Manchester Terrier Guide: Size, Temperament, Health and Adoption
Manchester Terrier history and overview
The Manchester Terrier is a small, smooth-coated dog with a compact frame and an elegant look, black and tan in color, and it is offered in a standard and a toy variety. It descends from the early English Black and Tan Terrier, which was valued as a ratter in the industrial north of England. Samuel Handley of Manchester is credited with stabilizing the breed. Another account credits John Hulme of Manchester with crossing the old Black and Tan with the Whippet in the 19th century. The American Kennel Club lists England as the breed's origin and places the standard variety in the Terrier Group and the toy variety in the Toy Group.
How big is a Manchester Terrier?
The standard Manchester Terrier is listed by the American Kennel Club at 15 to 16 inches tall and 12 to 22 pounds. The toy Manchester Terrier size is 10 to 12 inches tall and under 12 pounds according to the American Kennel Club, and VCA Animal Hospitals notes that many toys fall in the 6 to 8 pound range. Apart from weight and the ear options, the United Kennel Club describes the varieties as the same.
Manchester Terrier temperament and personality
The United Kennel Club describes the breed as alert and happy, neither aggressive nor shy, and agreeable with other dogs. The American Kennel Club rates family affection at 5 of 5 for both varieties, and describes the standard as bright, spirited and keenly observant. VCA Animal Hospitals says Manchesters are catlike and independent, usually get along with other dogs with some exceptions, will chase small animals, and tend to be wary of strangers. The American Kennel Club rates vocalization at 4 of 5 and protective tendency at 4 of 5 for both varieties.
Exercise and daily needs
VCA Animal Hospitals describes the Manchester as busy and athletic, a dog that wants to move, interact and play as part of the family. The American Kennel Club rates energy at 4 of 5 for both varieties.
Grooming and Manchester Terrier shedding
The coat is short and smooth, and the American Kennel Club rates both shedding and grooming frequency at 2 of 5. VCA Animal Hospitals suggests brushing weekly with a natural bristle brush or hound mitt, brushing teeth and trimming nails. Frequent baths could dry out the sensitive skin.
How to train a Manchester Terrier
VCA Animal Hospitals calls the breed highly intelligent and more biddable than some terriers, but says it needs short, fun sessions to avoid boredom. Manchesters tend to enjoy sports such as agility, obedience and rally but dislike rote repetition, so varied, patient training works best. The American Kennel Club rates trainability at 4 of 5 for both varieties.
Manchester Terrier health issues and life expectancy
The American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 15 to 17 years for both varieties. VCA Animal Hospitals says the breed can be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, thyroid problems, von Willebrand's disease and Legg-Perthes disease. VCA Animal Hospitals also warns that these dogs can become overweight easily, so treats should be limited.
Adopting a Manchester Terrier
If you want to adopt a Manchester Terrier, ask the organization caring for the dog which variety it is and whether the parents were tested for the conditions VCA Animal Hospitals lists. VCA Animal Hospitals notes the toy variety works best in small spaces, while the standard may suit children better. Ask a veterinarian about any health concerns before you commit.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Manchester Terrier as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
Standard Manchester Terrier
- AKC group
- Terrier Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1887
- Height (AKC published)
- 15-16 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 12-22 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 15-17 years
- AKC size category
- Small
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 2 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 4 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Von Willebrand Disease I (VWDI) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Toy Manchester Terrier
- AKC group
- Toy Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1886
- Height (AKC published)
- 10-12 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- under 12 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 15-17 years
- AKC size category
- XSmall
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 2 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 4 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Legg-Calve-Perthe Radiographic
- Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy (JDCM) - DNA Test
- Von Willebrand Disease I (VWDI) - DNA Test
- Xanthinuria, Type II - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Manchester Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Manchester Terrier | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Manchester Terrier (Standard) - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
- Manchester Terrier (Toy) - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
