The Toy Manchester Terrier is a small yet energetic and elegant dog breed packed into a compact body. These little dogs make devoted companions for active households. Read on to learn more about the history, appearance, temperament, and care of the Toy Manchester Terrier.
History
The Toy Manchester Terrier descends from the Manchester Terrier, originally bred in England in the 1700s as a ratter. Smaller Manchester Terriers were developed in the late 1800s and called Black and Tan Terriers or Miniature Manchester Terriers. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Toy Manchester Terrier as a distinct breed in 1959.
Early Breeding
The original Manchester Terrier came about by crossing a whippet-type dog with crosses of the Black and Tan Terrier. They were excellent hunters of rats and other vermin. Fanciers started breeding them down to toy size by the Victorian era.
Naming the Breed
At first they were called simply Black and Tan Terriers after their coloration. Eventually breeders in Manchester focused on standardizing them, earning the name Manchester Terrier. Toy versions were informally called Miniature Manchester Terriers until 1959.
AKC Recognition
The American Kennel Club finally acknowledged the Toy Manchester Terrier as its own breed rather than just a variety of Manchester in 1959, nearly 100 years after the breed initially developed.
Appearance
Toy Manchester Terriers have a sleek, streamlined build despite their small size. They weigh just 5-12 pounds and stand 10-12 inches tall as adults. The smooth, glossy coat comes in black and tan or chocolate and tan.
Physique
These miniature dogs are finely-boned with slight bodies. Their wedge-shaped heads sport little folded ears tilted forward. Almond-shaped dark eyes give an keen expression. The short tail carried upright has traditionally been docked.
Coat and Color
The short, dense coat lies extremely close to the body. It’s very smooth andglossy with no fringe or feathering. Recognized coat colors are black and tan as well as chocolate and tan. In both cases, the tan appears as markings on the legs, muzzles, and cheeks.
Movement
Toy Manchester Terriers move with elegance and agility. As very energetic small dogs, they have springy, effortless gaits covering plenty of ground. Their animation and excitability is always apparent.
Temperament
Lively, alert, energetic, inquisitive, and playful, the Toy Manchester loves being active with its family. They form intensely loyal bonds and thrive on being with their special people. Despite their small size, Toy Manchesters have nearly boundless energy reserves.
Affection and Companionship
Extremely devoted to family, the Toy Manchester eagerly gives and seeks affection. They want to be involved in all home activities and will stick closely by their favorite people’s sides around the house and yard. Manchester Terriers enjoy playing and cuddling.
Adaptability
Their tiny size enables them to adapt well to different living situations, even apartments or small houses without yards. Of course, daily energetic activity is a must regardless of home size. Barking and digging tendencies need consideration for apartment life. Even small outdoor spaces allow for play.
Energy Level
With seemingly endless stamina and enthusiasm, Toy Manchesters need a LOT of activity and interactive play time. Brisk walks, games of fetch, trick training, or even canine sports provide good outlets for their liveliness. If undersstimulated or under-exercised, these little dogs can become demanding and destructive.
Care
While lively and energetic, Toy Manchester Terriers have relatively low daily care needs. Their grooming requirements are quite minimal. House-training takes consistency and patience like any other dog.
Grooming
The Toy Manchester’s short, close coat requires little maintenance to stay looking nice. Brushing just once or twice a week removes any shedding fur. They rarely need baths. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as they grow quickly on active dogs.
Training
Smart and eager to please, Toy Manchesters take well to training. Their energy can make them impatient at times, though positive reinforcement with food motivation, praise, play rewards keeps them focused. House-training benefits from crate training and consistent schedules.
Exercise Needs
At least 30-45 minutes of hard aerobic exercise every day keeps the high-energy Toy Manchester healthy and satisfied. They particularly enjoy having a job to do like competitive dog sports. Games and interactive play with owners provide both physical and mental challenges they crave.
Health
With an average life expectancy around 15 years, Toy Manchester Terriers are generally quite sturdy given their petite size. Patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease can affect their joints. Reputable breeders screen breeding dogs.
Common Health Issues
- Patellar luxation – Kneecap dislocation is relatively common, usually managed with pain medication or surgery for severe cases. Care should be taken not to overwork young dogs.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease – This hip joint condition causes pain and arthritis. It’s more prevalent among small breed dogs. Low-impact exercise helps.
- Allergies, dental issues, and cardiac problems can also occur but are less common. Responsible breeders aim to minimize these risks through health testing parent dogs before breeding them.
Lifespan
Properly fed and exercised Toy Manchester Terriers typically live quite long for small breed dogs, averaging 12-15 years or more. Keeping their active minds and bodies engaged helps maintain health into their senior years.
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Conclusion
For active individuals or families, the energetic and loyal Toy Manchester Terrier makes for a devoted small companion dog. They should appeal to those who enjoy interactive playtimes and physical activity with their canine pals. When their exercise needs are met, Toy Manchesters thrive as constant companions who aim to please their beloved owners. Their elegance, affectionate spirit, and energy contained in a compact package makes them a one-of-a-kind breed suited for the right homes.