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Meet the Manchester Terrier Temperament: Keen, Devoted…

The Manchester Terrier temperament is alert, active, and discerning.

Bred for rat killing and rabbit coursing, the Manchester Terrier is keen and spirited.

They are devoted human companions and adore being around people.

Photo of Manchester Terrier Portriat  Outdoors | Dog Temperament

Manchester Terrier Temperament and Personality

They have a lively personality

A true terrier, the Manchester Terrier is lively and spirited. They are social creatures and love to be around their humans.

These are very active dogs, so if you have an active lifestyle, then this dog is a great choice for you and your family.

He loves a daily walk but prefers several, and if you can manage regular runs with him, he’ll be in his glory.

Better with older children

Because of their small size, Manchester Terriers do better in homes with older children. Young kids may inadvertently harm a Manchester during playtime.

They are animal selective

The Manchester Terrier has a strong prey drive. While they generally get along with other dogs, you should avoid bringing them around cats and other small animals.

Even birds aren’t safe from the Manchester Terrier, who will terrorize them every chance he gets.

However, Manchester Terriers can also be incredibly territorial around dogs of the same sex and they don’t back down from a challenge.

If they believe another dog has encroached on their space, they won’t shy away from letting the other dog know that – even if the other dog only did so by accident.

They are highly adaptable

Manchester Terriers can adapt to almost any environment. They will do well in an apartment in the city or on a ranch in the country.

He’s even a master at entertaining himself if you’re too busy to play with him.

He’ll play with another dog in the house, play with one of his toys, or even just find ways to entertain himself that aren’t destructive.

They make excellent watchdogs

The Manchester Terrier is a great watchdog. They will bark (sometimes too much) when intruders are near. But they are not overly aggressive or high-strung.

Socialize them to warm him up to strangers

To help him accept strangers better, you should socialize him at an early age – the earlier and more often, the better. If not, he can grow to think that all strangers are dangerous.

This could make him either nervous of them or aggressive toward them as a way of defending himself when such actions are not necessary.

However, so long as you properly socialize him, he should be like a child around new people: timid at first, but able to warm up to them over time.

They are incredibly loyal

The Manchester Terrier is an incredibly loyal breed. He loves nothing more than being by his master’s side whenever possible.

For this reason, you should consider a different breed if you tend to be away from home a lot. This is a dog who loves to be around his master.

If you can’t take him with you, and you leave him for long periods of time, this normally calm dog can develop separation anxiety.

This is especially not good because he may look for destructive or otherwise negative releases for his anxious energy.

This can translate to him destroying your property by chewing or digging or developing a neurosis that will make both of you miserable.

They are fragile as puppies

You must be careful with Manchester Terrier puppies, as even a hug that’s too strong can hurt them.

For this reason, especially, you must supervise younger children when they’re around the Manchester Terrier.

Manchester Terrier Appearance

Photo of Manchester Terrier In Field | Dog Temperament

The Manchester Terrier size is small to medium. They weigh between 12-22 pounds and stand between 15-16 inches tall.

As for colors, the Manchester Terrier comes in combinations of blue and tan or black and tan, as well as straight-up blue, black, or tan.

He looks like a smaller version of a Doberman Pinscher. In fact, people often confuse the Manchester Terrier vs. the Miniature Pinscher, but they are two separate breeds.

Manchester Terriers are large, while Miniature Pinschers only weigh between 8-12 lbs.

And, while both can have black and tan coats, Miniature Pinschers come in more colors.

But the main difference is their temperaments. Manchester Terriers need more exercise than the Miniature Pinschers and are better for active families.

A Brief History of the Manchester Terrier

Hailing from Manchester, England, the Manchester Terrier is thought to be a cross between Britain’s black and tan Terrier and Whippet.

Experts believe the Manchester Terrier dog is the oldest of identifiable terrier breeds.

Because of the Manchester Terrier’s noble air about him, Victorians gave him the nickname of “Gentleman’s Terrier.”

How Do You Train a Manchester Terrier?

Photo of Manchester Terrier Agility | Dog Temperament

Manchester Terriers are very intelligent and enjoys thinking their way through a situation. But this willful terrier can be stubborn. You must show that you are the leader through consistent training.

Manchester Terriers are keen and perceptive. If you aren’t careful, they’ll take advantage of your inconsistency. Use firm yet positive training methods full of praise and treats.

Try to lean more on praise than treats, though. This breed is sensitive to weight gain.

You know how it feels like if you even look at a bowl of ice cream you’ve already gained three pounds? That’s this dog.

And the last thing you need is your dog’s preventable health problems that come from being overweight.

With positive reinforcement training, you’ll be able to train the people-pleasing Manchester Terrier in no time. The important thing is to remain patient.

You can laugh when he’s acting silly, but don’t ever allow him to think that your laughter equates to him getting the upper hand. All Terriers are classic for this.

They can be protective, headstrong, and snappy if not socialized properly. Start socializing your Manchester Terrier puppy as soon as possible to prevent potential problems in the future.

