Toy Manchester Terrier

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Toy Manchester Terrier Profile

The Toy Manchester Terriers (or English Toy Terrier) were registered as separate breeds until 1959 when they became a single breed with the Manchester Terrier with two varieties, the Toy and the Standard. It should be noted that the Toy Manchester may not have their ears cropped as their larger counterparts can. They are a Toy breed with definite terrier characteristics which make them devoted pets who are faithful to their owners. The Toy Manchester Terrier enjoys the comforts of home and should be given a soft bed to lay down in. This breed is thought to be a contributing progenitor to several other breeds.  Both have cropped erect ears or naturally drop ears. They have hardly a stop at all on the face, and come in colors of black and tan. They have the usual Doberman markings. Toy Manchester Terriers are a true terrier: inquisitive, alert and keen to investigate and look into everything. Although, they are said to be less active than the normal terrier. They have a long lifespan, a moderate activity level and a good watchdog bark. They are intelligent, one-person dogs. they can, however, be difficult to train and do not readily obey their owners. They cannot be trusted around small animals either, as they have a high prey drive. Despite this, Manchester Terriers are easy to care for, clean, alert and make excellent companions.

Other Names: English Toy Terrier

Type: Terrier

Height for Toy Variety: 8 - 13 inches.
Weight for Toy Variety: 7 - 12 lbs.

Colors: Jet black and rich tan.
Coat: Close, smooth, short, and glossy.

Temperament: Toy Manchester Terriers are lively and attentive. This breed is more suited for being watchdog than the typical terrier. They are less active than most terriers, are wary with strangers and aggressive with other animals. With family, they are affectionate, gentle and playful. They like the comforts of being inside, such as something soft to sleep on. Toy Manchester Terriers are alert and untrustworthy with small animals. Like a terrier, however, they like to dig, bark and protect their food and toys. Although sensitive to their family, they can be tough when the need be.
With Children: Yes, but they may not tolerate the hectic activity of young children.
With Pets: No, they may be overly aggressive to other dogs and are untrustworthy with small ones.

Watch-dog: High. The English Toy Terrier is a good alert watch-dog, as they are suspicious of strangers.
Guard-dog: Medium. This is a small dog, but they can be tough when they need to be.

Toy Manchester Terrier Care and Training: Toy Manchester Terriers are easy to care for as all they require is a daily brushing or a rub down to give their coat a shine. Bathe only when necessary. Nails should be trimmed periodically. They can obtain their exercise in a small area, but they do enjoy a good run. The Toy Manchester Terrier should be socialized at a young age.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - Low. Problem Solving - High. Intelligent as they are, they still retain the stubborn obedience of the typical terrier.

Activity: Medium.
Special Needs: Socialization and training.
Living Environment: Toy Manchester Terriers adapt well to either apartment or country living. They do need to be with their people and should not be kenneled. They also make a good companion for the elderly as they enjoy being a one person dog. The best owner for this breed would be anyone, anywhere. They adapt well to active or sedentary people, and can survive well in the city or country.

Toy Manchester Terrier Health Issues: Sensitivity to the sun, cold and damp weather, deterioration of the ball of hip, possible skin ailments, fractures, slipped stifle, glaucoma, and von Willebrand's disease.

Life Span: 10 - 11 years.
Litter Size: 3 - 5 puppies.

Country of Origin: Great Britain
Toy Manchester Terrier History: Manchester Terriers were originally known as the Black and Tan Terrier in the 16th century in England, and have been referred to as such even today. At one time they were called the "Gentleman's Terrier", since Manchester was a poor town in England, this breed's name was not very popular. Though, later they were officially named Manchester Terrier in 1923. They were used as a ratter and a companion dog back then, and were extremely efficient at their job. Putting a terrier in a box full of rats was a popular spectator sport in the 19th century, especially in Manchester of northern England. One record-making Manchester named "Billy" was set in a box with 100 rats in it, and given a time limit of 8 and 1/2 minutes. He killed all 100 rats in nearly 6 minutes! It took him only 3 and a half seconds to kill each rat. The Manchester Terrier may have been produced by crossing the Whippet, Italian Greyhound, Doberman, Dachshund, possibly King Charles Spaniel and other terriers such as the White English Terrier. The Toy version of the breed was produced by breeding the smallest of the Manchester Terriers. They are both identical except for size. During Queen Victoria's reign, the breed was miniaturized to the extent of receiving poor health and pathetic results. At this time it was not uncommon to see Manchesters of two and a half pounds, full grown! When problems of normalcy became apparent, people stopped breeding for smallness and the breed regained it's health. In 1889 ear cropping was outlawed, as well as pitting rats against dogs, and the breed's popularity declined. Because of ear cropping, breeders did not worry about the size of ear when breeding Manchester Terriers, thus making it quite difficult to get a Manchester of correct ear size and markings for show after the ear cropping ban. Fortunately for the Toy, ear cropping is not allowed on this breed. The Manchester and Toy Manchester were considered one breed until 1959 when the AKC declared them to be separate varieties of an interbreeding breed.  

First Registered by the AKC: 1887
AKC Group: Toy
Class: Terrier
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 3), KC (GB), UKC

Toy Manchester Terriers

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