Toy Manchester Terrier: Your Complete Guide

Hailing from Manchester, England, these small dogs are some of the most affectionate bundles of joy you’ll ever meet! Toy Manchester terriers are high-energy, friendly, and intelligent dogs who thrive on engaging activities. They also make great watchdogs.

Thanks to their low-maintenance coat and compact size, they’re perfect for people living in apartments that have an active lifestyle.

In this article, you’ll learn more about what they look like, how they behave around kids and other animals, how you’ll need to care for them, and lots more. To begin, let’s take a brief look at toy Manchester terriers as a breed:

Quick Look at the Toy Manchester Terrier

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Toy Manchester Terriers?

The toy Manchester terrier is a small dog that comes from England in the 1800s. It started as a smaller version of the Manchester terrier, which was used for hunting and catching rats. People wanted a tiny pet version of these dogs, so they bred them to be smaller.

They have a unique look with a shiny black coat and tan markings. In the beginning, they were referred to as “black and tan terriers,” but later they were renamed “toy Manchester terriers” to signify their connection with the bigger Manchester Terriers.

Their popularity died down almost as quickly as it rose and the breed nearly disappeared. Luckily, some dog lovers brought them back in the mid-1900s through careful breeding and today, they’re known for being smart and loving, making them great pets for families and individuals.

What Do Toy Manchester Terriers Look Like?

Toy Manchester terriers are elegant little dogs with short, shiny black fur with tan marks on the face, chest, legs, and tail areas. They’ve got a slim head with almond-shaped eyes and small, upright ears. Their bodies are compact, with a straight back, and they hold their thin tails up high.

Above are the colors you’ll see most commonly in the coat of a toy Manchester terrier.

What Size Is a Toy Manchester Terrier?

Toy Manchester terriers are a pretty small breed, known for their small size. This compact size contributes to their portability and makes them well-suited for both urban and indoor living, as they don’t require much space to thrive as loving companions.

Plus, since they’re so small, they’re perfect for cuddling with! Here’s the average height and weight you can expect:

• Height: 10-12 inches
• Weight: 6-8 pounds

What Is a Toy Manchester Terrier’s Coat Type and Length?

Toy Manchester terriers have short and sleek coats. Without even touching it, you can tell that it’s smooth and glossy, and it is relatively short in length. This short and shiny coat is typically jet black with well-defined tan markings on specific areas of their body, including above the eyes, on the cheeks, chest, legs, and under the tail.

What Is a Toy Manchester Terrier’s Temperament?

Toy Manchester terriers are beloved for their spirited and affectionate temperament. These small dogs possess high intelligence, making them quick learners and obedient companions.

Their affection knows no bounds as they form strong bonds with their owners, providing unwavering loyalty and companionship. Their playful and fun-loving side mostly shines in interactive games, and they’re always on the lookout, making them excellent watchdogs.

However, when it comes to strangers, they might be a bit reserved, and you’ll need to give them early socialization to ensure they feel at ease in new company. These terriers also retain some of their hunting instincts, occasionally displaying a strong prey drive, particularly with smaller animals.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Good With Kids?

Toy Manchester terriers, despite being terriers, are actually pretty good with children! Keep in mind, though, that they do best with older, gentle, and considerate kids. These dogs are small and delicate, so they may not tolerate rough handling or overly energetic play from very young children.

They also tend to be more comfortable with kids who can understand and respect their size and sensitivity.

Early socialization is essential to help toy Manchester terriers adapt to different situations and individuals, including children.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Good With Other Animals?

Toy Manchester terriers might not always get along with cats or other small pets because they have a natural instinct to chase smaller animals. Whether they can live with other pets, like cats, depends on the individual dog – if they grow up with cats and other animals from a young age, they’re more likely to be okay with them.

This means that it’s pretty important for you to introduce them to other animals slowly and carefully and watch over their interactions. Training and positive rewards can help them behave better around other pets.

