The lively and energetic Manchester Terrier is a true Terrier at heart and loves nothing more than a good chase. These pups have a very high prey drive and will always be on the lookout for any critters roaming around. Do not be alarmed if you take your Manchester to the dog park and they return to you with a half-eaten rodent in their mouth.
This breed is considered by many as the oldest of all the identifiable Terrier breeds. They were already mentioned in books as early as the 16th century. They were developed in Manchester, England, and were essential for keeping the rat population in order. In the early 1800s, sanitation was a serious issue in England, and rats were the main culprit for spreading disease. These dogs would be able to kill rats at an alarming rate, and there is even the legend of Billy the Manchester, who in the 1820s killed 100 rats in 12 minutes.
The breed comes in two sizes: Toy (less than 12 pounds) and Standard (between 12-22 pounds). These pups are not big, but they have a lot of grit and will have no problem going up against a rat twice their size. The Manchester Terrier is a loyal companion who also thrives at being a watchdog, you can be sure that you will be notified of anyone that is on your property.
The Manchester adores being with their people and does not enjoy being left alone. If they do not receive the exercise that they need before you leave them in the house alone, there is a good chance that you will return to some damage. These dogs are highly intelligent and are eager to learn new things, making them very trainable. You can be sure that they will be ecstatic to go to the park for a game of frisbee, but be aware of any small animals running in the field because once your dog sees them, they will no longer be interested in the game that you had been playing!
