Judging the Montgomery County Kennel Club (MCKC) show would never be “just another show.” It has an identity all its own. The energy is unmistakable. As I approached my second National Specialty assignment at the world’s largest Terrier show, I was as thrilled as my first time in the center of the ring.
Montgomery County is a pilgrimage for those connected to the Terrier world, an annual event where tradition, competition, and camaraderie come together to create an experience like no other. We say this in our writing, but it is a struggle to relate the essence of Montgomery County effectively.
The mystique that is MCKC begins months before, when owners and handlers begin deciding which puppies and dogs they will be showing. Then begins the meticulous conditioning and coat preparation. Every dog entered has no hair out of place, and all are trained to do what they should in the ring.
Even more than at other times of the year, extra attention is paid to accentuating the hallmarks of the breed. Other breeders and professional handlers are often included in the decision-making and heightened preparations. The term, “it takes a village” takes on great importance for these exhibitors.
The international element can effectively make or break the panel for many exhibitors. At all shows, the win depends on the competition; who shows up. At this show, there is the additional element of competition flying in from Asia to Northern Europe, from South America to Australia. When I say a pilgrimage, it is all that and more.
The essence of this show comes down to the many individuals who were behind the scenes voting for and making the preparations for their National Specialty to be held in conjunction with the other 22 Nationals under the auspices of Montgomery County at this one location. This commitment to tradition is the essence of Montgomery County.
The fact that over two-thirds of the Group’s breeds host their National Specialties at Montgomery County means that over two-thirds of the dogs in the Group have had to win their National Specialty to get there. Think of the challenge that it represents to each breed for the chance at Best in Show. Of course, Montgomery County is one of the few all-breed shows that was anointed by AKC to host a Terrier-only Group show, able to award the coveted title of Best in Show rather than a “mere” Group First like other Group events.
The showgrounds themselves work as the backdrop for the entries. Expansive tenting stretches across the grounds, providing grooming spaces, shaded areas for the dogs, and plenty of room for spectators. The scene is alive with activity as exhibitors prepare, groom, and exchange greetings with friends they might see only once a year—at Montgomery County.
Stewards, pre-assigned to each ring, often by the breed clubs themselves, stand ready. Golf carts buzz by, shuttling judges to and from rings or lunch breaks. There’s a flow here that’s nearly seamless, a rhythm established by the host club’s members who work tirelessly behind the scenes during the entire year between shows.
These individuals, pillars of the Terrier world, are part of what gives MCKC its unique identity. The background of the members is like the Who’s Who of Terrierdom. Without mentioning any names, there is a variety of people from a range of breeds, all dedicated to the show’s tradition.
If we speak of the essence of a breed and think of the show as a breed, it has its own essence and energy. It is energetic without being frenetic. It is competitive without being devilish. If a dog is well put together with perfect cadence, then MCKC has flawless execution. The quality is like a multiple Best in Show dog that knows its job and does it every time. The grounds are like the Airedale: The King of Terriers.
MCKC, as a dog, is welcoming to all. It could be a Cairn! Club members are there early in the morning, ready to welcome exhibitors, spectators, and judges. When it’s time for lunch, it treats the judges to a gourmet feast with everything from hot soup to ripe strawberries.
Each breed club holding its National at Montgomery selects its judges differently, with most having a vote. For those of us who didn’t start in a Terrier breed, it’s an honor to be chosen to judge any breed there. I felt especially privileged to oversee the large Miniature Schnauzer entry this year.
Montgomery offers something no other show does—a chance to judge breeds and see them at their finest. Even if you aren’t judging, one of the best parts of MCKC is the opportunity to “reset the eye to quality.” With large Breed entries, arrive early to catch as much judging as possible. The show attracts the finest Terriers from around the world. Watching them up close is a chance to recalibrate and see the ideal Standard brought to life. Montgomery brings top dogs to the fore, reminding me of the qualities we strive to see in every entry. From the distinct gaits to the unique silhouettes, the level of competition here refines our understanding of each breed and hones our skills as judges.
Once in the ring, each dog is a contender. Montgomery is about sorting the good from the great and the great from the exceptional. Each dog has its virtues; here, the task is finding the one with just a touch more than the rest. Watching the dogs stand, examining their structure, observing each down-and-back, and appreciating the perfect cadence. It becomes an elevated process here, more focused, more deliberate. The final lineup is a display of the finest the Terrier world has to offer, and it’s here that every detail matters.
By the time the regular Group was in the ring, the atmosphere was electric, as spectators watched closely, knowing that the dog who’d claim Best in Show would take a place in MCKC history. This year, the Skye emerged victorious, a first for the breed at Montgomery County, and a win that was well-earned.
Watching this team was breathtaking. The handler, a true professional owner handler, performed “The Prayer,” a skillful move that revealed the exceptional virtues of the dog. Judge Lydia Hutchinson, a renowned owner handler and Cairn breeder, evaluated each dog with a critical eye, weighing every essential detail. Ultimately, the presentation of the Skye’s key breed elements and quality, his essence that said “SKYE,” was undeniable. They moved as one, and together they won. This was a remarkable end to a day filled with the highest level of Terrier competition.
For judges, exhibitors, and spectators alike, Montgomery is not just a show; it’s a reminder of what makes the Terrier world so exceptional, and I am grateful to have been a part of it.
