CANADIAN MANCHESTER TERRIER CLUB HEALTH SURVEY:
BREEDING AND BIRTHINGThe most recent health survey conducted by the CMTC investigated the reproductive health and birthing experiences of Manchester Terriers. Surveys were available on-line and electronic responses were returned anonymously. Twenty one respondents completed the survey.
Estrus cycle
Approximately half of all respondents (47.6%) indicated their bitches cycled regularly, on a 6 to 7 month cycle. The same number indicated their bitches cycled less frequently than every 7 months. Only a single respondent indicated their bitch(es) cycled more often than every 6 to 7 months. Age of first cycle was reported for 98 bitches. The average age of onset was 10 months, however it ranged from 6 to 24 months. Nearly one-third of the bitches did not begin to cycle until age 1 year or later.
Breeding Practice
Participants were asked to report on their experiences from the past 10 years (1995 to present), specifically from their most recent 15 breedings. One hundred and seventy six attempted breedings were reported. Overall, a majority of the breedings were reported as successful, with 88% resulting in pregnancy and 84% resulting in a litter being whelped.
Most breedings conducted during this period were natural. In total, one hundred and twenty seven natural breedings were reported. Details were provided for 115 of these litters. These breedings resulted in 513 puppies, averaging 4.5 pups per litter (ranging from 1 to 9 puppies per litter). Only a single respondent reported using progesterone testing for their natural breedings. Twenty-six artifical insemination breedings were reported. This represents 16.5% of all the breedings reported. Only 2 individuals reported using artificial inseminations for more than half of their breedings. Most who used AI did so infrequently and over half of the survey participants had not performed an AI breeding during the time period being examined in the survey. Of the AI breedings performed, 78% were successful and resulted in a pregnancy and litter.
The most common form of AI breeding involved fresh semen. Twelve fresh semen AIs were reported, with 10 being successful and resulting in a total of 35 pups. The average litter size was 3.5 pups, and ranged from 1 to 11 pups. The second most common procedure involved frozen semen. Eight frozen implantations were reported. Of these 6 were successful, resulting in a total of 22 puppies. The average litter size was 3.7 pups and ranged from 2 to 5. Less common were AI breedings involving fresh chilled and fresh chilled extended semen. Four fresh chilled breedings were performed resulting in 3 litters. Two breedings were performed using fresh extended semen and one resulted in a litter.
Whelping
Almost 15% of the litters reported involved at least one puppy in the litter dying. In total, 45 puppy deaths were reported. In general, most puppies died at a young age, with 53% of the reported deaths occurring in the first 48 hours.
The responses to the items concerning whelping problems generally accord with the commonly held belief that Manchester Terriers do not experience many whelping difficulties. In the current survey, only 8 ceasarian sections were reported. Most dams free whelped their litters. It was more common, however, for dams to require some assistance during whelping. Twenty four litters (16 % of litters) required assistance with breeders having to manually assist in the removal of puppies. In twenty other litters (13.5% of litters), medication was required to help stimulate contractions. These figures, while undoubtedly lower than in many other breeds, may none-the-less be a cause for concern. Many breeders fear that the easy access to technology and veterianian services may encourage breeders to attempt to breed unsuitable bitches, thus propagating these whelping problems in future generations.
Generally relatively few other problems were reported. Recall that the survey included almost 600 puppies. Sixteen puppies were born dead and 15 fading puppies were reported. Five pups were reported as being born with a defect. In all these cases the reported defect was what is sometimes called a “toothpaste puppy”. As a result of an umbilical hernia, the puppies intestines are forced outside the abdomin during delivery. This type of defect is not thought to have a genetic basis. Additionally, four pups were born with cleft palets.
Eighteen respondents reported that they gave their bitches supplements either before, during or after pregnancy. Many breeders increased the amount fed at the end of the gestation period or switched the bitch to puppy food. Several specific supplements were also reported, including “Concept-a-bitch”, “Solid Gold Razz (Red Raspberry Leaves)”, Sea Meal, and kelp. Also reported were foods rich in vitamins such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and sardines, as well as vitamin C, E or calcium.
Manchester dams also faired quite well post-delivery. Ten cases of retained placentas were reported. Five cases of mastitis were reported. One of these cases resulted in the death of the dam. Nine mothers had a lack of milk develop for the puppies. Singles cases were reported of a fever in the dam, or a dam failing to care for her pups or attempting to kill her pups. In only a single case, was it reported that the dam died as a result of complications.
Conclusions
All in all, the survey reflects the commonly held belief that Manchester Terriers are a generally healthy dog that experiences few breeding or whelping difficulties. Unlike other breeds, there are very few reports of ceasarian sections or fading puppies. However, as noted, there are a number of dams who required assistance in whelping, whether it be manual assistance or medication.