Helpful Dog Training Resource:

The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.

Grooming a Manchester Terrier

When it comes to grooming, the Manchester Terrier’s short coat makes them low maintenance. Once a week brushing and a bath when dirty is the extent of their grooming requirements.

Else, you can use those doggie wipes to wipe his coat down once a week to keep him looking neat and shiny.

What’s good about the Manchester is that he actually enjoys grooming sessions, unlike some breeds who may give you trouble.

Grooming gives him the chance to be close to and bond with you.

Do Manchester Terriers shed?

The answer is YES! They do shed, but not excessively. Regular brushing will keep that under control.

Is the Manchester Terrier Hypoallergenic?

No. Interestingly, you may think the Manchester Terrier is hypoallergenic because of their short coat, but they are not.

They do, however, produce less dander than larger breeds just based on their size. So, your odds of developing allergies around this breed are about half what you would develop around a dog with a longer coat.

Nail Trimming: How Often?

Trim his nails regularly. He can become uncomfortable while walking if his nails are too long.

Not only that but walking to accommodate longer nails can also mess with his hip alignment, and you definitely don’t want to do that to him.

Staying Healthy: What are the Manchester Terrier Health Issues You Should Know About?

A Manchester Terrier's lifespan is between 15-17 years, which is a long time in doggy years.

Like all breeds, Manchester Terriers are prone to certain health conditions. They are prone to:

If you are buynig a Manchester Terrier from a breeder you should ask to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.

Note: Few things are more important than our Health. It's no different with our Dogs Health. You can avoid some visits (and money spent) to your Vet can be avoided if only you know what to do when your dog is ill. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. No dog owner should be without this handy guide. It's no substitute for your vet but it will save you money. And it will help you quickly understand and recognize symptoms before they become a serious problem for your dog.

Exercise

The Manchester Terrier is an active breed. They do best with daily walks with their human or playtime in the backyard. They also love a great game of fetch.

Go here to read our article on 10+ exercises for dogs with benefits and precautions you shoud take. 

This is a breed that loves to be around humans. They’ll love to accompany you on your daily walk, run, or hike.

An athletic breed, Manchester Terriers excel at dog sports such as obedience, agility, and disc games.

However, because of his high prey drive, I strongly recommend that you either keep him leashed up when he’s outside or back behind a fence that is tall enough and sturdy enough to keep him enclosed.

You may be surprised at how quickly this dog can take off when he gets a good whiff or sight of something he perceives as potential prey.

Finding the Perfect Manchester Terrier

Did you decide the Manchester Terrier will make a great addition to your family? Now it’s time to find the perfect one.

First, are looking to add a puppy or adult dog to your family? Manchester Terrier puppies are adorable, but they are a lot of work.

Are you prepared to dedicate the time puppies require? They will need housetraining, obedience training, and socialization.

If you don’t have the time for a puppy, why not adopt an adult Manchester Terrier from a rescue? Adult dogs are often already housetrained and have basic obedience training under their belt.

Photo of Manchester Terrier Portrait With Flowers | Dog Temperament

Manchester Terrier Puppies for Sale

Purebred Manchester Terrier puppies for sale from a breeder will cost between $600-$1000. The Manchester Terrier price depends on bloodline, litter availability, and location.

If you are looking to add an AKC registered Manchester to your family, expect to pay closer to $1000.

Manchester Terriers for sale from a rescue will cost between $200-$400 depending on the rescue organization. The price often includes vet exams, vaccines, spay/neuter surgery, and microchipping.

Manchester Terrier Rescue and Adoption

The American Manchester Terrier Club is a great place to start if you decided on Manchester Terrier rescue. You can also contact your local shelter to see if they have any Manchester Terriers available for adoption.

In addition to purebred adult dogs, many rescue organizations also have Manchester Terrier mixes available for adoption. Both adult dogs and mixes are perfect for busy families who don’t have time for a puppy or prefer a mixed breed.

Manchester Terrier Breeders

If you decided to purchase a Manchester Terrier puppy from a breeder, research local breeders and plan visits.

Manchester Terrier breeders should be extremely knowledgeable about the breed – especially any known health conditions or temperament issues.

Bring a list of questions and make sure they ask you questions in return. Reputable breeders want to make sure they are matching their puppies with the perfect family!

Take note of their kennel area – is it clean? Do they treat their dogs and puppies with love and care? Do the dogs act scared or fearful around the breeder?

Take your time when choosing a Manchester Terrier breeder. Plan as many visits as it takes to find your perfect puppy!

Conclusion: Why the Manchester Terrier?

If you’re looking for an active, alert, and bright dog, the Manchester Terrier will be the perfect addition to your family.

They do well with older children and dogs but are too small for young children, and they have too strong of a prey drive for small animals.

You should also keep dogs of the same sex away from them, as they are likely to engage in fights with them.

An intelligent breed, the Manchester Terrier is eager to please but remember that he can be stubborn with training.