For more than a hundred years the Manchester Terrier, originally called the "Black and Tan" Terrier, has remained true to type. It is a sleek and elegant looking little dog, with tan "thumb marks" over the eyes and on the cheeks and black "thumb marks" in the tan above the front feet. Because of his stability of temperament and consistent type this terrier was used in the development of several breeds, among them the Doberman Pinscher, the Pinscher and the Airedale terrier. One can trace the origin of many of the breeds who have this type of tan marking in the "thumbprint pattern" back to the Black and Tan Terrier. He is generally about 15-16 inches at the shoulder with a compact appearance, his body making a square proportion when measuring from height to shoulder and back of neck to base of tail. The tail is not cropped and the ears have a natural lop at the top half of the ear.
The Manchester Terrier carries the recessive gene for Von Willebrands, which is a condition similar to Hemophilia or "bleeder's disease" in human beings. Other than this, the Manchester Terrier is a long lived and healthy dog of great agility and endurance. Like most of the dogs of terrier origin, it is a ratter and rodent killer by nature. This terrier's natural abilities extend to above ground work for the most part, although there are terriers who "go to ground" the Manchester is one who does not. He is great as a vermin hunter in both households and on the farm . He does need human companionship however and would not do well at all as a kennel dog.
The Manchester is not as well known as some of the other terriers in this country, he is listed as 104 in the rankings of the popularity of the breeds for 2005 in the American Kennel Club. In the United Kingdom, his country of origin, he remains as one of the favorite all time terriers.
This little terrier is a great household pet, being friendly and outgoing with children and the elderly alike. He excels as an obedience dog and in the sports of agility and flyball. One sees more Manchesters in the conformation ring however than in any other part of an A.K.C. dog show. He is not difficult to train, being willing and responsive to his human Master. As for exercise, he will do well to get a daily walk if he is an "apartment" dog but does not need a huge amount of exercise as he is not hyperactive in his behavior. The coat is quite glossy and sleek, there is of course some shedding but baths are usually only necessary when he has decided to roll in something... a brisk rubdown with a towel is enough to keep this dog clean. All in all, he makes a good companion and does not make a lot of demands on his owner. Neither is he especially dog aggressive as are many terriers.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Animals
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