Manchester Terrier facts for kids
Manchester Terrier in show pose
|
||||||||
| Origin | England | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||
| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||
The Manchester Terrier is a type of dog known for its smooth, short hair. It belongs to the terrier group of dogs. This breed was first developed in the 1800s in England. Its main job was to catch and control small pests like rats.
Manchester Terriers were so good at catching rats that they were often used in "rat-baiting" competitions. This was a sport where dogs would kill rats in an enclosed space. This activity became illegal in the UK by 1835 and ended completely in the early 1900s.
Generally, Manchester Terriers are healthy dogs. However, they can sometimes inherit certain genetic health problems. After World War II, the number of Manchester Terriers dropped a lot. Because of this, The Kennel Club now lists them as a "vulnerable native breed." This means they are in danger of disappearing.
Contents
History
The Manchester Terrier breed came from two other dog types: the Black and Tan Terrier and the Whippet. People wrote about dogs similar to the Manchester Terrier as early as the 1500s. In the early 1800s, a writer named Sydenham Edwards described a dog he called a Manchester Terrier.
The Black and Tan Terrier was famous for being an excellent rat catcher. This skill was very important in crowded cities like Manchester in the 1800s, where rats were a big problem. By the early 1800s, "rat baiting" had become a popular sport. In this sport, a terrier was put into a small area with rats. People would time how long it took the dog to kill all the rats. Another popular sport was rabbit coursing.
A breeder named John Hulme wanted to create a dog that was good at both rat baiting and rabbit coursing. So, he decided to cross a Black and Tan Terrier with a Whippet. Other similar dogs were bred in different parts of England. But by 1860, Manchester became the main place for these new terriers. That's how they got the name Manchester Terriers. Other breeds, like the Italian Greyhound and the Dachshund, might also have been part of their family tree.
During the Victorian era, the Manchester Terrier earned the nickname "Gentleman's Terrier." This was because of its calm and dignified way of acting.
Characteristics
Appearance
By the early 1800s, the Manchester Terrier looked much like it does today. A book called The Dog in Health and Disease by J. A. Walsh described the breed. This was the first time it was officially recognized as its own breed.
Walsh's description is still accurate today. He said the dog has smooth hair and a long, narrow nose. Its head is flat and narrow, and its eyes are small and bright. The chest is deep rather than wide. The only true color for the breed is black and tan.
Temperament
Some terrier breeds are known for being quiet or serious. But the Manchester Terrier is different. These dogs are smart and curious. They are also brave and strong.
Manchester Terriers are also very loving and eager to please their owners. This makes them loyal and fun companions.
Varieties
The Canadian Kennel Club and American Kennel Club recognize two types of Manchester Terrier. There is the original size and a smaller version called the Toy Manchester Terrier. The American Kennel Club recognized the Toy Manchester Terrier as a separate breed in 1938.
The British Kennel Club still considers the smaller version a different breed, called the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan). Manchester Terriers can have different ear shapes, like button ears, erect ears, or cropped ears. However, the Toy Manchester Terrier only has erect ears. Other than size and ear type, both varieties look very similar. Since 1958, the American Kennel Club has treated both as different types of the same breed.
Health
A survey in 2004 by the Kennel Club showed that Manchester Terriers usually live for about 12 years and 10 months. Over 31% of the dogs in the survey died from old age. There are some health problems that can be passed down through genes in this breed.
Secondary glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common genetic eye condition in several terrier breeds, including the Manchester Terrier. Secondary glaucoma is also known as lens luxation. It happens when too much pressure inside the eyeball pushes the eye's lens out of place. The only way to treat this problem is to remove the lens with surgery.
Von Willebrands disease
Von Willebrands disease is a problem with blood clotting. It affects both humans and several dog breeds, including the Manchester Terrier. This genetic issue can be found in both the standard and toy varieties. However, it is more common in the toy Manchester Terrier.
For a Manchester Terrier puppy to get this disease, both parents must carry the faulty gene. Dogs with this condition may have nosebleeds or bleeding gums. There are DNA tests available to check for this condition. The Kennel Club keeps a record of these test results. This helps breeders avoid breeding dogs that carry the faulty gene.
Extinction concerns
After World War II ended in 1945, there were only 11 Manchester Terriers registered with the Kennel Club. But thanks to the hard work of the British Manchester Terrier Club, which started in 1937, and other groups, the breed was saved.
Even so, the Kennel Club still calls the Manchester Terrier a "vulnerable native breed." This means it is at risk of disappearing. The Kennel Club considers a breed vulnerable if fewer than 300 puppies are born each year. Between 2010 and 2016, an average of only 164 Manchester Terrier births were registered each year.
See also
In Spanish: Manchester terrier para niños
