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FAQ

We hope this page will help answer some of the questions you may have about our breed. We're happy to answer questions in on the phone, in person, or via email as well. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

What do you mean when you say Manchesters are not for everyone?

Tulip & Petie at 6 monthsDogs are a long-term commitment, and each household has a different lifestyle. Potential dog owners should first assess whether they are ready to make a commitment to any dog before moving on to breed selection.

While Manchesters are small, clean dogs who shed minimally, they are also dogs that require a great deal of training and socialization.  The keys to a properly trained and socialized Manchester Terrier are TIME, COMMITMENT, and CONSISTENCY.

Read more: What do you mean when you say Manchesters are not for everyone?

What is your Breeding Philosophy?

Maggie at 50 DaysBreeding and raising quality dogs with any consistency is not an easy thing to do. It takes planning, patience, commitment, objectivity, and a certain amount of luck.  There are no perfect dogs -- every dog carries positive and negative traits.

 

BREEDING
 
We use a variety of tools when planning breedings. First, we carefully evaluate and document the positive and negative  physical traits and tempement of our dogs as well as other dogs we might potentially use for a breeding along with the get they've already produced, etc.  Second, we evaluate the health of the dogs through a variety of tests and checks.  We also collect and catalog health information on any related dogs we can. Finally, we evaluate pedigrees.   We use Wright's Co-efficient of Inbreeding ("COI") to evaluate each potential litter.  We strive for a COI below 12.5% based on 10 generations of pedigree data. We also review the Co-efficient of Relationship to various ancestors. In every generation, our goal is to ensure that the COI of the offspring is lower than that of the parents. 

Do you guarantee the health of the puppies you sell?

SashaYes. We offer a written, contractual health guarantee for the pups we sell. Our guarantee is detailed in our written sales agreement.  Further, in accordance with Florida State Law, we are required to have each dog we sell examined by a licensed Veterinarian and to provide a health certificate to the buyer. We take this obligation seriously, and our vet performs a thorough exam including knees, hips, elbows, and heart along with the required testing for internal parasites and vaccinations.  If you live in Florida, ALL breeders in the state are required to provide  health certificates and any breeder sending a dog into the state must provide a certificate, as well, even if the dog arrives via car. 

What s a responsible breeder?

Missy & LouieResponsible breeding encompasses a range of behaviors rather than one narrow path. In general, responsible breeders strive to produce healthy, well socialized dogs that meet the standard for their breed. They provide lifetime support to those who purchase puppies, and they care aboutthe well-being of every dog they produce. There are a number of different ways to accomplish those goals. Health testing alone does not make a breeder responsible nor does success in the show ring. Most of the responsible breeders that we know have a genuine passion for their dogs and the breed.

What health testing do you do, and what are the results?

Buster in ActionWe DNA test for Von Willebrand's disease as well as performing routine x-rays on hips for displasia and Leggs-Calves-Perthes, manual exams for luxated patellas, and routine exams for overall health. We have also begun detailed cardiac screenings of our breeding dogs. We will be happy to make written results of tests available upon request. 

Please be aware that the only genetic test available for Manchester Terriers at this time is a DNA test for vWD.  All other tests (x-rays for hips, CERF for eyes, BAER for hearing, blood assays for Thyroid function, etc.) are 'clinical' or observational.  They demonstrate whether a dog exhibits symptoms of a disorder ("affected") or not.  These tests are important, but the results for a puppy's parents are of limited value on their own.  For negative recessive traits, a dog can be free of clinical symptoms yet still carry for the disease.   Particularly if you are looking for a young puppy, it's important to ask about the health not only of the puppy's parents but also his grandparents and siblings from the parents' prior litters.