If not regulated your typical Manchester Terrier would eat much more than needed to maintain its optimal weight. My Manchesters are fed a carefully measured amount of food. Adults eat twice a day and puppies need three meals daily until they are around six months old. Feeding at the same time everyday to establish a routine or schedule. I always feed my dogs in their crate to avoid any competition and also to monitor their intake. That way I am aware if there is any change in appetite and possible illness in beginning stages. The recommended amounts must be adjusted to meet you own dogs daily activity level. A couch potato definitely needs less food than a dog that is more active. Just as growing puppies need more food than they will as an adult. Make sure that you keep your Manchester on the leaner side, they should have a waistline; not be shaped like a sausage. The worst thing you can do for your dog is to over feed it. Obesity among our canine friends is the number one cause of disease and ill health. Yes, you can certainly shorten your animal friends life by overfeeding and allowing it to become fat. So do keep that in mind when giving in to those sad begging eyes, your dog will be rewarded with a long and healthy life.
 
What to Feed
We use and recommend a premium dry dog food called Pro Plan performance formula made by Purina for all my breeding and show dogs. Around the age of seven years I switch them to Pro Plan senior formula. It has great palatability to encourage healthy eating, and the kibbles are small and easy to chew. I find this agrees well with my Manchesters and keeps them in nice condition with the addition of some of the following. Raw beef marrowbones, or knuckle bones, sold as soup bones in the grocery store, given twice a month or so. My guys will occasionally get small bits of fresh fruit, apples, bananas, melon, also veggies like raw carrots, celery, and broccoli. As a treat I will add a little can tuna juice to dry kibble. Maybe once a month I will buy a can of human grade sardines in oil or mackerel and give each dog a small portion instead of their regular meal. I believe in variety in my dogs diet, and keep my treats and supplements to around the 10% level, with 90% of the diet coming from a quality dog kibble.

Amounts To Feed
I will normally add a small amount of warm water (2 tablespoons) to the dry kibble just before serving, that way they will get a nice warm meal. I will add a spoonful of a premium quality all natural canned food mixed with the dry kibble, to encourage picky eaters or to help put and keep weight on thin dogs or dogs under stress.

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Do feel free to contact us with any questions or problems you may encounter concerning nutrition. We have had Manchesters in our lives now for over 25 years and have learned what foods seem to make them thrive.