Health First!
Health Issues
Overall, Manchester Terriers are a very healthy breed. As they are not overly popular they have not been indiscriminately bred just for profit. Most Manchester Terrier breeders are in it for their love of the breed and definitely not for making a profit.
Although they are susceptible to a few genetic problems, these problems are quite rare. Specifically, Manchester Terriers have been associated with von Willebrand's Disorder (a bleeding disorder), thyroid disease, and legges calves perthes (a bone disorder). Descriptions of each of these problems are listed below.
VWD: Von Willebrand's disease is a bleeding disorder common in a number of breeds, including Manchester Terriers (both standards and toys), Doberman Pinschers, Scottish Terriers, and Shetland Sheepdogs. Severely affected dogs can bleed to death from relatively minor injuries because their blood does not clot properly as a result of a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a plasma protein. The prevalence and severity of the disorder depends on the breed of dog. Little information is available that deals specifically with Manchester Terriers, but thankfully they do not appear to be as severely affected as some other breeds and it is highly unlikely that even affected Manchester Terriers would die from "bleeding out" from minor injuries. Information provided by VetGen (a company that provides tests for vWD) indicates that approximately 59% of the Manchester Terriers genetically tested to date are clear of vWD, 35% are carriers and 6% are affected with the disorder. VWD is a genetic disorder and the gene responsible has recently been identified. The genetic test, available from VetGen, conclusively tells you if your dog is affected (has the disorder), a carrier (does not have the disorder but does carry the gene and could create affected puppies if breed with another carrier) or clear (does not have the disorder or carry the gene responsible for the disorder). For most people, whether an animal is clear or carrier is irrelevant as neither will ever suffer from the disorder. Both clears and carriers produce normal levels of clotting factor and neither is at risk for excessive bleeding episodes. It is only when animals will be used in a breeding program that being clear or carrier matters, as it may affect who the animal should be mated with. Prior to the discovery of the genetic basis of vWD and the genetic test, vets used to offer blood tests to diagnose the disorder. The blood test (which is still available) is cheaper, but the results can be affected by a number of factors (e.g. hormonal cycles) and generally the genetic test is preferred.
Legges Calves Perthes: Legges-Calves-Perthes is known by a number of names including legges perthes, and aseptic necrosis. It is a condition that results in degeneration of the femur (leg bone). This condition is common to many small breeds and it has been suggested that Legges Perthes is the small dog's hip dysplasia. In Manchester Terriers, Legges Perthes is more common in toys than in standards. Legges Perthes results from a lack of blood to the femur head. As the femur head does not receive an adequate supply of nourishment the bone begins to die. The condition generally appears between the ages of 6 and 9 months. Often, but not always, an injury occurs just before symptoms appear. Generally, the first symptoms are licking the rear leg, the dog becoming peevish (as a result of being in pain) and obvious pain while walking. If any symptoms are evident animals should be brought to their veterinarian for diagnosis. An x-ray will reveal whether or not the condition is present. In most cases only one joint is affected, although in approximately 10-15% of cases the damage is bilateral. Surgery is the treatment of choice for animals afflicted with the condition. The femur head and all affected bone matter is surgically removed. This generally halts the progression of the necrosis. Once treated, dogs can continue to lead relatively normal lives. There is some suggestion of a genetic basis for Legges Perthes, although inheritance of the disorder is likely complex and is not well understood, and therefore affected dogs should not be used for breeding purposes.
Thyroid & other conditions: Manchester Terriers are also prone to thyroid problems, as are many other breeds. The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones that help regulate body functions including weight and hair growth. A simple blood test can be performed to determine if a dog's thyroid is producing adequate (neither too much nor too little) thyroid levels. Breeders should test breeding stock regularly to ensure thyroid conditions are not being passed on to offspring. Manchester Terriers frequently have sparse amounts of neck hair and there is some suggestion that thyroid problems may be involved in some cases.
Manchester Terriers have also been reported to occasionally display wool allergies. Therefore, owners would be wise to ensure that all bedding is free of wool fibers.
Some have suggested that Manchester Terriers have relatively weak immune systems, although this claim has not been widely documented. Therefore, Manchester Terrier owners should be sure to keep their animals in peak condition by providing good quality food, sufficient levels of exercise and appropriate veterinary attention.
A comprehensive health survey was recently conducted by the Canadian Manchester Terrier Club and the American Manchester Terrier Club. Those interested in reviewing the findings can follow the link listed below to learn more:
CMTC/AMTC Health Survey
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