Why Not Consider The Manchester Terrier Dog?
The Manchester terrier is one of those dogs that puts a lot of
personality into a fairly small package. A remarkably attractive
pet with a convenient smooth and short-haired coat, this terrier
is one of those breeds with an interesting background stemming
from the early, "working dog" days.
These terriers derive from the old black and tan terrier breed
in England. Back in those days, terriers weren't known for their
beauty -- to put it kindly -- but they were tireless, muscular,
and keen. In fact, they were widely known as the best rat
killers around, regardless of the terrain. Their skill and
enthusiasm easily overcame any objections to their physical
appearance, and the breed grew very popular.
At some point, a black and tan fancier crossed one of his
terriers with a whippet, a far more graceful-looking dog
resembling a Greyhound. The result was a beautiful dog retaining
all the terrier prowess, and this new variety made quite a
splash. Even so, the new dogs were also called Black and Tans
until the Manchester Terrier Club finally formed in the 1920s,
changing the breed name to Manchester terrier.
Despite all they have to offer, including a wonderful
suitability for today's urban environments, the Manchester
terrier isn't nearly as well known as it ought to be. In fact,
although it enjoyed a surge in popularity sometime back, the
breed is practically obscure these days, with only a few
dedicated breeders sustaining it.
Yet
The Authors Who Made My 'Day To Day'
As a correspondent for <em>Day to Day</em>, Karen Grigsby Bates often reported on books and their writers. She offers an essay musing on her time with the show, including some of her best moments with brilliant authors. Karen Grigsby Bates
Looking Forward: How Will Lives Change?
Joel Kotkin, who studies metropolitan development and urban planning, talks about how people might be arranging their lives in the coming five years. And author Jamais Cascio outlines where technology might take us.
despite our neglect, the Manchester terrier is a gorgeous
breed in its own right that has contributed its beauty and
brains to much more well-known breeds, like the Doberman
Pinscher. Even better for urbanites, it comes in two varieties
-- standard, which ranges from 12-22 pounds, and the toy breed,
which is typically about 10.
It's surprisingly we don't see more of them around. Not only is
the Manchester terrier a refined, alert dog boasting a rich
mahogany color and an attractive, Doberman-style tan patch over
each eye, he's also playful -- he'll sport for hours on end with
the kids -- and happily long-lived. Like all terriers, however,
this one is a natural digger, and will need some kind of outlet
for his energy and keen mind.
This terrier is a much better choice for a boisterous family
than the single working person who must crate his dog for most
of the day. Just make sure that your children are old enough to
show your terrier some respect for his "person" and not
manhandle him. Finally, brainy dogs like terriers need to be
taught they don't rule the roost. If you don't have a background
in obedience training, you'll want to take him in for classes.
About the author:
Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo, your source for small dog clothes. Stop by
for small dog couture and home decor and sma
ll dog collars.
|