GetBuddy Logo

Manchester Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Tampa, FL

Your guide to finding and caring for a Manchester Terrier in Tampa

37 Manchester Terriers available in Tampa and nationwide

Say hello to your Manchester Terrier

While we don't have enough dogs near Tampa, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Manchester Terriers Available for Adoption Near Tampa

About the Manchester Terrier breed

Sleek black-and-tan coloring and a racy, elegant outline make the Manchester Terrier look like a miniature Doberman, though it is much the older breed. It was developed in nineteenth-century Manchester, England, by crossing ratting terriers with whippets, producing a quick, keen dog for killing rats and for racing rabbits. In the United States it comes in two varieties: the Standard, in the Terrier Group, and the Toy, under 12 pounds, in the Toy Group.

Most Standard Manchesters weigh about 12 to 22 pounds. Many are alert, devoted and sensitive, more refined than some terriers but still eager hunters with a strong prey drive. They are often clean and easy to groom, with a short, glossy coat that sheds lightly. They need daily exercise, gentle but consistent training and protection from cold, and they tend to bond closely with their people.

Weight
12–22 lbs
Height
15–16 in
Lifespan
12–16 yrs
Temperament
Alert, Devoted, Spirited, Intelligent
Group
Terrier
Shedding
Low to Moderate

Owning a Manchester Terrier in Tampa

Having a Manchester Terrier in Tampa

A Manchester Terrier combines a terrier's keen hunting instinct with a sleek, low-maintenance coat and a notably devoted, people-focused nature. Its prey drive, sensitive nature, speed and dislike of cold shape daily life, and these traits help adopters judge whether this sharp little dog suits their home.

Temperament

Manchester Terriers tend to be alert, lively and closely bonded to their family, sometimes favoring one person. Many are reserved with strangers and make keen watchdogs. Their strong prey drive can put rodents and sometimes cats at risk. They are sensitive and respond best to calm, positive handling. An individual dog's socialization and history matter a great deal.

Exercise Needs

Most Manchester Terriers need daily brisk walks plus chances to sprint in a securely fenced area. Their whippet ancestry gives them real speed, and many enjoy fetch, lure coursing, barn hunt, agility and earthdog. Mental work, such as puzzle toys and trick training, helps prevent boredom barking or digging. Recall is often unreliable around prey, so leash walks are safest.

Health Considerations

Manchester Terriers are generally long-lived, but the breed can be affected by von Willebrand disease, an inherited bleeding disorder that a DNA test can detect, and by glaucoma and lens luxation, which can threaten sight. Tell your veterinarian about the breed's bleeding-disorder risk before any surgery, and keep up with dental care and regular veterinary checkups.

Living Space

A Manchester Terrier can do well in an apartment or a house, as long as it gets enough exercise and attention. A securely fenced yard is helpful for sprinting, but fences must be escape-proof because prey drive can override caution. Its thin coat means it should live indoors and often needs a sweater in cold weather.

What it costs to own a Manchester Terrier

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$20 to $45 per month$240 to $540
Pet insurance$35 to $70 per month$420 to $840
Routine vet care$200 to $400 per year$200 to $400
Other*$440 to $1,390 per year$440 to $1,390
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,300 to $3,170

Other costs are national averages for Manchester Terriers; we don't have costs specific to Tampa yet.

* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, a dog license, toys and bedding, at-home grooming, and a sweater or coat for cold weather; license fees vary by city.

Adopt a Manchester Terrier in Tampa.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Manchester Terriers available.

Rescues in Tampa with Manchester Terriers Available

Here are the rescues & shelters in the Tampa area where you can find Manchester Terriers and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Standard Manchester Terrier usually stands about 15 to 16 inches at the shoulder and weighs over 12 and up to 22 pounds. The Toy Manchester Terrier, a separate variety, weighs no more than 12 pounds and stands roughly 10 to 12 inches tall. Both are lean and athletic, with the Standard sturdier and more terrier-like and the Toy more delicate.

Train a Manchester Terrier with short, upbeat, reward-based sessions. They are quick learners but sensitive and independent, so harsh corrections tend to shut them down or make them stubborn. Use treats and games, keep training varied, and prioritize recall, leash manners and impulse control around small animals. Early socialization with people and dogs helps them stay confident rather than wary.

A Manchester Terrier is a sleek, compact dog with a short, glossy jet black coat and rich mahogany tan markings on the muzzle, cheeks, chest and legs. It has a long, narrow, wedge-shaped head, small dark eyes and a slightly arched topline. Standard Manchesters may have naturally erect, button or cropped ears, while Toys have only naturally erect ears.

A Manchester Terrier is a sleek, black-and-tan terrier from England, originally bred to kill rats and course rabbits. It comes in Standard and Toy varieties and is known for its keen, alert intelligence, devotion to its family and short, easy-care coat. Many are lively, affectionate and quick, combining terrier tenacity with the elegance of a sighthound.

A Manchester Terrier should not be kept outside full-time. Its short, thin coat offers little protection from cold or heat, and it is a people-oriented dog that tends to become anxious or noisy when isolated. Supervised outdoor play and walks are great, with a sweater in chilly weather, but it should live indoors with its family.

Yes, Manchester Terriers shed, but lightly. Their short, smooth, close coat drops a modest amount of hair year-round, with a bit more seasonally. A weekly rubdown with a soft brush, rubber curry or grooming mitt removes loose hair and keeps the coat glossy. Grooming is minimal compared with many breeds, though they are still not shed-free.

There is no official published top speed for Manchester Terriers, but they are among the faster small breeds thanks to their whippet ancestry and were once used for racing rabbits. Like other quick small dogs, a fit Manchester can sprint in short bursts well beyond human running speed. Speed varies with age, fitness and weight.

Most Manchester Terriers need at least daily brisk walks plus active play, such as fetch or chances to sprint in a securely fenced area. Many also enjoy dog sports and scent or puzzle games that work their minds. Needs vary with age and individual energy, but a Manchester without enough activity often becomes restless, noisy or destructive.

No, Manchester Terriers are not hypoallergenic. Their short coat sheds lightly, and all dogs produce allergens in dander and saliva. Some people with mild allergies tolerate a Manchester better than heavier shedders, especially with regular brushing and cleaning. Anyone with allergies should spend time with the specific dog before adopting to see how they react.

We have 1 rescue with Manchester Terriers available: St. Francis Society Animal Rescue. You can see every rescue with Manchester Terriers available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Manchester Terriers near Tampa.

Explore Other Breeds in Tampa

Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in Tampa.