Plate 162 · British Isles
Manchester Terrier
曼彻斯特㹴
“Manchester's rat-catching gentleman.”
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Manchester
- Town or city of origin
- By 1860 Manchester is reported to have been the centre of breeding for these terriers; the marker is the city's point.
- The point marks the town the breed is linked to.
- Era
- 19th century
- Today
- Companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
History
01 · Origin
Manchester
A sleek black-and-tan terrier from the mill city of Manchester, bred to kill rats and course rabbits.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Ratting, including in rat pits, and rabbit coursing.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
Breeders, notably John Hulme by one account, crossed the Black and Tan Terrier with the Whippet to get a dog good at both sports; by 1860 Manchester was reportedly the centre of the breed. In the US the Standard and Toy were separate breeds until 1959.
04 · Today
Companion
A companion; in 2022 the UK Kennel Club listed it as a Vulnerable Native Breed.
Personality
- Bright
- Spirited
- Keenly observant
- Devoted
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: the AKC’s trait scores as its breed page gives them (the AKC’s 1–5 guidance for owners, not a measurement). Other profiles here use editorial ratings, a different source, so compare across them with care.
- Exercise
- Active and athletic: a couple of good walks and vigorous play a day.
- Grooming
- Wash and wear: a weekly wipe with a hound glove.
- Training
- Intelligent and eager; positive, reward-based training.
Living with one
- Size
- Small
- Lifespan
- 15–17 years
- Coat
- Short, smooth, glossy coat; jet black and rich mahogany tan
Field note
In Victorian times it was nicknamed 'the Gentleman's Terrier' for its dignified manner.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Terrier Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI (Group 3, standard 71), The Kennel Club (UK)
- Popular in
- No reliable data
AKC: Terrier Group, recognized 1887. One breed in two varieties: the Standard in the Terrier Group and the Toy in the Toy Group.
In 2022 the UK Kennel Club listed it as a Vulnerable Native Breed, with about 177 births registered a year in 2017–2021. AKC registrations: ranked 131 among breeds in 2025.
Sources3 references
- Manchester Terrier (Standard) — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/manchester-terrier-standard/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-14 · Registry status, group, size, life expectancy and registration rank; history as the AKC tells it. Ratings: the AKC's own 1–5 owner-guidance trait scores as the page gives them (energy level, trainability, barking level, openness to strangers, good with other dogs), not measurements.
- Manchester Terrier — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Terrier
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-14 · Black and Tan Terrier and Whippet crosses by John Hulme, Manchester as breed centre by 1860, rat pits, 'Gentleman's Terrier', vulnerable status.
- Manchester Terrier — FCI breed nomenclature — Fédération Cynologique Internationale
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/MANCHESTER-TERRIER-71.html
Kennel club · accessed 2026-10-14 · Country of origin Great Britain; Group 3, section "Large and medium sized Terriers"; accepted 1954.
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: By 1860 Manchester is reported to have been the centre of breeding for these terriers; the marker is the city's point.
