As a breed judge, the proper examina- tion of my breed is clear as described in the standard. For example, it states “the lowest point of the brisket should be such that an average man’s fi st would fi t under it with little or no overhead clearance” therefore, there is an expectation that we check that by actually placing our fi st under the dog. What a joy to fi nd this depth of chest. I check the length of rib providing the heart, lung capacity and for the breed’s short strong loin essential to support the topline, strength of spine and turning radius with- in a badger hole. Moving to the end of the dog, we fi nd this sturdy dog is equally strong and wide in the beam. Th e tail should never be the end of a Scot. Behind the tail, the point of ischium extends past its set on. Th e rear is broad with muscular hindquarter and a well-bent sti fl e. Th e length from hock to heel should be short and perpendicular to the ground. Th is well developed and a correctly structured rear is necessary to the work of the breed as it drives his short, low, powerful body, moves from rock to rock, and pulls the vermin from its den. Th e tail is accurately described as an inverse carrot. It is properly set on high and car- ried proudly. I generally prefer the tail be approximately the same height as the top of the head, however, more importantly it is a keen bellwether of the disposition of the dog – carried up is con fi dent and proud; wagging side to side is happy to be here; fl icking back and forth a warning to others. Th e proper structure is assessable on the move. Th e overly profuse furnishing on some exhibits can make it di ffi cult to assess proper movement. From the rear, the movement should be straight and true with good fl ex at the hock and the pads of the rear feet should turn up toward you. Th e legs should be well apart and neither turn in at the foot nor out. With good width, low hock to heel and a well bent sti fl e this proper movement is more evi- dent. When the dog returns and we view the front movement, the forelegs are not exactly parallel to one another. You will notice a slight turn in as the legs reach out around the deep chest of the dog. From the side the Scottish Terrier should have both reach and drive. With a well laid
back shoulder and a good length of upper arm it is capable of reaching out while the powerful rear drives forward. Th e topline remains level. It is a pleasure to view the level topline as the dog covers ground like it is on skates. One should never miscon- strue lots of quick little steps for the pleas- ing e ff ective motion of this breed. While the ears may fold back the tail is up. I fi nd it extremely useful, informa- tive and moving to view Scottish Terriers standing on their own rather than being poked and prodded into a predetermined stance. From years as an exhibitor, I have found that some dogs much prefer ‘show- ing themselves’. When the dogs stand naturally, it both enhances their strengths and shows their weaknesses. Th at perfectly primped topline sags and slopes; the struc- turally sound remains steady. Th e desired pronounced forechest and well developed rear behind the tail is evident. Th e tail, ears and expression that helps de fi ne proper temperament is on exhibit. I do spar the dogs and bitches. I do not need to spar every dog and set very speci fi c guidelines to be followed. Standing on their own, holding ground and on full alert is to view the true dog. It is bold, con fi dent, sturdy, strong and digni fi ed. It moves me and my love of the breed to see the dogs sparred and shown correctly. Th ere is a univer- sal deep breath and “oooh’ from ringside when this is viewed. Th e adjectives and descriptors of the Scottish Terrier are to be sought and rewarded in judging the breed. It is small, compact, short-legged, sturdy and of good bone and substance. Th e coat is and essential of the breed being both weather resistant and capable of protection from burrs, bramble and soil. It is double coated with a hard wiry topcoat and soft under- coat. Th e body is cobby, thick-set and hung between short heavy legs. Th e Scot- tish terrier has deep brisket, pronounced forchest and a strong muscular rear. Th e expression is keen and varminty. He is bold, con fi dent and digni fi ed. I evaluate as above and prize the characteristics of type that are hard to breed. Obtaining the ear and eye that contributes to the breeds un fl inching gaze, achieving the proper front and rear especially the proper length
of upper arm and short parallel hock to heel, and the essential coat of almost any color. Most of all the spirit and unique- ness of character that make this a breed that moves me and makes me admire it above all others. Evelyn Kirk put is so very well in her essay on the breed by stating, “His commanding presence, his un fl inching gaze, his deep rooted convic- tion that he is his own man; these are the attributes of the adult Scottish Terrier of proper type. Once witnessed, this attitude is hard to forget.”
BIO Kathi Brown is a breeder-exhibitor and AKC judge of Scottish Terriers and seventeen other terrier breeds.
Kathi serves as Judges’ Education Coordi- nator and “AKC Gazette” Columnist for the Scottish Terrier Club of America. She is a member of the Standard Review Com- mittee well as the committee that produced the “Illustrated Guide to the Scottish Ter- rier”. Kathi has also written numerous articles on the Scottish Terrier. She is AKC Delegate, Show Chairman and Past Presi- dent of Ladies’ Dog Club as well as Past President of the Scottish Terrier Club of America, the New England Terrier Club and the Scottish Terrier Club of New Eng- land as well as serving as the first President Pro-Tem of the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs. Ms. Brown has been a fea- tured speaker on breeding and practical canine genetics for national and regional dog clubs. Her Blueberry Hill Scottish Terriers has yielded top dogs for over forty years. Her dogs have numerous Best in Shows, and Specialties including Best of Breed at the STCA National Specialty at Montgomery County Kennel Club for three of the last ten years including BOB wins from the specials, veterans and puppy classes. In the past decade her homebred, Blueberry Hill dogs have won the Lloyd Memorial Trophy, as the number one Scottish terrier in breed competition, three times as well as three years of awards for All-breed competition. Her dogs have won numerous specialties, groups, and Best in Show awards.
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