Richard is no stranger to the Wire Fox Terrier ring, being seen synonymously as part of the Travella team, but Richard has had a lifetime interest in dogs from his parents starting with Penparc affix which later became the very successful family business name. Early years saw Richard showing and breeding Penparc Welsh Terriers with good success and he was regularly in the ring every weekend. He apprenticed with Paul Wilkinson for a while and had a short spell in USA with the late Dennis Springer.

His first successes in the wire ring were handling Lakeland Terriers and Wires for Ann Maughan notably taking Brocolitia Best Kept Secret to top honours. Following on he became more renown as a handler across breeds but well known for handling Sue McCourts’ beautiful Silhill Skye Terriers before teaming up with the Bill Browne Cole. Richard has handled numerous Travella Wire Fox Terriers to their champion titles and topping it off the top winning dog of all time Ch Travella Striking Steel.

Richard has been judging for many years across many countries, he awards challenge certificates in 17 breeds within the Terrier Group and judged the Terrier Group for the first time in 2016. His last appointment for Wire Fox Terriers was in 2018 and we are very pleased to welcome him as a breed specialist for President 2023.