In 2005, and as a direct result of the Committee of the National Terrier Club being very concerned that terrier entries were falling at open shows, an application was made to the Kennel Club for the National Terrier Club to hold an Open Show Dog of the Year competition, to take place as a separate event at the National Terrier Club Championship Show in April each year, commencing in April 2007.

This competition, whereby all dogs who are judged to be Best in Show at Terrier Group Open Shows during the period 1st January - 31st December are invited to take part in the final held at our show the following April, has gathered momentum and had proved very popular, with many dogs who have gained this title going on to become champions and top dogs in their breed.

This initiative was designed not only to encourage and support all 26 recognised terrier breeds, but also to promote entries at regional Terrier Group Open Shows and support individual breed judges at those shows. The positive feedback received from these Clubs fully endorses this development and demonstrates the desire to support each other and work for the common good.
This competition is staged as a separate event and - as agreed with the Kennel Club - dogs who take part in this competition are not considered to be beaten dogs for the sake of the National Terrier Championship Show.

The National Terrier show will see the fourth final of this competition, which is held in the best in show ring shortly before lunch. The judge is unknown to competitors until the day of the event. A separate catalogue is printed for this event which carries details and photographs of all qualifiers. This information is also displayed on the National Terrier Club web site.

The Officers and Committee of the National Terrier Club are delighted to announce that the Kennel Club have now given permission for them to hold a similar competition to find the ‘National Terrier Open Show Pup of the Year’. All puppies who win Best Puppy in Show at Terrier Group Open shows during the period 1st January - 31st December 2010 will be invited to take part in the first final to find the ‘National Terrier Open Show Pup of the Year 2010’ which will be held at the show on 2nd April 2011.

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