Captain I. Morlais Thomas reported in The Welsh Terrier (Daergi Cymraeg) Handbook that Nigwood Nailer won the 30 guineas challenge cup for the best Welsh, Irish or Fox Terrier in the famed 1901 Birmingham National show. At that time, “Nailer” was owned by the popular Hon. Secretary of The Welsh Terrier Club, Mr. W.J.M. Herbert of Aberdare, Wales.
Nigwood Nailer was bred by Mr. R. Thomas (sire “Cmyro,” dam “Westholme Violet”) and born March 27, 1899. Major G.N. Carnochan of Riverdale, New York imported him from Mr. Herbert. Prior to his arrival in the United States, “Nailer” won two Challenge Certificates, in addition to the Challenge Cup at the Birmingham show.
Mr. Carnochan (Cairnsmuir), Beatrice and Gertrude De Coppet (Windermere), Mr. and Mrs. Edward Clark (Halcynon), and Mrs. Edward (“Ernestine”) P. Alker (Twin Ponds) were among the earliest breeders, exhibitors, and supporters of the Welsh Terrier in America.*
Bardi McLennan noted in The Welsh Terrier Leads The Way, Major Carnochan was a member of the New York Stock Exchange, and owned Field & Fancy magazine, as well as Popular Dogs, a weekly publication in which he gave Welsh Terriers much positive publicity.**
*Published in I. Morlais Thomas, The Welsh Terrier (Daeargi Cymraeg) Handbook (London: Nicholson & Watson, 1959), 35, 140-141.
**Bardi McLennan, The Welsh Terrier Leads The Way (Wilsonville, Oregon: Doral Publishing, Inc., 1998), 60.