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Manchester Terrier Mobile

Manchester Terrier

The Manchester Terrier is a neat, elegant, yet workmanlike dog in a smooth glossy coat. The coat is black with distinct tan markings as set out by the official breed standard. Ears are small, V-shaped and neat, sitting high on the head. While this is a small dog, the Manchester Terrier is not delicate or frail, but compact and with substance.

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking an hour a day
  • Small dog
  • Minimum drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Very vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • May require training to live with kids

Key Facts

Lifespan: 14-16 years
Weight:  7-9kg
Height:  Adult male dogs are about 41cm in height and females 38cm
Colours:  Black with tan markings
Size:  Small
UK Kennel Club Groups: Terrier

Ratings

Family-friendly: 4/5
Exercise needs: 4/5
Easy to train: 2/5
Tolerates being alone: 3/5
Likes other pets: 3/5
Energy level: 4/5
Grooming needs: 3/5
Shedding: 3/5

Personality

Whilst elegant and refined, the Manchester Terrier was, and remains, a tenacious, larger than life character, all that a terrier should be. 

The Manchester Terrier is bright, intelligent, alert, loyal and affectionate to their family and keen to be involved in whatever activity is going on, yet small enough to be economical to keep and naturally neat and clean. They are typical terriers in that they are active and on the go all the time, often enjoy digging and may not be safe with unknown cats or small furry animals.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: England

Black and tan terrier types were used for pest control and sport in Elizabethan times and this remained the case for centuries. In the mid 19th Century, longer legged dogs similar to Whippets were introduced, producing a taller and more refined terrier. Then known as ‘The Gentleman’s Terrier’ this smart, useful dog became known as the Manchester Terrier toward the end of the 19th century, thanks to the popularity of the breed in the city and particularly in the cotton mills of Manchester.

Did You Know?

  • The Manchester Terrier is often said to resemble the Dobermann in miniature, however the truth is, it is the other way round. The Dobermanns creator, Herr Louis Dobermann, used Manchester Terriers to create his breed.
  • The Victorian nickname ‘The Gentlemans Terrier’ may have been a little bit tongue in cheek! Though the Manchester Terrier was a smarter and more elegant terrier than most at the time, they were still a fairly disreputable ratting, rabbiting, sporting breed - all activities favoured by the somewhat less than ‘gentlemanly’ fellows of the era.
Dog with red collar looking out the window
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