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Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Manchester Terrier we have compiled 6 mandatory and 6 recommended health tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
What this grade means
The Manchester Terrier receives a C grade because it requires an above-average number of mandatory health tests for breeding. In particular, eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and glaucoma, as well as the blood clotting disorder Von Willebrand disease type I (vWD I), must be ruled out through consistent screening. Prospective buyers should specifically ask to see the test results of the parent dogs to minimize health risks.
Every breed is susceptible to certain inherited conditions. Just like humans, dogs inherit predispositions from their parents. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for these conditions and make informed mating decisions to reduce the risk passed on to puppies.
No — but it's the strongest tool we have. Diet, exercise, environment, and genetics all contribute to whether a dog develops a condition. When breeders use the right tests to identify risk in potential parents, the likelihood of many conditions appearing in the puppies drops significantly.
There's no one-size-fits-all here. For the Manchester Terrier we track 6 mandatory tests plus 6 additional recommended ones. The specific tests and passing thresholds are detailed further below.
Keep in mind
Reliable screening tests still don't exist for many hereditary conditions, and tests for complex polygenic conditions are not always predictive of severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool used by every responsible breeder.
There are two main types of health tests:
Screen the dog's DNA for known disease-causing mutations. Can be performed from puppyhood and give a binary result (clear / carrier / affected).
Clinical and imaging exams like X-ray, ultrasound, or ophthalmoscopy. They show how a predisposition actually manifests — usually only conclusive after 12–18 months.
We group breeding programs into three levels based on testing depth. Ask your breeder directly which level they meet.
A breeder at the Great level performs all mandatory tests plus 6 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Lens luxation(PLL)
Augen und Sehvermögen
Lens luxation is an inherited eye disorder where the lens slips out of its normal position because the supporting fibers holding it in place weaken or break. When the lens shifts, it can block the natural drainage of fluid within the eye. This blockage causes a rapid, painful buildup of pressure called glaucoma, which can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated.
Augen · Passing: CLEAR
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease(LCPD)
Bewegungsapparat
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a serious orthopedic condition affecting the hip joint, primarily in small breed dogs. It occurs when the blood supply to the head of the thigh bone, known as the femur, is spontaneously disrupted. Without blood, this bone tissue dies and collapses, leading to severe joint inflammation and pain.
Roentgen · Passing: Normal
Patellar Luxation(PL)
Bewegungsapparat
Patellar luxation, also known as a luxating patella, is a physical condition affecting the knee joint where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. This misalignment interferes with the mechanical movement of the hind leg and can cause the joint to lock. Over time, this abnormal friction can lead to painful joint wear and tear, known as osteoarthritis.
Physisch · Passing: Normal
Pattern baldness
Haut und Fell
Pattern baldness is a cosmetic, genetically influenced condition affecting the skin and coat. It occurs when hair follicles gradually shrink over time, leading to localized hair loss. Because there is no underlying inflammation or infection, the skin itself remains healthy and unaffected.
Haut
Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy(JDCM)
Herz
This is a severe, inherited heart disease where the heart muscle becomes abnormally enlarged and weakened, preventing it from pumping blood effectively. It is an autosomal-recessive condition that primarily affects young Portuguese Water Dogs and Toy Manchester Terriers. In Toy Manchester Terriers, the disease is linked to a mutation in a cardiac potassium channel, which is a protein essential for maintaining a normal heart rhythm.
Passing: Clear/Carrier
Hydrocephalus
Nervensystem
Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition affecting the brain and nervous system, commonly referred to as water on the brain. It occurs when cerebrospinal fluid, the natural protective liquid surrounding the brain, builds up abnormally inside the brain's cavities, known as ventricles. This accumulation creates harmful pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, which can impair normal brain function.
Roentgen · Passing: A
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every mandatory and recommended test plus identity and rearing questions — take it with you.
Open the full checklistFor breeders
Machine-readable mating rules, minimum ages, scoring schemes, and what's required for HonestDog verification — as a printable guide.
Example rule — Ectropion / Entropion
Both parents must be CLEAR or better.
We compile mandatory tests from official breed regulations and veterinary databases — and check every uploaded certificate for authenticity.
L1 = mandatory under breed-club regulations. L2 = recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH breeding regulations, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are AI-extracted and reviewed by our team for authenticity, date, and result.
6 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are Ectropion / Entropion, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA), Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Every test must be completed before mating, and the result must fall within the threshold defined by the regulation.
See breeders who have already uploaded their mandatory tests for verification.
View verified breeders