Description

He has a narrow, long nose and small eyes. His head is flat and narrow and he has a deep set chest. He can have naturally erect ears, medically cropped ears, or button type ears.

There are two basic types of Manchester Terrier, the standard size and the toy size. The standard size is commonly known as the Manchester Terrier, while the toy is commonly known as the English Toy Terrier. The Manchester Terrier is one of the oldest known dog breeds, and he is also one of the easiest to recognize.

Coat Description

The Manchester Terrier is a small dog with a smooth coat that is mostly black with tan or brown patches at the belly, feet, and mouth and nose area.

History

The Manchester Terrier originated in England in the nineteenth century. There was an overabundance of rats in the streets of London and other big cities during the 1800s, and the Manchester Terrier was bred to hunt and kill the rats. He was originally bred from a Whippet and another type of cross bred terrier. Originally he was known as a rat terrier.

Later, the Manchester Terrier was used by other people besides pest controllers in larger cities. Rich men used the Manchester terrier as a hunting dog because his small size allowed him to follow prey into small, brush laden areas.

Temperament

The Manchester Terrier is a very energetic breed. While he can live happily indoors, he needs a lot of exercise and therefore greatly enjoys the outdoors. He is small and agile, and can be slightly mischievous. However, he will listen to his master's commands provided he has had the proper, consistent training.

It is important to note that the Manchester Terrier can be aggressive, particularly around small children and other animals, particularly smaller animals. If he feels like he needs to assert his dominance over the other animals or a child, he may use aggressive behaviors.

Young Manchester terriers and puppies need lots of attention and socialization in order to become well behaved adult dogs. The Manchester Terrier is not a good dog for people who have full time jobs out of the home, or who cannot spend a lot of time with the dog. As the Manchester Terrier depends on attention from his owner, he can develop bad behaviors like barking and destructivity if left alone for long periods of time. The Manchester Terrier is fairly stubborn, so he needs consistent behavioral training in order to be a polite dog.

Health Problems

There are few health problems that plague the Manchester Terrier in particular. He is generally a healthy dog because of his activity level.

Glaucoma can develop in older Manchester Terriers. This disease results from high blood pressure. High blood pressure places pressure on the retina. Sight can be distorted, the optic nerve can sustain damage, and the dog can even lose his sight completely.

Some Manchester Terriers are born with Von Willebrand's Disease. This disease causes severe abnormal bleeding, which can be external or even internal. There is no treatment for the illness; rather, most veterinarians will recommend the dog is monitored closely for external scratches and cuts.

The Manchester Terrier has a very thin coat and thin skin, so he can have heat reactions when he is in the sun for too long. Prolonged sun exposure can cause heat rashes and bumps on the dog's skin.

Grooming

The Manchester Terrier needs very little grooming. He has a very short coat, and he does not shed very much. Because of this, owners really need to brush him only once a week. If you would like a Manchester Terrier that sheds even less, try the English Toy Terrier, which is the toy version of the Manchester Terrier.

Another good grooming feature of this dog is that he does not need to be bathed frequently. Be sure to check his fur and skin for fleas and ticks. This is especially important if he is outdoors often. Also be sure to keep his ears clean.

Exercise

This particular breed of dog likes exercise and needs a lot of it. He enjoys regular walks with his owner, and this is also good for his temperament. If there is a dog park nearby, take him there to socialize and get even more exercise.

If you local dog park is secure and enclosed, you can take your Manchester Terrier off his leash and allow him to run around on his own. Remember, however, that he is a terrier and loves to chase small animals. If your park is not enclosed, be very careful if you choose to let him off his leash.

Training

The Manchester Terrier is one of the smartest breeds of dog. Because he is so smart, he can easily develop bad or rude behaviors. In order to control these behaviors, the owner must make sure the dog knows that the person is in charge. The owner should set the dog's schedule and not allow him to determine when he eats or goes outside. This will establish a relationship of respect between owner and dog.

Training should begin young and should continue through the dog's life until he is an adult. Consistent training is the only way to prevent bad behaviors. If bad behaviors have already developed, the owner must assert his own dominance over the dog by raising his voice or being physically oppressive.