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Standard Manchesters vs Toy Manchesters

   
Lola Sophia

I'm a big meany!		 
 
Barked: Mon Jun 22, '09 9:13am PST 
Should I be concerned if adopting a SMT when I already have a TMT? Do they fight more than normal? What if the standard was introduced to the toy at a young age?
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Fritz, CGC

Live each moment- passionately
 
 
Barked: Sun Jun 28, '09 9:00am PST 
Lola Sophia wave
Those are some good questions and sending you paws up for being a responsible and caring Manchester Terrier owner...

My short answer would be: there is no reason for concern in adopting a Standard Manchester Terrier when you already have a Toy Manchester Terrier.

Now for the longer answer:
According to the AKC, "The Manchester Terrier In North America is one breed divided into two (2) variety groups; Terrier Group and Toy Group." ... " The Toy Manchester Terrier is a bred-down version of the Standard. They were separate breeds until 1959, but now are considered two varieties of a single breed. Except for size (the toy is up to 12 pounds) and ear type (the ears of the Toy are naturally erect with no cropping), they share the same standard."

Many people that share their lives with a dog often have mutliple breeds and sizes of dogs. With that said, there is no more or less concern, inclusive of age, with introducing a SMT to your TMT since they are basically the same breed ... just with a size difference.

As far as your concerns about them fighting more, this should be no more of a concern than it would be when introducing any other breed into the home. With that said, it does depend on HOW the pups are introduced and where. Try to pick a neutral location for them to meet and greet, making sure that neither dog has an advantage over the other dog. Much good info can be found online regarding how to introduce a new pup into the home where another pup already resides.

Finally, when both pups arrive home, there will be the normal territorial issues that they have to resolve between themselves. The one thing that you did not mention which could make a difference on how the two pups react to each other is gender. A male/female couple may prove easier than 2 males or 2 females, although pack order usually presides and many families coexist with any gender combination.

Lola, I hope this helps blue dog and please bark and let us know how things go, since we like sharing and learning from our experiences.

hug Fritz ^..^ blue dog
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