Category Archives: For Pet Owners

Manchester Terrier Health Update: BAER Hearing Testing Added at Maximal Manchester Terriers

Maximal Updates, For Pet Owners

Understanding Manchester Terrier health is an important part of our commitment to being responsible breeders. As an AKC Breeder of Merit, we test our dogs extensively before breeding, and we’re writing to share an update: we are now BAER hearing testing our dogs, and we want you to know why.

Deafness has been quietly present in Manchester Terriers for decades, but it was never widely reported. Recently, a number of breeders came forward and had their dogs tested, and the rate of deafness detected in the Standard variety has been enough to get our community’s attention. As Chair of the American Manchester Terrier Club (AMTC) Health Committee, Michelle helped lead the response to this discovery, but we want our puppy families to hear about it directly from us, too.

Here’s the good news: this is exactly the kind of issue a responsible breeding program is built to catch. At the most recent AMTC Board meeting, the Health Committee recommended that BAER testing be added to the required tests for Standards to earn their OFA CHIC certification, and added as a recommended test for Toys. The Board approved this unanimously, and it has been accepted by OFA.

What is BAER testing, and why does it matter to you?

BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing is the only reliable way to confirm whether a dog can hear normally in both ears. It’s especially important because it’s the only way to detect unilateral deafness — deafness in just one ear — which a puppy can otherwise appear to hide completely, since a dog with one working ear behaves almost exactly like a fully hearing dog. This type of deafness present from birth is called congenital deafness, and BAER testing only needs to be done once in a dog’s life to confirm its hearing.

What we’re doing at Maximal

We’ve actually BAER tested our dogs in the past. Because we never found a hearing problem, we didn’t continue testing every dog — but in light of what the breed community is now seeing, we’ve resumed BAER testing as a standard part of our health program. Specifically:

  • We are BAER testing our dogs as part of our pre-breeding health screening.
  • We report our results to the public OFA database, so anyone can verify our dogs’ health testing.
  • Helping to set the standard for how our breed responds to this issue. As a member of the AMTC Board and Chair of the Health Committee, Michelle is working with like-minded breeders and experts in the field to pursue research in deafness in Manchester Terriers, working to understand where it comes from, how it’s inherited, and ultimately how to breed away from it.

This is one part of a comprehensive Manchester Terrier health program

BAER hearing testing joins the already extensive list of breed-specific and recommended genetic tests and health exams we complete on our dogs before breeding:

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

When you choose a Maximal Manchester Terrier, you’re choosing a puppy backed by one of the most thorough health guarantees and health testing programs in the breed, and a breeder actively working to protect its future.

If you have any questions about health testing or what it means for your future puppy, please reach out. We’re always happy to talk.

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

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

For Breeders, For Pet Owners, Health, ,

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 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 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.

10 Questions Every Responsible Dog Breeder Should Be Eager to Answer

For Pet Owners, , , , , , , ,
Michelle is smiling, seated in a chair with a lap full of toy manchester terriers as they all stare at a laptop screen.

When looking for a responsible dog breeder, doing thorough research is essential. The best breeders are looking for puppy buyers who have chosen their breed carefully and are eager to learn. Many breeders have websites with contact information and details about their breeding programs. In that case, you may find answers to some of the following questions right away.

Carefully review the information available from the breeder before making contact through their preferred method of communication. Use these questions to ensure you’re working with an ethical and responsible dog breeder when adding your next puppy or dog to your home.

