My Puppy Philosophy
My goal is to raise healthy, confident Manchesters, prepared for the big world ahead of them. Part of that includes the genetics they receive from their parents, but another part comes with what they experience in their first few weeks and months of life. Nutrition is vital to the growth and development of each puppy, both while the mother is pregnant/nursing, and when they start to eat on their own.
I follow Puppy Culture and AviDog principles, which include early neurological stimulation, enriching environments, early socialization, and much more. My puppies learn about clicker training, and how easy it is to learn new things! They begin with house training, crate training, leash walking, and basic obedience. They will need further training as they enter their new homes, but the foundations for learning are built and reinforced in their first few weeks of life.
Each puppy goes home with a puppy pack, including a clicker. I teach new owners how to use the clicker as a reinforcement tool, along with tips and tricks to make training their new puppy fun and stress-free. New owners will also receive a sampling of food and treats as part of their puppy pack to help the puppy transition to their new home. Puppies are microchipped, up to date on vaccinations (puppy shots), their puppy pack includes a 3-generation pedigree along with ther registration documents.
Health Screenings
I try to be as transparent about health as possible. While the Manchester Terrier is a very healthy breed, it doesn't mean we shouldn't screen them for potential issues. If you don't test, you don't know! I follow the guidelines set by the Manchester Terrier breed clubs through the CHIC program, and ensure my results are publicly available. While I can't dictate what other people do with their dogs, rest assured I try to pick stud dogs with healthy backgrounds and good test results, even if those results aren't publicly posted on the OFA site.
prcd-PRA - why test for it?
Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration, a form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy, is found in a large number of breeds, and is one of the tests screened for when you buy an all-in-one test like Embark or Wisdom Panel. I had Alibi from the 2023 Criminals litter tested through Embark, and she is a carrier for prcd-PRA. This is not common in Manchesters; at the time of receivning this test, I only knew of one other dog who is a carrier. There have been reports of clinically affected manchesters in the past, but this was before the advent of reliable genetic testing. I tested Rey, Alibi's mother, and she is also a prcd-PRA carrier.
Just like vWD, being a carrier is not a problem in itself; only dogs who inherit two abnormal copies of the gene will show the disease. prcd-PRA is not a devastating disease either, it is not painful to the dog, but they do lose their vision over time, starting in middle age and starting with night/low light vision. I've shared my results publicly (on the Pedigree Database, in our breed Health facebook group, as well as submitted to OFA) and urge other Manchester breeders and owners to test their dogs for this condition. Since first sharing these results in late March of 2024, I am pleased to say many other Manchester breeders have started tested their dogs for prcd-PRA, and we can all work together to prevent producing dogs with two copies of this gene.
How My Puppies Find Their New Homes
When I know I will have puppies for sale, I ask anyone who has inquired about a puppy if they are still interested. I want to meet potential puppy buyers; in person at a dog show, a public location like a coffee shop or park, or through a video chat if you're outside the immediate area. I want to know about a potential puppy buyers daily routine, their family, and their hopes and plans for the puppy. This approach helps me ensure they get the best puppy to match their lifestyle.
I don't have a kennel facility; my dogs live with me in my home. Because of this, I do not invite strangers into my house for an initial meeting. Once I have screened and interviewed a potential puppy buyer, they may visit my home by invitation.
I evaluate my puppies at eight weeks of age and make decisions on placement based on their temperament and characteristics. Puppies will receive their first vaccinations, microchip, and veterinary health certificate at this age. Puppies typically leave for their new homes a week or two later, but cannot legally leave before eight weeks of age.
All of my puppies have a contract, which I review in detail with each puppy buyer to ensure the provisions are fully understood. The agreement describes the puppy and the terms and conditions of the sale, including the health guarantee and other obligations. They are also each individually CKC registered.