Manchester-terrier, or, as it is called,rat-terrier, - a relatively recent breed of dogs, bred on the British Isles, the peak of its popularity fell on the Victorian era. Unlike before, when Manchester Terriers were used for hunting and killing rats and other rodents, today they are in most cases acting as companion dogs.
How did this breed come about?
According to researchers, the ancestors of thisbreeds were common in the British Isles for a long time. Over time, a special species emerged - a black and tan terrier - smooth-haired dogs that were small in size and well-suited for mice, rats and hares. The closest to the modern Manchester terriers were the dogs, bred by the end of the 18th century by the cynologist and scholar from Manchester, John Hume, who crossed Whippet with a black-and-tan terrier. Cynologists do not exclude the fact that in the future the breed was refreshed with the blood of West Highland White Terrier.
Its final and modern lookManchester Terrier acquired by the middle of the XIX century, and by the end of its breed, dogs of this breed are participating in exhibitions, which contributed to their popularity and distribution. At the beginning of the XX century, several clubs of fans of the Manchester Terriers were organized. Until the Second World War, the breed was actively distributed throughout Europe and was imported into the United States.
During the war, the Manchester Terrier practicallydisappeared, preserved only by individual breeders. Restored the breed for a long time, and only in 1962 it was recognized by the English cynological club.
Two different breeds or species?
Until the end of the 50-ies of the XX century it was believed thatManchester and Toy Terrier - these are two completely different, albeit very similar breeds of dogs. Only after the FCI No. 71 standard was adopted in 1959, all modern cynological federations and organizations recognized that manchester terrier and English tom-manchester are two varieties of the same breed, differing only in weight, size and shape of ears. The representatives of both species have thin, small ears, high and close to each other. They are narrow at the base and pointed upward. In the case of those Manchester ears are located strictly forward and upward, and in the representatives of the Manchester terriers, if not cropped, they may be in bud form or standing. If the puppy's ears are stopped, then they will be standing and long.
What does he look like?
Strong, small, short-haired terrier.The dog is elegant, with a long and dry wedge-shaped head and a clear, guarded gaze. A muscular and compact body testifies to the high mobility, endurance and great strength of the Manchester Terrier, which allows him to pursue prey for a long time. The bite, like the majority of terriers, is scissor-shaped, although straight, but this breed is not considered a defect. In England, the ears are left without stopping, hanging on the cartilage, like most other terriers. In the United States, a different approach is adopted: the Manchester-terriers are given a puppy-like age for giving a pointed erect form. Their eyes are almond-shaped, small and dark.
Standard Manchester terriers should weigh at least 6, but not more than 10 kg, and the English one - 6 kg. The height of males does not exceed 41, and the bitches - 38 centimeters.
Color
Manchester Terrier can only be black with a bright tan color of mahogany.
Wool
Smooth, short, shiny and resembling a fur coat of a fur seal - so the coat of a healthy Manchester terrier should look like.
A feature of this breed is persistentdislike of water and various bathing. Therefore, do not often expose your pet to similar procedures, only if it is very much soiled. After bathing, the dog's coat should be thoroughly wiped with a towel made of natural cloth. Do not forget to wipe the Manchester-Terrier in the event that during a walk it fell under the rain.
And how to care?
Although the Manchester Terrier is a dog that requiresminimum care, you need to closely monitor the health of the eyes and ears of the pet. The most common diseases of this breed are cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the legacy disease Von Willebrand. Because of its short coat, the Manchester Terrier does not tolerate both low and high temperatures. Of course, in the sun the dog is better and more pleasant than in the cold, but to allow overheating and leave for a long time under the scorching rays, too, is not worth it.
Characteristics of character
Something, but character, and quiteControversial, this little dog has it! Nobody will dispute that devotion, high activity and love of freedom are the distinctive qualities of the dogs of the Manchester Terrier breed. Before you have a Manchester dog, think about whether you can devote enough time not only to communication, but also to his upbringing. The fact is that if puppies do not receive the necessary upbringing and attention, then they grow into aggressive, stubborn and willful dogs, which can not be retrained. Considering all this, the owners of Manchester Terriers should form their character from puppyhood, clearly showing what can and can not be done.
Also it should be borne in mind that Manchester - dogsone master, to whom they are devoted all their lives. They are loyal and even good to other family members and children with whom they will play, but only if they do not get bored. If the house has other pets, the dogs of this breed are comfortable with them. Just remember that your favorite rat, mouse or hamster even for the most rigorously brought up Manchester terrier is prey, and at some point the instinct can work. That is why joint maintenance of rodents and such terriers is not recommended.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact thatoutwardly calm and playful in relation to strangers, the Manchester-Terrier only pretends. In fact, these dogs are extremely distrustful of strangers and at the first signs of an inadmissible terrier behavior, they will notify the owner of this loud barking. In rare cases, aggression is possible, but this depends both on the nature, individual characteristics, and on the upbringing of the dog.
Training
As already mentioned above, Manchester Terriersneed a rather early course of obedience and socialization. It should be noted the intelligence and ingenuity of dogs of this breed, which, in good relations with the owner, quickly assimilate what is required of them, striving to deserve the owner's praise and encouragement.
Where to buy and how much does it cost?
Today in Russia it is almost impossible to buypuppies of breed Manchester-terrier. The price in western nurseries varies from 600 to 2500 US dollars. In our country there are no breeders who are breeding Manchester Terriers.
