Manchester Terrier: description of the breed, character, photos and reviews

A real English breed of dog. A noble dog, energetic, cheerful. Loves walks with his family.

It is distinguished by excellent health, endurance and longevity . These dogs are very active and love games. They always come out victorious in agility competitions. I am planning to buy a puppy of this breed, a person must be aware that this dog will not lie on the sofa. He requires long walks and games. Will be an excellent companion for sports. He will be happy to accompany his owner for a morning run.

They get along well with children and will share any fun with them. Smart and quick-witted. They are highly trainable. The Manchester Terrier is a hunting dog; it was bred in England for rat hunting. The dog still has the hunting ardor; he takes part in blood trail competitions with pleasure.

History of the origin of the Manchester Terrier

The Manchester Terrier is a dog with an original appearance and a kind character.
Manchester terriers first appeared a couple of centuries ago in England. At that time there were a lot of rats and mice on the streets, which had to be dealt with somehow. As a result of crossing two breeds - the Old English Terrier and the Whipitt - a dog was obtained that was excellent at hunting rodents.

The breed was developed by John Hulme. His dogs became the best rat catchers and combined many other positive qualities. Information about the breed first appeared in 1827.

Many biologists tried to reduce the dog's size, but the puppies did not live long, so everything remained in its original form.

For reference! Official recognition of the breed occurred in 1860, and it was registered in 1887.

After 1923, dogs of this variety gained popularity and began to spread throughout England. During the war period, the dogs' popularity decreased, then they became less necessary for catching rats. However, nowadays Manchester Terriers are purchased as companions.

History of origin

The end of the 19th century can be characterized as a time of poor sanitary conditions, where rats posed a great threat to health and life, and catching them was an integral part of existence. John Hulme, an enthusiast who paid quite a lot of attention to catching rats, decided to cross the now extinct Old English White Terrier and the Whipet. The goal was to create a strong, fast breed that would be ideal for catching rodents.

By 1827, the breed had become so strong and well-trained that the dogs could simply tear rodents apart. To reduce gaps in fights, the ears of the Manchester Terrier began to be cropped. The time came when catching rats in England became an illegal activity, the popularity of terriers, as well as the number, fell sharply, but the number of kennels did not change.

In 1860, the most famous breed for catching rats was the Manchester Terrier. In order to reduce the size, they tried to mix a Chihuahua with the Manchester Terrier, but this mixture did not lead to anything good. Since small terriers had many health problems, thinning coats, eye disease, etc. This mixing only led to the extinction of the breed, then breeders stopped focusing on growth, and paid more attention to the health of the dog.

The Manchester Terrier became popular not only in its homeland, in the USA, in 1886, a couple of years later, after the opening of the American Kennel Club, the Manchester Terrier gained recognition and became an officially registered breed. The Manchester Terrier is considered one of the oldest officially registered breeds, since this dog has retained its appearance unchanged for almost two hundred years.

The emergence of a hunting breed called the Manchester Terrier dates back to the 19th century. At that time, the level of sanitation in England was still poor: the streets were filled with sewage, and there was nowhere to hide from the stench. Naturally, in such an environment, rats multiplied at lightning speed. Initially, the English Manchester Terrier dog breed was bred to hunt small animals, including exterminating rats.

This variety of terriers appeared thanks to the efforts of a man named John Hulme. To create the Manchester Terrier, he crossed a Whippet, a Black and Tan Terrier, and a West Highland White Terrier. The result of the crossing was the Manchester Terrier. Many years passed before this breed was officially registered. Such a significant moment occurred in 1988.

Some time ago, a certain breed of dog called the Black and Tan Terrier was popular in the western part of England. Today in the world the breed is known as the Manchester Terrier dog. He is a specialist in catching rats and other rodents. Great Britain is rightly called the abode of various kinds of Terriers, three breeds of which were the progenitors of the new rat-catching breed.

The ancestors here were:

1. Whippet;
2. Black and Tan Terrier;
3. West Highland White Terrier.

Today it is difficult to see named dogs outside the state. The Manchester Terrier breed is not very common in other countries. In 1850, a small-sized analogue of the work was born, called the Manchester Toy Terrier. However, gradually the demand for rat catchers fell, accompanying the spontaneous development of the breed.

