I recently completed an interview for ShowSight Magazine. This is a monthly print and digital publication for members of the dog fancy who breed, own and exhibit dogs. Read the article on the Showsight magazine web site here.
If you’ve reviewed the parent club’s recommended Manchester Terrier health tests, you may have noticed some differences between the two varieties: Standard and Toy. This often raises the question—why are there differences if they are technically the same breed and can be interbred?
When comparing the health tests, the lists are almost identical, with one notable exception: the congenital deafness test, which is only emphasized for Standard Manchester Terriers. The primary difference lies in the emphasis placed on specific tests, which are categorized as either required or recommended, depending on the variety. However, it’s important to note that all the health issues listed can appear in both Standard and Toy Manchester Terriers.
Just as certain breeding lines within a breed may have predispositions toward specific traits, they can also be more susceptible to particular genetic mutations. In the United States, the development of the Toy and Standard varieties has followed a path similar to two distinct breeding lines within the same breed. The health test recommendations are designed to guide breeders in making informed decisions about which tests to prioritize.
A common question I get from breeders is: “What health tests should I perform if I’m breeding a Standard Manchester from Toy Manchester parents? Should I test for congenital deafness?” My response is, unless deafness is known to be a concern in their breeding line, testing for it may not be necessary. Aside from this, the comprehensive list of health tests remains the same for both varieties.
In conclusion, the list of required health tests serves as the minimum standard for both Standard and Toy Manchester Terriers. Following these guidelines can help ensure the health and longevity of the breed, regardless of the variety.
Did you know all Maximal Manchester Terrier puppies go home with a lifetime health guarantee? Read more.
Our first litter in two years has arrived. Valor and Trevi gave us five healthy girls, born on June 1, 2024. The girls are now 1 week old and on schedule to double their birth weight in 10 days, which is a sign that the puppies are on the right track. You can follow the puppies’ progress on Facebook or Instagram.
Unfortunately, scammers have stolen our content in the past to create fake pages that advertise our puppies as their own, so we are now tagging all of our puppy content on social media with our name and instagram handle to make it easier for people to determine if they are viewing our original content or a fake account.
Understanding Manchester Terrier health is an important component of a successful and ethical breeding program. Manchester Terriers are not generally known for eye problems, however, it was recently brought to my attention that both the Toy Manchester Terrier and Standard Manchester Terrier might be affected by a late onset form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) called Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration (PRCD).
Further investigation is needed to determine whether this disease may affect our breed. Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration (PRCD) only affects dogs with two copies of the genetic mutation, so a carrier would not be affected. It is NOT known whether a Manchester Terrier with two copies of the mutation for PRCD would be affected, but it’s a possibility. It is important for breeders to complete their dogs’ OFA Eye exams regularly as an ongoing part of a health test program, and not just once before breeding. PRCD can be detected on eye exam when it is advanced enough. You can read more about PRA-PRCD here.
For now, I am recommending that breeders perform DNA testing for this disease until more is known. Should a breeder have carriers, it is nothing to be concerned about, as long as two carriers are not bred together. Should you have a dog with two copies of the genetic mutation for PRCD, annual OFA eye exams (conducted by an ophthalmologist) are strongly recommended. I personally have ordered test kits for all my dogs from GenSolDX. We have tested and received results for our dogs and they are all clear from the genetic mutation, which is a great relief.
