Our Judge  –  Mr Iain Shaw (Honeyhall)

My association with Cairns began when I entered the world in the “swinging sixties”. My parents had already acquired their first cairn from Mr McKenzie of Beauly, Invernesshire – a great grandson of CH Valiant Rob Roy of Rhosbridge – but it was not until April of 1981 at the CTC Open show that the show bug hit.

    Muirend Firecracker and I won the Junior Handing, attending our first show. He was five months old, and I was a little older. At his first entered show in Carnoustie, he was placed second in a class of sixteen minor puppy terriers. Under Mrs Sally Ogle (Pinetop), who would become my joint mentor alongside my mother, he went on to win two CC’S and a few reserves. He never let me down.

    John Alexander provided us with our foundation bitch, Ugadale Warbonnet. She produced Ch Honeyhall Houdini  (the first Cairn to win best of breed at Crufts twice) and Ch Honeyhall Hummingbird, and so the small Honeyhall kennel was up and running.

    A few champions have followed, including Ch Honeyhall Hijinx (winning top Cairn and group winner), Ch Honeyhall Headboy (Top Cairn and group placed). Ten home-bred, mainly bitches, and two special ladies have joined us in Ch Spawyche Elizabethan Opal and Ch Tycadno Star Attraction. Their records speak for themselves, and we are so grateful to have had the privilege of owning both.

    My judging started at the Hammersmith Show, where I placed the novice bitch with little coat Best of Breed. She later became CH Glenbrae Avena for a Mr I Kettle and I was chuffed to bits when she won Top Cairn that year.

    Only 10 years after winning the junior handling, I awarded my first set of CC’s at

Manchester in 1991. I have since had the honour of judging our breed in nine other countries including the CTCA Centenary show and the NSW Golden Jubilee.

    I am thrilled to have been asked to officiate at this special show and look forward to meeting fellow enthusiasts with their “Best little pals.”