T he Manchester Terrier presents a sleek, sturdy, yet elegant look. The muscular body expresses great power and agility. Being a profile breed, we want the dog to be anatomically correct in balance which will produce effortless movement. It is quite common for the dog to make a pretty picture standing, only to fall apart on the move. Some issues within the breed are poor top lines, wide fronts, round light eyes and missing teeth. Top lines should be judged on the move. The slight arch over the robust loins is the lumbar area extending from the end of the ribcage to the start of the pelvis, the upper section of the coupling region. An arched loin is symptomatic of strength and agility in that area. This is due to muscular development over the spine and minor differences in the angles of lumbar vertebrae and pelvis. Too often, a dog will be roach backed, please distinguish between the two. The chest of the Manchester should be narrow between the legs and deep in the brisket. We are seeing extremely wide fronts and dogs that are lacking in brisket. The almond-shaped eyes are basically oval in shape and bluntly pointed at both corners. The eye is nearly black in col- or and are bright and sparkling. We are seeing Manchesters in the ring today with a very round, light eye. Full dentition of 42 teeth is desirable. However, very sel- dom are teeth ever counted. Missing teeth are usually incisors and premolars. Preserving breed type is very important to the Manchester Terrier fancier! aBout the author Established in the sport of dogs since 1973, under the Wilane (AKC Reg.) prefix. Manchester Terriers came into my life in the mid 1980s and I’ve never turned back! I have bred and owned Manchesters that are nationally ranked, Multi- Group Winning and Placing, Obedience titled, Hall of Fame, Register of Merit and Canine Good Citizens along with Best in Specialty and Best Veteran in Show. Performance com- peting dogs in several venues that have gained many titles including a MACH2. In earlier years, Wilane Manchester’s have been active in Herding Instinct and Earthdog Training as well. Truly dedicated to this wonderful breed, my goals of preservation, education and health issues are high on my list of priorities. I’m a member in good standing in the American, British and Canadian Manchester Terrier Clubs, proudly the only person that is a member of all three clubs at this time! Throughout the years I have held many posi- tions in the AMTC from District Governor to Board of Direc- tor positions to President. Worked diligently on many Com- mittees of the American Manchester Terrier Club. Presently, I hold the position of Judges Education Chairperson. Being totally addicted to the history of our breed finds me an avid collector of Manchester memorabilia. Judging the MANCHESTER TERRIER by Jo ann eMRick
than tall, the length should never be in the loin. The standard calls for a topline that rises slightly over the loin. This is a feature that, I believe, is best judged on the floor. Tail set and length can be checked now. The judge should check for a sloping croup. We don’t want to see a Fox Terrier tail set high on a level croup. The tail, which should be well coated, is now checked for length. The tip should not go beyond the hocks. Tail carriage should be judged on the floor. Stifles are now checked for adequate angulation. From the rear, the judge now checks for well mus- cled thighs and well let down hocks that turn neither in nor out. Thighs should also be well coated. Rear feet should also be cat like, but the middle toes are not lon- ger as are the front toes. As there is a lengthy section on color in our stan- dard, correct color and markings must be checked by the judge. This is certainly best done during the table examination. All of the tan markings should be a rich mahogany tan. All markings should be well defined with no bleeding of black into tan. Any color other than black & tan disqualifies. The judge will check for the following markings: s (EAD ! SMALL TAN SPOT OVER EACH EYE AND ON EACH check. The muzzle is tanned to the nose. Tan extends under the throat, ending in the shape of the letter “V”. s #HEST 4AN SPOTS CALLED hROSETTESv ON EACH SIDE OF the chest, above the front legs. s &RONT LEGS "LACK hTHUMBPRINTv PATCH ON THE front at the pastern. A distinct island of black is best. Black “pencil mark” lines run on the top of each toe. s 2EAR LEGS "LACK hPENCIL MARKSv AS IN FRONT Tan running up inside of leg to stifle joint. s 2EAR 4AN UNDER TAIL AND ON THE VENT s $1 4HE JUDGE MUST KNOW THAT WHITE ON ANY PART of the coat is a serious fault and becomes a dis- qualification if the white forms a patch of ½ inch or more. After the table examination it’s back on the ground with a final trot around the ring to confirm what our hands and eyes have found. Manchesters are true terriers that should exude confidence, being alert and keenly aware of their sur- roundings. They are not a sparring breed. Although they may be brought out into the center of the ring to re-kindle awareness, they will not go into spar- ring mode. Remember that Manchesters are discern- ing, however, shyness must be faulted. They should stand steady during table examination. On the oth- er side, any aggressive behavior must be faulted. Don’t expect them to jump up and give you a big greeting on the down and back movement. Instead you can expect a serious visual examination upon their return. I do hope that you get as much pleasure out of judg- ing this special breed as I do. There is nothing more pleasing than watching a class of quality Manchesters “strutting their stuff” around the ring. Their elegance, alertness and keen expression will captivate you.
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