The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.
A small, black, short-coated dog with distinctive rich mahogany markings and a taper style tail. In structure, the Manchester presents a sleek, sturdy, yet elegant look, and has a wedge-shaped, long and clean head with a keen, bright, alert expression. The smooth, compact, muscular body expresses great power and agility, enabling the Manchester to kill vermin and course small game. Except for size and ear options, there are no differences between the Standard and Toy varieties of the Manchester Terrier. The Toy is a diminutive version of the Standard variety.
The Manchester Terrier has a keen and alert expression. The nearly black, almond shaped eyes are small, bright, and sparkling. They are set moderately close together, slanting upwards on the outside. The eyes neither protrude nor sink in the skull. Pigmentation must be black. Correct ears for the Standard variety are either the naturally erect ear, the cropped ear, or the button ear. No preference is given to any of the ear types. The naturally erect ear and the button ear should be wider at the base tapering to pointed tips and carried well up on the skull.
Wide, flaring, blunt-tipped, or “bell” ears are a serious fault. Cropped ears should be long, pointed and carried erect. The only correct ear for the Toy variety is the naturally erect ear. They should be wider at the base tapering to pointed tips and carried well up on the skull. Wide, flaring, blunt-tipped, or “bell” ears are a serious fault. Cropped or cut ears are a disqualification in the Toy variety. The head is long, narrow, tight-skinned, and almost flat with a slight indentation up the forehead. It resembles a blunted wedge in frontal and profile views. There is a visual effect of a slight stop as viewed in profile. The muzzle and skull are equal in length. The muzzle is well filled under the eyes with no visible cheek muscles. The under-jaw is full and well defined and the nose is black. Tight black lips lie close to the jaw. The jaws should be full
and powerful with full and proper dentition. The teeth are white and strongly developed with a true scissors bite. Level bite is acceptable.
The Toy variety shall not exceed 12 pounds. It is suggested that clubs consider dividing the American-bred and Open classes by weight as follows: 7 pounds and
under, over 7 pounds and not exceeding 12 pounds.
The Standard variety shall be over 12 pounds and not exceeding 22 pounds. Dogs weighing over 22 pounds shall be disqualified. It is suggested that clubs consider dividing the American-bred
and Open classes by weight as follows: over 12 pounds and not exceeding 16 pounds, over 16 pounds and not exceeding 22 pounds.
The Manchester Terrier, overall, is slightly longer than tall. The height, measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the withers, is slightly less than the length, measured horizontally from the point of the shoulders to the rear projection of the upper thigh. The bone and muscle of the Manchester Terrier are of sufficient mass to ensure agility and endurance.
The coat should be smooth, short, dense, tight, and glossy; not soft.
The taper style tail is moderately short reaching no further than the hock joint. It is set on at the end of the croup. Being thicker where it joins the body, the tail tapers to a point. The tail is carried in a slight upward curve, but never over the back.
The shoulder blades and the upper arm should be relatively the same length. The
distance from the elbow to the withers should be approximately the same as the distance from the elbow to the ground. The elbows should lie close to the brisket. The shoulders are well laid back. The forelegs are straight, of proportionate length, and placed well under the brisket. The pasterns should be almost perpendicular. The front feet are compact and well arched. The two middle toes
should be slightly longer than the others. The pads should be thick and the toenails should be jet black.
The thigh should be muscular with the length of the upper and lower thighs being approximately equal. The stifle is well turned. The well let down hocks should not turn in nor out as viewed from the rear. The hind legs are carried well back. The hind feet are shaped like those of a cat with thick pads and jet black nails
Manchesters combine the streamlined grace of a small coursing hound and the instincts of a fearless rat terrier. These racy little dogs come in two size varieties: Toy (not exceeding 12 pounds) and Standard (not exceeding 22 pounds). All Manchesters are similar in temperament, body type and athletic ability despite differences in size. They’re easily recognized by a tight coat of rich mahogany tan and jet black. The head is long and wedge-shaped; tan spots above each eye point up a watchful expression. Manchesters can motor, running with good reach in front and propulsive rear drive powered by a muscular caboose.
The Manchester requires a high-quality dog food appropriate to his age to maintain good weight and overall health. Some Manchesters are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. If you choose to give your dog treats, do so in moderation. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
The Manchester is a very easily maintained “wash and wear” kind of dog. An occasional bath with a shampoo formulated for dogs is all that is necessary to keep him looking quite dapper. Wiping him down weekly with a damp towel or a hound glove will give the coat a healthy shine. Toenail trimming should be done every couple of weeks to maintain the proper alignment of his joints. Ears should be cleaned regularly to keep them free of excess wax or debris that can cause a painful ear infection. The Manchester will look forward to these grooming times as a bonding experience with the human whom he loves.
