Canadian Top Dogs - Obedience

Dogs in Canada magazine recently released 2008's final Top Obedience standings. This year only one Manchester Terrier (of either variety) competed in obedience in Canada, but he didn't let the lack of competition hold him back.

"Higgins" (Am/Can Ch & MOTCH Kreuzritters Professor Higgins, RN) ended the year as the #4 Obedience Terrier in Canada overall with an average score of 191.4 earned in the Open B and Utility classes. He earned qualifying scores at all 17 trials he was entered in, amassing a total of 84 points. Higgins is owned and trained by Ontario's Karen MacPhee and was bred by Tina Sandford. Congratulations to all involved!

Manchesters make excellent obedience dogs... once you figure out how to make them think it was all their idea to begin with. If you are interested in competing in traditional Obedience, Rally-O or any other dog sport, contact the Canadian Manchester Terrier Club for more information!

Submitted by: Amanda Kelly

Seniors Manchesters

Manchesters can live healthy lives into their late teens.

Weegee is now almost 14 and is starting to show a few signs of slowing down. Not much...but a few. She still bounces around when she knows she is going for a walk or a car ride, but maybe she bounces just a few inches less now. The signs are subtle but they are there.

It's important to keep your older MT active, just like we humans need to stay active as we age, it keeps the body healthy. A lot of people may think that since their dog is "retired" it has the right to lay around all day and be inactive. Sure maybe they enjoy a bit more of relaxation time now but we need to keep our dogs active so that they stay healthy in their "golden years." Weegee is very young at heart, she acts the same as she did at age one. Seriously... she REALLY doesn't think of herself as old and retired!

We recently showed her in the Veterans class at a dog show and the judge, after seeing her bouncing around having fun in the ring, commented "I see no one has told HER how old she is." Weegee has no idea that she is 98 years old in human years!
Here is a video of Weegee in the Veterans ring at age 13 :)



Weegee has some greying now where her tan colouring is. She has a few bumps on her body but her spirit is very young, she has not changed on the inside at all. To me she is still a young dog. But I DO realize that the aging process is inevitable and all I can do is try my best to make it as smooth as possible.

We have regular vet check-ups to make sure that her heart is healthy, and that none of the small lumps on her body are growing into anything more serious. I supplement her diet so that she is receiving the best nutrition possible. I make sure that she gets enough exercise and that she is not allowed to be overweight. So far this is working for us.
Welcoming a new puppy into the household can also help older dogs feel younger as they can romp and play again.


The MOST important thing that I am doing is cherishing every moment I have with her. Why is it that dogs are here for only such a short time? I can't even bring myself to think of a time where Weegee is no longer in my life. She has given me so much love in her short time on earth. I do all that I can to repay her.

So treat your Seniors well. Give them lots of love, attention and care. Bust most of all, CHERISH your time with them, as their time here with us is just never long enough.

Submitted by: Lisa Wysminity

Everyday Manchesters' Blog by Daphne

My name is Daphne 2nd. My moms named me after their whippet Daphne. She was special. "So am I!"

My mom flew back to Ontario and picked me up from my breeder. I rode under the seat of the plane in a carrier bag. I was a good girl...on the plane that is.

I quickly adapted to my new home and the whippets. In fact, for the longest time I thought I was a whippet.

Not long after my moms' big event, for which I was their flower girl, my stepbrother Jethro left us. He had a bad ticker. As you can see, Jethro left some pretty big shoes for me to fill.

I was really sad when Jethro died, so my breeder sent out my grandpa Gus. Gus is short for "Gusto", which is part of his registered name. He also approaches life with a lot of gusto. As often as not, we call him Gussie. I soon realized that I show a lot of resemblance to him and the toy Manchester breed. So much for being a whippet!

After several months of Gus and me being inseparable, Jeb alias "Goose" was shipped out to our home in BC. Mom really likes southern names and that is why she changed his name to "Jeb".

Submitted by: Cynthia Sytnyk & Bev Clarke