The Manchester Terrier Shop
Manchester Terrier Breed Summary
Energetic, Devoted, Keen and Alert
Manchester Terriers are often referred to as the Gentleman's Terrier though were originally bred to rat and for hare coursing. Nowadays however, they are very agile and perform well both in the show ring and in the field, in events such as fly ball!
In terms of their personalities, they are very friendly and devoted to their hoomans. They are also a very high energy breed with a high prey drive. Unfortunately, they are a less popular breed nowadays, and anyone wanting to share a home with one of these guys would need to register their interest with a breeder.
Fun Fact: Jack Black was a Manchester Terrier famous in London as a rat catcher around the mid 1800s and became known as the Royal Rat Catcher
| Kennel Club Group | Terrier |
| Lifespan | 14 - 16 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males 14in - 16in, Females 13in - 15in |
| Weight | Males and Females 12lb - 22lb |
| Coat | Coats are Smooth, Short and Close to the Skin. It's also very Glossy and Firm to the Touch |
| Color | Jet black with striking tan markings on head |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Common health issues | Von Willebrand's Disease (vWD), Impacted anal glands which can lead to infections, Pattern baldness, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, Renal failure - often seen in the older dog |
| Other Names | Manchesters |
These dogs are well-known for their high-spirited and bouncy energy! They are also very loyal pooches and once trained and socialized correctly, they make a very well-mannered breed. Because of all the energy they have, they need lots mental and physical stimulation to stop them getting bored, as well as lots of exercise and walks. For this reason, they are better suited to a family that already lead an active lifestyle, that they can easily slot into! Additionally, they make fantastic watchdogs due to their high alertness. One thing to watch out for with these guys is that they are prone to developing separation anxiety if left alone for too long. For this reason they need someone to be around most of the day.
Up until 1959, the Standard Manchester and the Toy Manchester were registered as separate breeds, although interbreeding was permitted. Since then, the two breeds have combined to form one breed, the Manchester Terrier, with two varieties: the Toy and Standard. However, the AKC has grouped the two varieties separately. The Standard Manchester belongs to the Terrier Group while the Toy belongs to the Toy Group.