As a result, the Manchester Terrier dog breed lost a number of rat-catching and fighting qualities, turning into a calm and friendly dog. 30 years later, the First Amateur Club opened in the country, whose breeders managed to restore the breed. Until the 60s of the 20th century, the two breeds differed only in size. The official dog standard was approved in 1988.

The Manchester Terrier looks elegant. This is a black short-haired dog with rich tan. The terrier perfectly combines graceful appearance with strength and mobility. The appearance of the dog emphasizes its original purpose: small game hunter. The dog is divided into two types: standard terrier and toy.

• country – Great Britain;
• height – 38-42 cm;
• weight – 5.5-10 kg;
• body – compact, muscular, narrow chest, straight or hunchbacked back;
• limbs - straight, graceful, muscular thighs;
• head – dry, long, wedge-shaped;
• neck – convex, thin;
• the coat is short, close to the body;
• color – charcoal black with mahogany tan, the boundaries between the tan and the main color are clearly defined. White color is not allowed;
• tail – thin, medium length;
• bite – scissor, a full set of teeth is required, a straight bite is allowed;
• ears – erect, “bud” type, previously cropped;
• eyes – dark, penetrating;
• life expectancy – 12-13 years;
• group – 8.

The Manchester Terrier breed arose a very long time ago; or rather, its ancestors lived on the planet. It is known that in the 18th century, when the rat dog was doing what it was supposed to do - catching rats in houses and all kinds of rodents, it was crossed with another breed. This breed turned out to be a whippet - a fast hound and a rather thin dog.

Similar experiments were conducted on dogs by the famous English dog breeder John Hume. After several attempts, a black and tan terrier was born, subsequently showing itself as the best fast rat catcher. He is brave and energetic, and is also an excellent tracker of the breed. The terrier's playfulness then bordered on wariness and aggressiveness.

In the mid-19th century, the population wanted the dog to become not only a hunter, but also a companion and family friend. In addition, the weight of a dog of this breed, which reached 12-15 kg, did not suit many, and neither did the size. Subsequently, when there was no longer a need to catch rats, in England they began breeding dogs, moving in the direction of reducing their size and giving them a softer appearance, and they also tried to soften the character traits of the dog breed.

It is known that the terrier was also crossed with a West Highland dog. In the end, the result was a compact representative of Foggy Albion, quite smart and courageous, a resourceful and fast dog - a black and tan terrier. And then breeders brought this matter to perfection, and we can even buy ourselves a pocket terrier - a toy one. The toy terrier is slightly different from the standard one and not only in size.

If you happen to meet a Manchester Terrier on the street, although it is a rare breed, you will definitely love its perky, cheerful character, delightful pointed ears and attentive eyes. He gives the impression of a solid protector of his owner, but at the same time he is harmless, especially with proper training and can walk even without a muzzle.

We suggest you read: Simple tricks on how to teach a cockatiel to talk

Breeders have achieved amazing results and now we have a wonderful decorative breed that has retained the qualities of a hunter and tracker, it is kind and a little naive with children, and also loves Frisbee and agility.

The terrier standard was established in 1988 by the international cynological organization, the description of the breed is as follows:

• Weight from 6 to 10 kg;
• The height of a terrier dog is about 40 cm;
• The head is oblong and small in size, resembling a wedge;
• The neck is dry and muscular, like the rest of the physique;
• The ears are pointed, erect - not docked, set wide apart;
• The eyes are almond-shaped, not protruding, attentive gaze;
• The length of the body from shoulder to seat is greater than the height at the withers;
• The Manchester Terrier has a regular bite, straight is allowed;
• The nose is black, the edges of the eyes are darkened, the lips are dense and black;
• The coat is thick, short, but not shiny;
• Color black and tan (red tint);
• The tail is of medium length and cannot be docked.

The Manchester Terrier was created by crossing the Whippet and the extinct breed of Old English White Terrier. It appeared in 1819, over these 200 years the appearance and qualities of the breed have not changed. You can be convinced of this by seeing old drawings and photos. At the end of the 19th century, they tried to cross the dog with a Chihuahua to reduce its size, but such selection led to the appearance of genetic pathologies and was stopped.

