Manchester Terrier: dog breed appearance, character, training, care, health


The characteristics of the Manchester terrier that stand out the most are its robust, muscular and elegant constitution. It has a cheerful, enthusiastic and active character. It is possibly the oldest of the terrier dogs. It is very popular in the UK. At Petlifey, we explain everything about the Manchester terrier dog breed.


Character of the Manchester Terrier breed

The Manchester Terrier is a dog with an intelligent character, very agile, spirited and with a great desire to learn and to please its owners.

Its temperament has much of a terrier, since it is somewhat independent, proud and brave, to the point that it does not shy away from action or even a fight.

Thanks to its behaviour, it is always extraordinarily alert and vigilant, as if it acted on a spring and never rested, an aspect that makes it a good watchdog, which warns of any strange presence near the house.

Likewise, it falls within what are known as “one-person” races, because, although it maintains an excellent relationship with the family and with the people around it, due to its personality, it gives its heart and its absolute fidelity to a single person. Its only guide and reference, whom it always obeys.

To be happy, the specimens of this breed need to feel that they are part of the family, that they fulfil a certain function, and notice that they have the attention of their owners. Something that can also happen with the Irish Terrier.

If they feel abandoned or lacking in affection, they can become stubborn and dominant, and even develop the small dog syndrome, so their master must exercise their leadership in a natural way, not forced but firm, without allowing the dog to impose its will. .

On the other hand, a bored and idle specimen can easily become nervous, destructive, and noisy. To avoid these behavioural disorders, it is best to find an activity that satisfies the animal’s physical and mental needs at the same time, such as agility or fly ball (in its modalities for small dogs), hunting or even sports obedience.

In short, it is an active and cheerful dog that loves to exercise.

Alert and lively, it is very insightful and faithful to its master. Just like its group mate the Airedale Terrier .

  • Energy: high level. It needs to exercise daily and it is advisable to aim them for some type of activity, because if it gets bored it can be destructive.
  • Temperament: loving, cheerful and brave. Very active and agile, it learns easily, as it is very intelligent.
  • Adaptability: very high. Live well in any situation. She loves life at home, in constant contact with her family, of which she needs to receive a lot of attention and feel like an integral part.
  • Sociability: devoted to its family, it tolerates strangers and other dogs well, but may try to hunt other animals if they belong to other species.
  • Health: in general it is very healthy. Even so, it sometimes develops joint problems typical of small breeds.
  • Longevity: very high. It is normal for the specimens of this breed to even reach 20 years of life.
  • Utility: versatile. Originally it was dedicated to hunting, but today it is used more for guard duties and, above all, for company.
  • Use: hunting, guard and company.

Characteristics of the Manchester Terrier

Regarding the characteristics of the Manchester terrier, it is a dog with a general appearance and a robust, muscular, compact and elegant constitution.

Its body is rectangular in structure and very balanced. Many call it a miniature Doberman Pinscher. The length of the body is greater than the height at the withers.

The head is narrow and long, cone-shaped, with an inconspicuous stop and a strong, narrow and long snout, but not pointed. The truffle is black and shiny.

It has very bright and dark eyes, they are small and almond-shaped. They are not very sunken but they are not prominent either. Under them, the cheeks are well full.

Their ears are set high, on top of the skull, and are semi-erect, with the tip drooping forward. They are triangular in shape and small in size.

The feet are strong and small, they are endowed with well arched toes that are characterized by black stripes and very peculiar and distinctive spots above.

It has a short, wide tail at the base, but narrower towards the end. It is set high, below the rump, and the dog does not raise it higher than the back.

As for its coat, the coat of hair of this dog is formed by a hard, smooth hair short, tight and very bright. It is black in color, except for a few intense tan markings.

