Developed in the English city of Manchester, the Toy Manchester Terrier is a spirited and athletic dog, possessing the fearless instinct of a ratter and streamlined shape similar to a coursing hound. Originally bred for rabbit coursing and ratting, the Toy Manchester’s muscular buttocks give it a propulsive rear drive, which along with its good front reach help it in sprinting.
Although it may look like a miniature Doberman Pinscher, the Toy Manchester Terrier is unique in its own way. A loyal and hearty dog with a loud bark, it makes a terrific watchdog that loves hanging out with its family members. Among all the terrier breeds, you will find it to be one of the most responsive and well-mannered dogs.
It can be snappy when bored, because of which it is specifically unsuitable for you if there are small children in your house.
The toy variety of Manchester Terriers was developed by crossing the smallest of Standard Manchesters
It was named the Toy Black and Tan Terrier in the US
The breed was renamed as the Toy Manchester Terrier, while the American Toy Manchester Terrier Club was established
Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
The AKC combined the Standard and Toy varieties to form a single breed, the Manchester Terrier, but grouped them separately
The Toy Manchester, being an active and athletic breed, requires one or two sessions of good long walks every day.
Chasing a ball or running around and playing vigorously in a fenced yard are some of the other outdoor activities your dog will enjoy.
You can channelize its abundant energy into dog sports like obedience, rally, and agility.
It has a short coat that can be easily maintained. You need to brush its coat once each week using a bristle or rubber brush to eliminate all the dead hair and lessen matting.
Occasionally bathe it using a vet-approved dog shampoo and wipe it down every week with a hound glove or a damp towel to keep its coat looking dapper.
Trim its toenails every two weeks to maintain the alignment of its joints. Also, wipe its ears with a damp cotton ball to remove excess debris or wax.
Your Toy Manchester needs a quality dog food to maintain a healthy weight. It is prone to obesity, so make sure to watch its daily calorie intake and give it treats in moderation.
Also, put a limit on your dog’s table-scrap consumption, especially avoiding high-fat foods and cooked bones. Talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet’s weight and diet.
If you are looking for commercial dry food, Hill’s Science Diet and Eukanuba Adult are some of the brands worth mentioning.
Since it is an intelligent dog that always wants to please its people, the Toy Manchester can be fairly easy to train with positive, reward-based techniques. It does not respond well to harsh training methods, however, which means you need to keep the sessions short, fun, and filled with plenty of praises.
The Toy Manchester Terrier, being great watchdogs, often bark enthusiastically and so training your pup to respond to basic commands like ‘quiet’ is recommended. You should also teach it to wear a collar and leash when engaging in outdoor walks, else its hunting instinct would get triggered.
