Frequently Asked Questions about Manchester Terriers

Select each question to read the answer. Beneath the list of questions, you will find common comparisons between the varieties of Manchester Terrier and comparisons with other breeds.

Are Manchester Terriers good family dogs?

The Standard and Toy Manchester Terrier temperament makes the breed an excellent choice for all types of families and individuals. They adapt well to the home in which they are raised. They are known for their loyalty and affectionate nature towards their family members. However, it’s important for them to be raised with or have socialization to children if they are to join a family as an adult, or the family has plans for children after the puppy grows up. Socialization and training are important for raising a Manchester Terrier that fits comfortably into your lifestyle.

How big does a Manchester Terrier get?

The breed standard for the Manchester Terrier in the United States only describes size by weight. They are divided into two varieties based on their weight. The Toy Manchester Terrier is 12 lbs and under. A Standard Manchester Terrier is over 12 lbs but under 22 lbs. These weights are important in determining what variety class a Manchester Terrier will show in at a dog show.

Many breeders concentrate on breeding one size variety but some breed both varieties. The size varieties may be inter-bred and you may get a Toy from a mating between two Standards or a Standard from a mating between two Toys. An experienced breeder should be able to predict adult weight based on a puppy’s weight at 8-weeks-old.

Are Manchester Terriers noisy?

Manchester Terriers are not excessively noisy, but they can be vocal if allowed to develop bad habits or if they are influenced by another vocal dog in the household. They are alert and may bark to announce visitors or unusual situations. With proper training and socialization, excessive barking can usually be managed.

Are Manchester Terriers expensive?

Manchester Terriers have minimal grooming requirements and as a small breed dog, their food bill is easy to manage. Manchester Terriers are also quite healthy which goes a long way in keeping veterinary expenses to a minimum. They are NOT prone to some conditions that are expensive to treat such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ACL tears, ear infections, eye disease, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

How much is a Manchester Terrier puppy?

Prices tend to vary. It is important to purchase from a reputable breeder who prioritizes health and temperament. A responsible breeder should be able to prove that all OFA and AMTC recommended health testing has been done on their dogs before breeding them. Such a breeder will have a higher cost of investment and charge a higher price, but your family, the puppy and the breed will be better for it.

Are Manchester Terriers good for first-time owners?

Manchester Terriers can be a good choice for novice dog owners, especially those who are willing to invest time in training and socialization. They do have a strong personality and prey drive, which requires consistent and patient training.

What breeds make up a Manchester Terrier?

The Manchester Terrier is believed to have been developed from older terrier breeds, such as the Black and Tan Terrier, and was later refined with dogs that were the ancestors of the modern-day Whippet. This created an efficient, fast and agile dog for ratting and rabbit coursing.

Are Manchester Terriers rare?

The Manchester Terrier is considered a rare breed in the United States, Canada, and its native country of England. Overall, the Standard Manchester Terrier is less common than the Toy Manchester Terrier because there are fewer breeders who concentrate specifically on the larger variety.

What are health problems with the Manchester Terrier?

Manchester Terriers, like all breeds, can be prone to certain health issues. Regular health screening on breeding dogs helps to manage these health problems and aid a breeder in producing healthy puppies. Health issues to ask your breeder about include patellar luxation, Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, von Willebrand’s disease, Xanthinuria, Legg Calve Perthes, cataracts, and thyroid disease. Learn more about health testing available to Manchester Breeders in this recorded seminar that Michelle presented to educate breeders.

Do Manchester Terriers shed a lot?

Manchester Terriers have a smooth, short coat and are considered to be low shedders. They do not have an undercoat to shed seasonally. This makes them a good choice for those concerned about pet hair in their home.

Do Toy Manchester Terriers bark a lot?

Like the standard variety, Toy Manchester Terriers can be vocal, especially if they’re alerting to something in their environment. However, they are not known to be excessively barky. Training and socialization can help manage barking behavior.

Common Comparisons

What is the difference between the Toy and Standard Manchester Terrier?

The primary differences between the Toy Manchester Terrier and the Standard Manchester Terrier are size and ear type. The Standard Manchester Terrier is larger, weighing between 12 lbs and 22 lbs, while the Toy Manchester Terrier is smaller, weighing 12 lbs or less.

The Standard Manchester has three allowable ear types: natural upright, cropped, and button. Button ears fold over to cover the ear canal. The Toy Manchester has one allowable ear type and that is the natural upright ear. Other than size and ear type, they share the same physical and temperamental traits.

Like the standard variety, Toy Manchester Terriers can be vocal, especially if they’re alerting to something in their environment. However, they are not known to be excessively barky. Training and socialization can help manage barking behavior.

What is the difference between a Toy Manchester Terrier and an English Toy Terrier?

In the United States and Canada, the Manchester Terrier is one breed with two varieties, the Standard and Toy. Outside of North America, they are considered separate breeds with different names. The Toy is called the English Toy Terrier and the Standard is simply referred to as the Manchester Terrier. In the U.S. and Canada, the two varieties can be inter-bred but they cannot be elsewhere in the world. However, due to the importation of Canadian and American dogs, the gene pools in Europe also have pedigrees that contain both varieties.

