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The Canine Chronicles Directory
Manchester Terrier
There are two types of Manchester Terriers: Toy and Standard. Originally called
the Black and Tan Terrier, Manchester Terriers have a short, shiny coat. The color
should be jet black and rich mahogany tan. Any other color or markings will be a
fault when showing this breed. The long, narrow head is flat with a slight stop
and a well-defined muzzle. The small, almond-shaped eyes are black and the nose
is black. The V-shaped ears naturally fold over; however, they are customarily cropped
and are erect. The jaw is strong and the teeth meet in a level or scissor-like bite.
The back is slightly arched and the shoulders are well laid back. The forelegs are
straight, the pasterns perpendicular and the hindlegs are carried well back. The
compact feet have thick pads and black nails. The tail is short and tapers to a
point.
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Temperament
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Manchester Terriers are lively, vigilant and sporty. They are devoted to and protective
of their owners. They are generally good with other dogs if socialized from an early
age. They should also be introduced early to children. Since this breed loves to
chase, do not let them off the leash unless in a secure area. Manchester Terriers
should not be trusted with non-canine animals.
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Height, Weight
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Toy Height: 10-12" ; Weight: 6-8
Standard Height: 15-16" ; Weight: 17-18 lbs.
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Health Problems
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This breed is prone to glaucoma, Von Willebrand's disease and heat rash.
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Living Conditions
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This breed is great for apartment living. They do fine without a yard as they are
very active indoors. They prefer warm climates.
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Exercise
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This breed demands a lot of exercise. They love a daily brisk walk or a run in the
park off their lead. They make excellent bicycling companions as long as you build
them up to it slowly. They love to chase, so be cautious when they are off their
leads.
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Life Expectancy
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More than 15 years
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Grooming
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The short and shiny coat of this breed is easy to care for. The Manchester Terrier
is a great breed for the elderly and is an average shedder. The Toy sheds little
or no hair. Clip nails and check ears often for mites or infection.
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Origin
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In the nineteenth century, John Hulme from Manchester, England developed a new canine
breed to specifically hunt rats. It was initially nicknamed the "rat hunter" and
is now known as the Manchester Terrier. This breed was developed from the Black
and Tan Terrier which was crossed with Whippets, Greyhounds, and other terriers
to create the Standard Manchester. They are known to be the best vermin hunters.
At a British contest, a Manchester Terrier named Billy killed 1000 rats in 6.13
minutes. Eventually, the breed was developed into types: the Standard and the Toy.
During the reign of Queen Victoria when miniaturization was popular, the Toy variety
was in high demand. They are recognized by the AKC and the UKC.
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Group
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AKC Toy, UKC Terrier
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