Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of whom were first used for hunting vermin and therefore now have an innately spirited and aggressive character with a tendency to chase moving creatures and objects), the Manchester Terrier is one of the more impressive ratters of the group. Or at least it was.
Genetics and time in its favor, the tuxedo black with tan marked (making it nicknamed «the gentleman»s terrier») Manchester Terrier we know today has many an advantages: it is highly adaptable, it is amenable to many areas, and is therefore comfortable thriving in country and city homesteads. Fitting well in any environment it also claims this due also in part to the power and agility of its svelte but muscular 12 to 22 pound, and slightly longer than tall frame.
Likely because it is so muscular, the Manchester Terrier needs a moderate amount of exercise as maintenance. And with an even temper that is not aggressive, not timid, not hyper, but not docile, either, this breed gets along well with other dogs and people in general, observing and investigating quietly and calmly. Because of this, the devoted Manchester is as fine a devoted household dweller (devotion that runs in many of the terrier breeds) as it is an alert and bright almond-eyed watchdog.
As amenable to others as the Manchester Terrier is, it is just as easy when it comes to needing grooming: this breed, also known as the Black and Tan Terrier, has a slick, sleek, short coat that lends itself to low maintenance, such as an occasional brushing»or rubbing down with a rubber brush. As it is supposed that it originated through a crossing of terrier, Whippet, and Greyhound, it makes sense that the coat is so smooth (like the coat of the Greyhound, that is) and therefore needs only a rubbing to make it shine.
In the same respect, because it is intelligent and attentive, it is as easily trained as it is groomed, though it needs space to do so (just as it needs ample space to exercise and move about), because the Manchester Terrier, as the great rat dog, needs to chase about. So all it needs from hereon in is praise.
