Grooming
Manchester Terriers have very low grooming needs. You could even consider this pup “wash and wear” with no frequent trips to the salon needed. The Manchester Terrier’s coat almost always appears sleek, silky, smooth and pulled together.
To maintain their coat, brush it every week with a curry brush to remove any shedding and keep their coats shiny. They do blow their coat in the spring and fall, so you’ll probably need to brush them every day during those particular seasons to keep up with all that hair. (A dog who blows their coat sheds it in chunks instead of lots of individual hairs.) While you’re brushing their coat, check their ears for debris, redness or swelling. If you notice anything unusual, contact your vet, who may recommend you clean their ears.
These pups only need an occasional bath (about every two to three months) unless your Manchester plays in the mud. Some Manchesters really enjoy bathtime—they get all your attention. So make that a special time to lavish your love on your pup.
Brush their teeth daily. It’s best to start when the dogs are puppies, so they’ll get used to brushing early on. Clean teeth are important for all dogs to avoid a build-up of bacteria, decay or cavities. And don’t forget to schedule an annual professional teeth cleaning by your vet (not your groomer).
If your Manchester Terrier gets regular exercise, they may not need nail trimming very often (maybe once a month or so), but if you hear that familiar clickety-clack on hard surfaces, it’s time for a trim.
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Training
Manchester Terrier dogs are smart and can be strong-willed, so it’s important to start obedience training early and be consistent. Obedience training teaches pups basic skills like sit, stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash. Like all dogs, Manchesters respond well to positive reinforcement (using praise, treats and lots of play breaks as rewards for jobs well done.) These pups are eager to learn, but they may try to outwit you at times. Manchester Terriers aren’t the easiest dogs for first-time pet parents to train, but if you’re willing to be consistent and patient, they may be a good fit for you.
Manchesters are slow to warm up to new people and other dogs and aren’t as naturally friendly as Golden Retrievers. So, it’s important to start socializing your dog while they’re a puppy to get them used to new situations. Puppy school is great for this. They get to learn how to play with other puppies, and they get to meet new people all in one location! (Win, win!)
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Diet
The Manchester Terrier typically does well on a complete and balanced diet of high-quality dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Your veterinarian can help you figure out how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific needs.
This breed does have a tendency to gain weight easily if they aren’t getting enough exercise. So, don’t forget to count the treats you give your pup. If you see your pup gaining weight, contact your vet. They are in the best position to help you choose the right mealtime and exercise plan for your dog to help shed the weight and maintain their nutritional needs.
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Exercise
Energetic and curious, Manchester Terriers need a lot of exercise to satisfy their athletic tendencies so plan on providing at least an hour of activity each day.
Walks are always a good way to give your pup time to explore the world, but as they also love to work up to some speed, engage them in a fast-paced game of backyard fetch. Once bred for coursing and hunting, these muscular dogs tend to be strong and somewhat fearless, making them excellent performance dogs on agility circuits and at other dog sports, like rally (similar to obedience) or even Fast CAT (where dogs chase a lure in a 100-yard dash).
It’s always good to remember, especially with a Manchester, that tired dogs tend to be well-behaved dogs. If you don’t deplete your pup’s energy every day, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves: digging, barking, destroying things around the home or looking for ways to escape! And, while you want to attend to their physical needs, be sure to engage their minds as well. Manchesters love playing with squeaky toys that engage their rodent-hunting instincts, and, deep thinkers that they are, also enjoy puzzle toys.
When taking your pup outside a fenced area, remember that the Manchester Terrier loves to chase critters. It’s important your pup is well-trained, but it’s equally important to remember that you can never fully train those terrier traits out of your pup. If they find something to chase, they will chase it, regardless of what’s happening around them or how loudly you call. For your sanity and their safety, always keep them on a leash when you’re not in a fenced area.
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Environment
Manchester Terriers are high-energy pups looking for high-energy pet parents. They can do well with first-timers, as long as you’re able to be consistent with your training and exercise routine throughout their life.
These pups love being with you and don’t enjoy being left alone, so it may be best if someone’s home with them for most of the day.
They do well with kids as long as they’re properly socialized and the kids in their life are taught to interact respectfully with dogs. Manchesters may do OK with other dogs and cats if they grow up together. However, some pets, like rabbits, will likely raise the pup’s instinct to chase, and that may make for a stressful home.
Their small size makes them ideal for apartment dwellers—just be sure you are able to give them the exercise they need every day.
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