Manchester Terrier: description, feeding and care

The Manchester Terrier is a breed of dog that was bred in England, initially with a specific purpose - to exterminate rats. Today, however, Manchester Terriers are bred as common pets. They attract dog breeders with their energetic and active nature, as well as unpretentiousness in terms of maintenance and care.

What is the history of the origin of this breed, how many Manchester Terriers live and in what conditions they should be kept - in our material you will find answers to these, as well as some other questions about the breed.

Generally speaking, the history of the origin of this breed of four-legged pets is rather unusual. Despite the fact that the animal belongs to the category of terriers, it did not come from a farm, but from an urban environment, unlike its counterparts. The Manchester breed of dog is good at capturing rats and other rodents, as well as some lagomorphs.

If we talk about the breed that became the progenitor of the Manchester Terrier, it is worth noting that today it is considered extinct. So, the ancestor of the breed is the black tan English Terrier. During its existence, this dog was highly valued for its ability to work.

The Manchester Terrier was bred in the 19th century. The need to breed such a dog arose due to the increase in the rat population in England. Due to the fact that the pests had to be destroyed, the scientist-enthusiast John Hulme decided to select an animal that would do an excellent job of this task.To obtain a new breed, the breeder crossed an Old English Terrier and a Whippet.

In the second half of the 19th century, the Manchester Terrier became one of the most popular, widespread and valuable breeds. In this regard, the second wave of experiments and selection began, which was aimed at improving the appearance of the animal, since its physiological and mental qualities at that time satisfied all the necessary requirements.

As a result, after selection work, the Manchester Terrier was born in the form as we know it today. The breed was recognized and officially registered in 1886. After that, independent canine clubs and their branches began to be created, which were engaged in the study and breeding of the Manchester breed. The final step in the development of this breed of dogs was the adoption of well-defined standards for appearance and anatomical structure in relation to the Manchester Terrier.

As mentioned above, the Manchester Terrier breed has overcome several selection waves in its development. In the veins of modern dogs flows the blood of the Whippet, the English Terrier, which is called the black and tan, Chihuahua and some other species. Accordingly, the animal contains the external and internal characteristics of all these varieties of dogs. And this applies to both adults and puppies.

So, to begin with, it should be noted that the animal has a rather small size, but nevertheless the physique is distinguished by sufficient strength and reliability. The height of the Manchester Terrier at the withers usually does not exceed 40 centimeters, and the maximum weight of an adult representative of the breed is 10 kilograms.

The skull of an animal is characterized by an elongated structure, but is rather flat and has a peculiar wedge-shaped outline. The front part of the Manchester Terrier tapers towards the nose, the lobe of which is painted in a black shade. The jaw of a four-legged pet has a scissor bite.

On the front of the head are small, dark and shiny eyes, which are almond-shaped.

As for the anatomical structure of the body, it is important to note that the Manchester Terrier's neck is quite long, and it becomes wider the closer it comes to the shoulder girdle. The tail is rather short and has a different thickness along its entire length, thickening towards the base. The limbs of the animal are not the same: the front legs are relatively straight, but the hind legs have a pronounced curvature in the area of ​​the knee joint.

Manchester Terriers are dogs with a short but thick and shiny coat. The color can be different, but the most common is a combination of black and red. Moreover, red blotches are distributed over the body - they can be seen on the head and paws.

The Manchester Terrier is distinguished by an energetic character and active behavior, has well-developed intellectual abilities, but can show imperiousness and willfulness. By nature, a dog has a dislike for small animals, especially rodents, therefore keeping several pets in the same house or apartment at once is not recommended.

In order to curb the wayward animal, it is imperative to train and train the dog... A four-legged pet is strongly attached to its owner and all other family members with whom he lives. However, you should refuse to buy a puppy of this breed if you have small children, as the dog can show anger and aggression towards them.

Manchester dogs cannot stand long loneliness and do not like to be without a master.At the same time, too annoying attention can irritate the dog. In this sense, it is important to strike the right balance. In relation to strangers, the animal behaves rather cautiously and wary, however, it will not show aggression for no reason.

The Manchester breed of dogs is distinguished by rather good health and rarely suffers from diseases. However, it is worth remembering that to maintain a healthy lifestyle of the animal, it is necessary to follow all the rules of care and principles of maintenance.

Manchester dogs can be kept both in a city apartment and in private grounds. The dog gets along in almost any conditions. Nevertheless, the four-legged pet needs in long and active walks, especially in the warm season... However, a more or less stable temperature should be observed, since both overheating and hypothermia can have a negative effect on your dog's body.

In order for the animal to feel comfortable, it is necessary to organize a specially designated individual place for it with bowls for food and a couch. The latter can be built from improvised means or bought on the zoological market.

In terms of nutrition, the animal is rather unpretentious. The dog can be fed both ready-made feed mixtures and natural products. This choice, depending on his desires and capabilities, should be made by the owner of the dog.

However, regardless of the choice of a particular way of eating, it is important to remember that The Manchester Terrier is a dog breed that is prone to obesity. This is why it is important to keep track of your portion sizes and your dietary protein, fat, and carbohydrate ratios.

remember, that the dog's food should be complete and balanced. If necessary, the dog needs to be given additional vitamin and mineral complexes, but in this case, prior consultation with a professional veterinarian is required.

With regard to grooming measures, the animal is rather picky. Due to the fact that the dog's hairline is very short, the molting processes are rather weak (especially if you regularly comb your pet). The combing procedure should be performed once every 7 days, and for its implementation you need to use special combs and brushes. The remnants of lost hair from the surface of the animal's fur can be removed with a damp cloth.

As for bathing and water procedures, in this regard, representatives of the Manchester Terrier breed need an individual approach. If we talk about average indicators, then it is believed that animals rarely need full bathing - once every 2 or 3 months.

The Manchester Terrier is a pet that has pronounced mental abilities, so the dog learns all commands and tricks with ease. Training is a must for a dog of this breed., after all, if you let the life of an animal take its course, then it will show self-will and independence, it may not even recognize its owner.

Representatives of this breed are very sensitive to all kinds of aggression and physical punishment, so such methods of education should be avoided. On the contrary, animals love praise and rewards. The upbringing process should start from a very early age, since it will be quite difficult to re-educate an adult dog.

If possible, entrust the training to professional dog handlers.Manchester Terriers need constant physical activity, so they can be used to educate and raise participants in competitions and contests.

For more information on the Manchester Terrier, see the next video.