Manchester Terrier Frequently Asked Questions Is this dog a "mini-Dobe"? No, these dogs are neither miniature versions of the Doberman Pinscher or a Miniature Pinscher. In fact, if anything, Doberman Pinschers are larger versions of the Manchester Terrier! Manchester Terriers are cited as being one of the dogs Louis Doberman used when he created the Doberman Pinscher approximately 100 years ago. The Manchester Terrier is a very old breed that has been used as the foundation stock for a number of other breeds as well. What is the difference between a standard and a toy? In Canada and the United States Manchester Terriers come in 2 varieties, a standard and a toy. According to the breed standards put out by the CKC and the AKC the only differences between the 2 varieties are size and ear type. The standard Manchester Terrier should weigh between 12-22 pounds, the toy should weigh less than 12 pounds. And while the toy Manchester Terrier only has 1 acceptable ear type (naturally erect), 3 ear types are acceptable for the standard Manchester Terrier (cropped, button, and naturally erect). Do they shed? Yes, they do shed, however, not excessively. Most Manchester Terriers only "blow coat" twice a year (spring and fall). With properly grooming shedding is usually not a problem. How much grooming do they require? Manchester Terriers are a relatively low maintenance dog. They should be brushed regularly (once a week) with a rubber curry or bristle brush. This regular brushing helps get rid of dead hair (and therefore cuts down on shedding problems), helps keep the dog clean, and keeps the coat glossy and shiny. In addition, their toenails must be clipped regularly. What makes a better pet, a male or a female? The sex differences in the Manchester Terrier seem to be less pronounced than in other breeds. Both males and females make excellent pets. There are also no noticeable sex differences with regards tohousebreaking. Are Manchester Terriers easy to housebreak? Manchester Terriers are relatively easy to housebreak. As with any breed the key to housebreaking is consistency and reward. Make sure your dog is on a consistent schedule (when they eat, when the sleep, when they are taken outside to "go"), figure out the times when they have to "go" ,make sure to take them to the proper spot at these times and then reward them for "going" in that spot. Do they bark excessively? Are they yappy? Manchester Terriers do bark. It is one of their good qualities (they warn of potential dangers). And most Manchester Terriers do not bark excessively, however, in some individuals excessive barking has been reported. With most Manchester Terriers barking can be curbed early on or avoided entirely by taking a few preventative steps. The most important step is to socialize your puppy properly. Make sure your Manchester Terrier is exposed to a wide variety of people, animals, and noises at a young age. It is especially important to expose you Manchester Terrier to a variety of people visiting your home and a variety of noises within the home while you Manchester is still a puppy to teach them that these things are all acceptable and not to be barked at. If barking problems begin to develop the problem can usually be dealt with either with some training, a bark collar, or (as a last resort) a surgical de-barking procedure. Are they outdoor dogs? Although Manchester Terriers are a hearty breed, they should not be expected to live out of doors. Their lack of coat makes them sensitive to the cold in the winter and their black coloring makes them sensitive to overheating in the summer. This is not to suggest that MTs do not enjoy the outdoors, simply that they should not be expected to live outdoors year round. Manchester Terriers do best when living indoors with their family while being allowed to exercise and play outside. What is their activity level? Are they hyper? Manchester Terriers are not an overly active dog indoors. Most MT match their activity level to their owners activity level. A single Manchester Terrier will often not be overly active indoors, however, multiple dogs living in the same household will often play together. Outdoors MTs have an abundant amount of energy. In fact, they make a great running companion as they have both speed and endurance. Standard Manchester Terriers require a bit more exercise than a Toy Manchester Terrier, usually between 30 minutes to 1 hour per day. Manchester Terriers enjoy a variety of activities from playing with other dogs at the park, to playing ball, to running agility courses. Do they get along with other dogs? Do they get along with other pets? Manchester Terriers get along well with other dogs. They also can get along with cats, provided they were raised with them from a young age. However, as MTs were designed to hunt small rodents and vermin, it is inadvisable to ask them to live with rabbits, rats, mice or other rodent pets. Their terrier instinct is generally too strong to allow successful co-habitation with pets of this sort. How are they with children? Most Manchester Terriers get along well with children. However, many MT breeders prefer to sell their puppies to families with older children. If you want your dog to interact successfully with children it is important for you to expose your MT to a variety of children at an early age. It is also important that you teach the children to respect the Manchester Terrier and to treat it properly. Regardless, you should never leave any dog with a child unattended. Even the most trustworthy dog will often try things with a child they would never try with an adult. Do Manchester Terriers come in any other colors? The only acceptable color for a Manchester Terrier is black and tan. In the mid-1800s there was some interest in different color variations including whites, blues, and reds and these color variants began appearing at competitions. The English White, in particular, displayed a number of health problems. These color variants are no longer bred for, are no longer acceptable, and are considered a serious fault.