Manchester Terrier

The Manchester Terrier comes in two varieties: The Toy and Standard. However, up until 1959, the two varieties were registered as separate breeds. Both varieties have the same short and sleek coat with a black-and-tan color pattern, but the difference is in size.

While the Standard Manchester Terrier is larger and sturdier, the Toy Manchester Terrier is smaller and more fragile. The Standard Manchester weighs over 12 pounds (up to 22 pounds) (5-10 kg) and is 15-16 inches (38-40 cm) tall, and the Toy Manchester weighs less than 12 pounds (5 kg). Also, ear cropping, a practice that began to eliminate the risk of ears being torn in fights, is only allowed in Standards.

FUN FACT: The Manchester Terrier in Victorian England was known as The Gentleman’s Terrier.

Coat and shedding

Manchester Terriers are pretty low-maintenance. Brushing is recommended once a week to get rid of dead hair and to keep the coat healthy. As they don’t shed excessively (only every spring and fall), regular brushing will keep shedding under control. Keep in mind that Manchester Terrier’s coat is very short and won’t keep warm for too long.

Also, when it is hot and sunny outside, their black coats could cause them to become overheated. Nails should be trimmed when needed (when you can hear them clicking on the floor). Ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to keep them free of excess wax or debris that can cause an ear infection.

Exercise

Manchester Terriers, like most terriers, are active, agile, sporty, athletic dogs that require regular daily exercise. They excel at sports such as agility, obedience, and rally. Except for physical exercise, they also need mental stimulation.

They are best suited to active families that love to spend their days outside. These dogs love to play with their humans, with other dogs, or with themselves if they have interesting toys. They don’t like being left alone for too long. They can become bored, nervous, and destructive.

FUN FACT: If left alone for too long, Manchester Terriers might bark excessively just to amuse themselves.

Family dog

They are extremely "people-oriented" dogs. They thrive on human contact and love to spend time with their families. They are a good choice for families with children.

But teach your kids how to handle such a tiny dog. Manchester Terrier’s size makes him vulnerable to youngsters who aren't old enough to know it hurts when you squeeze the dog or pull his ears.

This dog is reserved for strangers and is always alert, which makes this dog an excellent watchdog. You can be positive that Manchester Terrier will bark loudly to tell you if something suspicious is going on or someone they don’t know is approaching the family.

Their barking can be excessive, so teach your dog to stop barking on command. Early socialization is a must so that this dog doesn’t become sharp or skittish with strangers.

Prey drive

These dogs have an extremely high prey drive and often will chase anything that moves, so it is a smart thing to keep your Manchester Terrier on a leash while spending time outside in an unfenced area. Pay extra attention if you are bringing this dog into a family with other pets, especially rabbits, cats, or guinea pigs.

With other dogs, especially dogs of the same sex, they might pick a fight, so make sure your Manchester Terrier is well-socialized and trained from an early age. All terrier breeds can be stubborn and dominant so training can sometimes be frustrating.

The key is to teach them that you are the boss and that you mean what you say. Use only positive reinforcement training techniques. Harsh treatment can lead to these dogs being timid.

Health problems

Manchester Terriers are generally a healthy breed and have an extraordinarily long lifespan. They can live for over 16 years.

Some health conditions they are prone to are

• glaucoma,
• Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disorder that affects the clotting process causing nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from surgery, prolonged bleeding during heat cycles or after whelping, and occasionally blood in the stool)
• heat pumps.

They are also prone to obesity if overfed and under-exercised.

FUN FACT: The Manchester Terrier is considered a rare breed. Well-breed puppies can be hard to find and will cost a lot of money.

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