Dogs in Canada magazine has traditionally tracked Top Dog statistics for Canadian Kennel Club events. Though there is some indication that future years' results may be available more quickly, until now official results have been published in July of the following year and this year is no exception. That is why as the 2009 show season hits its peak we find ourselves casting our eyes back to 2008 and another stellar performance for Manchesters in Canadian show rings.
A complete list of the Top 5 Manchesters in each variety for 2008 (and, in fact, every year since 1971!) along with photos and a breakdown of group placements and points can be found on the Canadian Manchester Terrier Club's site at http://www.canadamt.com/awards/topdog/index.htm A recent addition to the site is the new Canadian Record Holders page which features career points for Canada's Top Dogs since 1988. A quick look at the list (which can be viewed here http://www.canadamt.com/awards/records.htm) reveals just how steadily the performance of Canadian MTs continues to improve as three of the Top 5 SMTs and three of the Top 5 TMTs for 2008 also rank among the Top 10 in their variety for career points. Notably, both the Top Toy and the Top Standard Manchesters also placed among the Top 10 performers for their respective Groups.
What the Numbers Say
While Standard Manchester Terriers in 2008 were exhibited at only 35% of Canadian shows and had an average entry of only 1.5 dogs, they didn't let that stop them! SMTs earned a total of 122 group placements, including three Best in Shows, thereby earning group placements at almost 55% of the shows they were entered at. Only two breeds in the Terrier group achieved higher success rates (Kerry Blue and Lakeland Terriers).
Topping the list of 2008's winners was a newcomer, Ch. Darkstar Dream On (pictured above), bred by Janice Watson and owner-handled by British Columbia's Joy Henderson. "Jenn" not only placed #1 in her breed but also ranked #8 among all Terriers in Canada, having earned 14 Group 1sts and 3 Best in Shows on her way to a 1,723 point total for the year.2007's #3 Standard Manchester, Am/Can Ch Mersey Dare To Compare, moved up one spot to #2 in 2008 with 10 Group one wins to his credit. "Darius" is bred/owned by New Brunswick's Dean & Jennifer Tomes and was handled by Dean. In #3 was the Quebec-owned SMT Ch Diventy's Ginie, owner-handled by her breeder Deanne Venditolli. Meanwhile, two dogs tied for #4 Standard, the first hailing from the U.S. in the form of Jo Acton's Int/Am/Can Ch Rainsong's Immigrant Song. "Columbo" was bred and is co-owned by Jo Acton and Danielle and was handled by Jo. Also in 4th spot was Am/Can GCh Kreuzritters Once In A Blue Moon. No stranger to the Top, having placed #1 in 2006 and 2007, "Lewis" made 2008's Top five with only 10 appearances in the ring in 2008 and qualified as a CKC Grand Champion along the way. He was bred by Tina Sandford and Corrine Walker, is owned by Rebecca MacAulay, Kathy Baer and Tina Sandford and was handled by Rebecca MacAulay. Rounding out the Top 5 was Jennifer and Dean Tomes' Ch Mersey Dare To B Grand. The son of our #2 dog (Darius, as above), "Dillon" earned several nice group placements handled by both Dean Tomes and Amanda Kelly.
In Toy Manchesters, 2008's #1 was a repeat result for Ch Fwaggle Burmack Clear As Mud (pictured above) who also came in among Canada's Top 10 Toy Dogs for th second year running, this time as #10. "Brita's" wins in 2008 included 17 Group 1's, another All-Breed Best in Show and Best of Breed at the 2008 Canadian Manchester National for a total of 2,127 points. She was bred by Wendy & Amanda Kelly and James Burrows, is owned by Wendy & Amanda Kelly and Joy Henderson and was handled to her wins by Joy. Brita's #1 strong finish was a surprise to her owners given that her year ended early in September following her win at the Canadian National as she headed back to Canada's east coast to be bred.
Sibling rivalry being what it is, Brita's younger sister Ch Fwaggle Burmack Shopping Spree battled it out and landed in #2 spot for 2008 with more than 1,000 points earned. Breeders and owners on this bitch are the same as above with the addition of Donna Young as a new owner in '08. "Macy" was handled for most of the year by Amanda Kelly but finished out 2008 with Joy Henderson on the opposite coast.
#3 Toy Manchester for 2008 was Ch Deebet's King Arthur, bred by Ted & Deanna Bettle and owned by Deanna and owner-handler Corey Titon. "Artie" had several nice wins in 2008 including an All-Breed Best in Show. On the strength of his performance in 2008, Artie qualified for Eukanuba's Best of the Best 100 where he was awarded a prestigious Group 1st among tough national competition. Showing off family connections of their own, Artie's sire Ch Saint Lazar's Sir Lancelot easily slid into the #4 slot with an impressive fourth appearance among Canada's Top 5 TMTs. "Lancelot" was bred by Charles and Wanda Walker and was owner-handled again this year by Quebec's Deanne Venditolli. And rounding out the Top 5 is Ch Pocketmouse Born To Be Wild who was bred by Melissa Dostalek and owner-handled by Ontario's Mark Crystal. Best of Variety at 2006's CMTC National, this placement also marks "Mara's" fourth appearance in Canada's Top 5 TMTs.
Time stands still for noone and 2009's show season is now in full swing with a number of impressive wins already earned. Watch this space for news of Canada's Top Obedience performers next month!
Submitted by: Amanda Kelly
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