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Commentary of Hap Sutliff, Judge for the 2007
Lucas Terrier Club of America Virtual Dog Show
Thank you very much for inviting me to judge the first internet dog show of the Lucas Terrier Club of America. I hope that someday the American breeders will be able to gather together to put on their own proper dog show. Dog shows are important for all dog breeds including the Lucas as it allow us to see what others think of our dogs and where the breed stands at that moment of time and where the breed needs to go for the future.
The concept of an internet dog show is healthy one, but one which can only truthfully judge the dogs on looks. A judge really needs to put his hands on each and every dog. For all Terriers especially, the bite is very important so that the dog may really do the job that the breed was bred to do. Sir Jocelyn Lucas was a keen working terrier enthusiast and no doubt bites were important to him. Substance and bone is another thing which cannot be judged from photos.
For all judges, movement is one of the most important aspects when judging. That way you can determine if the conformation and structure match the movement. It boils down to form and function.
I have tried to judge by the Lucas Terrier Standard, but I find it a bit vague in places, for example, Tail set: “The set of tail is neither high nor low set”. The best written Standards not only tell you what is incorrect, but also correct and this vague statement makes no sense to me as to what is the correct placement, only what is not desired. Sorry!
Given the disadvantages of not actually seeing these 22 wonderful Lucas Terriers in person, certain aspects are quite clear. These are 22 of the most loved and happiest of all dogs anywhere. Their personalities simply radiate from the photos so much that you want to declare all of them first prize.
Unfortunately this is not an option, so I declare the following as the class winners of this dog show:
Puppy Bitch: (FIRST) Suzi Neilson (Inchyra's Suzie): nicely balanced pup. Head is in proportion to body and
length of muzzle suggests a good bite. Proper V-shaped ears. Shoulders well laid back. Well turned stifle.
Tail set is excellent. Should mature nicely.
One Year-old Bitch: (FIRST) Hall’s Lexi: very appealing color. Everything in proportion throughout.
Chest well let down between the legs. Well bent stifles with proper muscling on the thighs which
others in this class lacked. Tail set also appeals. Congratulations.
One Year-old Dog: (FIRST) Lucas Farb (Peat's Willow): really nice class of dogs was topped by this
outstanding Lucas Terrier. He oozes breed type and is everything you could want at this age. He neither
resembles a Sealy or a Norfolk so is true Lucas type. Lovely head, neck and shoulder. Straight topline, Good
tail set and proper quarters. A lovely boy.
Two to Four Year Old Bitch (FIRST): Mrs. Maggie Cooper: this was by far the most difficult class to
judge as there were so many types, colors, types of grooming, etc. which made picking a winner very hard.
I ultimately decided in favor of Mrs. Maggie Cooper as her photo made it the easiest to judge her virtues
which are many. She is completely in proportion throughout and I especially like her well let down
chest. She is very girly which just what you want.
Two to Four Year Old Dog (FIRST) Colvilles Luca: another difficult class to judge as another entrant
had a stunning head, but the angle of the photo was such that no other aspects of the conformation could
be determined. Luca seems a handsome boy and also has a nice head. I particularly liked his rear which
appears to have great muscling in the quarters region. Well bent thighs and nice tail.
Veteran Dog or Bitch: (FIRST) Ollie Mason (Frost's Ollie Merriwether Lewis): at eight years old he wears
them well. Completely balanced dog. Chest well let down between the shoulders as one ought to expect from
a dog of this age. Nice head, good color and good rear. A grand old man.
BEST IN SHOW: Lucas Farb (Peat's Willow). To me this dog just stands out above the rest for his breed type
and conformation. Judged solely from a photo, this dog is the epitome of the Lucas Terrier in my opinion and
stands the breed well for the future. Congratulations!
Thanks again to all the wonderful sports who allowed their dogs to come under the scrutiny of a California
Sealyham enthusiast. All of you are winners!
Hap Sutliff
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