Results: 2018 General Health Survey
Longevity and Cause of Death
Of the 1,171 surveys completed, 20% (231) were completed for dogs that are deceased.
Considering the entire population surveyed:
Considering the entire population surveyed:
- The proportion of deceased versus living dogs is consistent at 20-24% across all varieties/groups with the exception of English Toy Terriers, where deceased dogs represented just 10% of surveys submitted.
- According to the American Kennel Club, the average lifespan of medium-sized dogs is 10-13 years. At 9.6 years, average age of death in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) is slightly below this range and is also 1.5 - 2 years lower than all other varieties/groups examined in this survey.
- Toy Manchester Terriers had the highest number of deaths at less than one year of age among all varieties/groups examined in this survey. Half of these six dogs died of Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition for which a DNA test is now available.
- Standard Manchester Terriers had the highest proportion of deaths above age 11 (64%) and the highest median age at death (12.5 years), while Toy Manchesters had the highest proportion of deaths over age 15 (23%).
- Among dogs who lived to age 11+, Toy Manchesters and English Toy Terriers had the highest median age at death (14 years).
Toy Manchester Terrier Deaths
71 (23%) of 304 Toy Manchesters reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 33 different causes of death, with four identifying two or more contributing conditions and five not specifying a cause of death. In total, five deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 50 to disease/infection and 11 to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in Toy Manchesters was 11.8 years and median age at death was 12 years, indicating a relatively even distribution of deaths across all age ranges. 61% (41) of all TMT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 14 years. Of note, among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, an additional 66 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of Toy Manchesters aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 109 (35% of all TMT surveys).
Median age at death for female Toy Manchesters was 12 years and for males was 13 years.
71 (23%) of 304 Toy Manchesters reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 33 different causes of death, with four identifying two or more contributing conditions and five not specifying a cause of death. In total, five deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 50 to disease/infection and 11 to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in Toy Manchesters was 11.8 years and median age at death was 12 years, indicating a relatively even distribution of deaths across all age ranges. 61% (41) of all TMT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 14 years. Of note, among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, an additional 66 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of Toy Manchesters aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 109 (35% of all TMT surveys).
Median age at death for female Toy Manchesters was 12 years and for males was 13 years.
Causes of death in Toy Manchester Terriers
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Notes:
-Cancer: Four of 14 cases of cancer/tumor were identified in dogs who died at age 7-10 years. Median age at death among TMT cancer/tumor cases was 12 years
-Kidney: Six of 11 kidney related deaths in Toy Manchesters were in dogs aged 6-10 years (median 8 years). Overall median age at death among TMT from kidney-related issues was 10 years.
-Heart: All TMT cases of congestive heart failure were reported in dogs aged 10+ years. Median age at death was 14 years. All cases of Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy were in dogs age less than one year.
-Digestive: All TMT deaths associated with gastrointestinal issues were in dogs aged 3-9. Average age at death was 7 years.
-Accident: Average age of accidental death in TMTs was 7.5 years.
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
-Cancer: Four of 14 cases of cancer/tumor were identified in dogs who died at age 7-10 years. Median age at death among TMT cancer/tumor cases was 12 years
-Kidney: Six of 11 kidney related deaths in Toy Manchesters were in dogs aged 6-10 years (median 8 years). Overall median age at death among TMT from kidney-related issues was 10 years.
-Heart: All TMT cases of congestive heart failure were reported in dogs aged 10+ years. Median age at death was 14 years. All cases of Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy were in dogs age less than one year.
-Digestive: All TMT deaths associated with gastrointestinal issues were in dogs aged 3-9. Average age at death was 7 years.
-Accident: Average age of accidental death in TMTs was 7.5 years.
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
Standard Manchester Terrier Deaths
44 (24%) of 186 Standard Manchesters reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 28 causes of death, with five identifying two or more contributing conditions and three not specifying a cause of death. In total, four deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 32 to disease/infection and five to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in Standard Manchesters was 11.5 years and median age at death was 12.5. The disparity between these numbers reflects that, while a significant number of SMTs did die at an advanced age, those who died in middle age tended to do so at a proportionately lower age. Overall, however, it should be noted that 64% (28) of SMT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 13 years. This represents the largest proportion of deaths over age 11 among the breeds/varieties examined in this survey (compared to 61% in Toy Manchesters, 53% in Manchester Terriers-UK/FCI and 52% in English Toy Terriers). Among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, an additional 36 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of Standard Manchesters aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 64 (34% of all SMT surveys).
Median age at death for female Standard Manchesters was 13 years and for males was 12.5 years.
44 (24%) of 186 Standard Manchesters reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 28 causes of death, with five identifying two or more contributing conditions and three not specifying a cause of death. In total, four deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 32 to disease/infection and five to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in Standard Manchesters was 11.5 years and median age at death was 12.5. The disparity between these numbers reflects that, while a significant number of SMTs did die at an advanced age, those who died in middle age tended to do so at a proportionately lower age. Overall, however, it should be noted that 64% (28) of SMT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 13 years. This represents the largest proportion of deaths over age 11 among the breeds/varieties examined in this survey (compared to 61% in Toy Manchesters, 53% in Manchester Terriers-UK/FCI and 52% in English Toy Terriers). Among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, an additional 36 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of Standard Manchesters aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 64 (34% of all SMT surveys).
Median age at death for female Standard Manchesters was 13 years and for males was 12.5 years.
