Page 151 - K9News_Issue16_May2021

us dipping a toe in KC Obedience competitions,
and in his first year he had top four placings in
Beginners classes. His favourite sport however
is Terrier Racing which Manchesters excel
at. He was Champion Terrier Racing at the
Midlands Game Fair 2019, so 25 years after our
first sight of an MT we have our racer!

Our second litter, back to the same sire,
produced Magpiebank Teal. She too has a
CC in the showring, but soon let us know that
this was not where her interests lay, and she
required a more stimulating pastime. She has Sophyla Sophie,
also represented MRU in the Obreedience finals Crufts 2019 Manchesters Reunited Obreedience.
on two occasions and has also achieved top Photo: Paws in Focus
four placings in Obedience. She has however key components in this exciting sport. Garry
now taken us in to the world of Agility, which Minnikin and his Rattustrap Tantalum (Onyx)
post-Covid we are looking to fully explore. Teal are members of the Team ‘Focus’ who are the
also combines her Obedience and Agility to reigning Crufts Champions.
great effect at Game Fairs where she does a
mean Gundog Scurry. Hoopers – Requires many of the qualities
needed for Agility, but Hoopers is a low impact
If any Breed can be said to be multi-purpose sport, so perfect for veteran and less agile
it has to be the Manchester Terrier. When we Manchesters. Keeps the mind and body
first stumbled across the Breed they were rarely occupied and healthy. In 2020 Helen Fletcher’s
seen outside the world of pedigree showing, Shimmy (Joemario Just A Dash), Maureen
which given the working prowess of their Richardson’s Edna (Llygota Edna by Rattustrap)
ancestry was such a waste of their athleticism, and Judy Thurlow’s Tilda (Erkenwyne Silver
intelligence and courage. Thank heavens Seraph) all achieved their Silver Canine
a braver pedigree dog world has evolved Hoopers UK Awards.
and whilst they are still the most beautiful
and elegant of show dogs, they are now
demonstrating that they can also hold their own
in most other canine disciplines:

Agility – Manchester Terriers have evolved over
hundreds of years to catch small vermin. They
are lithe, quick, agile and brave with a quick
and enquiring mind – just the qualities needed
for Agility, it is no wonder that they are very
successful in this arena.

Canicross – A sport that gets you up and
running with your Manchester, who is always up
for a spin round the block. Much better to do
‘Couch to 5k’ with your Manchester leading you
on!
Ch Magpiebank Ash catching the Racing Lure.
Flyball – Speed, agility and trainability are also Wiltshire Game Fair.

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MAY 2021