TONS OF TERRIERS

I am a terrier owner. That admission is part boast, part confession. I and my dogs resist house breaking and will sulk for days if spoken to harshly. We are suspicious of strangers and loathe all forms of vermin. We also tend to be a little argumentative. The late Anne Rogers Clark once said, “You always know where the Scotties are in the show hall. They’re the ones using the bad language.” However, we are loyal to a fault and are the ones to have on your side in a fight.

Anne Rogers Clark

Terrier people have many idiosyncrasies, other than a penchant for tweed and comfortable shoes. Among the best is the annual Montgomery County Kennel Club terriers only show. The 74th iteration of this tribal celebration is Sunday, October 5, in Blue Bell, PA, a pristine suburb of Philadelphia. I know there are other group gropes supported by the rest of dogdom. Today the Greater Atlanta Toy Dog Association is hosting what will be likely the largest gathering of its kind this year, with 371 entries. However, the terrier world, which counts among its registry only three breeds in the AKC top 50, mustered almost 2,500 entries for last year’s Montgomery County event.

2007 BIS Montgomery County Kennel Club
Ch. Evermay's High Performance

Almost every terrier national specialty club will host an entry in conjunction with the weekend. At no other show in the United States will you get 131 Scottish Terriers or 143 West Highland White Terriers. The top five terriers in the United States are:

1. Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice (see sidebar)

2. Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot (see sidebar)

3. Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier Of Fortune

4. Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Torquay S Demetrio

5. Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Broxden Dress For Success

However, don’t expect terrier people, or judges, to be predictable. Last year’s winner, the Airedale, Ch. Evermay's High Performance, won over not only the Sealie, Charmin, but another top ten all breed dog, the Irish Terrier, CH Geordan Tiger Lily. If you are anywhere near Philadelphia on October 5th, put on your Harris Tweed Jacket and your Hushpuppies, jump in the Jag, and motor on out to Blue Bell, PA. You’ll be speaking with a brogue by day’s end.