Manchester Terrier
MAN-chess-tuhr TER-ee-uhr
England· Manchester, north-west England
The Manchester Terrier is a sleek, black-and-tan breed developed in 19th-century industrial England for ratting and rabbit coursing.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Small
Exercise needs
45-60 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Small to medium home
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes, heavily when moulting
Lifespan
15-17 years
Town or country
Either, with enough exercise
Garden size needed
Small to medium
Where it comes from
Origins of the Manchester Terrier
Manchester's mills and warehouses in the 1800s were plagued by rats, and the breed was refined there by crossing whippet-type dogs with black-and-tan terriers to create a fast, efficient ratter.
- Region
- Manchester, north-west England
- Climate it was bred for
- Cool, damp industrial northern England
- Original job
- Ratting and rabbit coursing
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Manchester Terrier greets people it does not know.
Trainability
4/5
Sharp and responsive, though can be strong-willed.
Energy
4/5
Quick and athletic, enjoys brisk walks and play.
Barking
3/5
Alert and will bark at anything unusual.
Grooming
1/5
Short, sleek coat needs minimal upkeep.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Manchester Terrier is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
3/5
Devoted to its family, more reserved with strangers.
Independence
3/5
Confident and capable of entertaining itself.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Manchester Terrier's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Black and tan
Standard colour
The defining colour pattern, with sharply marked tan points.
Timeline
History & development
1860s
Breed developed
John Hulme of Manchester crosses whippets with black-and-tan terriers to refine a fast ratting dog.
1887
Name adopted
The breed is officially named the Manchester Terrier by kennel clubs, unifying earlier local names.
Early 1900s
Toy variety split
A miniature version, later the English Toy Terrier, is developed alongside the standard size.
1900s onward
Decline and revival
Numbers fall sharply as ratting declines, and dedicated breed clubs work to sustain the population.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Short-coupled, slightly arched loin.
- coat
- Short, dense, glossy, in good condition and weatherproof for the breed's original work.
- ears
- Small, V-shaped, carried erect or button.
- eyes
- Set well apart, of a shade in keeping with the coat, giving an alert and intelligent expression. Light or protruding eyes are undesirable.
- head
- Long and flat, with a slight furrow.
- size
- Small to medium, depending on variety.
- tail
- Short, thick at the root, tapering to a point.
- colour
- Black and tan. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in energy, trainability, sociability. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Compact, well-muscled and elegant, with a keen terrier expression.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Von Willebrand's disease
Watch closely
Ask breeders for clotting disorder test results.
Patellar luxation
Low concern
Uncommon but worth a routine knee check.
Juvenile cardiomyopathy
Watch closely
Ask about heart screening history in the breeding line.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Manchester Terriers added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Manchester Terrier
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Manchester Terrier illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Manchester Terrier Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Manchester Terrier illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Manchester Terrier Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Manchester Terrier illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Manchester Terrier Mug
Ceramic mug with the Manchester Terrier illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Adjustable Harness (S/M/L)
Fully adjustable chest and girth straps — no fixed sizing.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Manchester Terrier video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
Watch now