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how your breed is doing. There are many special events, but one that is near and dear to a breeder’s heart is the Futurity - Maturity. Futurities require a series of nominations and fees starting after a bitch has been bred, nomination of the litter after it is whelped, and/or nomination of individual puppies. It’s a chance to see how well a breeder is able to make their dreams a reality and it requires substantial commitment to make events like this possible. A special show like Montgomery attracts its share of observers as well as exhibitors. Many “dog people” have a favorite show, and for professional handler and breeder, Kaileigh Gonzalez, that show is Montgomery. Although she is known more for her spaniels and hounds, Kaileigh’s love of the fancy came from traveling with her grandmother and her Miniature Schnauzers to dog shows. Attending her first Montgomery at age 12 was like a right of passage. She makes the annual autumnal trek to Pennsylvania whether or not she has a terrier to show and she has never regretted it. They say that Disney is where dreams happen. Still, for one very special “dream team,” all the magic happened this year in Bluebell, Pennsylvania, on the 90th anniversary of the Montgomery Kennel ClubTerrier Show. It was a dream long in the making and a team that has lasted longer than many marriages. For over 20 years, breeder Keith Bailey and professional handler Tracy Szaras have campaigned many top winning Welsh Terriers. The dream finally became a reality when “Dazzle”, GCh. Ch. Brightluck Money Talks, owned by Keith and Janet McBrien (Brightluck), after winning best of breed for all four days and Terrier group first on Hatboro Day 2, took the ultimate prize, the holy grail of terrierdom, with best in show at Montgomery under the highly respected judge Mr. David Kirkland. What a tremendous tribute to the power of dedication to a breed.
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TerrierGroup.org
I’m grateful for these perspectives because, without them, I would not be able to appreciate something that has become my passion. It’s been almost ten years since my first Montgomery, and I still remember how completely overwhelmed I felt the first year. I couldn’t even identify all the breeds - forget about evaluating quality. The fall cluster was my first big show with my first show dog. I didn’t know a point from a pointer, and after four days, I was sure I would never go to a dog show again much less attempt another Montgomery. But each year I learn and change and appreciate so much more. It’s about thousands of small moments, things I could never have understood without taking the time and making an effort to learn and grow. So that’s the “big picture” of my changing perspective. But there was also a single magical moment that I will always remember as “that Montgomery moment.” I had perhaps the best seat in the house, directly in front of the table with a great view of Judge David Kirkland’s excellent breed-specific examinations. I was aware that the individual breed standards, which once seemed overwhelming and arbitrary, became purposeful and obvious under his proficient and practiced hands. I noticed that the misty haze turned first to drizzle and then to a steady rain. From the parade of stunning terriers, Judge Kirkland made his cut. He put them through their paces again and then he walked over to his winner and extended his hand. The smile that spread across Tracy Szaras’ face was so infectious that it was as if she shared her absolute joy with all of us. That smile was sunshine on a cloudy day. Her smile said it was worth the wait, that some wins are just more special than others. The winning dog might be named Dazzle, but that memorable, magical smile was befittingly dazzling.