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Manchester Terrier

Lifestyle needs

Manchester Terrier

The Manchester Terrier is a smallish, neat and elegant dog whose background allegedly was as a ratter.  He is sporty and agile but generally not aggressive and will be devoted to his family.  He is happy in most home environments but would prefer his own garden.  He should have plenty of exercise and an opportunity to run free.  His coat is short and smooth and therefore easy to keep clean. 

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible)

The breed average COI is 12.7% 

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)

         None known

BVA/KC Health Schemes  http://www.bva.co.uk/chs

         None applicable

DNA tests available

Parents should be tested for:

  • von Willebrands disease type 1 (vWD) bleeding disorder)

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

         None known

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents (or check the KC’s health test results finder). If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)
  • Anal gland infection
  • Pattern baldness (usually females)
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (a disease of the hip joint involving degeneration of the head of the femur, causing severe pain and lameness)  (possibly US dogs only)
  • Renal failure (older dogs)

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life.  Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.  Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

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