MAINTAINING THE MANCHESTER TERRIER by Muriel Henkel
T he Manchester Terrier is equally successful as a com- petitor in both the conformation, companion and per- formance arena—in addition to serving as an excellent companion—suitable for almost every situation. At the present time, The AmericanKennel Club recognizes approximately 193 breeds of dogs of which the Manchester Terrier is listed as a “low entry breed”. Examples below in- dicate the decline in numbers over a period of fifty years:
Defined lines are few. Perhaps we can rebuild or strengthen existing stock with the advice of a geneticist! Lifestyles no longer allow Breeders to maintain a kennel making avail- ability across the country unpredictable. Some of the best publicity is to get out in the public for lei- sure walks, travel, etc. Curiosity abounds with questioning “is that a mini-Dobe”? A change in lifestyle can be difficult—but, IF we value the breed, we must take the time and money to do whatever possible to maintain what is possibly “one of the oldest rec- ognized Terrier.”
Individual Registrations
Registered Litters
Year
1978 223 1988 204 1998 241 2008 157 2018 58
484 421 458 407 181
WHY THE DECLINE Is it a change in living patterns? Publicity? Availability? Lack of breeders? Health? Starting with health. Of primary concern has to be depth in our gene pool, which is also seen in decline, not only in maintaining each variety, but inter- variety breeding as well. Below is a comparison of the breed’ studbook entries with results of studbook’ descendant list that has/or continues to produce over 10 generations:
Individual Registrations
Studbook Entries
Registered Litters
Male/Female With/Without Descendants
Year
2005 201 2015 75
458 160
131
49/82 21/28
42/89 22/27
49
60 • T op N otch T oys , S eptember 2019
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