  1. How long have you had this breed, and why did you choose it?
    • Green Flag: Look for passion and excitement about the breed. New breeders should describe their preparation and have an experienced breeder as a mentor.
    • Red Flag: Multiple breeds with no specific passion or their breed selection is more out of convenience.
    • Pro Tip: Most responsible breeders’ involvement with the world of purebred dogs goes beyond raising puppies. They participate in competitive events because they enjoy spending time with other dog lovers and bonding with their individual dogs.
  2. What are your goals as a breeder?
    • Green Flag: Breeders should aim for specific health, temperament, and breed-specific traits in line with the AKC breed standard.
    • Red Flag: Emphasis on breeding for rare colors or coat types over health and temperament.
    • Pro Tip: Know what the breed standard says about size, color, and coat type. If the breeder is intentionally producing and promoting their dogs that fall outside this range, then they are not reputable.
  3. Are your dogs and puppies registered with the American Kennel Club, and do your puppies come with AKC papers?
    • Green Flag: Breeders should ensure puppies come with AKC (American Kennel Club) papers when they go to their new homes. Be wary of breeders who use the term “papers” generically. AKC is the only U.S. registry that is non-profit and inspects its breeders to enforce care and conditions policies. The AKC care and conditions requirements are stricter than the USDA’s.
    • Red Flag: High-volume breeders often partially register with AKC to avoid AKC inspections. This means not all of their dogs are AKC-registered and the puppies may not come with papers but the breeder still markets themselves as an AKC breeder.
    • Pro Tip: View AKC papers as a bare minimum requirement but understand they are not themselves an indication of a responsible breeder. Look for an AKC Breeder of Merit and learn about the requirements here.
  4. What health tests do you perform on your dogs before breeding?
    • Green Flag: Breeders should share specific health tests for their breed and their dogs’ results, ideally verified by the OFA Canine Health Information Center (CHIC).
    • Red Flag: Vague statements about regular veterinary care or reliance solely on extensive DNA panels.
    • Pro Tip: Breeders can pay a fee to have each dog’s health tests verified, publicly displayed and searchable on the OFA CHIC web site. Use this free search tool in your research.
  5. Are you a member of the AKC Parent Club for your breed?
  6. How do you socialize your puppies?
    • Green Flag: Look for a well-thought-out socialization protocol, possibly following programs like Puppy Culture or Avidog.
    • Red Flag: Simple claims of raising puppies at home with occasional interactions with children or other adults in the home.
    • Pro Tip: Programs like Puppy Culture get the puppies started on potty training, crate training and clicker training before they leave for their new homes.
  7. At what age do your puppies go to their new homes?
    • Green Flag: Responsible dog breeders keep puppies until at least 8 weeks old, sometimes longer for toy breeds (9-12 weeks).
    • Red Flag: Early separation from the litter.
    • Pro Tip: Separation from the mother, which begins at weaning, and separation from the litter, are important parts of a puppy’s development.
  8. What veterinary care do your puppies receive before going home?
    • Green Flag: Puppies should have vaccinations, a veterinary checkup, fecal check, deworming, and ideally, a microchip.
    • Red Flag: Lack of veterinary care, no proof of vaccinations or worming protocol
    • Pro Tip: Some states require puppies to have a veterinarian-issued health certificate at time of sale.
  9. Do you provide a health guarantee?
    • Green Flag: Responsible breeders offer a contract which includes a health guarantee, showing they are confident in their breeding decisions.
    • Red Flag: No health guarantee or a health guarantee that offers little to the buyer.
    • Pro Tip: Even if there is no contract, some states have “puppy lemon laws”
  10. Do you have requirements for your puppy buyers?
    • Green Flag: Breeders may have requirements for spay/neuter and specify basic standards of care.
    • Red Flag: No requirements OR restrictions on veterinary care, forcing specific diets or products, especially when they come from MLM companies.
    • Pro Tip: Ask for a copy of the contract in advance. Know what you’re getting into before that cute puppy is in your lap and too hard to resist!

When searching for a responsible dog breeder, these questions will help you identify the breeders committed to the health and well-being of their dogs. Always research and ask follow-up questions based on the information provided. A responsible breeder will be transparent and willing to share their knowledge and practices with you.

two toy manchester terriers puppies with sand on their noses look up from a kiddie pool filled with sand.
Responsible dog breeders provide enrichment for their puppies like the toy-filled sandbox shown here.

Why are these questions important?

You are helping to support ethical breeding practices that place the care and happiness of the dogs as the number one priority. And most importantly, your support of a responsible dog breeder is helping to put irresponsible breeders out of business, thereby reducing the population of dogs in shelters and rescue.

Click here to read the top 5 hallmarks of a responsible dog breeder.

A toy manchester terrier puppy gets used to the leash. He's laying stretched out on his back in the grass in a playful pose.
A Toy Manchester Terrier puppy plays in the grass while getting used to the feel of a light leash.

Myth busting: Top 3 Reasons People Prefer Male or Female Manchester Terriers

For Pet Owners,

All Maximal Toy Manchester Terrier applicants are given the option to choose a particular gender. When adding a new canine companion to the family, whether it be an adult or puppy, many pet owners have preferences for a specific gender. Here are the most common reasons people give for wanting male or female Manchester Terriers.

Reasons people prefer male dogs:

  • Physical: No risk of accidental pregnancy or mess associated with a heat cycle
  • Temperament: Viewed as more eager to please and/or loving
  • Make a better watch dog/ more protective

Reasons people prefer female dogs:

  • No risk of marking (urinating on objects) in the home
  • Smarter/easier to train
  • Temperament: Viewed as more loving, and accepting of other dogs/pets, nurturing/tolerant

Aside from the obvious physical benefits of owning a male dog (first bullet above) the rest of these attributes based on gender are false. Yes, even the marking behavior can happen with female dogs, especially terriers!

This is why it’s important to keep an open mind regarding gender. The most important consideration for pet owners, is the gender of any dogs already in the home. This is doubly important with terrier breeds who are often prone to fighting with dogs of the same sex. If your new Manchester Terrier will be an only dog, then gender is even less important.

The best pet is going to be a spayed or neutered pet. This eliminates many of the concerns pet owners have such as risks of accidental pregnancy, messes due to marking/urinating or heat cycles, or quarreling with other dogs in the home.

Most importantly, keeping an open mind about gender will help us to match you with the right dog for your family and lifestyle, and shorten the wait time.