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The Weekly Brief
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Molli Nyman: For a lifelong terrier enthusiast, Montgomery is simply the ultimate show, and being invited to judge the American Fox Terrier Club National Specialty there was truly a dream come true and one of the greatest honors of my life in dogs.
I come from Finland and have been breeding Smooth Fox Terriers under my Texforrier prefix for 34 years. Although I am not an officially licensed judge, I have had the pleasure of judging unofficial Breed Specialties in several countries over the years. However, nothing quite compares to being invited to judge your own beloved breed at Montgomery!
My first visit to Montgomery was in 2000, and I have returned more than ten times since, mostly as a spectator but also a few times as an exhibitor. This was my very first judging assignment at Montgomery, and I could not have wished for a more special occasion.
What made the experience so extraordinary was the opportunity to go over so many beautiful Smooth Fox Terriers, presented by people who share the same lifelong passion for the breed. After more than three decades as a breeder, having my experience and dedication recognized with such an invitation meant more to me than words can express. It is a memory I will treasure forever.
Molli Nyman: I was absolutely delighted with the entry of 63 Smooth Fox Terriers, which I understand was the largest entry for the breed at Montgomery in the past ten years. When I first visited the show in 2000, there were close to 200 Smooths entered! Although the numbers have declined considerably since those days, the quality of the dogs competing at Montgomery remains truly outstanding.
The Best of Breed competition was particularly impressive. There were so many excellent dogs to choose from, and I was extremely pleased with my final lineup. My Best of Breed winner, GCHS Aimhi Side Bet, was a fantastic representative of the breed, combining beautiful breed type, balance, quality, and that unmistakable Smooth Fox Terrier character. My Best of Opposite Sex was his young paternal half-sister, a beautiful bitch of very similar type and quality. Interestingly, my Winners Dog was also sired by the same dog. It was wonderful to see such consistency in type and quality across different generations.
There were also some lovely dogs in the regular classes, which gives me great confidence in the future of the breed. One particularly special moment was being able to award an Award of Merit to a 10-1/2-year-old male who was still in absolutely wonderful condition. He was a beautiful example of the breed and a reminder of how well a correctly built, sound terrier can age.
Having followed Smooth Fox Terriers internationally for decades, I genuinely believe that the quality of the breed in the United States is among the very best in the world. The depth of quality, particularly in the Best of Breed competition, was a real pleasure to experience from the judge’s perspective.
I would like to extend my warmest thanks to every exhibitor who entered their dogs and made this such a memorable occasion. My sincere thanks also go to my wonderful ring stewards, Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine and Darle Hecht, whose professionalism and kindness were invaluable. Coming from a different judging system, I especially appreciated their help and support throughout the day. It was an experience I will never forget!
Molli Nyman: There is simply nothing quite like Montgomery! It is not just a dog show, it is an experience every serious dog enthusiast should have at least once in their lifetime.
The atmosphere is truly unique. The beautiful showgrounds, the traditions, the excitement, the magnificent terriers and, above all, the people make it something very special. Bruce Schwartz and his entire team do an absolutely fantastic job organizing the event. Every detail seems to have been carefully considered, and the dedication behind the show is evident everywhere.
Montgomery brings together some of the finest terriers in America, and increasingly, outstanding dogs from around the world. Where else can you see so many top-quality representatives of so many terrier breeds in one place? For breeders and judges especially, it is an incredible opportunity to study breed type, compare dogs, develop your eye, and learn from some of the most knowledgeable terrier people in the world.
But Montgomery is also about friendships, shared passion, and the wonderful international terrier community. Over the years, I have made so many dear friends through this show, and returning always feels a little like coming home.
My advice is simple: come and experience it yourself! You don’t have to be a terrier person to appreciate Montgomery, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you leave as one. There is a reason why it is called “The Greatest Terrier Show on Earth!”
Meet the Judges
