nikivds Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Hey guys, I'm looking for a bit more information on Manchester terriers from people's own experience. If you own one or know what it's like to own one can you give me some details (eg. Is your dog driven? Dog friendly? Playful etc). Any information in regards to their suitability for agility would also be appreciated Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Hi there! I'm pretty sure I'm the only current Mannie owner on here at the moment! Angelsun has experience with MTs too. I have a 6.5 month old MT called Trixie, I adore her and she has made me fall head over heels for this breed, before I admired from afar Trixie is very people focused and loving, her breeder told me she was the most people oriented of the litter. She follows me everywhere I go and would be happy to be with me 24 hours a day! My other dog is quite aloof and independent so it's quite a change! She is very loyal to her humans, she is more bonded to me than OH. I can't leave a room without her following. She is very playful and is always up for a game. She pounces on things and is quite cat like really. Very jumpy (as in likes any excuse to jump and spring) and I have met others that are like this. When meeting other dogs she is initially unsure but warms up quickly. She's getting better. She's not really bothered by big dogs any more than small ones, most of our family's dogs are quite large, border collies and bigger and she plays well with them. I have heard that they need to be socialised well or they can become intolerant of other dogs, at our MT meet there were about 12 dogs and they all got on great without so much of a growl between them and all were off lead. They had no problems with approaching dogs either really. They are one of the more sociable terriers and don't have as much tenacity as some of the smaller ones who think that if someone starts something they need to finish it. She has never reacted in a aggressive way to any dog and the only time I have heard her growl is when she is trying to get another dog to play (accompanied by much wagging and play bowing) They have good potential for agility as they are quite athletic and are intelligent, there is one here who has quite a few agility titles - Foxwood Gatekeeper. I'm hoping to train mine in agility, I've taken her over puppy obstacles and she wasn't fazed, I've just been doing some basics really. She's a very fast runner, I'm hoping to use her powers for good not evil She catches onto things quickly enough, not quite as quick as my Tenterfield but his brain goes at 100kms an hour and he's highly strung, Trixie is more laid back. Motivation and rewards are easy to find because she loves to tug, loves toys, and LOVES food, she is also willing to please so I think she'll do okay, we're starting obedience classes next week too. Most of the MTs jump 400 height. They are quite Whippet like in the way they run, and they do love to run! Our MT meet basically consisted of all of the MTs doing flat out zoomie laps the whole time. They are also not tolerant of cold and much prefer heat! If it's 40 degrees outside it's not uncommon to find Trixie stretched out sun baking instead of chilling out in the air con! They have a very short smooth coat. They are not clingy with visitors like some dogs can be, I know when I have met other MTs at their house they have barked, sniffed me, then carried on with what they were doing. Trixie is much the same really, once she's said hello she just cruises around doing whatever she was before. She has won over many visitors who say they are big dog people and don't normally like small dogs, MTs aren't as 'small dog like' as other small dogs. She's quiet most of the time, only really does an alarm bark every now and then. I really recommend you meet some, in my experience most breeders are more than happy to answer questions and let you meet their dogs. Don't rule out looking interstate though, I had my girl flown from QLD. I hope that has helped, let me know if you need more info or feel free to PM me if you prefer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stsiegfreid Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Wow Amypie, The way you described your MT sounds 'bang on' similar to my new English Toy Terrier. Derived from the Manchester and Whippets. With one exception being that I am having a little trouble socialising the little fellow. He initially had no interest at all in other dogs and appeared very much 'stuck up' or snobbish. He's starting to playbow and play growl at other dogs now after meeting them 2-4 times - thank god. Anyway - felt compelled to reply due to the similarities. Heres a pic of Ripley - Hes 18 weeks old now - this pic is prob at 14 weeks old. (hope it works) So back to the opening poster - Manchester Terriers are GREAT but The English Toy Terrier is worth considering too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Oh he's beautiful! I like the ETTs too, don't see many around though unfortunately Although the boss of one of my local pet stores breeds them I suppose I'd better post some pics too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuffles Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 We have one at our local dog park, he is a friendly and energetic little fellow. I've never seen him have an issue with any of the other dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikivds Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 Thanks so much for all of the info, I have found it VERY helpful!!! Is it common to see them at conformation shows?? I'm going to an agility trial in march with my staffy and there's a show on at the same time so I was going to have a look. They seem to be exactly my kind of dog so I would love to meet one. Thanks again for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I'm