Let’s now see in more detail how the Manchester terrier and what is the breed standard:

Manchester Terrier breed standard

  • General appearance: elegant, strong, compact and muscular.
  • Size: medium.
  • Height at the withers: between 39 and 42 cm for males and between 37 and 40 cm for females.
  • Weight: between 7.5 and 8 kg for males and between 7 and 7.5 kg for females.
  • Origin: United Kingdom.
  • Body: it is rather short and the lower line of the body is gathered behind the ribs.
  • Head: the skull is long and flat, and the muzzle, also long, tapers towards the tip.
  • Skull: takes the shape of a wedge.
  • Muzzle: narrow and long, cone-shaped. It does not cup under the eyes and the lips are well adhered to the mouth.
  • Nose: it is triangular and black.
  • Eyes: oval, not very bulging and small, they are dark in color and very bright.
  • Ears: they are small, are set very high on the skull and have a “V” shape. The tip falls over the eyes.
  • Nose-frontal depression (stop): it is little marked.
  • Jaws: the jaws are symmetrical and have strong, well-set teeth at right angles. The bite is perfect and complete, in scissors.
  • Neck: It is quite long and gradually tapers from its base at the shoulders towards the head. There is no dewlap and the upper neckline is slightly arched.
  • Chest: it has well-curved ribs.
  • Back: arches slightly in the loin area.
  • Forelimbs: they are well straight and seen from the front allow to appreciate a narrow and deep thorax. The shoulders have a good incline. The forearms and arms are of proportional length to the body.
  • Hind limbs: they are strong and robust. The legs are well muscled and the knees are well angulated. The hocks are straight.
  • Feet: small in size, they are rather oval, almost like “hare’s feet “, strong and straight, without turning either inwards or outwards. Their toes are well arched.
  • Tail: implanted below the line of the back. It is thick at the base and gradually tapers towards the tip. It is not too long and the dog wears it low, without exceeding the line of the back.
  • Hair: it is dense, smooth, short and shiny. The coat has a hard texture
  • Color: very shiny black, with well-lit mahogany tan spots distributed over different parts of its body. On the head and muzzle it shows tan spots, but the nose and the back of the muzzle are black. On the legs, the tan color appears below the knee, except on the fingers, which show black stripes. Under the tail there is also a slight tan line, as well as faint markings on each side of the chest. The areas of black and those of fire do not mix, but are well defined.
  • Movement: the animal advances straight, with a free and balanced movement. The front limbs move freely forward while the hind limbs provide great thrust.
  • FCI Classification: FCI No. 71 Group 3 – Terriers. Section 1 – Large and Medium Size Terriers.

Manchester Terrier puppies

If you are reading this article, you are probably considering the adoption or purchase of a Manchester Terrier puppy.

For this reason, you must take into account a series of aspects that it is good for you to know. For example, the puppies of this breed are very playful and mischievous in their first weeks (like those of the Border Terrier ). They are also very affectionate and cheerful, Manchester terrier puppies are adorable.

It is very important that from a young age, and under the authorization of the veterinarian, they meet other dogs and pets, other places and experience other sounds and noises of everyday life.

In this way we will be able to have sociable, not scary, totally balanced and happy specimens.


Manchester Terrier education and training

As for how to train a Manchester terrier, with this breed an intense and early socialization work is necessary.

In this way you can always enjoy a balanced and happy pet. You need to get used to the presence of people and other animals early so that you feel part of society and so that you begin to assimilate the different rules and learn what is the appropriate behavior to maintain in the most varied situations.

As it usually loves to walk with its family and feel part of the herd, during walks it is interesting to take the opportunity to teach them to always walk at the pace of its owner , who is the one who is on the leash, or slightly behind them.

In this way, it also assumes that it is others who occupy a place above themselves in the social hierarchy of the herd, so it is also convenient that it is not always the same person who takes them out for a walk.


Feeding the Manchester Terrier breed

Regarding how to feed the Manchester terrier, say that it is not a very demanding dog when it comes to eating, you just have to take care that its diet contains the necessary nutrients and in the right proportion to be able to maintain its athletic and powerful physique in magnificent condition.

At present, fortunately it is very easy to find food for dogs of this breed with these characteristics in specialized pet stores, or online.


Manchester Terrier health and diseases

The Manchester terrier is a breed that is generally in good health. Naturally, due to its physical characteristics, it is prone to certain ailments such as patella luxation (the patella is temporarily displaced).

Similarly, there is a characteristic disease of the Manchester terrier. This is von Willebrand disease (an inherited clotting disorder in this dog).


Specific care of the Manchester Terrier breed

As for the care of the Manchester terrier, it does not require special attention. Its smooth and short hair is only necessary. brush it once a week to keep it in perfect condition. As for the bathroom, it is only necessary to do it when the dog is really dirty. It should be done with a neutral pH shampoo and rinse with plenty of water to avoid leaving traces on the skin.


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