Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Manchester Terrier (Standard) is a dog of 16 inches and 22 pounds, with a life expectancy between 15 to 17 years.
Named after the famous English city, it’s obvious that this breed was first bred there.
Manchester Terriers are energetic dogs who possess a strong terrier instinct. They are alert, vivid, and athletic.
In fact, they are a mix of terrier’s ratting instinct and shapes of coursing hounds.
They come in two size varieties: Standard (not exceeding 22 pounds) and Toy (not exceeding 12 pounds).
All Manchesters are similar in temperament, body type, and athletic capabilities despite the size difference.
Manchester Terriers are easy to recognize thanks to their beautiful coat which is a mix of rich mahogany and jet black.
The head is always long and wedge-shaped, while tan sport above each eyepoint up a watchful expression. The Manchester is very easily maintained, although regular grooming is mandatory.
They will adore grooming time as long as you start this practice from puppyhood.
Your Manchester will require a few daily walks to burn off that extra energy. After walks, he will love spending time on the couch next to you.
Otherwise, he will equally enjoy indoor games and chasing a ball in a dog park.
If you know your way around dogs and you are ready to invest the proper time into training this active dog, then a Manchester Terrier might be for you.
Quick Facts
Real name: Manchester Terrier
Origin: England
Breed type: Terrier Dogs
Weight: 12 to 22 pounds
Height: 15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 14 to 16 years
Litter Size: 3 – 4 puppies
Color: Black, Blue and tan, or Blue
Coat: Short, and flat coat
Manchester Terrier History
The Manchester Terrier is a well-known breed developed in England.
To create this breed, breeders used different dogs, including the Whippet and probably the Italian Greyhound.
This breed was created during the 1800s and was named after the city of Manchester.
At the time, Manchester was a breeding center and breeders put a lot of time and energy into creating the best breed possible.
Until the 1920s, the Manchester Terrier was called the black-and-tan terrier. The Manchester Terrier is best known for his skills as a rat killer.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, this energetic dog was used mostly in rat-infested cities.
Rat issues were a big deal in 19th-century Manchester. Have you heard of rat baiting sport? This was something that included the Manchester Terrier running into the area filled with rats and they would be timed to see how long it took them to kill them all.
Similar dogs were used in England during the 18th century, but the Manchester Terrier took the main prize.
Manchester Terrier Physical Appearance
The Manchester Terrier is a breed that evolved a lot over time.
They are small, and when it comes to size they should have a minimum of 12 pounds, and a maximum of 22 pounds.
These dogs are compact, well-balanced, and quite strong for smaller size dogs. They are also slightly longer than taller.
The Manchester Terrier has a muscular body that should always express the agility and great stamina.
Chasing small games and being active the majority of the time is mandatory to keep them buys.
Dogs were bred to perform certain tasks, and when there is no job to be done, they may get bored. When bored or anyhow neglected, dogs tend to display destructive behavior.
Manchester Terrier Personality
When it comes to the best personality traits, Manchester Terriers are huge people lovers. In fact, they love to be surrounded by people. One may even say that this tiny dog is highly sociable.
Some of them may be hard to train, while some are really easy to train. Overall, as long as you have experience with dog training you should have no issues training-wise.
These energy-packed dogs are terriers: they are known for being energetic, active, and love having things done their way.
The Manchester Terrier may be headstrong, protective, and even snappish if they dont feel comfortable in certain situations.
To prevent any issues you should put extra time into training and early socialization.
Manchester Terrier With Children and Other Pets
Manchester Terriers are loyal dogs.
They love being around people, and no family activity shouldn’t be done without these small dogs. If done so, they will show their discomfort.
This is why destructive behavior may appear in some Manchester Terriers. To make the child-dog bond healthy and strong, you should educate your children on how to behave around dogs.
Children should know not to pull a dog’s ears and tails. They should also know not to disturb dogs when they are resting, playing, or sleeping.
