GROUP 2 - TERRIERS

Brief History
Manchester Terriers, or Mannies as they are affectionally known, are believed to be one of the oldest Terrier breeds. They were used in the development of other more recognisable breeds in today’s society. The most famous Manchester, Jack Black, was one of the Royal Ratcatchers around the 1850s, doing what the breed was designed to do, hunt small vermin, rats and rabbits. This is something they still excel at in modern times. They appear on the Vulnerable Breeds List in their native United Kingdom.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 12-15 years.

Temperament
Devoted, discerning, loyal, headstrong.

The Manchester can be lively and alert when is suits them and happy to go adventuring with you, just as much as they are happy having cuddles with you. The common theme here being ‘with you’. They are loyal to their humans, and protective of their homes. They will bark at any sound they deem strange. They are discerning with strangers, so require extensive socialisation when young. Manchesters have above average intelligence, and are headstrong and creative, so it’s important to keep their mind exercised. They are well suited to active sports such as agility, tracking and rally.

General Breed Description
The Manchester comes in one colour combination, black and tan. They have a short, glossy coat and given the right exercise, can have muscular hindquarters. They usually have ears that come forward with the tips touching the head, just above the eyes. They have an elegant yet athletic shape to them and a tapered tail. Their appearance often leads to them being described as a mini Dobermann.

Coat and Care Requirements
The short coat requires minimal care. Manchester’s do not shed much, so only require a light grooming by way of brush or wipe over with a soft cloth. Bathing is only needed occasionally. Good feeding is required to keep their coat healthy and their teeth pearly white. However, they love food, so their weight must be watched. Manchesters nails need trimming on a regular basis and as they don’t like their feet being touched, this needs to be practiced from a very young age.

Size
Height: Males 41cms (16ins), Females 38cms (15ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does.

Suitability
A Manchester is not for everyone. They suit responsible owners with the time to give them early socialisation and positive training, which will make them great companions for individuals or families. They can be quiet one minute and super active the next, so they are great for older families. Any toy is fair game for a Mannie, so keep these locked away. Natural vermin hunters, they are not ideal companions for rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits or the like. As long as they are well socialised very early in life, they can be great companions for other dogs, and even cats.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/51