• The height of the dog at the withers is 38-41 cm
• Weight – 6 kg for a toy terrier and 9-10 kg for a standard one
• Head with a long narrow skull, wedge-shaped tapering muzzle
• Correct scissor bite
• Almond-shaped eyes, dark
• Ears are “bud” type, set high, erect or hanging over the eyes
• The neck expands from the head to the shoulders, has a pronounced crest
• The body is small, with well-developed muscles; there is a small arch in the lumbar region
• The tail is short, starts at the arch of the back, thick at the base and tapered at the tip.
• The front legs are straight, the rear legs are muscular and correct.
• The paws are small, half-haired, the toes have a pronounced arch
• The coat is smooth and strong in texture, short and shiny.
• The color is black and tan, or mahogany and tan, with a clearly defined border, black-brown color and white inclusions are not allowed.

You can see the dog's appearance in more detail in the photo. There are two types of breed - the standard one and the smaller one. It is difficult to buy a puppy in Moscow, since the breed is rare. The price of puppies ranges from 20,000 rubles to 58,000 rubles. When purchasing, contact a reliable nursery, as private breeders come across mixed breeds or puppies with defects. If you wish, you can order a dog directly from a club in England.

Interesting Facts

The Manchester Terrier is also known as the Rat Terrier. In England, a couple of centuries ago, similar dogs were used to hunt rats. In addition, peculiar battles were often organized. People made bets on how many rats the dog would catch in a certain time.

The animal was also used for hunting. Small dogs were carried in special leather bags that were hung from the rider’s belt. During the hunt, the dog could not keep up with the horsemen and hounds. But when the animal was driven into the thickets, the Manchester was released to finish the hunt. For this reason, the pets had another name - gentleman's terrier.

Terriers are very similar to mini Dobermans

Breed standard and description

This breed of dog also has its own characteristics and standards, which it must fully comply with. They were registered in 1959:

• A small body, a lean belly, a strong physique, a straight back, and a massive chest.
• The neck is strong and elongated, the head is wedge-shaped.
• The jaws are strong, with a scissor bite.
• The ears are triangular, soft, and set high. The ends can stand or hang down. The owner can crop the ears, but this is not a requirement.
• The tail is long and cone-shaped.
• The eyes are dark, often black, the nose is small, also black.

The animal's coat is smooth and short. Most often, the hairs are black or brown-tan.

Attention! The presence of white spots is a defect in the breed.

External signs

The Manchester Terrier is a very elegant dog, with a small tail, black and tan color and short shiny coat. Manchester is a very strong, muscular dog with a wedge-shaped, long, dry muzzle. The dog's gaze is clear, alert, clear and piercing. The Manchester has sufficiently developed bones and muscles, which helps him to be well-developed and mobile.

The dog's eyes are dark, almond-shaped, with black eyelids. The standard terrier has erect ears, but may also have cropped or “bud” ears. The teeth are strong, white, scissor bite. The nose is black. The neck is strong, thin, graceful, of medium length. The tail is thin and of medium length. The paws resemble those of a cat, with dark pads and sharp claws.

Dimensions, weight and life expectancy

The average height of a dog varies from 38 to 40 cm depending on the gender of the pet. The weight of an adult pet can reach up to 10 kg; females are smaller than males.

Manchester Toy Terriers are small dogs, so they have a long lifespan - up to 15 years. With proper care and timely vaccinations, animals can live longer.

Dogs are small in size

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Owners of Manchester Terriers note many positive qualities in these dogs:

• Friendliness, goodwill, cheerfulness,
• Balanced character, lack of aggression,
• High intelligence, excellent intelligence,
• Love for the owner and his family,
• Easy care.

Terriers also have disadvantages, but not too many of them. These include:

• They do not like loneliness, they require attention,
• The need for long walks and active games,
• Cannot get along with any rodents.

The number of disadvantages is small, but with the right behavior you can easily cope with them.