Dogs shouldn’t be disturbed when they’re drinking water or enjoying their new snack or even a toy.
On the other hand, dogs should know basic dog house rules and how to behave around strangers.
No matter how well a dog might behave around children, they should never be without supervision. This is how accidents are put to a minimum.
As for the other pets… Your Manchester Terrier will probably chase anything smaller than moves around him.
They should behave around dogs.
Cats could make them nervous, while small pets will most likely be chased until caught.
Manchester Terrier Training
To make a functional and positive training, you should do the following:
- Create consistent training sessions
- Shape training sessions that are fun and short
- Have the right treats on hand
- Have the right training toys to make sessions more fun
If you feel like trying your dog is too much work, think about puppy classes.
These classes can be a great way to bond with your puppy further. For extra help, think about hiring a professional dog trainer.
No dog should experience any harsh treatment. Always use positive reinforcement methods and if you need help training your Manchester Terrier ask for the extra hand.
Otherwise, you may end up having a dog with either separation anxiety issues, or destructive behavior.
If you don’t have experience as a dog owner, or how it’s dealing with terrier dogs, this breed isn’t for you.
Manchester Terrier Exercise
Manchester Terriers are smaller dogs packed with energy.
They are highly athletic and thrive when there is a job to be done. Think about dog sports, such as agility to keep their minds sharp and their bodies strong. They will need regular daily walks to do their business and to sniff around.
Dogs learn about the world by exploring different smells. This is why daily walks should be longer than only for few minutes.
Give your dog enough time to explore the city wilderness. On top of that additional exercise time is a great way to keep Manchester Terrier’s joints healthy and strong.
Manchester Terriers may enjoy being active outdoors, but they will love indoor time as well.
Chilling on the sofa next to you is much needed to keep them happy.
All in all, provide up to an hour of exercise per day to keep your Manchester Terrier happy and fit.
Manchester Terrier Grooming
Manchester Terriers are easy to maintain dogs.
They need regular brushing, nail trimming monthly, and regular veterinarian check-ups.
Provide food that will keep their teeth strong and clean. Learn how to clean a dog’s ears and how often.
If you have any doubts grooming-wise make sure that you talk with your veterinarian. Bathe Manchester Terrier only when needed.
Dogs have different skin than humans do, and they dont need frequent bathing. When you must bathe him, make sure that you use only dog-friendly shampoo.
To make nail grinding and ear cleaning easier, make sure that you have the right grooming tools on hand.
Weekly brushing is mandatory to keep the dog’s skin clean and debris-free.
Look at the brushing time as a bonding experience, and not only as something that should be done.
Always check the skin for fleas and any sign of skin infection.
Manchester Terrier Health
Manchester Terriers are healthy as much as you invest in them. They are prone to certain conditions, so regular veterinarian check-ups should help you keep them healthy and alive for many years.
The biggest health concern in this breed is juvenile cardiomyopathy, a deadly disease that can affect the breed.
Currently, experts are working on developing a genetic test that will help dog owners diagnose this breed fast.
Make sure that you stick to veterinarian’s recommendations health-wise to keep your Manchester Terrier healthy.
Once you get your Terrier you are directly responsible for his weight.
Obesity in dogs is on the rise and your Terrier should be away from this trend.
Know how much you should feed your Terrier, how often and when to serve him meals.
If possible, provide high-quality food and learn which human foods are safe, and which are a big danger for your Manchester Terrier.
As a small size dog, the Manchester Terrier can be affected by ‘loose knees.’
Recommended health tests for this breed are:
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Von Willebrand’s Disease DNA Test
Is Manchester Terrier For You?
The Manchester Terrier is for you if you want a dog that is smaller in size, has the nice skills of a watchdog, and lives long.
On the other hand, the Manchester Terrier isn’t for you if dont want to deal with a strong terrier temperament, regular exercise, and stubbornness.
Also, if you’re a first time dog owner, you should focus on getting a breed that is more suitable for novice owners.
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