Manchester Terrier

The sleek, tidy Manchester Terrier is the picture of elegance in a small dog. The breed is the result of crossing a descendant of the tough Black-and-Tan Terrier, a breed in England generations ago, with the graceful Whippet and Greyhound. The new dog was able to take part in two "sports" that were popular in Manchester, England, many years ago: rat killing in a pit and racing after rabbits. It was in this area that the dog was developed.

This dog has a quick, protective nature. He's happiest with gentle kids, and can be shy with new people. But he's very much a part of his own family; he attaches himself deeply to them.

The Manchester Terrier is a good friend to housekeepers because his short, glossy coat stays neat with a quick brushing once a week. There are two varieties of Manchester, the Standard and the Toy. They differ by size and by their ears only.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Sleek, sturdy, elegant; bright, alert; powerful and agile.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Weight--12 to 22 pounds. Height-- slightly less than length.

Fun Facts

Manchester Terriers have distinct markings on their coats. There is little variation. Colors must be black with rich, mohagany tan markings. The perfect tan markings are a small spot over each eye and on each cheek (called kiss marks); the entire muzzle; under the neck forming a V; part of the inside of the ears; one spot on the chest above each front leg ("rosettes"); inside the back legs; and under the tail. The rest of the dog should be black, including a black "thumb print" patch on the front of each foreleg, and a thin black line ("pencil mark") on the top of each toe.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.