Breanna Uyeno of Everest Kennels shares her passion for preserving the Standard Manchester Terrier through breeding and outreach.
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Breanna Uyeno
1. My name is Breanna Uyeno. I grew up in Southern California, though life has taken me many places, including Colorado for my undergraduate degree and now Iowa, where I am further pursuing my education. Together with my mom, Teena, and my sisters, Olivia and Ava, we make up Everest Kennels, which is primarily based out of Southern California.
Dogs have been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my mom would help breeders whelp their litters, so I grew up in a whelping box, both figuratively and literally. When I was about seven years old (I’m now 27), I picked out my own Bullmastiff puppy to be my first show dog. From there, my sister and I developed a love for Junior Showmanship, which naturally grew into a lifelong passion for purebred dogs and preservation breeding. My mom established her breeding program in 1996 with Bullmastiffs, and since then, my sister and I have been deeply involved, continuing to build on her foundation with our focus on Standard Manchester Terriers.
2. One of the true hallmarks of the Manchester Terrier is captured perfectly in the General Appearance section of the Breed Standard: “…the Manchester presents a sleek, sturdy yet elegant look and has a wedge shaped long and clean head with a keen, bright, alert expression.” Equally important is the statement in the Temperament section: “Not being a sparring breed…”
Together, these lines define what makes the Manchester unique. They are not a Working dog or a Sporting dog, but very much a Terrier. Their sleek, sturdy, and elegant build allows them to work efficiently for long periods of time, while their temperament sets them apart from other terriers. Manchesters Terriers are not quarrelsome by nature; instead, they are known as the “Gentleman’s Terrier,” giving them that amazing on and off switch. This calm, steady disposition, combined with their alertness and elegance, makes them not only a true representation of breed type but also a great companion dog.
3. Personally, we have enough homes. This is primarily because we ensure that our puppy list is full prior to putting a litter on the ground. However, for the breed in general, I worry about there being enough homes to support future breedings. By no fault of their own, the breed is a hidden gem. So, I think that not enough people know about them yet to have a big demand for puppy homes, which is why we work so hard on breed outreach and education.
4. The Everest family believes there is always room for improvement and that learning never truly ends, which is why education remains such an important part of our lives. We are committed to continually expanding our knowledge, especially as science and technology evolve, and we apply that mindset directly to our breeding program. Whether it is utilizing the latest health testing and pedigree databases, exploring new and less invasive veterinary procedures, or simply prioritizing the safety and well-being of our dogs, we are always seeking ways to improve. That being said, I still believe that certain aspects of breeding dogs remain an “art.”
We have also embraced new communication tools to better share our work and advocate for our breed. With my sister’s involvement, social media has become a powerful tool for outreach. By creating a new website and actively using social platforms, we have been able to connect with a broader audience, educate the public, and promote responsible breeding. These advancements in both science and communication allow us to advocate for the Manchester Terrier while ensuring we remain educated as breeders.
5. I feel like the public’s perception of purebred dogs has changed in recent years for the better. In my opinion, puppy-buyer education has exponentially improved over the last couple of decades, thanks to the efforts made by dedicated, reputable breeders. In many cities, you may see typey representatives of the breed walking with their owners.
6. What’s just as important as buyer education is breeder education. There are many breeders who underestimate how important their role is in the development or advancement of their breed.
In breeds with smaller gene pools, such as Manchesters, every breeding has the ability to impact the following generations to come in significant ways. Avoiding genetic bottlenecks comes at great costs, both literally and figuratively, and not every person is prepared for this responsibility. Making sure one has proper mentors and appropriate facilities is essential for the success of any breeder and the breed of their choice.
7. One of the positive changes I have seen in the sport in recent years is the use of pedigree databases, genetic testing, and awareness of the COI, or Coefficiency of Inbreeding. I love that these are topics more people are focusing on in recent years, and I encourage all breeders to take a deeper dive into how they work, what they mean, and the differences, for example, of how some tests or COIs are different from others, in order to better utilize them as tools in their breeding programs.
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