When combined with you keeping a keen eye on them when they’re together, especially if there’s a big size difference, these interactions become extra safe. While all breeds have their traits and they’ll generally behave accordingly, you want to make sure you know what your specific dog is like and make a decision about interactions with other animals accordingly.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Aggressive?

Toy Manchester terriers are not typically known for being overly aggressive or territorial compared to some other breeds.

Nevertheless, these doggies can display aggressive behavior depending on their individual personality and upbringing. It’s important to note that the way they’re raised makes a huge difference on how they behave later on, so even if you have an aggressive breed of dog, it’s generally not the best indicator of how it’ll behave.

In general, toy Manchester terriers are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and affection. They are more likely to be friendly and social with other animals and people, but they may show signs of aggression or territorial behavior if they feel threatened, anxious, or just aren’t properly trained.

Do Toy Manchester Terriers Bark?

Toy Manchester terriers are not typically known for having exceptionally loud barks, especially when it comes to living in apartments where noise restrictions are a big factor. Their barking tends to be moderate in volume, which is not as loud as some other breeds.

At the same time, while toy Manchester terriers may not have a deafening bark, they can still be effective watchdogs and alert you to potential intruders or unusual sounds.

If you’re considering an apartment dog, a toy Manchester terrier might just be the perfect furry buddy for you! If you’d prefer that your dog doesn’t bark as often, though, then you’ll need to consider dog training.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Affectionate?

Toy Manchester terriers are really affectionate dogs. They like snuggling with their owners and getting petted. Although they may not sit in your lap all the time, they enjoy being close, like sitting next to you on the couch. Given how compact they are, you can very easily just pick them up and keep them in your lap!

When it comes to new people, these dogs can be a bit cautious and not warm up to strangers right away. It takes them some time to feel comfortable around people they don’t know.

Whenever you encounter this, it’s best to make sure you introduce new people slowly but regularly to them. With proper introductions and by meeting new folks more often, they can become friendlier and more open to strangers over time. Since their main loyalty is to their family, they’re not likely to trust new people as easily.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Intelligent?

Toy Manchester terriers are very smart dogs. They learn things fast and are great at solving problems which you’ll see when you train them – they catch on quickly and can do tricks and follow your commands, too.

These little terriers are also quite curious. They like exploring and checking out their surroundings, which sometimes makes for a fun adventure!

Note that if you’re not with them, they might venture off into dangerous places, so be careful with off-leash walks. Besides being smart and curious, they’re very alert. If they notice any changes or strange noises, you’ll be promptly alerted with a sharp little bark.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Energetic?

Toy Manchester terriers are a lively and energetic breed that pack a pretty good deal of vitality and love being active. These dogs have a natural zest for life and enjoy moving around, playing, and exploring, so daily exercise and engaging activities are vital for their well-being and contentment.

Whether it’s a game of fetch, a brisk walk, or interactive playtime, these activities help them burn off energy, stay physically fit, and have fun to their heart’s content!

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Easy to Train?

Toy Manchester terriers are very clever, and this makes them great at training and agility exercises. Since they learn new things quickly and can figure out how to solve problems, agility courses are something they’re just naturally good at!

Obstacle navigation also comes easier to them since they’re highly intelligent. They’re also incredibly obedient – when they learn complex tricks, they follow your commands pretty well too. Since agility training requires precision as well, their ability to concentrate and pay attention once again comes in handy in making them a great candidate for the job.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Good Watchdogs?

Toy Manchester terriers, despite their seemingly innocent and small size, actually make good watchdogs because they are very alert, meaning they notice things quickly. When they see people they don’t know, unless they’ve been trained otherwise, they tend to be naturally alert and cautious.

This is basically just their way of protecting their family and home, so your friend shouldn’t take it personally if it happens to them! These loyal and protective doggies are quite brave when it comes to defending the ones they love.

Are Toy Manchester Terriers Good Service Dogs?

