lovely shape, pleased to be in the ring, just not in as good coat as #1.