so glad you asked this question cause they are a breed I've been admiring and wondering about. Now I know more and like what I'm reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I'm not sure if they are common in the show ring in NSW? There's only one person here who shows them, he has a few, and there are a few shown in QLD, but couldn't tell you about NSW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Actually, on closer inspection, I discover we have one breed club in Aus! And it''s in NSW. Maybe give them a go and they should know what's happening with MTs around NSW. Manchester Terrier Club of NSW 02 4578 4082 Ms D Hull Agnes Banks NSW 2753 Email: [email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I have trained two and loved them- little feisty but a very quick learner (both good and bad things!) and very responsive to good handling. With good socialisation when they are young and ongoing training of some kind, i think they would be awesome companions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I wouldn't describe mine as feisty, but I've heard them described that way. Also my 'Feisty Meter' is measured against my TT who is very feisty so it might be out of whack. Yes I agree with Cosmolo with the ongoing training aspect, mine likes to learn and needs mental stimulation and is noticably rattier if I haven't done anything with her for a few days. Also the good socialisation - they need to get out and see as many people and sounds etc when they are little, mostly people, because they tend to be reserved with strangers by nature. You want them to be reserved with strangers but not fearful of them. My OH and I both say ours reminds us of a Lioness, she stalks things in slow motion, especially my other dog, and will also lay flat on the ground to try and surprise him, or will creep up behind him, then run at him, quite funny to watch. I've never known other dogs to do this but found some videos online of other MTs doing the same thing. She also does mad pouncing and bats things with her paws like a lion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Trixie is very beautiful, Amypie I met a man at the vets a few years ago who had three with him and they were nice. I seriously miss my Dobermann but I don't want another big dog so I was attracted to MTs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy21 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Sigh......there she is!! So adorable! I have serious want. Definitely on my "to own" list. Maybe later this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Oi nickivds what happened to getting a Stafford . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee lee Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Ok, I'll play devils advocate. I have a couple of separate acquaintances who own Manchester terriers. All 3 dogs have DA issues that emerged when they reached maturity, none are allowed offlead as they tend to stalk and attack other dogs, particularly the 2 that live together. According to the owners it is a breed tendency, so yes I would imagine that socialisation would be extremely important. All of these dogs are quite feisty. Just wanted to put that out there as its good to hear the not so good traits too. Forewarned is forearmed and all. They are lovely looking dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Yes being a terrier does have me a little concerned. I'm not sure how I'd live with a terrier temperament. I rather like 'soft' breeds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Forewarned is forearmed and all. I agree Deelee. As I said, we had about 12 at the meet who were fine but there may be some DA ones around that obviously wouldn't be taken to a meet in a large dog park. One MT owner here mentioned that her dog wasn't great with other dogs and that she wished she had socialised him more as a pup. I have worked very hard to socialise mine positively, but that was moreso because my other dog is fear aggressive and I am working hard on preventing issues like that this time around. I was specifically told by a MT breeder in Perth to get her meeting as many people as possible though. She's been carted to agility training and trials and shops and people's houses since she was little, time will. tell I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikivds Posted January 27, 2010 Author Share Posted January 27, 2010 (edited) Oi nickivds what happened to getting a Stafford . Ok, I'll play devils advocate. I have a couple of separate acquaintances who own Manchester terriers. All 3 dogs have DA issues that emerged when they reached maturity, none are allowed offlead as they tend to stalk and attack other dogs, particularly the 2 that live together. According to the owners it is a breed tendency, so yes I would imagine that socialisation would be extremely important. All of these dogs are quite feisty. Just wanted to put that out there as its good to hear the not so good traits too. Forewarned is forearmed and all. They are lovely looking dogs. I thought socialisation would be very important as with most terriers, I currently own a stafford x who has the typical terrier temperament, he was da with large dogs when I first got him but now he's good unless another dog picks a fight with him, which I think is fair. Tiggy I am still looking at staffords ;) I'm trying to decide between the two but I think manchesters have a better body type for agility. Pepe is much finer than a pure stafford so he copes well with the demands of the sport. I really love the stafford temperament but o haven't met a Manchester in real life so I can't compare them till I do. I am definitely still considering staffords. Edited January 27, 2010 by nikivds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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