Toy Manchester terriers, unlike their larger counterparts, aren’t typically chosen for service dog work, as their small size may limit their ability to perform certain tasks effectively. Apart from that, though, they can excel in certain aspects of emotional support and therapy dog roles, here’s how:

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): Toy Manchester terriers can make good emotional support animals. Their affectionate and loyal nature makes them excellent companions for those in need of emotional support, where they can provide comfort and reduce anxiety through their presence and affection.

Therapy Dogs: Their small size and friendly temperament actually make them a really good candidate for therapy dog work, especially in settings where a small, non-intimidating dog is preferred.

How to Care for a Toy Manchester Terrier?

Here are some ways to care for a toy Manchester terrier:

• Exercise: They are energetic dogs, so daily exercise is essential – playtime and brisk walks will help keep them happy and healthy.
• Training: They are intelligent, making them receptive to training (especially to reduce their frequency of barking). Obedience training and mental stimulation are really important.
• Socialization: Early exposure to different people, pets, and environments helps them become well-adjusted and prevents barking at strangers.
• Grooming: Their short coat is easy to maintain, requiring minimal grooming. Regular brushing and occasional baths will suffice.
• Healthcare: As it goes for all dogs, regular vet check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive measures are vital to their well-being.
• Affection: This is the easiest part – since they thrive on human interaction, spending time with them and showing affection is important (and fun!)

Do You Need to Groom a Toy Manchester Terrier?

Toy Manchester terriers have short, sleek coats that are relatively low maintenance, so they typically don’t require frequent grooming, especially from a professional groomer. Here’s what you can do to maintain their coat:

1. Brushing: Regular brushing, about once or twice a week, helps to remove loose hair and keep their coat looking glossy and elegant as ever.
2. Bathing: Occasional baths are sufficient, typically every 2-3 months or when they get dirty after playtime. Avoid over-bathing, which can strip their coat of natural oils.
3. Nail Trimming: Regular nail trimming is essential to prevent overgrowth and discomfort. You can do this at home or have a groomer or vet assist.
4. Ear Cleaning: Regular ear cleaning, about once a month, can help prevent ear infections.
5. Tooth Care: Brushing their teeth a few times a week helps maintain good oral health.

Do Toy Manchester Terriers Shed?

As mentioned above, toy Manchester terriers have a short, sleek coat that sheds very minimally. They are considered a low-shedding breed, and their shedding is not very intense. You can expect some minor shedding, especially during seasonal changes, but it’s generally not a major concern.

Also, while they’re not considered a hypoallergenic breed, their low-shedding coat can make them a better choice for people with allergies, as they produce fewer allergens compared to dogs with heavy shedding.

What Health Problems Do Toy Manchester Terriers Have?

Here’s a brief overview of some common health concerns for this breed:

1. Glaucoma: This is an eye condition where there’s increased pressure in the eye, which can be painful and lead to vision problems.
2. Von Willebrand’s Disease: This is a blood disorder that affects the dog’s ability to clot blood.
3. Heat Bumps: Toy Manchester terriers can be susceptible to skin issues, including heat bumps, which may appear if they are exposed to excessive heat and sunlight.

Apart from these concerns, toy Manchester terriers are also prone to luxating patellas (knee joint issues) and certain dental problems. Regular veterinary check-ups and responsible breeding practices can help mitigate the risk of all these health issues.

How Long Do Toy Manchester Terriers Live?

Around 12-15 years.

What Should a Toy Manchester Terrier Eat?

Toy Manchester terriers are small, so they don’t need a lot of food. The amount they eat depends on their age, how active they are, and their own size. Also, they’re small, but they’re definitely not ones to skimp on food so make sure they’re not overeating, or they may gain weight!

Is a Toy Manchester Terrier the Right Dog for Me?

These compact little dogs are the perfect breed for a family that wants an active dog to match their own active lifestyle. Those runs or walks in the park can now be accompanied by an energetic dog that’ll match you every step of the way.

It’s also great for people living in small apartments since these dogs aren’t particularly loud, are easy to train, and have a low-maintenance coat. The best thing about them is that they love to cuddle!