There was always a “Dogs Home” dog around at home but I must have been about 20 years old before I saw my first Airedale and was totally captivated. However, we first purchased a Welsh Terrier from Mollie Harmsworth (Bengal) thinking it would be easier to keep in a small house (not necessarily so!). It was some years later before I was in a position to purchase my own dog and was lucky enough to find a litter of Airedales locally of mainly Bengal and Jokyl breeding. The breeder introduced me to the West of England & South Wales Airedale Terrier Club, mainly for the purpose of learning to trim. I quickly got interested in trimming and then started to show at local Open shows and then to help out at WESWATC. It was then a natural progression to breed the occasional litter and numbers increased as they do.    

In 1992, I was invited to judge a few classes of Airedales at the Terrier Club of South Wales. Following on from this I was keen to learn all I could about the other terrier breeds and to start to judge them. Over the years I have been privileged to judge the terriers and Terrier Group at open shows many times, which I greatly enjoy. In 2004 I was approved to award Challenge Certificates for the first time at The Midland Counties Airedale Terrier Club, which was a great honour.  Since then I have awarded CCs on five subsequent  occasions including National Terrier and National Airedale Terrier Association.

It was a complete surprise (shock!) to be invited to judge Airedale Terriers at Crufts which, due to Covid, did not happen until March 2024.  I had the most amazing day and will never forget it.   A huge thank you to SEATC for inviting me so soon after and I look forward immensely to the day.

Martin Hacker (Sherifs)

Championship Show 6th December 2025

Our Judge

Martin Hacker