Breed Overview: The Manchester Terrier is the world’s oldest existing terrier breed. They come in two sizes, called varieties: Toy Manchester Terrier (weighing less than 12 lbs) and Standard Manchester Terrier (weighing 12-22 lbs). The breed was developed to control rat populations in England before modern sanitation systems existed. They were kept by families, farmers, commercial establishments (like pubs and warehouses) and even on ships. Manchesters were used in the development of a large variety of breeds ranging from the Doberman Pinscher to the Toy Fox Terrier. This loyal breed is considered endangered and is in danger of becoming extinct due to a dwindling number of breeders and enthusiasts.
Traits and Characteristics
Manchester owners are accustomed to frequent comments about their resemblance to Doberman Pinschers or Miniature Pinschers (Min Pins) or Miniature Dobermans (this is not a breed of dog and I think people are referring to Min Pins). In fact, the Manchester Terrier was used to develop these other breeds. Check out our FAQ page for more information about the differences in traits and characteristics of Manchesters compared to other breeds.
They are the original black and tan terrier and as such, they are behind the breeds that have this unique color pattern, either directly (like with the Doberman) or indirectly. The Toy Manchester Terrier was an extremely popular breed in the United States in the 1940s and 50s and even though most people today cannot identify the breed, I am frequently stopped by seniors who recount to me their happy memories of growing up with a Manchester Terrier.
Manchester Terrier Health
Manchester Terriers are known to live well into their teen years. While it is generally accepted that a dog becomes a senior at 7 years old, Manchester Terriers remain youthful and spry well past 10. Our dogs tend to live to 15 or 16 with proper dental care at home, annual veterinary exams, and routine dental cleanings performed by a veterinarian. There are some health issues in the breed that all breeders should be testing for such as Legg Calve Perthes, luxating patella, juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy, xanthinuria, and vWd. Learn more about health testing available to Manchester Breeders in this recorded seminar that Michelle presented to educate breeders.
Terrier Prey Drive
As terriers, both the Toy Manchester Terrier and Standard Manchester Terrier will hunt animals that are perceived as prey and can be difficult to recall if they are following a scent or giving chase. However, a good recall is possible with solid training and consistent positive reinforcement. No farmer or hunter could have a dog work beside them if the dog was not trained to come on command-prey drive is a poor excuse for lack of training.
They are sturdy, rugged and do not injure themselves easily. However, owners must understand that they have thin skin and thin fur, two things that don’t preclude them from hunting rats but do mean they should be prevented from tangling with larger prey.
Fur and Allergies
Their thin coat also makes them susceptible to cold but provides them some relief in the heat. They lack a true undercoat which means they are not as efficient at regulating their body heat and need to wear coats outdoors in cold weather. This is particularly true for the Toy Manchester Terrier. However, this causes them to produce less dander, a great thing for allergy sufferers. Their unique coat also means they don’t shed much, and they don’t carry the oil or odor that many breeds are prone to – another plus for allergy sufferers – and it contributes to their overall cleanliness.
Great for Individuals or Families
Both the Standard and Toy Manchester Terrier are intensely loyal to their owners. They are great family companions and do well with children, cats and other dogs when they are raised with them in the household. However, they tend to select one person in the family as their favorite (usually their primary caretaker) and seek them out for snuggle time. They are suited well to living in apartments or homes. Standards, as a larger dog, do require more exercise than the Toys, however as a breed, Manchesters adapt well to the energy level of their household – happy to spend a day hiking, or relaxing on the couch as their owner desires.
Socialization is Critical
It is very important for Manchester Terriers to be socialized outside their home with as many positive experiences with strangers and new places as possible. Without critical socialization for the first year, Manchesters are prone to fear based behavioral problems such as attacking strangers or strange dogs, fear of house guests, anxiety when outside the home, constant alarm barking at noises and more. A properly socialized adult Manchester should love meeting strangers, enjoy traveling with their owners, visiting new places and eagerly greet guests to the home. Standard and Toy Manchester Terriers are generally not barkers, but they will develop the behavior if not properly stimulated (boredom or lack of training), not properly socialized, or taught the behavior by another dog in the home.
Training is Key
I highly encourage all first-time Manchester Terrier owners to enroll in a training class with an instructor that understands terrier breeds and temperaments. I am happy to assist owners in locating a qualified dog trainer. If you seek out a training class, please avoid pet store training classes as they approach dog training with a one-size-fits-all approach that does not work well with the Manchester Terrier and are poor substitutes for a proper dog trainer with knowledge of canine behavior.
Manchesters are prone to separation anxiety when not given sufficient alone time to learn how to occupy themselves. It’s important to avoid carrying your Toy Manchester Terrier around the home and excessively babying him or her because these behaviors will teach your dog to rely on you for all happiness and the dog will be extremely anxious when left alone – leading to disruptive barking and destruction to the home. Crate training is a great way to avoid this problem. Dogs who start crate training as puppies will learn how to be calm when left alone and are prevented from picking up destructive behaviors. Manchester Terriers who are crate trained through puppyhood will grow into adults that can be trusted loose in the home even when their owner is away – and use their crate as a comfortable retreat when they need some time away from the family. As puppies, they can be difficult to potty train but crate training helps with this greatly, and done properly, there is little difficulty.
Manchester Terriers are Versatile Companions
Whether you are looking for a dog to be your companion on life’s adventures or a fun, clean, easy to care for breed to train and compete with in dog sports, the Manchester Terrier can do it all. It’s important to speak with your breeder about your goals for your new Manchester Terrier to ensure they have a dog to meet your needs. There is a variation in energy levels, biddability (eagerness to please) and work ethic (important for competitive training) that will be important for a breeder to consider when matching a puppy with a new home. This range of personality types makes the Standard and Toy Manchester Terrier temperament well-suited for most lifestyles.