That being said, there are slight differences in the breed standards of the dogs in North America and the dogs in the UK, which has led to some variations in type between the Toy Manchester Terrier and English Toy Terrier. The primary difference is the look of the head and expression due to the English Toy Terrier having a wider, flatter back skull which is undesirable according to the AKC breed standard and can negatively affect their success in the North American show ring.

What is the difference between a Manchester Terrier and a Min Pin?

The Manchester is a terrier developed in England and the Min Pin is a toy breed that originates in Germany. Terriers were bred to hunt and destroy vermin, while toy breeds were primarily developed to be companions. These unique purposes naturally come with unique temperaments and differences in structure. The Manchester Terrier has a thicker, more sturdy build, with a smooth gait. Min Pins should have a finer build and are known for their high-stepping hackney gait.

Can you spot the physical differences between the Toy Manchester Terrier pictures on the left and the Miniature Pinschers on the right?

Manchester Terrier vs Miniature Pinscher: 7 Key Differences

Note: The breed name Miniature Pinscher is commonly shortened to Min Pin by the people who own and love them. Often people mistakenly refer to Miniature Pinschers as Miniature Dobermans. There really is no such thing as a Miniature Doberman in official terms, the correct name is Miniature Pinscher.

1. Size: Manchester Terriers come in two size varieties: Toy (up to 12 lbs) & Standard (12 to 22 lbs). Miniature Pinschers, according to the AKC, should weigh 8 to 10 lbs. We realize you’ve probably seen Min Pins that weigh more than 10 lbs, even as large as 30 lbs. This is due to another important difference:
2. Popularity: Manchester Terriers are rare and harder to find. For this reason, they are often referred to as one of the best kept secrets of the dog world. They are primarily bred by responsible breeders that do their best to adhere to the AKC breed standard that outlines key characteristics of a purebred Manchester Terrier. On the other hand, Min Pins are so popular that far more are available. More popular breeds attract breeders who are only breeding for money and therefore have no regard for the standards set by AKC parent clubs. This means they will eventually end up with dogs that barely resemble their chosen breed.
3. Color: Manchesters only come in one color and pattern: black and tan. Min Pins can be black and tan, solid red, chocolate and tan, and blue and tan (although this color is controversial within the breeding community).
4. Ears: The Toy Manchester never has their ears cropped, though the Standard has the option for cropped ears or natural ears (either upright or folded over in what is called a button ear). Min Pins are typically cropped but they can also have natural upright ears or floppy ears. However, they are typically too large and wide to stand without cropping.
5. Tails: Manchester Terrier tails are left natural and never cropped. Miniature Pinscher tails are typically cropped shortly after birth.
6. Life Expectancy: Manchester Terriers with an average age of 15 to 17 years have a slightly longer lifespan than the Minature Pinscher which comes in around 12 to 16 years.
7. Temperament: Overall, most who have experience with both breeds will agree that Manchester Terriers are slightly less energetic and therefore bark less and do not need as much mental stimulation. I have heard others say that Manchester Terriers have an off switch as opposed to the more energetic Miniature Pinscher.
   

What is the difference between a Manchester Terrier and a German Pinscher?

Both breeds are quite rare. People often ask about the differences between the Standard Manchester Terrier and the German Pinscher if they were drawn to these breeds based on their appearance. The German Pinscher is a watchdog that originates in Germany. The Manchester Terrier is a ratting terrier that was developed in England. Can you spot the physical differences between the German Pinscher on the left and the Manchester Terrier on the right?

Manchester Terrier vs German Pincher: 7 Key Differences

1. Size: Manchester Terriers come in two size varieties: Toy (up to 12 lbs) & Standard (12 to 22 lbs). The German Pinscher should be between 17 inches and 20 inches. That translates to a weight between 25 and 40 lbs making them heavier than both varieties of Manchester.
2. Substance: The Manchester Terrier is described as slightly longer than tall with a sleek and agile appearance. The German Pinscher should have a square body with moderate bone.
3. Color: Manchesters only come in one color and pattern: black and tan. German Pinschers can be black and tan, fawn, red, or blue and tan.
4. Ears: The Toy Manchester never has their ears cropped, though the Standard has the option for cropped ears or natural ears (either upright or folded over in what is called a button ear). German Pinschers are usually cropped but they can be folded over or naturally upright.
5. Tails: Manchester Terrier tails are left natural and never cropped. German Pinscher tails are typically cropped shortly after birth.
6. Life Expectancy: Manchester Terriers with an average age of 15 to 17 years have a slightly longer lifespan than the German Pinscher which comes in around 12 to 14 years.
7. Temperament: As terriers, Manchesters were bred to chase and catch small prey. They love to spend time cuddled up with their family. They will alarm bark if someone comes to the door but they were not bred to have protective instincts. German Pinschers are members of the working group and were bred to be watchdogs. They are described as fearless. They can be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. This makes them challenging for first time dog owners. They are highly energetic, requiring regular mental and physical stimulation to satisfy their working breed heritage. While both breeds are intelligent and loyal, the Manchester Terrier leans more towards being a companionable pet, whereas the German Pinscher is driven by its protective instincts and working capabilities.