Trina Taylor: I currently live in Oakdale, California. I’ve been showing dogs since 2005 when I purchased my first show dog from a breeder. I have been breeding for almost ten years.
Trina Taylor: My kennel name is Noble Kennels. I currently have two boys and two girls, and a four-week-old litter of four males of which I plan to keep one.
Trina Taylor: My personal mentor and good friend is Victoria Herbert-Thorsland. She was the personal assistant of Myrtle and Fred Klentsch of Salutaire Manchester Terriers. I am blessed to be carrying on their breeding program and legacy of Standard Manchester Terriers.
Trina Taylor: The first real “special” show dog I had, I purchased. He was “Royal,” GCH Toria Royalty In The Making. He was born in 2007. I was this naive 20-something-year-old girl who was convinced that she could break into the dog show world. I showed him as a novice owner-handler, with little to no training, in a world where most people were born into the sport.
In 2012, I wasn’t invited to the Garden, but made entries nonetheless. I had never been to New York and had these dreams of being a girl with her dog in the city. That year, Royal won the breed there and further went on to be the number one Standard Manchester Terrier of 2012 after a year of showing him solely myself.
Royal has since produced many beautiful champions, including the second most-winning Standard Manchester Terrier in AKC history, which was my first bred-by Standard Manchester Terrier, “Riot”, MBIS MBISS MRBIS GCHP Noble’s Random Reaction At Toria. Both of these boys are currently alive and well, and sleep in bed with me every night.
Trina Taylor: I own and operate two commercial boarding and grooming facilities in the Northern California area under the Noble Kennels name. In years past, I have whelped litters in my home and at my kennel facilities. I believe in a very hands-on raising of puppies. In years past, my breed had a bad reputation for not being socialized well—it has been my personal goal to over-socialize and raise my pups to be well-rounded and desensitized. I strive to have puppies that will “kill you with kisses.”
Trina Taylor: I’m not going to lie; I have puppies right now that are four weeks old and I’m already seeing temperament and personality traits that I absolutely adore. However, I know logically that I can’t make any rational choices until six to eight weeks. I believe a good show dog is an equal combination of attitude and structure.
I’ve had the most beautiful dogs that have hated to show, and I’ve had mediocre ones that have loved to show. It’s finding the “unicorn” that has the best of both. That’s the challenge.
Trina Taylor: Puppy placement is vital. As a breeder and owner, you want your dogs to go to homes that will be forever. Questionaries are essential. Home inspections, referrals, and references are so crucial. Most importantly, if anything ever happens, make sure your puppy agreements have a clause that you have first right to take the pup back if the owner isn’t able to keep them anymore.
Trina Taylor: Standard Manchester Terriers are represented strongly in certain areas of the United States. There is a strong presence of owner-handlers who are extremely successful, with a smidge of professional handlers who are also doing very well. It’s nice to see judges recognizing the breed regardless of who is on the end of the leash. As a previous owner-handler, now professional handler, I truly appreciate both ends of this spectrum, seeing as this breed is commonly overlooked.
Trina Taylor: It’s not something widely talked about or known, but Manchester Terriers are really healthy! They are tested for VWD as the primary disorder, but they are hardy. For example, my oldest is 15-1/2 years old. I’ve heard of some living to close to 20 years old.
Trina Taylor: I think all breeds can improve. There is no such thing as perfect, right? As a breeder, I’m able to tell you the strengths and weaknesses of any one of my personal dogs. If you’re not able to do that, you are kennel blind. I hope, moving forward, that we, as a whole, can get away from the level-to-straight toplines and move more towards that slight arch above the loin that is the trademark of our breed. There is something special, striking, and standalone about the moving silhouette of a Manchester. No other breed in the AKC has that—simple elegance.
Trina Taylor: Anyone. Honestly. I tell my potential puppy buyers that Manchesters are the most well-kept secret and highly adaptive breed I’ve ever known. You want to veg-out on the couch? Perfect, they’ll be right there with you. You want to hike five miles to Timbuktu? Well, you’re in for a treat. This dog will be right by your side. They’re happiest being right there beside you, regardless of what you’re doing. They will truly adapt to your lifestyle.
Trina Taylor: No. We need more new blood. There are too few, too selective, too competitive. We need more people who are willing to work together regardless of their personal feelings or beliefs. In a breed that is on the low end of breed registrations, it is vital that we work together instead of against. It is our responsibility to see that this breed strives as a whole and carries on. We cannot deny newcomers, or be cold or callus. We must work together seamlessly to see the breed into the future.
Trina Taylor: I absolutely love hearing the stories of Myrtle, the Mother of Manchesters. There is one story that has stood out over the years… the moment she was in the Group ring with her Toy Manchester and her slip fell off as she was going around the ring, and seamlessly, she just stepped right out of it and kept on showing like it never happened.
To this day, I joke about how I could have been her granddaughter. I wish I could embody her strength and capability. But in reality, I hope that in heaven she is smiling down on me and what I am doing with her breeding program in her stead.
The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.
Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.
Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.
Read and learn more about the bright Manchester Terrier dog breed with articles and information in our Manchester Terrier Dog Breed Magazine.
Manchester Terrier Breed Magazine - Showsight
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