Interview with Eva Fekete – Montgomery County Kennel Club 2022 Breed Judge

Interview with Montgomery County Kennel Club Breed Judge (Lakeland Terrier), Eva Fekete

What does it mean to be invited to judge at the Montgomery County Kennel Club dog show, the most prestigious Terrier event in the world?

Eva Fekete: To be invited by the parent club to judge their National Specialty at Montgomery County Kennel Club is one of the greatest honors a breeder-judge can aspire to! When I attended my first Montgomery back in the late 1980s as a complete novice to showing and breeding, I never dreamed that one day I would adjudicate at this prestigious show. It was a great compliment that the United States Lakeland Terrier Club recognized my experience, contributions, and accomplishments in the breed, and thought me worthy to judge in that arena.

Do you have any thoughts you’d like to share about your Breed assignment(s) this year? Please be specific.

Eva Fekete: I was greatly honored to have a record entry of 52 Lakelands to judge! Overall, I thought the entry to be of very high quality, which meant there were no easy decisions when choosing my placements. Breed type was strong and I was happy to see exhibits of correct size, proportion, and substance.

My Best of Breed, Ch. Hi-Kel Terrydale Nanhall Mizzconceived, ticked all the boxes. Presented flawlessly and in perfect condition, she was balanced throughout with excellent breed type; her movement was sound and ground-covering. She owned the ring and could not be denied!

Best of Winners, Saredon Bond Girl, was a very close second to the breed winner. Another typey, sound, beautifully presented Lakeland Terrier Breed exhibiting all the breed hallmarks.

Best of Opposite was awarded to Ch. Paisley Notwithstanding. A handsome, typey, masculine, grizzle and tan dog that I couldn’t fault. Of course, the highlight of the day was to watch two of my winners go through to the winner’s circle.

Best Bred-By Exhibitor, Northcote Child’s Play, was awarded Group Fourth in the BBE Group, and I was beyond thrilled to watch my Best of Breed take out the ultimate award of Best in Show!

What can today’s breeders and exhibitors in the other Groups learn from their Terrier counterparts? What can be learned from a show like Montgomery?

Eva Fekete: To have that many Terriers in attendance in one place is a sight to behold and that “Terrier-tude” vibe can be felt all day! People travel from across the globe to attend this event and it is a great opportunity to not just reunite with old friends but to network with other breeders and judges to expand our Terrier knowledge. As Terrier numbers are declining in the show ring, and often many of the Terrier breeds are only represented in single digit entries or not at all, I recommend to those who are not “Terrier People” that Montgomery is a must-attend event to learn about and appreciate our Terrier breeds. Montgomery attracts the highest caliber Terriers and is, indeed, the Greatest Terrier Show on Earth!