Active, swift, and athletic, the Manchester will require a couple of good walks with his human every day to maintain his mental and physical health. He can enjoy relaxing on the sofa with his owner but will be equally eager to go outside and chase a few tennis balls or run around and play vigorously.
The Manchester is very intelligent and likes to think his way through every situation. He enjoys pleasing his people and can be easily trained using positive, reward-based methods. He does not react well to harsh corrections, so keep your training sessions fun and filled with lots of effusive praise for jobs well done. The breed is an ideal candidate for a variety of dog sports including obedience, rally, agility, lure coursing, barn hunt, earthdog, tracking, flyball, scent work, and even freestyle dancing. They love a challenge! They should be well socialized early on.
Lovers of the Manchester Terrier around the globe are currently banding together to develop a genetic test for juvenile cardiomyopathy, a deadly disease that can affect the breed (and several others). If your Manchester ever requires surgery, remind your vet that the breed should be given anesthesia with the same caution as their Greyhound ancestors. Also, like so many small dogs, the Manchester can be affected by “loose knees,” or patellar luxation. Breast cancer and canine pyometra can affect the female Manchester who has not been spayed.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement.
A small, black, short-coated dog with distinctive rich mahogany markings and a taper style tail. In structure, the Manchester presents a sleek, sturdy, yet elegant look, and has a wedge-shaped, long and clean head with a keen, bright, alert expression. The smooth, compact, muscular body expresses great power and agility, enabling the Manchester to kill vermin and course small game. Except for size and ear options, there are no differences between the Standard and Toy varieties of the Manchester Terrier. The Toy is a diminutive version of the Standard variety.
The Manchester Terrier has a keen and alert expression. The nearly black, almond shaped eyes are small, bright, and sparkling. They are set moderately close together, slanting upwards on the outside. The eyes neither protrude nor sink in the skull. Pigmentation must be black. Correct ears for the Standard variety are either the naturally erect ear, the cropped ear, or the button ear. No preference is given to any of the ear types. The naturally erect ear and the button ear should be wider at the base tapering to pointed tips and carried well up on the skull.
Wide, flaring, blunt-tipped, or “bell” ears are a serious fault. Cropped ears should be long, pointed and carried erect. The only correct ear for the Toy variety is the naturally erect ear. They should be wider at the base tapering to pointed tips and carried well up on the skull. Wide, flaring, blunt-tipped, or “bell” ears are a serious fault. Cropped or cut ears are a disqualification in the Toy variety. The head is long, narrow, tight-skinned, and almost flat with a slight indentation up the forehead. It resembles a blunted wedge in frontal and profile views. There is a visual effect of a slight stop as viewed in profile. The muzzle and skull are equal in length. The muzzle is well filled under the eyes with no visible cheek muscles. The under-jaw is full and well defined and the nose is black. Tight black lips lie close to the jaw. The jaws should be full
and powerful with full and proper dentition. The teeth are white and strongly developed with a true scissors bite. Level bite is acceptable.
The Toy variety shall not exceed 12 pounds. It is suggested that clubs consider dividing the American-bred and Open classes by weight as follows: 7 pounds and
under, over 7 pounds and not exceeding 12 pounds.
The Standard variety shall be over 12 pounds and not exceeding 22 pounds. Dogs weighing over 22 pounds shall be disqualified. It is suggested that clubs consider dividing the American-bred
and Open classes by weight as follows: over 12 pounds and not exceeding 16 pounds, over 16 pounds and not exceeding 22 pounds.
The Manchester Terrier, overall, is slightly longer than tall. The height, measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the withers, is slightly less than the length, measured horizontally from the point of the shoulders to the rear projection of the upper thigh. The bone and muscle of the Manchester Terrier are of sufficient mass to ensure agility and endurance.
The coat should be smooth, short, dense, tight, and glossy; not soft.
The taper style tail is moderately short reaching no further than the hock joint. It is set on at the end of the croup. Being thicker where it joins the body, the tail tapers to a point. The tail is carried in a slight upward curve, but never over the back.
The shoulder blades and the upper arm should be relatively the same length. The
distance from the elbow to the withers should be approximately the same as the distance from the elbow to the ground. The elbows should lie close to the brisket. The shoulders are well laid back. The forelegs are straight, of proportionate length, and placed well under the brisket. The pasterns should be almost perpendicular. The front feet are compact and well arched. The two middle toes
should be slightly longer than the others. The pads should be thick and the toenails should be jet black.
The thigh should be muscular with the length of the upper and lower thighs being approximately equal. The stifle is well turned. The well let down hocks should not turn in nor out as viewed from the rear. The hind legs are carried well back. The hind feet are shaped like those of a cat with thick pads and jet black nails
| Description | Standard Colors | Registration Code |
| Black & Tan | Check Mark For Standard Color | 018 |
| Black | 007 |
| Description | Standard Markings | Registration Code |
| Tan Markings | 012 |
