Results: 2018 General Health Survey

Temperament and Behaviour

Behaviours listed in the Temperament and Behaviour category were reported in 36% (422) of 1,171 surveys completed across all breeds/varieties surveyed.
 
Considering the entire population surveyed:
  • Separation anxiety was the most commonly reported behavioural issue across all categories listed followed by Aggression toward other dogs and Excessive Barking.
  • The experiences of companion owners and breeder/exhibitors were very different.
    • Overall, 52% of companion owners reported at least one of the behaviours listed in this category compared to 19.7% of breeders/exhibitors.
    • TMT companion owners were at least 2x as likely to report every behaviour listed and were 10x more likely to report separation anxiety than breeder/exhibitors.
    • SMT companion owners were 3x as likely to report almost every behaviour listed and were 4x as likely to report Excessive Barking than breeder/exhibitors.
    • MT (UK/FCI) companion owners were 4x as likely to report most behaviours in most categories than breeder/exhibitors.
    • ETT companion owners were 4x as likely to report several of the behaviours listed than breeder/exhibitors.
    • Rates of Aggression toward people were consistent across all four breeds/varieties surveyed at 4-5% -- and so was the disparity in responses for companion owners versus breeders. Across the board, companion owners reported this behaviour 4x more often than breeders/exhibitors, with the difference largest in ETTs where companion owners reported it almost 7x more often than breeders/exhibitors.
**When considering results in this section, it is extremely important to remember that assessments were made wholly and completely by owners.  The survey did not ask owners to assess the severity of an issue, impacts on their dog’s life, their enjoyment of their pet, etc. but rather simply to state whether or not they felt the behaviour was present. No direction, explanation or criteria were outlined for any behaviours listed, therefore personal perception of whether a behaviour is present and whether or not it is “excessive” is dependent completely on individual opinions, frame of references, experience, etc.  This category is meant to provide insight into the perceived experiences of owners and how they feel about their dog’s behaviour.
 
Follow-up:
-While results in this section provide an interesting indicator, more discussion and inquiry is strongly advised across all breeds/varieties examined in this survey.
 

Behaviours

The following behaviours are referenced below in the analysis for this section. The explanation for each disease/condition provided in the survey is included for reference:


  • Aggression toward people
  • Aggression toward other dogs
  • Excessive Barking
  • Excessive Fearfulness​
  • Fear biting (my dog has bitten a person)
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Submissive Urination
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Toy Manchester TerriersAt least one of the behaviours listed in the Temperament category was reported by 34% (103) of all Toy Manchester Terrier owners surveyed.


Rates of reported behavioural issues was sometimes markedly different between companion owners and breeders/exhibitors, with 52.5% (73 of 139) of TMT pet owners reporting at least one behavioural issue compare to 18% (30 of 165) of breeders/exhibitors.

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Standard Manchester TerriersAt least one of the behaviours listed in the Temperament category was reported by 44% (82) of all Standard Manchester Terrier owners surveyed.


Rates of reported behavioural issues was sometimes markedly different between companion owners and breeders/exhibitors, with 60.8% (56 of 92) of SMT pet owners reporting at least one behavioural issue compared to 28.7% (27 of 94) of breeders/exhibitors.

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Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI)At least one of the behaviours listed in the Temperament category was reported by 38% (176) of all Manchester Terrier (UK/FCI) owners surveyed.


Rates of reported behavioural issues was sometimes markedly different between companion owners and breeders/exhibitors, with 51.5% (133 of 258) of MT pet owners reporting at least on behavioural issue compared to 21% (41 of 194) of breeders/exhibitors.

 
Associated Deaths
Three Manchester Terrier (UK/FCI) deaths were attributed to temperament, as follows:
  • One female was “euthanized due to mental status” at less than one year of age.
  • One male was euthanized as a result of “stress and fear” at age 10.
  • One female was euthanized as a result of “aggression” at age 6.
English Toy Terriers
​At least one of the behaviours listed in the Temperament category was reported by 29% (65) of all English Toy Terrier owners surveyed.

Rates of reported behavioural issues was sometimes markedly different between companion owners and breeders/exhibitors, with 40% (49 of 106) of ETT pet owners reporting at least one behavioural issue compared to 15% (16 of 123) of breeders/exhibitors.