Manchester Terrier (Standard) Overview

Breed Overview

The Manchester Terrier (Standard) is a muscular and agile breed of terrier with a sleek, shiny black and tan coat. They were originally bred as working dogs to hunt vermin in Manchester, England in the late 19th century. The Standard Manchester Terrier is a loyal, active and independent breed and is well-suited for agility, obedience and other canine sports. While not as common as other terrier breeds, they are becoming an increasingly popular pet due to their intelligence and playful, people-oriented personalities.

Care and Grooming

The Manchester Terrier (Standard) has a sleek and shiny coat that needs to be brushed and groomed regularly to maintain its health and shine. Brushing should be done 1-2 times per week with a soft brush, and the coat should be trimmed and checked for tangles regularly. The breed is also a moderate shedder and should be trimmed and groomed every 6-8 weeks to keep the coat looking clean and healthy.

Training and Socialization

The Manchester Terrier (Standard) is an intelligent breed that is eager to please and relatively easy to train. Early socialization and training are key to ensuring that your terrier grows up to be well-behaved and friendly. This breed should be exposed to a variety of people, dogs, and places beginning in puppyhood, and should receive on-going obedience and agility training throughout their life.

Health and Wellness

The Manchester Terrier (Standard) is generally a healthy breed, however like all breeds they can be prone to certain health issues such as heart murmurs, cataracts, hip dysplasia, and others. Keeping your terrier healthy and fit will help to prevent or reduce the risk of many of these health conditions. It is important for owners to provide their dog with a healthy diet, exercise and regular vet checkups.

Living Environment

The Manchester Terrier (Standard) is most suited to living in a home environment with a yard. They are very active and need plenty of regular exercise, including daily walks, playtime and agility training. This breed does not require spacious digs, but does need obedience training and socialization exposure to avoid developing separation anxiety.

Temperament and Personality

The Manchester Terrier (Standard) is excellent with people and can make a wonderful family companion. They are alert, loyal and vocal, but not overly aggressive or shy. Owners must take care to properly socialize and train their Manchester as they can become anxious if not properly handled.

Common Challenges

Owners of the Manchester Terrier (Standard) must be willing to put in the effort to properly train and socialize their pet. Without proper training, they can develop unwanted behavior such as separation anxiety, digging, barking and other problem behaviors. They are also prone to health issues such as heart murmurs, cataracts, and hip dysplasia which should be monitored closely.