Dr. Judi Fleischaker of Merit shares her insights on Toy Manchester Terriers, show puppy selection, breed trends, and the dog show community.
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Dr. Judi Fleischaker
1. I live in Southeast Michigan working as an Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian at Veterinary Emergency Services West and as a small animal veterinarian at Alsager Animal Care Center. I grew up in a dog sport family. My Grandfather and Great-Grandfather bred Dachshunds, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, and English Setters, and competed in Field Trials, Obedience, and Conformation. Well-bred, breed-specific function was ingrained in me at an early age. I grew up with Dachshunds, Doberman Pinschers, and Airedale Terriers. I put my first Obedience title on a dog in 1966 at age six. I put my first championship title on a dog at age eight and competed in Junior Showmanship until I was 18. I have co-bred Dachshunds and Dobermans with my mother, Bobi Fleischaker, until her death in 1998. I started in Manchester Terriers in 1979. I have co-bred Manchesters with Jerri Hobbs under her kennel name Heaven Hi. My daughter, Marit Alsager, and I breed and show Toy Manchester Terriers under the kennel name Merit.
2. I select show puppies based on structure and attitude. I look at structure in the first week of life, as it is easy to evaluate layback of shoulder and angulation at that age. I then review structure, movement, and attitude at about 6-8 weeks of age, always asking other breeders, including breeders of other breeds, for their evaluation and input. I tend to pick alpha dogs as show prospects. Structure and willingness to please and interact with people and toys, and play drive, play a role in choosing performance dogs. Health and longevity always are first and foremost in my breeding program
3. Overall, our breed is doing well. There are now more open conversations about health concerns in our breed. The majority of breeders are interested in preserving the integrity, breed type, and health of our breed. I have noticed an increase of short upper arms in our breed, which causes the goose step gait that does not cover ground well.
4. Our breed was a low entry breed heading toward extinction in the 1990s. The increased number of shows has allowed our breed to get more recognition and helped to stabilize our breed numbers. Judges need to remember that Toy Manchesters are still terriers and should be a diminutive version of the Standard Manchester.
5. Social media has been positive for our breed. It has allowed more open conversations about our breed among breeders. It has allowed our low entry breed to network and set up majors at shows. Social media has made it easier for the general public to learn about our breed. It has also helped with dogs that need rescue or rehoming. One thing I would like to say about social media is that we all need to be kind to each other and keep our comments to positive comments, general information, and constructive and productive conversations. In other words, be kind to each other.
6. The biggest challenge for our sport is event-giving clubs that are run by an aging population with little mentorship to get younger generations trained and involved in running clubs. We need to realize the children are the driving force in the choice of pets in the majority of households. We need to embrace, nurture, and mentor the next generation of AKC dog enthusiasts. We need to create a friendly learning environment to get youth involved and prepared to take over the responsibilities in the clubs as they become adults.
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