The Manchester Terrier is a sleek terrier, originating in the English city after which it is named, where it had been developed as a highly efficient ratter.
The breed is distinguished by its polished appearance, which consists of a compact and slender frame, long tapering nose, narrow flat skull, small, bright eyes and a short smooth coat of black and tan. This breed comes in two sizes, the original standard size and a miniaturised version, the Toy Manchester Terrier. The toy terrier only has erect ears, whereas the standard can have button, erect or cropped ears. These terriers are bright, athletic and alert, but also loving, loyal and eager to please. They flourish in the company of their owners, to whom they will be devoted and will be bereft and potentially destructive if left alone for long periods of time. They can be a little impatient and may not be tolerant of younger children who are not gentle but do well with older or more sensitive children. Their hunting instincts make them generally unsuitable around cats and other small household pets, but they can get on well with other dogs. They are also great watchdogs, who will bark enthusiastically at anyone entering their territory. Manchester Terriers are athletic and agile and will relish time spent exercising alongside their owners, whether that is walks, runs, agility or playtime in the garden.
History
The Manchester Terrier heralds from the Industrial Revolution, where it worked in mills and around towns to keep down the rat population. The old Black and Tan Terrier is certainly in the breeds ancestry, as is the Whippet which gave it its sleek appearance. The breed was also used to hunt rabbits for its owners supper, as well as doubling up as a fighter in the rat pit. The breed comes in two sizes, the original standard size and a miniaturised version, the Toy Manchester Terrier.
