Page 154 - K9News_Issue16_May2021
P. 154

DIG
                        DIGELSA
                                                       EL
                                                                            SA







                          MA       NC      HES         T  ER       T   ERRIERS
                          MANCHESTER TERRIERS

                                                Mick & Gill Oxley
                                                Mic  k  &  Gill  Ox   le y





                                   Growing up in the           work she does in the background.
                                   early 1950s our next
                                   door neighbour had          We have been Top Breeders on 11 separate
                                   a black & tan Terrier       occasions and have 178 CCs under our belt
                                   “type” dog called ‘REX’     from 22 individual dogs which includes 19
                                   which befriended me         champions, which we have bred up to date. it’s
                                   from birth until he died,   been a wonderful journey.
                                   when I was around age
           seven. This initial bond has stayed with me all
           my life.  My first show dog was a Dobermann
           called ‘Digger’ in 1979 and was followed by a
           Manchester Terrier in 1980 called ‘Elsa’, hence
           my affix “Digelsa” a combination of the names of
           both dogs.


           I did my apprenticeship “old school” listening
           to experts, watching and learning about the
           breeds.  My first judging appointments were in
           1983 where I judged 64 Dobermann’s and then
           Manchester’s at a small all breeds open show in
           1984.


           I first awarded CC’s in Manchester Terriers at
           LKA in 1990. I have also had the honour to twice
           judge the breed at the BMTC Championship
           show as well as twice at Crufts. In addition, I
           have judged Manchester Terriers at the NORSK
           Terrier Club Championship Show where I had a
           record 40 entries. I have also judged the breed
           in Holland and Poland.


           My wife Gill joined the “Digelsa” team in the 90’s
           and has been an inspiration for me, she adores
           our dogs and I cannot thank her enough for the

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