Like a lot of older breeds, histories differ on the origin and evolution of the Manchester Terrier. It’s (probably) safe for me to say that they are generally considered one of the foundation breeds behind many modern terriers. We know they did originate in England. They are recognizable in paintings from the 1700s as a small, smooth-coated, black and tan terrier. It seems likely they were used in the development of the Doberman Pinscher. Beyond that, opinions differ greatly, and since I am not quite old enough to have witnessed any of the above, I will stop here.

At most all-breed shows, you will see no more than one or two Miniature Bull Terriers (or more simply, Minis), if that. It is only at those occasional shows where the entry is supported that you will have the opportunity to see several Minis in the ring at the same time. When that happens, a judge will no doubt notice the unusually large range of size and type that exists in this breed. Being able to keep the image of the “Standard Bull Terrier” in mind is an indispensable aid in keeping track of what’s correct and what isn’t. The only aspect in which these two breeds differ is size. The range of size and type in the Mini ring is more understandable if one takes into consideration the relatively recent origin of the “present-day” Miniature Bull Terrier.