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Question:  I have read about vWd, but what does all that really mean, and how important is that for my companion puppy?

Answer:  vWd is a bleeding disorder in several breeds of dogs, including the Manchester.  It is important that your breeder test their dogs and that you can obtain proof that your puppy is not affected by this disease.  Responsible breeders should be able to provide you with a copy of BOTH parents vWd test, and prove that your puppy is not affected.  There have been 2 cases of affected dogs reported to me, in the last 2 months alone, by concerned pet owners, in dogs they have purchased from irresponsible breeders.  Believe me they ARE out there, despite what some people will try and have you believe.  Just because they don't bleed much when their toenails are cut, does NOT mean the dog is not affected.  Demand proof!  The only test, in my opinion that is 100% accurate is the DNA test.  Blood assay tests are highly inaccurate and can be influenced by a number of factors.  You cannot fool DNA!  Vet Gen currently owns the patent for the DNA test, and expert information on vWd can be found here Vet Gen  The DNA test costs about $150 which is a small investment in a healthy breeding program.  Breeders that are too cheap to invest in the breed's future should not be breeding Manchesters.

Question: The dog I have could be a carrier.  How concerned should I be?

Answer:  Carriers do not have the disease nor can they suddenly develop it.  Since a companion dog is not used for breeding, it's not a problem.

Question:  Other than vWd, what other health concerns are there in Manchesters?

Answer:  Manchesters have been reported to have hip dysplasia, legg calve perthes, PRA, hypothyroidism, night blindness,  patellar luxation, and alopecia.  Click on underlined words to follow the link for more information.

Question:  What can I do to ensure that my puppy does not have any of these problems?  What testing should the breeder be doing?

Answer:  Testing of all dogs used in a responsible breeding program is very important.  Hip x-rays, thyroid testing, manual examination by a licensed veterinarian for luxating patellas, and CERF for eyes will help to rule out most of the genetic problems.  Results should be made to you upon request by the breeder.

What we as breeders can be and should be doing is testing the dogs we use in our breeding program.  The best available technology for early detection of autoimmune (hereditary) thyroiditis in dogs is a sensitive assay for Thyroglobulin Autoantibody (TgAA).  This test was developed in 2000 by Oxford Laboratories and is used by  responsible breeders, veterinarians and researchers who are dedicated to addressing the canine world’s most common disease.

I have recently changed my entire thyroid testing protocol.  This means re-testing every dog being used in my breeding program. Results of individual dog's TgAA will be posted as they become available.