What to feed

She is not capricious in nutrition and is known for her excellent appetite. It is better to feed terriers natural food. Dogs love dry food, but natural food along with vitamins is better for health.

The breed is unpretentious in food. Dry food is a convenient option that requires no preparation time and is completely balanced.

Natural feeding requires a careful approach to diet composition. Be sure to add vitamins and minerals, exclude harmful foods: salt, sugar, bread and flour products, sweets. It is recommended to feed lean meat, replacing it with fish, from time to time add vegetables to porridge (buckwheat, rice) or give them separately. Start your morning with fermented milk products, don’t forget eggs.

Character and typical behavior

Dogs of this breed are distinguished by their energetic character and active behavior. Animals have high intelligence and are easy to train. They are calm with other dogs.

Attention! They love one owner and are devoted to him all their lives. They treat other family members kindly and show them respect.

Pets love to play and have fun, they get along well with children, they can spend a lot of time with them, but they do not tolerate being cuddled too much, so it is better not to leave them alone with children.

The Manchester Toy Terrier does not show strong aggression towards strangers, but if necessary, the dog will defend its owner. They perceive other animals larger than them or of the same size as normal; they can even live in the same territory as the cat if it does not interfere. However, they cannot tolerate small pets and consider them prey.

Dogs' ears can be cropped at will; there are no special requirements for this.

Training and education

The dog has a good and developed mind, so it easily remembers commands.

It is necessary to raise a dog from an early age to avoid problems in the future. Sometimes a pet can show stubbornness, willfulness and independence - this must be stopped immediately. The Manchester has one authority - its owner, so you need to immediately show firmness and show him who is the boss in the house.

Attention! This breed has an extremely negative attitude towards any manifestation of aggression and physical punishment. It is better to educate with patience and encouragement.

If possible, it is recommended to contact professional dog handlers. However, you can raise a dog yourself if it is easy to train.

Training

The Manchester Terrier is an intelligent dog, although stubborn, with an independent character. He learns commands easily, but can carry them out according to his mood. Therefore, it requires persistent and regular training. The owner must show character and show who is boss. You cannot indulge the puppy’s whims, otherwise you will lose control over the dog in the future. If you properly raise and discipline a terrier, he will become a good friend and companion.

In addition to standard commands, the Manchester Terrier is capable of learning more complex skills. He is trained to participate in agility and flyball competitions. The dog is no longer used as a hunter, because rats are destroyed in completely different ways. But the dog did not lose his skills. He will find a rodent in a hole, and even under a deep layer of snow.

Dog health

The Manchester Terrier is characterized by fairly good health; genetic diseases appear quite rarely. Possible diseases are identified:

• blood diseases,
• problems with the visual system,
• epilepsy,
• joint and spine injuries.

It is important to carry out all necessary vaccinations and treatments against parasites on time.

Terriers need to be given long walks and exercise.

Pet character

The Manchester Terrier's temperament is consistent with its character. The dog is not aggressive, not timid, and extremely loyal, which makes the pet observant and attentive. He maintains a friendly attitude towards other dogs, which, in principle, is not often found among terriers.

This is a small, cheerful dog who loves his family, especially children. Ready to play active outdoor games and go for a walk without rest. A dog's love for its owners knows no bounds - the dog is loyal and gentle. The Manchester Terrier is distinguished by longevity and good health, does not require complex multi-level care and is unpretentious in nutrition.

The breed is distinguished by lightning speed and excellent reaction. Shows excellent results in agility and flyball. Of course, passing the obstacle course is not difficult - your pet perceives the competition as entertainment. Easy and quick training makes the dog obedient.

Thanks to the work of English breeders, the Manchester Terrier is again endowed with excellent qualities as a hunter and rat catcher, which makes the dog indispensable for living in suburban conditions. A sensitive nose is able to find prey even under a thick layer of snow or earth.

Perfect as a hiking companion. It is impossible to get bored with him; the pet’s cheerfulness and energy help to raise the owner’s good mood. The dog's endurance cannot be expressed in words - it is able to follow its owner for a long time without rest.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with: Yorkshire Terrier, silky but rough

In addition to being kept in the countryside, the Terrier can easily get along in a modest city apartment; the size of the pet does not require a lot of space. The only thing you need is frequent active walks. It is better to do morning and evening runs, which will bring pleasure to the owner and the dog.

