Tag Archives: health testing

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease in the Manchester Terrier: Important Research at Cornell University

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IMPORTANT HEALTH RESEARCH UPDATE

Many of you may be aware that I am the Health Chair and a board member for the American Manchester Terrier Club (AMTC). I am pleased to share that the AMTC Board recently approved a $2,000 donation to support research at Cornell University for Legg-Calv-Perthes (LCP) disease. Today I am sharing an opportunity to help with research with Cornell University with the hopes of uncovering a genetic marker for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in the Manchester Terrier. Keep reading below for four easy ways that you may be able to help further research into Legg-Calv-Perthes disease in the Manchester Terrier.

Maximal Toy Manchester Terriers
  1. We need 18 more DNA samples from dogs who have been diagnosed with LCP disease. We have collected 12 so far of the 30 needed. If you have a dog who has been diagnosed with LCP, please reach out so we can coordinate having a DNA collection kit sent to you. The kit will contain instructions for collecting blood and pre-paid shipping with cooler and ice packs for return to Cornell University. Should your vet charge you for the blood collection, the AMTC health fund will reimburse your expenses. Please email your name, mailing address and phone number to me to arrange for a kit to be sent to your home.
  2. Send your dog’s Embark DNA profile. If you have submitted your dog’s DNA to Embark, you can skip the blood collection and send your dog’s data directly to Cornell. Email me for instructions.
  3. Make a donation: Help the American Manchester Terrier Club fund important breed-specific research by making a donation to our health fund. You can mail a check, or make a paypal payment to amtc20192020@gmail.com – be sure to write “health fund” in the notes section. To mail a check, please reach out for instructions.
  4. If you are a breeder and would like to contribute to the study, please reach out to any of your puppy owners who have had dogs with LCP and share this information. You can also submit DNA from parents and siblings of dogs affected with LCP. 

Please feel free to forward this post to those you know who may be interested in learning about or contributing to this research. 

With Thanks,

Michelle Barlak
Maximal Manchester Terriers

Are Standard Manchester Terriers Healthier than Toy Manchester Terriers? Explaining Manchester Terrier health tests.

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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.

Maximal 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.

Maximal Toy Manchester Terriers

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.

Learn more about Manchester Terrier health testing in a recorded seminar Michelle created to educate breeders and puppy buyers who want to know what health tests to ask about.

Did you know all Maximal Manchester Terrier puppies go home with a lifetime health guarantee? Read more.

Manchester Terrier Health Update: New Health Test Added for Maximal Manchester Terriers

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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.

This new health test is being added to an already comprehensive list of breed-specific and recommended genetic testing and health exams that are performed on all of our dogs here at Maximal Manchester Terriers before breeding:

  • von Willebrand’s Disease
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy
  • Xanthinuria type 2A
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Legg-Calv-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist
  • Cardiac Evaluation by a Verterinary Cardiologist
  • *NEW* Progressive Retinal Atrophy – Progressive Rod Cone Dengeneration (PRA-PRCD)

Video: Manchester Terrier Health Testing Basics for Breeders

manchester terrier health testing explained

Learn more about health testing available to Manchester Breeders in this recorded seminar that Michelle presented to educate breeders.