If you are looking for a Manchester Terrier, it’s important to do your research and learn how to find a responsible breeder who is striving to produce dogs that are temperamentally sound and healthy. A responsible breeder does all of the following things, not just some of them!
Five things all responsible breeders do:
1. A responsible breeder stands behind their dogs no matter their age and will require buyers to sign a contract ensuring proper care, and return of the dog to them no matter its age, if you must ever give them up. Once I was contacted by the owner of an 11-year-old Toy Manchester Terrier who they had purchased from my mother as a puppy. I was thrilled they reached out to me when they could not keep her anymore and happily took her into my home, vetted her and adopted her out to a wonderful new home where she lived to the age of 17! Responsible breeders will go to the ends of the earth to ensure their puppies do not end up in a bad situation.
2. Responsible breeders register all of their dogs and puppies (not just a few) with the American Kennel Club (AKC) proving they conform to AKC standards of care. Ideally, they are also an AKC Breeder of Merit. AKC is a not-for-profit organization. There is no other not-for-profit dog registry in the United States and none other that requires breeders to adhere to any standards of care. Other breeders may claim to have papers from registries with all kinds of initials. Those registries are called “paper registries” because that’s literally all they do: print papers for breeders that look confusingly similar to AKC papers but mean absolutely nothing.
3. They perform health tests on their dogs to prevent producing puppies with heritable diseases. This is NOT the same as taking your dog to the vet and asking if the dog is healthy enough to produce a litter of puppies. Some breeders will run one DNA panel on their dogs (such as embark and wisdom panel) and claim they are fully health tested. While DNA health panels are used by responsible breeders, they are only 1 tool and they should not be the only health screening performed.
Proper health testing for each breed is listed on the OFA web site at ofa.org. It typically requires examination of the parents by multiple veterinary specialists who specialize in things like ophthalmology and cardiology, and performing tests that range in price from $35 to $500+. It means sending cheek swabs to specific labs that will test for genetic disease. It’s important to note that not every health problem is genetic, nor do all the genetic conditions have tests that breeders can perform. But they do their best to only breed the healthiest dogs.
BEWARE the breeder that tells you they don’t need to perform health tests because their dogs are healthy and they have never had a problem. The reason so many of these tests are done by specialists or through DNA panels is because they testing for diseases that are not detectable with the naked eye. A general practice veterinarian cannot examine your dog’s eyes and tell you if they have juvenile cataracts or run a blood test to tell you if your dog has the genetic mutation for juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy. Never take the breeder’s word for it. Ask for proof of health testing. They should be able to produce readable test results. Learn more about health testing available to Manchester Breeders in this recorded seminar that Michelle presented to educate breeders.
4. They show their dogs in AKC dog shows and events to prove they are producing dogs that are sound in mind and body. Often referred to as “show breeders”, which incorrectly implies the person is breeding flashy and expensive dogs. People looking to purchase a pet often say, “But I just want a pet. I don’t want to pay for a show dog.” What they don’t understand is that “show breeders” dogs are pets first and foremost. You’re not paying for a flashy show dog – you’re paying for a better pet and your purchase is helping to cover the costs of someone who is spending a lot of time and money giving their dogs and puppies the best possible care and attention.
The person that is selling puppies for significantly less is putting two dogs (with questionable heritage) together, over and over again, for as cheaply as possible with no health, temperament or standards of quality in mind so they can breed cheaply and make a profit. “Show breeders” do not see a profit, nor do they tend to break even when they sell their puppies.
5. They are members in good standing of their parent club, in our case, the American Manchester Terrier Club. Even better, is if they support their parent club initiatives by holding office or volunteering for a committee.
Why do responsible breeders charge more?
Responsible breeders charge a higher price because they spend more money on their dogs to ensure the best care for their dogs and puppies; performing health tests recommended for their breed; and proving the quality of their dogs by competing in AKC events. A breeder who does none of these things can charge a cheaper price and turn a profit because that’s their only goal. Even though responsible breeders are charging more for their puppies, they are not making a profit from the sale of their puppies.
Responsible breeders are breeding because they love their breed and want to preserve it and see it flourish in the right hands. They are NOT doing it for profit and big wins. Dog shows are meant as a means of proving the quality of one’s breeding stock, that’s why neutered and spayed dogs are ineligible to compete. It costs a lot of money to show a dog and at most shows, the only prize is bragging rights and a ribbon. If you get a prize, it’s rarely valued over $20. Contrary to popular belief, top winning show dogs do NOT guarantee stud fees or puppy sales and they do NOT increase the value of a stud dog or the puppies.
Encourage others to use these tips on how to find a responsible dog breeder
By purchasing a Manchester Terrier puppy from a breeder who seeks to raise their dogs ethically and responsibly, you are helping to preserve a rare and beloved breed. You are helping to support breeding practices that place the care and happiness of the dogs as the number one priority. And most importantly, your support of a responsible breeder is helping to put irresponsible breeders out of business, thereby reducing the population of dogs in shelters and rescue.