Manchester Terrier

General Information - Manchester Terrier

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History

The Manchester Terrier's nickname is the Rat Terrier since it was developed as a rat hunter in nineteenth century Manchester, England by a man named John Hulme. The Manchester was considered to be the best vermin hunting breed of the day. A Manchester Terrier named Billy supposedly killed 100 rats in only 6 minutes, 13 seconds in a British contest! Though he looks like a Miniature Doberman, the breeds are not related. The Manchester terrier was the result of crosses between the Black & Tan Terrier and the Whippet.

Temperament

The Manchester Terrier is a high-spirited, very intelligent, and cunning dog which is eager to learn. Extremely lively, sporty, alert, and vigilant, the Manchester Terrier is a loyal and good friend to its master. The Manchester Terrier likes to please its handler and learns quite quickly. These dogs can be outstanding in activities like agility skills and catch and also do well in obedience trials. The Manchester Terrier should be thoroughly socialised when it is young to prevent potential aggression. He can be headstrong, protective and snappish. This breed needs thorough, firm training.

Upkeep

This alert and active breed can have its exercise needs met with a moderate walk on leash, good romp in the yard or an off-lead foray in a safe area. This is not a breed that should live outdoors, although it appreciates access to a yard during the day. It likes a warm, soft bed. Coat care is minimal.

Manchester Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Manchester Terrier

General Appearance: The dog shall be compact in appearance with good bone and free from any resemblance to the Whippet.

Head and Skull: Long, flat in skull and narrow, level and wedge-shaped, without showing cheek muscles; well-filled up under the eyes, with tapering, tight lipped jaws.

Eyes: Small, dark and sparkling, almond in shape, set close in head, not prominent.

Ears: Small and V-shaped, carried well above the top line of the head and hanging close to the head above the eyes.

Mouth: Should be level.

Neck: The neck should be fairly long and tapering from the shoulder to the head and slightly arched at the crest, free from throatiness.

Forequarters: The shoulders should be clean and well-sloped. The chest narrow and deep. The forelegs must be quite straight, set on well under the dog and of proportionate length to the body.

Body: Short with well-sprung ribs, slightly roached and well cut up behind the ribs.

Hindquarters: The hind legs should be neither cow-hocked nor with the feet turned in and well bent at the stifle.

Feet: Small, semi-harefooted and strong with well-arched toes.

Tail: Short and set on where the arch of the back ends, thick where it joins the body and tapering to a point, carried not higher than the level of the back.

Coat: Close, smooth, short and glossy, of a firm texture.

Colour: Jet black and rich mahogany tan distributed as follows: on the head, the muzzle to be tanned to the nose, the nose and nasal bone to be jet black. There shall be a small tan spot on each cheek and above each eye, the underjaw and throat to be tanned with a distinct tan V. The legs from the knee downward to be tanned with the exception of the toes which shall be pencilled with black and a distinct black mark (thumb mark) immediately above the feet. Inside the hind legs tanned but divided with black at the stifle joint. Under the tail tanned, the vent tanned but as narrow as possible so that it is covered by the tail. A slight tan mark on each side of the chest. Tan outside the hind legs, commonly called breeching, a defect. In all cases the black should not run into the tan or vice versa, but the division between the colours shall be clearly defined.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.