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The Toy Manchester Terrier is a toy-sized purebred dog that breeders created to hunt small game and vermin. You might also hear people call it an English Toy Terrier, Toy Black and Tan Manchester, or Toy Black and Tan Manchester. It often does well in agility contests, and modern owners keep it more for its companionship than its hunting capabilities.
Breed Overview
Height:
15 inches
Weight:
12 pounds
Lifespan:
15-17 years
Colors:
black and tan
Suitable for:
Active families, single owners, small apartments, large homes
Temperament:
Alert, independent, intelligent
If you are thinking about getting one of these dogs for your home but would like to learn more about it first, keep reading while we look into how much these dogs cost as well as how easy they are to feed, groom, and train to help you make an informed purchase.
Toy Manchester Terrier Characteristics
Toy Manchester Terrier Puppies
Choosing a breeder with plenty of experience is important so you are more likely to get a healthy dog. Be sure to not rush, and try to speak to more than one breeder, so you can choose the one you feel the most comfortable with.
After successfully finding a Toy Manchester Terrier, you’ll want to think about all the puppy essentials, such as high-quality food, treats, toys, and snacks. Toy Manchester Terriers are active dogs that need to exercise and move around all day so they’re a great fit for active families. Be sure to read the Toy Manchester Terrier’s full care guide carefully so you know what your pup will need to grow happy and healthy.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Toy Manchester Terrier
The Toy Manchester Terrier is an intelligent and alert dog, making a fantastic watchdog despite its small size. It will bark to let you know an intruder is around, but most owners do not describe it as barky. It enjoys being around people, and it often chooses to clown around and put on a show to keep your attention. They are more sensitive than other terriers and often become more attached to one person, though it’s still friendly toward others.
The Toy Manchester Terrier is an intelligent dog that is capable of learning several tasks. However, it’s also strong-willed and can be difficult at times. It’s quite focused and will use its intelligence to find ways to get what it wants.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Yes. The Toy Manchester Terrier enjoys being around people and likes to clown around and act silly to get attention. Children are often fond of their friendly personalities, and they can spend several hours playing with each other. They also don’t get too upset if you spend a long day at work, as long as it doesn’t happen too often because they can find plenty of things to do.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Yes. These dogs can be friendly toward other pets, especially if they are socialized while still a puppy. However, they have a strong prey drive and often chase after smaller animals, including cats occasionally. There is usually no problem with bigger animals like larger dog breeds, and they are rarely aggressive and often the first to back down.
Things to Know When Owning a Toy Manchester Terrier:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Toy Manchester Terrier is an active dog breed that needs to be fast to catch small prey like a rat, so it requires a high-quality diet with plenty of protein. You can find a dog food that contains high-quality protein by looking at the ingredient list. Choose a brand that lists rea meat like chicken, beef, lamb, or fish as the first ingredient. Avoid brands that use a meat by-product or feature corn or soy as the first ingredient. We also recommend choosing brands that provide your dog with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics can also be beneficial.
Exercise 🐕
As we mentioned, the Toy Manchester Terrier is an active breed that will require plenty of exercises to stay happy and healthy. We recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes each day to go for a walk or play some games. Since the Toy Manchester Terrier enjoys hunting small prey, it will likely enjoy chasing after tennis balls that you roll across the ground, and it shouldn’t take long to tire your little friend out playing this game. Having children in the home can also take a lot of the pressure off the owners because they will likely spend a lot of time playing with it.
Training 🎾
The Toy Manchester Terrier is extremely intelligent and can learn a wide variety of tricks if they want to. Unfortunately, this breed can be strong-willed and is often more focused on tracking some scent or even strange noise it hears. We recommend setting aside 5 or 10 minutes at the same time each day to train your dog. Keeping it consistent will help your dog get into a routine and holding the sessions right after playtime will help it stay focused. Patience is critical because you never want to show disappointment, and it can take several weeks for even the smartest dogs to learn a new trick and commit it to memory.
Grooming ✂️
The Toy Manchester Terrier does not require a lot of grooming to keep the fur looking good and keep it tangle-free, but it is a heavy shedder, so you will want to brush it often to remove any loose fur before it winds up on your furniture and rug. You will also need to trim the nails if you hear them clicking on the floor.
We also recommend manually brushing your dog’s teeth as frequently as possible with a pet-safe toothpaste to help slow the progression of dental disease, which affects many dogs.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Male vs Female
The male Toy Manchester Terrier is usually a little friendlier toward strangers than the female, who tends to take a slightly more aggressive stance toward protecting her home. The female will also usually spend a little more time alone than the male, who will usually be busy clowning around to get attention.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Toy Manchester Terrier
1. The Toy Manchester Terrier is an excellent ratter and was used for this purpose for many years.
2. The only difference between the Toy Manchester and the Standard Manchester terrier is the size and ear shape.
3. The Toy Manchester Terrier is an excellent sports dog, and it excels at tests of agility, tracking, and more.
Conclusion
The Toy Manchester Terrier makes a fantastic pet, and many people will enjoy the small size and relatively low maintenance of this breed. It has a long lifespan, with many dogs living more than 15 years, and it’s smart enough to learn several tricks.
We hope you have enjoyed our look into this amazing breed and found the answers you needed. If we have convinced you to get one of these pets for your home, please this guide to the Toy Manchester Terrier on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Olga Aniven, Shutterstock