Causes of death in Standard Manchester Terriers
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Notes:
-Cancer: Four of 11 cases of cancer/tumor were in dogs who died at age 8-10 years. Median age at death among SMT cancer/tumor cases was 12 years.
-Heart: Three of seven heart related deaths in Standard Manchesters were in dogs aged 6-9 years. Median age at death in remaining cases was 13 years.
-Accident: Average age of accidental death in SMTs was 6 years.
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
-Cancer: Four of 11 cases of cancer/tumor were in dogs who died at age 8-10 years. Median age at death among SMT cancer/tumor cases was 12 years.
-Heart: Three of seven heart related deaths in Standard Manchesters were in dogs aged 6-9 years. Median age at death in remaining cases was 13 years.
-Accident: Average age of accidental death in SMTs was 6 years.
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
Manchester Terrier (UK/FCI) Deaths
90 (20%) of 452 Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 34 causes of death, with five identifying two or more contributing conditions and two not specifying a cause of death. In total, 10 deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 59 to disease/infection and 19 to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) was 9.6 years and median age at death was 11 years. The disparity between these numbers reflects clustering at higher and lower age ranges as those who died in middle age tended to do so at a proportionately lower age. These figures represent the lowest average and median ages of death among the breeds/varieties examined in this survey, with Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) dying 1 - 1.5 years younger according to both calculations (e.g., median ages of death were 12.5 years in Standard Manchesters, 12 years in Toy Manchesters and 12 years in English Toy Terriers).
53% (48) of MT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 13 years. Additionally, among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, 39 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of Manchesters aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 87 (19% of all MT surveys).
Median age at death for female Manchesters was 11 years and for males was 12 years.
90 (20%) of 452 Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 34 causes of death, with five identifying two or more contributing conditions and two not specifying a cause of death. In total, 10 deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 59 to disease/infection and 19 to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) was 9.6 years and median age at death was 11 years. The disparity between these numbers reflects clustering at higher and lower age ranges as those who died in middle age tended to do so at a proportionately lower age. These figures represent the lowest average and median ages of death among the breeds/varieties examined in this survey, with Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) dying 1 - 1.5 years younger according to both calculations (e.g., median ages of death were 12.5 years in Standard Manchesters, 12 years in Toy Manchesters and 12 years in English Toy Terriers).
53% (48) of MT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 13 years. Additionally, among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, 39 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of Manchesters aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 87 (19% of all MT surveys).
Median age at death for female Manchesters was 11 years and for males was 12 years.
Causes of death in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI)
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Notes:
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
-Kidney: 13 of 18 kidney related deaths in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) were in dogs aged 7 years or less, with a median age at death in this group of 4 years. Median age at death in the remaining five cases spanned 11 – 16 years, with a median age at death of 11.5 years.
-Cancer: seven of 17 cases of cancer/tumor were in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) who died at less than 8 years of age. This group included all four cases of Lymphoma. Median age at death among all MT cancer/tumor cases was 11.5 years.
-Accident: Average age of accidental death in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) was 7 years.
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
-Kidney: 13 of 18 kidney related deaths in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) were in dogs aged 7 years or less, with a median age at death in this group of 4 years. Median age at death in the remaining five cases spanned 11 – 16 years, with a median age at death of 11.5 years.
-Cancer: seven of 17 cases of cancer/tumor were in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) who died at less than 8 years of age. This group included all four cases of Lymphoma. Median age at death among all MT cancer/tumor cases was 11.5 years.
-Accident: Average age of accidental death in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI) was 7 years.
English Toy Terrier Deaths
25 (11%) of 229 English Toy Terriers reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 15 different causes of death, with one identifying two or more contributing conditions and two not specifying a cause of death. In total, three deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 12 to disease/infection and eight to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in English Toy Terriers was 11 years and median age at death was 12 years, indicating minor clustering at higher and lower age ranges. 52% (13) of ETT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 14 years. Additionally, among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, 17 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of ETTs aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 24 (10% of all ETT surveys).
Median age at death for female Manchesters was 11.5 years and for males was 12.5 years.
25 (11%) of 229 English Toy Terriers reported on in the survey were deceased. Owners provided a total of 15 different causes of death, with one identifying two or more contributing conditions and two not specifying a cause of death. In total, three deaths were attributed to accident/injury, 12 to disease/infection and eight to “old age”.
Overall, average age at death in English Toy Terriers was 11 years and median age at death was 12 years, indicating minor clustering at higher and lower age ranges. 52% (13) of ETT deaths reported were in dogs aged 11 or above, with a median age at death in this group of 14 years. Additionally, among surveys completed for dogs that are still living, 17 were completed for dogs aged 11 or above, bringing the total number of ETTs aged 11 or above reported on in the health survey to 24 (10% of all ETT surveys).
Median age at death for female Manchesters was 11.5 years and for males was 12.5 years.
Causes of death in Manchester Terriers (UK/FCI)
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Notes:
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
*When considering information on causes of death, readers should keep in mind that at just 25 dogs, the ETT sample size is extremely small and cannot be considered representative or significant. This is particularly true for the sample of dogs aged less than 10 years, which encompasses just 11 dogs.
-Old Age: The description “old age” was given as a cause of death in free text by owners using their own criteria and should not be viewed as an objective measurement.
*When considering information on causes of death, readers should keep in mind that at just 25 dogs, the ETT sample size is extremely small and cannot be considered representative or significant. This is particularly true for the sample of dogs aged less than 10 years, which encompasses just 11 dogs.