TERRIER GROUP

DATE 1ST ENTERED

This date is determined by Westminster Kennel Club records and is somewhat arbitrary. It does not necessarily correspond with official recognition by the AKC nor with its standing as a separate breed or variety at Westminster. Rather it is usually when that breed is first named as such in the catalog and show records.

If the breed was shown somewhat consistently in the Miscellaneous Class before 1924, that goes to establish the “Date 1st Entered.” If shown in Miscellaneous Class in 1924 or after, it is noted but did not count until regular status is granted and the breed winner is eligible for Group and BIS competition. See Miscellaneous Breeds section.

BIS & GROUP PLACEMENTS

Best In Show has been awarded since 1907 (except for 1923) and Group competition has been held since 1924.

The column headings in each chart represent the number of Best In Show Awards and Group placements in each position. The year in parentheses in the “BIS” and “1” column represents the last year that this breed won BIS and the last year that it won the Group; the number in parentheses in one of the other columns represents the last year that the breed placed in the Group; if there is a year only in the “1” Group column, that means that the last time that the breed placed in the Group, it won the group. For example, a Pointer has won 3 BIS (the most recent in 1986), 14 Group 1 (most recent in 1989, 4 Group 2, 7 Group 3, and 5 Group 4 awards. The last time it placed in the Group was in 1998 with a Group 4.

AKC REGISTRATION

The 1888 Catalog is the first in which AKC Rules are included (adopted Dec 6, 1887). From Rule 2: “Every dog entered at any show held under these rules … must be registered in the American Kennel Club Stud Book. In case a dog has not been registered previous to date of entry, owner must fill out a registration blank and forward same, with fee of 50 cents, together with show entry to the Secretary of the Show, who shall mark the dog as registered and forward blank with registration fee to the Secretary of the American Kennel Club (The above to take effect January 1st, 1888).”

RECORDS

Best In Show wins – 47

Most recent: Wire Fox Terrier (2019)

Most Group wins – 24 (2020)

Wire Fox Terrier

Most consecutive Group wins – 4

Wire Fox Terrier (1928-1931)

Most Group placements – 59 (2021)

Wire Fox Terrier

Most consecutive Group placements – 13

Wire Fox Terrier (1983-1995)

Current streak of Group placements – 4

Wire Fox Terrier (2019-2022)

PLACEMENTS

Year in parentheses indicates the most recent year of the award.

NOTES:

• The American Staffordshire Terrier began competing in the Terrier Group in 1937 as the Staffordshire Terrier. It became the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972.
• The Fox Terrier (Smooth) and the Fox Terrier (Wire) were first differentiated from one another in 1883. Both Variety winners went forward to the Terrier Group from 1924-1928. From 1929-1932, only one Fox Terrier advanced to the Group, but in 1933 both Variety winners again went forward. As of 1986, they were declared to be different breeds.
• The Group win of the Kerry Blue Terrier in 1941 was later canceled by the American Kennel Club due to violation of Chapter 4 of the Dog Show Rules (apparently regarding an improperly registered name). This win is not included in the above statistics.
• The Manchester Terrier was known as the Black and Tan Terrier from 1877-1913, the Black and Tan (Manchester) Terrier from 1914-1923, the Manchester Black and Tan Terrier in 1924, and the Manchester Terrier beginning in 1925.
• White Bull Terriers and Colored Bull Terriers were shown together from 1877-1942, with one Best of Breed winner going forward to the Terrier Group. In 1937, the distinction within the classes is made between the two. Colored Bull Terriers became a separate Variety in 1943, and subsequently, each BOV winner advanced to the Group.
• The Parson Russell Terrier was known as the Jack Russell Terrier from 2001-2003.
• The Standard Schnauzer was known as the Wire-haired Pinscher in 1925-1926 and competed in the Working Group (there was a Toy Wirehaired Pinscher entered in the Miscellaneous Class in 1926). In 1927, the Wire-haired Pinscher was moved to the Terrier Group and competed as simply the Schnauzer. At that time, there were separate classes for the Miniature Schnauzer and the Standard Schnauzer, but only one dog was selected as Best Schnauzer and advanced into the Terrier Group from 1927-1932. In 1933, they became separate breeds and both winners advanced to the Group. In 1946, the Standard was moved to the Working Group.
• The West Highland White Terrier was known as the Roseneath Terrier from 1906-1909.
• The Lhasa Apso competed in the Terrier Group as a Lhasa Terrier in 1936-1955, was first called Lhasa Apso in 1944, then moved to the Non-Sporting Group in 1956.