How long does a Manchester Terrier live?

The listed lifespan for a Manchester Terrier is 15–17 years.

How tall is a Manchester Terrier?

The listed height for a Manchester Terrier is 15–16 in.

Is a Manchester Terrier good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Manchester Terrier is 4 out of 5.

When is a Manchester Terrier full grown?

The growth size band for a Manchester Terrier is 8–12 months.

Terrier Group

Manchester Terrier

Manchester Terrier is a small dog in the Terrier Group. Adult weight is 12–22 lb, height is 15–16 in, and the listed lifespan is 15–17 years. AKC describes the temperament as Bright, Spirited, Keenly observant.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Manchester Terrier dog — Photo: Jon Ovington · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan15–17 years

Weight12–22 lb

SizeSmall GroupTerrier Group

Height

15–16 in

Energy

4 / 5

Shedding

2 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

4 / 5

Good with kids

4 / 5

The breed record

Across 45 single-size small breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 16 years is about 2.4 years longer than the 13.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 17 lb is about the same as the 16 lb average for those small breeds.

The listed origin is England. The coat is described as smooth, short. The AKC energy score is 4 out of 5, 0.4 points above the group average of 3.6 for the Terrier Group. Shedding scores 2 out of 5, so loose hair is limited. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 4 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 4 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 131 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in 8–12 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): very small dogs reach maturity at 8-12 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Thyroid Evaluation, and Von Willebrand Disease I (VWDI) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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