Lydia Coleman Hutchinson | Wolfpit Cairn Terriers

Interview with Lydia Coleman Hutchinson, Breeder of Wolfpit Cairn Terriers

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
4. What does “Montgomery” represent to you as a Preservation Breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Lydia Coleman Hutchinson

1. Our breed is Cairn Terriers and the kennel name is WOLFPIT. I say “our” because my parents (deceased) chose that name because we lived on Wolfpit Road in Westport, Connecticut, when they were given their first Cairn. I was born two months later which accounts for my lifelong love of Cairns. I went to my first dog show when I was nine years old. For the past 70-plus years, I’ve never looked back! In my teenage and young adult years I also had Miniature Poodles and bred two litters.

I decided to become a judge while in my early 20s for two reasons. I was a newlywed and my husband (a Naval officer) and I knew that we would need to move fairly often without dogs. But more importantly, there were only two Cairn breeders who were judges, and many of the other judges did not seem to be interested in doing a good job in Cairns nor show an interest in my breed. 2024 marks the 60th year I have been an AKC judge.

I live in Middletown, Maryland, and am still actively breeding and showing Cairns. I currently have 12 dogs in residence. The total number of AKC Champions owned and/or bred by the kennel over the years currently stands at 299.

2. In my opinion, the overall quality of Cairns is quite high these days. The conversation among fanciers often centers around the size of the dogs being shown. There is a trend towards seeing dogs that are considerably larger than what the 1938 Breed Standard asks for. Another topic of conversation is the change in grooming styles and presentation. I want the breed to have a natural, slightly scruffy look. They should not be “sculpted” with every hair in place. That takes away from their workmanlike appearance.

3. Like most everyone else, I think there definitely are too any shows. I personally enter a maximum of only three shows in a cluster (for the sake of my dogs and me).

4. Of course, for a Terrier person, Montgomery County is where the action is! This year it, for sure, will be a fabulous experience for yours truly since I am judging the Group/Best in Show there!

5. One positive trend I’m seeing is the interest in general of trying to emphasize the importance of bringing young people into our sport. Seminars, teaching sessions, and mentoring seem to be offered more than in the past.