Manchester terrier

Overall description of the breed

As its name suggests, the Manchester Terrier originates from the United Kingdom, specifically from the large city in the northwest of England, Manchester. It is an ancient breed highly regarded by the Anglo-Saxons, dating back to the 16th century and reaching its peak during the 19th century.

This terrier was specialized in hunting vermin, particularly the rats that infested large cities at the time. Despite its refinement and elegance, it remains an extremely determined and fearless animal when it detects prey. Its gait is graceful, light, and its speed of action is bewildering.

The Manchester Terrier gained popularity through canine exhibitions organized weekly in the pubs of northern the United Kingdom. It is likely the result of a cross between the White Terrier, Brokenhaired Terrier, and Whippet. It was among the first breeds to be carefully selected for breeding. The International Canine Federation definitively recognized it on October 15, 1954, and its current standard was published on October 13, 2010.

The Manchester Terrier is a small dog with a noble and proud appearance, primarily used for hunting, where it excels. Its body is compact, slightly longer than its height at the withers, giving it a rectangular silhouette.

It has rather high legs, a well-developed chest, and well-sprung ribs. Beneath its slender appearance, the Manchester Terrier possesses a solid structure. Its head is fine and proportionate to the rest of the body, with a long muzzle and skull that meet to form a tapering muzzle, slightly rounded at the tip.

Its V-shaped ears are small, set high on the skull, and discreetly fold over themselves. Its short coat is silky and closely fitting, covering its entire body uniformly. The only color accepted by the standard is black with tan markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, and on the lower legs.

The temperament of the Manchester Terrier is well-balanced. It is deeply attached to its family and makes an excellent companion in daily life. Although it was once used for hunting vermin, it retains a strong hunting instinct. If you do not wish to encourage this trait, it is advisable to familiarize it with small animals from an early age.

This little companion is enjoyable to live with and loves to share moments of play with its loved ones, especially when it comes to tracking activities. Faithful and loyal, the Manchester Terrier is highly devoted to its family while maintaining a degree of independence that allows it to stay alone without anxiety or destructive behavior.

While its small size may prevent physical confrontation, it serves as a good guardian and will alert you in case of intruders. The Manchester Terrier is relatively docile, intelligent, and its training is generally straightforward for most owners. However, it has high exercise needs and must be exercised daily to be fully content.

Gentle, helpful, and devoted, it makes an excellent family dog that appeals to both adults and children.

In adulthood, the Manchester Terrier measures approximately 41 cm (16 inches) at the withers for males and 38 cm (15 inches) for females, with a weight of around 8 kg (17.5 pounds).