In search of a Manchester Terrier

May 1, 2008 8:55 PM

Please help me find a Manchester Terrier!

I am looking for a Standard Manchester Terrier puppy and I am finding it unusually difficult to find a reputable breeder with available puppies or a planned litter. Granted, the breed is relatively uncommon. But I have spent countless time and energy researching breeders. And I am getting nowhere fast. I am not looking for links to breeders' websites or links to shelter dogs' profiles, please. So save the energy. I have visited them all. But does anyone actually know a reputable breeder with pups or know of a shelter who has a young Manchester? Can you provide me with information that I likely wouldn't have come across in my endless online research? I have been very patient and will continue to be patient. But if you know something that I don't, please help!

posted by orangeshoe to pets & animals (5 comments total)

Have you tried contacting the breeds club for breeder recommendations? This appears to be the US club (assuming you are in the US). They will likely be able to point you to any breeders local, or local-ish to you.

Also check for local AKC dog shows. A lot of breeders won't have websites or online information, but may be showing locally. If there aren't any there, talk to some dog people, I bet someone will know a breeder or two to put you in touch with.

Finally, check petfinder.com if you haven't already. I see 182 Manchester Terriers listed.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 9:19 PM on May 1, 2008

What I know is that the vast majority of breeders don't have a web presence. In fact, many of them very rarely advertise. They get enough interest to have a waiting list on their litters simply through word of mouth and referrals by other breeders. What you want to do is contact your local state or regional Manchester Terrier breeding club, which will probably have a website and ask for breeder referrals. A large amount of websites for puppy litters are puppy mill fronts or backyard breeders, a solid referral from someone in the dog world will go a long way towards finding a good breeder.
posted by hindmost at 10:15 PM on May 1, 2008

Contact the national breed club that [insert clever name here] linked to, and look for upcoming shows in your area (here on the AKC website, click on the "conformation" tab, select your breed from the dropdown menu, and then select the states you can travel to), shows are a great place to meet breeders.

And do not be surprised if it takes you 6 months to a year or more to find a good breeder who is willing to sell you a puppy (assuming you meet the requirements), ethical breeders breed rarely (once or twice a year at most), and usually have waiting lists (although many do have a web presence nowadays). Or you could consider rescue.
posted by biscotti at 4:48 AM on May 2, 2008

In my experience, the concept of 'available pup' can be somewhat fluid. The short answer to telephone and email inquiries is very frequently "nothing available at this time." Unspoken is the qualifier, "I don't know you well enough." Therefore in addition to patience, I would add persistence. Seconding the suggestion that shows are great place to see dogs, meet breeders, and *become known.*

Your place on a theoretical or invisible waiting list can move from low to high as a breeder gets to know you better. If it all possible, ask to visit just to see puppy development at various ages, help socialize, and so on. If you can go to shows and hang out, offer to help a bit with this or that.

This can pay off even with breeders who merely know the breeder you know, or who see you at shows or other doggy venues. Breeders without puppies or junior dogs to place will often refer highly qualified prospects to each other. Puppies become available for a variety of reasons.

This is more work than some folks are willing to do, and some folks can't accept that dogs aren't shelf commodities available first-come first-served. No idea where you stand on those points, but I'm just speaking from our experience. We got a pup when none were available and all were spoken for. We were just curious and took the opportunity to hang out and lo and behold: a lovely pup was suddenly available.
posted by cairnish at 1:47 PM on May 2, 2008

Where do you live? In my area, there is a Manchester Terrier rescue and I live in a fairly small community.
posted by thebrokenmuse at 9:05 PM on May 2, 2008