At a glance the quick version
AKC Standard variety: over 12 lb up to 22 lb (about 5.4-10 kg); AKC Toy variety: 12 lb (about 5.4 kg) or less. FCI gives heights only.
Royal Kennel Club: over 12 years; Wikipedia reports a median of about 12 years 10 months.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, smooth, glossy
A compact, sleek and elegant terrier with a racy outline hinting at Whippet ancestry. The coat is short, dense, tight-lying and shiny, with a firm feel.13
Personality what they are like
Lively, alert and sporting, with a keen eye for anything that moves. It is loving and loyal with its family while keeping a sensible reserve with strangers, and it is usually sociable rather than quarrelsome with other dogs.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Up to about an hour of exercise a day, ideally mixing walks with games and chances to use its quick, athletic build.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Very simple: a weekly once-over with a soft brush or mitt keeps the short coat gleaming; it does shed regularly.4
Home where they are happiest
Adapts well to town or city life and smaller homes, as long as it gets its daily exercise.4
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete diet sized to a small, active terrier; watch portions to keep its lean outline.3
Company who they like around
A people-oriented companion that likes to be involved in family life.2
The story where it all began
The breed took shape in 19th-century Manchester, where breeder John Hulme is credited with crossing Black and Tan Terriers with Whippets to create a fast ratting and rabbiting dog. Manchester was the centre of the breed by around 1860, and Victorians nicknamed it the 'Gentleman's Terrier'.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Only 11 Manchester Terriers were registered with the Kennel Club at the end of the Second World War; dedicated breeders brought it back.4
- 2
In the AKC, the Standard and Toy are the same breed; apart from size and ear options there is no difference between them.3
- 3
In its early days the breed had its own classes at dog shows held in Manchester pubs.1
- 4
The Royal Kennel Club describes it as a terrier well suited to city life, fitting for a breed made in an industrial town.4
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 71, Group 3 Terriers, Section 1 Large and medium sized Terriers. Definitive acceptance 15.10.1954; current standard 13.10.2010.5
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Terrier Group; listed as a Vulnerable Native Breed.4
- AKC
- Terrier Group (Standard variety) and Toy Group (Toy variety); current standard approved 13 July 2021, effective 6 October 2021.3
- AKC / CKC (history)
- AKC has treated the Standard and Toy as two varieties of one breed since 1958; the Canadian Kennel Club also recognises two varieties.2
Popularity Average of 177 UK Kennel Club puppy registrations per year (2017-2021); Vulnerable Native Breed.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Manchester Terrier. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Manchester Terrier, and at what times?
Feed your Manchester Terrier at least two meals a day for adults, and three to four smaller meals for puppies, at consistent times each day. Watch portions carefully to keep that lean, athletic outline. Your vet can help you adjust amounts based on your dog's age and activity.36
What should a Manchester Terrier eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A complete, balanced diet sized for a small, active terrier is best. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts, so keep those well away. Always check with your vet before introducing new foods.37
How often should I bathe a Manchester Terrier?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, and general guidance says at least once every three months. Bathe more often only if your dog gets very dirty or has a skin issue, but avoid overbathing to keep the coat healthy.8 Furry Diary plan
How often does a Manchester Terrier need brushing?
A weekly once-over with a soft brush or mitt is all it takes to keep that short, glossy coat gleaming. Furry Diary's plan also recommends brushing every 7 days, which fits perfectly with the breed's simple grooming needs.4 Furry Diary plan
How do I trim a Manchester Terrier's nails, and how often?
Trim nails every 3 weeks or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick, and use a proper nail trimmer. If you are unsure, ask your vet or a groomer to show you.8 Furry Diary plan
How much exercise does a Manchester Terrier need?
Your Manchester Terrier needs up to about an hour of exercise daily, mixing walks with games and chances to use its quick, athletic build. Furry Diary's plan includes daily walks and play to keep this lively dog happy and fit.4 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Manchester Terrier's teeth and ears?
Brush your Manchester Terrier's teeth daily if possible, or at least two to three times a week, using a dog-safe toothpaste. Check ears every two weeks and wipe the outer part gently, never pushing anything into the ear canal. Your vet can show you the best technique.8 Furry Diary plan
How long does a Manchester Terrier live?
A Manchester Terrier typically lives around 12 years or more, with good care and regular vet checkups. Senior years often start around age 10, so adjust their routine as they age.42
Is a Manchester Terrier good with children and other pets?
Yes, this breed is loving and loyal with its family and usually sociable with other dogs, making it a great companion for respectful children. It does keep a sensible reserve with strangers, so early socialisation helps.132
Can a Manchester Terrier be left alone?
Manchester Terriers are people-oriented and like to be involved in family life, so they can be left alone for reasonable periods but not for long stretches. They adapt well to smaller homes, but need daily exercise and company to stay happy.24
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
Miniature Pinscher
Whippet
German PinscherLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 71 Manchester Terrier fci.beused for origin, height, coat, colour, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Manchester Terrier en.wikipedia.orgused for recognition history, lifespan, history, registrations
- AKC Official Standard of the Manchester Terrier images.akc.orgused for varieties, weight, coat, colour, temperament
- The Royal Kennel Club: Manchester Terrier royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan, vulnerable status, history
- FCI nomenclature: Manchester Terrier (71) fci.beused for recognition dates
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.