Interview With Linda Firth: 2026 MCKC Breed Judge

What is the best part about judging at Montgomery? How many times have you judged this show? How many years have you been attending as an exhibitor? As a spectator?

Judging at Montgomery is always considered by the British to be an honor and a very prestigious appointment, and I agree. I have never judged at this show previously, although my first visit was back in 1984 and again I attended in 2018.

How does this year’s entry compare with previous Breed assignments? Can you provide specific examples to support your thoughts on the breed(s) you judged this year?

Being from the UK, I have only judged four times previously in the US; all have been club Specialty Shows. I believe this was the biggest entry (87 Cairns) I have judged in the US. I have completed 18 Championship Show appointments in the UK. I first judged in the US in 1989 and I believe that the breed has greatly improved since then. In my opinion, Cairns in the US are now better balanced and this is probably due to the imports from Scandinavia over the last few years. The judging procedure has also changed for the better since 1984, although it is still quite different from the UK.

If you could encourage breeders, exhibitors, and judges in other Groups to visit Montgomery, how would you entice them to join everyone at “The Greatest Terrier Show on Earth?”

They will see some of the best terrier exhibits at this show because exhibitors travel far and wide to show here. It is an experience of a lifetime.