Manchester Terrier
About the Manchester Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 15-16" |
| Weight | 12-22 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,000/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Manchester Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Apartment Living
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Manchester Terrier
The story behind the Manchester Terrier
The Manchester Terrier emerged in industrial northern England, especially around Manchester, during the nineteenth century, when working men needed dogs for rat killing in yards, mills and pits and for the rat-pit contests popular at the time. Crossing a black and tan terrier with Whippet stock is the generally accepted recipe, giving the breed both terrier grit and sighthound speed and outline. The dogs were also run at rabbit. Two sizes developed, and the smaller toy variety was bred down further, at one point to an unhealthy degree, before breeders corrected course. Registries handle the sizes differently, with the AKC recognising standard and toy varieties within one breed while the Kennel Club treats the English Toy Terrier separately. The Manchester remains uncommon and is listed among Britain's vulnerable native breeds.
Originally bred for: Rat killing, Vermin control, Rabbit coursing. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Manchester Terrier
A lean, muscular small dog with real running ability suits a good-quality everyday food in two meals, with treats accounted for. Because there is little body fat in reserve, condition should be checked often, and intake nudged up in cold weather or during heavy activity.
Watch for: No particular ingredient is implicated in this breed. Short-coated terriers occasionally show contact-related skin irritation that owners mistake for food allergy. Sudden diet changes can loosen stools. Any long-running skin or digestive problem should be assessed by a vet before restricting ingredients.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Manchester Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.