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Breed profile

Manchester Terrier

A sleek black-and-tan ratting terrier with a whippet's lines. Smart, loyal and easy to groom, with a sharp eye for anything small that runs.

Black-and-tan Manchester Terrier standing among autumn leaves in a wood
Manchester Terrier in autumn woodlandPhoto: Juhrek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
5.5–10 kg12–22 lb
Height
38–41 cm15–16 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Terrier
Origin
England
Popularity
#131 US#121 UK · 2025

Known for: Low groomingFlat-friendly

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Alert, Loyal, Keen, Playful.

Health problems to know about

  • Von Willebrand disease
  • Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Xanthinuria
  • Glaucoma
  • Hypothyroidism

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

About an hour of exercise a day and short, reward-based training sessions. The coat needs only a weekly wipe or brush. Recall can fail when there is something to chase.

A good fit for

Town or country homes, people who want a small, tidy dog with stamina, and owners who enjoy training.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with rodents or other small pets, owners wanting a quiet dog, and people out all day.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Manchester Terrier
  2. Vetstreet: Manchester Terrier
  3. Wikipedia: Manchester Terrier

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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