People who own a Manchester Terrier may be asked if it’s a Miniature Dobermann. It’s an easy mistake to make at first glance, as this unusual little Terrier does somewhat resemble the Dobermann breed, but that’s where the similarities end.
Manchester Terriers are said to be the descendants of the old English Black-and-Tan Terrier. Unlike most Terrier breeds, the Manchester is a city dog. Shipping docks around Liverpool and Manchester were alive with rats due to poor sanitation in the 1800s, so there was plenty of work for this quick-witted and nimble Terrier.
When the Kennel Club opened its stud books in 1873, the Manchester Terrier was still known as the English Black-and-Tan Terrier. At the time, the distinguished dog judge and writer Hugh Dalziel described the Manchester as the most elegant and graceful of all Terriers.
Characteristics & Appearance
Manchester Terriers are eye-catching little dogs. The head is long and wedge-shaped with bright, almond-shaped eyes and small v-shaped ears set high. The short body has a straight to slightly roach back and a whiptail.
Legs are in proportion to the dog, neither too short nor too long. Colour is jet black with rich mahogany-tan markings. The coat is smooth and glossy with a firm texture.
The Manchester Terrier is strongly people oriented and makes a wonderful family companion.
Vital Statistics General appearance: compact, elegant and sound with substance. Characteristics: keen, alert, gay and sporting. Temperament: discerning and devoted. Eyes: relatively small, dark and sparkling. Almond-shaped, not prominent. Body: short with well-sprung ribs, slightly arched over the loin and cut up behind ribs. Feet: small, semi-harefooted and strong with well-arched toes. Tail: short and set on where arch of back ends, thick where it joins body, tapering to a point, carried not higher than level of back. Gait/movement: straight, free and balanced with good reaching forequarters. Coat: close, smooth, short and glossy, of firm texture. (1)
Temperament
High-spirited, agile and intelligent, the Manchester Terrier is an affectionate dog that makes a wonderful companion. It is devoted and faithful; extremely lively, alert, keen and vigilant.
The Manchester Terrier is eager to please and excels in both Agility and Obedience. Being of athletic build, the breed is very active and benefits from daily exercise. However, given the choice, the Manchester Terrier prefers the company of people to a long walk. At first, a Manchester Terrier can be a little reserved; it is not everyone’s immediate friend. Therefore, early and positive socialisation is essential for a young Manchester Terrier.
Maintenance & Suitability
The breed’s smooth coat and devotion to family make it an ideal house and watchdog. Being a sociable animal, the Manchester Terrier is not suited to a solitary life in the backyard.
Its short coat does shed, but is easily maintained with a quick brush and occasional wash as required. During winter, the breed would benefit from a dog coat at night or on very cold days.
The Manchester Terrier is a suitable pet for a wide range of situations, from families with children to active older people. A true Terrier, the breed is intelligent and affectionate with people.
The Manchester Terrier is low maintenance, sound in health and loyal at heart. It has an affectionate nature and would be an excellent choice for an urban or country household. Manchester Terriers are not entirely reliable around small, non-canine animals, as its hunting instincts are strong.
The breed should be socialised as a puppy and introduced to children as early as possible. If its needs as a canine are met, the Manchester Terrier will make a wonderful family companion.
Health
It’s reasonable to claim that anyone purchasing a Manchester Terrier will most likely enjoy an average of 14 trouble-free years with their pet. This is not to say that health problems are completely unknown in this breed.
Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), a bleeding disorder common in a number of breeds, has been known to affect the Manchester Terrier, although it is rare in Australia. The disease is an inherited deficiency of one of the 13 clotting factors of the blood, similar to haemophilia. A genetic marker has been identified for vWD in Manchester Terriers, allowing breeders to ensure no affected dogs are produced.
A common and serious genetic problem in purebred dogs, hypothyroidism has been seen in both Toy and Standard Manchester Terriers (as well as most other breeds of dogs) outside of Australia.
The disease results from the impaired production and secretion of thyroid hormone, which is responsible for a number of important functions including regulating metabolism.
Hypothyroidism causes a wide variety of symptoms, but is often suspected in dogs that have trouble with weight gain or obesity, hair loss, skin problems or temperament changes. Hypothyroidism is easy to diagnose with a blood test and can often be regulated with synthetic thyroid medication.
Overall, the Manchester Terrier is a sound breed and has an average life span of 14 years.
Now you know a little about the Manchester Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Manchester Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.
Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 May 2009)
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
General Appearance
Compact, elegant and sound with substance.
Characteristics
Keen, alert, gay and sporting.
Temperament
Discerning and devoted.
Physical Standards
Head and Skull
Long skull, flat and narrow, level and wedge-shaped, without showing cheek muscles, well filled up under eyes, with tapering, tight-lipped mouth.
Eyes
Relatively small; dark and sparkling. Almond-shaped, not prominent.
Ears
Small and V-shaped, carried well above the top line of head and hanging close to head above eyes.
Mouth
Jaw level, with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Fairly long and tapering from shoulder to head and slightly arched at crest; free from throatiness.
Forequarters
Shoulders clean and well-sloped. Front narrow and deep. Forelegs quite straight, set on well under dog; and proportionate length to body.
Body
Short with well sprung ribs, slightly arched over the loin and cut up behind ribs.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular, well bent at stifle. Hind legs neither cow-hocked nor with feet turned in.
Feet
Small, semi-harefooted and strong with well arched toes.
Tail
Short and set on where arch of back ends, thick where it joins body, tapering to a point, carried not higher than level of back.
Gait/Movement
Straight, free and balanced with good reaching forequarters and driving power in hindquarters.
Coat
Close, smooth, short and glossy, of firm texture.
Colour
Jet black and rich mahogany tan distributed as follows: on head, muzzle tanned to nose, nose and nasal bone jet black. Small tan spot on each cheek and above each eye, under-jaw and throat tanned with distinct tan V. Legs from knee downward tanned with exception of toes which shall be pencilled with black, a distinct black mark (thumbmark) immediately above feet. Inside hind legs tanned but divided with black at stifle joint. Under tail tanned, vent tanned by marking as narrow as possible so that it is covered by tail. A slight tan mark on each side of chest. Tan outside hind legs, commonly called breeching, is undesirable. In all cases black should not run into tan or vice versa, but division between colours clearly defined.
Size
Ideal height: Dogs 41 cms (16 ins) at shouldersBitches 38 cms (15 ins) at shoulders.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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