The dog is endowed with a wonderful character, but periodically shows persistence and mischief. With frequent walks, the dog spends quiet evenings lying at the feet of the owner. Capable of being smart and cunning, and acting quickly. Aggression is not typical for her, but she is quite capable of protecting her own interests in a conflict between dogs and protecting her home and family.

Dog care

Manchester Terriers do not require special care, but it is recommended to follow simple rules.

Nutrition

To feed the animal, you can choose natural food or industrial feed. In the first case, it is worth including lean meat and fish, a variety of cereals, vegetables and fruits in your diet.

It is better to choose premium dry food; such nutrition includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals. You can consult your veterinarian before selecting one.

Attention! You should not feed your dog food from the table; this can cause various problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Hygiene

The dogs' coat is short, smooth, and terriers shed infrequently.

• It is necessary to comb your pet once a week to rid it of lost hairs.
• It is necessary to clean the ears periodically.
• If necessary, treat the eyes with special solutions.
• If necessary, trim the claws so that they do not interfere. But they usually wear out even with moderate walking frequency.
• Terriers' teeth are brushed with a special brush and toothpaste as needed.

Attention! Dogs can freeze in cold weather, so you need to create comfortable living conditions for them.

Walks

Walks and exercise are a very important part of raising and living an animal. The breed needs daily walking; it is necessary to often play active games with pets.

However, during a walk you must be careful so that your hunting qualities do not appear and the terrier does not run away after small animals.

Terriers are very sociable and friendly dogs.

Care and maintenance

The Manchester Terrier breed is unpretentious; it is kept both in apartments and on the street. True, for the winter and in rainy weather the dog is taken indoors. Its short coat and scanty undercoat make it sensitive to cold weather. In winter, the terrier is dressed for walks in a blanket, jacket or overalls. If the dog gets wet, it is dried with a towel, otherwise it will catch a cold or get pneumonia.

Short hair does not require maintenance. It is enough to bathe the dog or treat it with dry shampoo once every few months. If the dog comes back dirty from a walk, wipe the body with a damp cloth. Basic care steps:

• Dry or wet bathing
• Teeth cleaning and tartar removal at the veterinarian
• Ear cleaning
• Trimming claws.

The dog is active and therefore requires regular walks. She is allowed off the leash only in a special fenced area. The Manchester Terrier knows how to run away from its owner and hide skillfully. Therefore, in open areas it is dangerous to let him down from the harness.

Purchasing a puppy

A purebred puppy must be purchased from a specialized nursery. Breeders must provide all necessary documents. It is important that there is information about vaccinations and treatments against parasites. You need to pay attention to the baby’s behavior, appetite and activity.

The Manchester Terrier is a great breed for those looking for a companion. The dogs are very cheerful and friendly and do not require serious care. It is necessary to educate from childhood so as not to spoil the pet’s character and avoid problems in the future. It is important to monitor the animal’s nutrition and carry out all vaccinations and treatments on time.

Maintenance, care, health

An important quality of the Manchester Terrier is cleanliness; its smooth, short coat requires virtually no maintenance. It is enough to brush your dog a couple of times a week, freeing it from dead hairs. The terrier does not require frequent bathing. You should often check your pet's teeth and ears and trim your pet's claws.

For the physical health of the dog, the terrier simply needs long walks. In general, the Manchester Terrier is a healthy dog; glaucoma is the only hereditary disease.

The Manchester Terrier or Decorative Black and Tan Terrier is not very susceptible to diseases or infections. The main thing is to wipe his coat dry after walks in rainy weather. Remember that representatives of this breed in adulthood suffer from eye diseases, for example, glaucoma. Monitor your pet's health: if swelling or redness appears in the eye, immediately take your dog to a specialist.

Some terriers may suffer from a blood clotting disorder called von Willebrand's disease. However, owners of Manchester Terriers rarely encounter such problems, so caring for such dogs is not burdensome. The lifespan of this pet will be about 12–13 years.