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A brief history...
As with most purebred dogs, the Manchester's exact origins are not known. The word "terrier" is derived from Latin
and means "of the ground" referring to the dogs ability to chase vermin underground in their dens. The "Black
and Tan" terrier is credited as being the oldest, first recognized terrier. A historic painting dating back to the beginning
of the 15th Century, "The Hour of the Virgins" depicts a smooth coated dog which resembles today's Manchester. It's
apparent that both a rough and smooth coated version of the Black and Tan co-existed along with the now extinct White English
Terrier.
Black and Tan terriers as the Manchester was known until the second half of the 19th century in England were prized for
their ability to kill rats in "pits." This was a form of blood-sport later outlawed where a dog was placed in a
pit with a number of rats and bets were placed as to which dog could kill a specific number the fastest or which dog could
kill the most rats in a set period of time. In the days before modern medicine and sanitation, rats posed a significant public
health risk. The "sport" or rat-killing in pits grew out of the necessity of killing disease carrying vermin --
plus there was no Law and Order or CSI to occupy the time of those living in newly industrialized urban areas.
The name "Manchester Terrier" came into being because of the breed's popoularity in taverns in and around Manchester
England. The Manchester came in a wide variety of sizes ranging from as little as 1-2lbs in Victorian England to more than
30lbs. It appears that the smaller dogs were most used in the rat pits with a 5lb dog named "Tiny" being credited
as the greatest ratter of the era. The craze for miniaturization, however, brought about many health problems. The toy variety
today is larger, and both varieties are extremely healthy. Toys range from about 7-12lbs with Standards from 12-22lbs for
show.
There is speculation that the Manchester was crossed with Whippets to give extra speed. When brought to the United States,
Manchesters were used to course small game. Manchesters are also depicted in paintings as being carried by riders to be "in
at the kill" at fox hunts and gained the name "The Gentleman's Terrier" because of that function.
The "Black and Tan" is credited with being the source breed for most terriers. The Manchester in particular is credited
with being one of the main foundations for the Doberman Pinscher. What exactly Herr Doberman used in his "recipe"
for that dog is very much a mystery, but there is clearly shared lineage between the two breeds.
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