In July 2014, the Canadian Kennel Club began allowing non-purebred dogs 'mixed breeds' to compete in CKC 
Performance events. Katie Manning, a resident of Torbay, Newfoundland had attended Obedience trials as a spectator and ring steward in both Obedience and Conformation for years (and eventually Chief Obedience Ring Steward in 2011). At that time, she trained her two mixed-breed dogs at home (Bear, Archer's Grin and Bear It PCD RI RN ITD CGN, and Mozart, Archer's Don't Stop the Music RN ITD.)
Naturally, Katie was ecstatic to hear that mixed-breed dogs were going to be allowed to compete. She entered her mixed-breed dog, a spaniel mix named 'Bear' at the trials on July 5, 2014.
Bear and Katie were one of the first mixed-breed teams to compete in a performance event in Canada. Katie 
and Bear had an amazing time and eventually obtained her Pre Novice CD, Rally Novice and Intermediate with Bear.
Katie was interested in adding to her canine family and decided in May, 2015 to obtain a Purebred Australian Shepherd named Havoc because she loves the Herding dogs and enjoyed watching them compete in CKC events.
In July 2015, Katie entered Havoc at the Newfoundland All-breed Kennel Club, championship dog shows. She had an exciting time winning four Best Baby in Group and thoroughly enjoyed her venture into the conformation ring. Havoc went on to win Best Baby in Show and since maturing has won several Group 1st before retiring to mature. Watch for Katie and Havoc at future shows.
“I think the Canine Companion Program played the biggest role in my involvement with Conformation,” said 
Katie Manning. “Once my boys were able to compete, I became even more involved in CKC sports and more interested in Conformation, and wanting to bring home a purebred dog that could compete in Conformation as well as Obedience and Rally. I definitely think that had the Canine Companion Program not been introduced, I never would have ended up with Havoc.”
Katie has also joined the Newfoundland All-breed Kennel Club—a club that has always welcomed Katie and her dogs from the very start—and most recently served as the official Show Secretary for the NKC April 2016 Championship Dog shows.
“Katie is a true inspiration in her dedication to revive Obedience/Rally numbers here in Newfoundland,” said Imelda McDonald, Past Vice-President of the NKC. “Katie is a true delight to work with. Her attention to detail is impeccable, which is why she has been Chief Ring Stewart for many Obedience Rings. The judges have 
often said they have never had such an organized ring to work in but even complimented her score sheets!”
McDonald also remarked that Katie shares her Obedience and Rally skills by volunteering her time to teach NKC Rally classes and that she also uses those same skills at her job in a boarding kennel, Chinook Winds Canine Resort.
Local club members are proud of Katie's achievements in the dog world and her dedication to the Sport of Purebred Dogs. We all wish Katie and her dogs many more years of success.