Draco finishes championship at the WTCA (US) National Specialty!
New Champion Darwyn’s Black Magic (aka Draco). Many thanks to Welsh Terrier breeder judge, Mrs. Allison Sunderman.
At the WTCA 125th Anniversary National Specialty, Draco was awarded:
– Winners Dog for a 5 point major and New Champion!
– Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Breed!
– Award of Merit, from the classes!
PLUS:
– Winners Dog at EVERY show on this important circuit!
– Group 3 in Best Bred-By In Show for Montgomery County KC!
Every serious show breeder dreams of this.
2025 was extra special this year for a few reasons:
1. The famous Morris & Essex KC, only held every 5 years, was part of the 2025 Montgomery week of shows, and 2025 was an extra WTCA Specialty (Draco was Winners Dog and my girl Maddie won Award of Merit!);
2. There were 2 official WTCA breed specialties held, Morris & Essex and the National on Montgomery Day (this attracted quality entries from all around the world).
3. These shows are always judged by well-known, and well-respected terrier-breeder judges.
4. AND … it was the 125th Anniversary Show for the Welsh Terrier Club of America!
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I am very thankful for the team that helped me. Katheryn (Kate) Murray expertly conditioned Draco in preparation for these special shows, and presented him beautifully.
While I showed him in the bred-by class on the National Specialty day, Kate’s team prepared him for me (thank you Kate!).
And, Kate, Chrystal and Paul Clas, working together, have a very well-run set-up, and make a truly wonderful team – not just family, but a real quality working team.
The first day of the “Montgomery week of shows” was the famous Morris & Essex KC show, held once every 5 years. Mrs. Lydia Coleman Hutchison judged, and she confidently pointed to Draco for Winners Dog for a major! Being the first day of this circuit – it was super exciting!
The next two shows on “Montgomery week” were Hatboro I and Hatboro II, and Draco was awarded both Winners Dog and Best of Winners!
We could have moved him up to specials to compete directly for Best of Breed, however, it has happened multiple times over the decades where foreign dogs have been entered incorrectly, and wins that you think you have, don’t end up with the points that you expect. Instead, we chose to pull him from competition for the Devon show day (day before Montgomery).
The last day of the circuit really is the main reason that terrier enthusiasts come from all over the world to just north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I (Larisa Hotchin) have attended this show weekend over 25 times now, all of the way from the West Coast of Canada.
2025, it was even MORE special since it was the WTCA’s 125th anniversary! My second “Montgomery week” that I ever attended was actually the 100th anniversary for the WTCA, in year 2000, and that was another year that I will never forget (SO wonderful)
The National Specialty was judged by Terrier Specialist and Welsh Terrier breeder-judge, Mrs. Allison Corn Sunderman of Michigan, USA. I showed Draco in the BRED-BY EXHIBITOR class. We won Winners Dog and Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Breed!
For something even more exciting was participating in the Montgomery County KC’s Bred-By Exhibitor Best in Show ring where Draco was then awarded BIS 3 (Group 3) Bred-By! WOW!!!!
What made this even more special was the fact that I was able to share these amazing wins with very good friends of mine, who had traveled from other countries (England and Australia) … we all shared a hotel suite, meals, and many laughs together. Both Alexandra and Sonya are themselves noted for showing beautiful Welsh Terriers, to many top awards, in their own countries. Thank you ladies for helping make this year so very special for me!
2025 was most definitely a very memorable National Specialty weekend for sure!
Here is a fun video that the AKC put together from Morris and Essex about people that participated in the fun aspect of the event with special attire and hats. Sonya and I were wearing hats that she had made for the event.
Going into Montgomery week …
Draco was relatively new to showing, and most people had not heard of him.
A year earlier, as a 9 month old puppy, Draco was awarded his Canadian Championship, all from group placements, in just 2 weekends of shows. Draco’s finishing points in Canada came from a respected breeder-judge from Columbia, Mr. Ivan Sandoval.
Prior to going to Kate, Draco was shown in Canada for a couple of weekends, and he was awarded multiple group placements, and a group 1st — these wins finished his Canadian Grand Championship!
