The Reading Room • History
Every October, terrier people from around the world converge on the Pennsylvania countryside for four days of shows capped by the most prestigious all-terrier show in America. This is the story of how it started — and why it matters.
Why Pennsylvania, why October
The Philadelphia area is historic American dog-show country. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s shows date to 1879 — its predecessor hosted an Exhibition of Dogs at the 1876 Centennial. When dog shows exploded in the 1920s, fueled by wealthy East Coast kennels importing top British terriers at fabulous prices, this region was the natural home for a terrier classic.
The catalyst: in 1924, the Terrier Group and the Best in Show award were created, and the competitive atmosphere ignited. America became the prime market for the world’s best terriers. Five years later, the Montgomery County Kennel Club held its first all-terrier show — 1929.
A timeline of legends
1929 — The Montgomery County Kennel Club holds its first terrier show. (The 100th anniversary show is scheduled for October 7, 2029.)
1933 — Ch. Faultless of Blighty, a Bull Terrier bitch, wins Best in Show — the first and only Bull Terrier ever to do it. She dominated the 1933 show scene, then was sold to film star Dolores Del Rio, reputedly for $5,000. Handlers in the ring that year: Len Brumby, Bill Prentice, and the legendary Percy Roberts — “it begins to sound like a fantasy dog show.”
1952 & 1953 — Ch. Toplight Template of Twin Ponds, a Welsh Terrier handled by John Goudie, becomes the first dog of any breed to win back-to-back Best in Shows at Montgomery.
1996 — Ch. Anasazi Billy The Kid, Welsh Terrier, wins Montgomery on his way to becoming the top-winning Welsh Terrier of all time — 100 all-breed Bests in Show.
2012 — GCh. Iron Van Foliny Home, Lakeland Terrier, handled by Gabriel Rangel, takes BIS over an entry of 1,838.
2019 — GCh. Brightluck Money Talks (“Dazzle”), Welsh Terrier, presented by Tracy Szaras — the No. 1 Terrier in America.
2024 — GCHS Gleanntan’s Sure Shot Greyjoy (“Archer”), a Skye Terrier, wins BIS under Mrs. Lydia Coleman Hutchinson.
2025 — GCHG Invercrest Dark Intrigue Via MacBlain (“Penny”), a Scottish Terrier bitch, wins BIS under Mr. Richard William Powell.
2026 — GCHB Yarrow Venerie Rambling Man (“Rambo”), a Norfolk Terrier, wins BIS under Mrs. Pamela Bruce on October 4, 2026. Handled by Ernesto Lara.
The handlers
Percy Roberts — “Mr. Westminster.” A career spanning 70+ years as handler, importer, and judge. His papers now live at the Cleveland Public Library as the Percy Roberts Show Dog Collection.
Gabriel Rangel — the modern Montgomery-winning handler, behind the 2012 Lakeland BIS and the 2019 Westminster Best in Show Wire Fox Terrier.
Tracy Szaras — presented the 2019 BIS winner Dazzle, the top terrier in the country.
John Goudie — handled the first back-to-back BIS winner in 1952–53.
The four-day pilgrimage
Montgomery weekend is really four shows in four days:
- Thursday & Friday — Hatboro Dog Club, two all-breed shows
- Saturday — Devon Dog Show Association, all-breed, at Ludwigs Corner
- Sunday — Montgomery County Kennel Club, terriers only, at Macungie Memorial Park
Parent clubs hold their national specialties alongside it. Breeders worldwide bring their best dogs to be seen. As Showsight put it: “tradition, top-tier competition, and unparalleled camaraderie.”
Sources: Canine Chronicle “The Golden Age”, Canine Chronicle “Three Double Lightning Strikes”, Welsh Terrier Record Holders, Showsight Magazine, Bo Bengtson’s Best in Show (Kennel Club Books).