English Toy Terrier (Toy Manchester Terrier, Black and Tan)

The English Toy Terrier is a lively, brave and strong little dog with inquisitive sociable nature. This very old English breed can become a wonderful addition to both large and small families since it has rather moderate grooming and exercise requirements. But nowadays it’s much less fashionable than other miniature canine varieties and its population is dangerously small even in its native land.

The daring English Toy Terrier descends from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier and has common genes with the larger Manchester Terrier. It was named the Miniature Black and Tan Terrier until the 60s of the XX century although it’s conclusively known that it came to existence somewhere in the XVI century. The compactness of this dog made it a very useful assistant in hunting fox and other small game. In particular, it was charged with flushing the animal out of its den. It also was in high requisition in England in the XVIII century because of its superb talents in killing rats. All-around industrialisation caused significant growth of rat population in English cities and the breed quickly acquired reputation of a merciless rat exterminator.

In fact the English Toy Terrier was so proficient in catching rats that it became the breed of choice for rat pits. In this cruel entertainment the dog was supposed to dispatch as many rodents as possible in a predefined time. For example, in 1848 a black and tan Terrier weighing only 2.5 kg called Tiny allegedly settled goose with 300 rats in less than 60 minutes, which makes 5 rats per minute.

This inhuman sport was officially tabooed in 1898 when the English Kennel Club was established. Gradually the Terrier-type dogs came into vogue. But since people preferred miniature companions, breeders began using in their work the smallest dogs from limited number of strains. It inevitably led to heavy interbreeding and overall robustness of the English Toy Terrier suffered a great deal. Luckily several concerned breed fanciers united their efforts and save it from final degradation. The present-day Black and Tan is an athletic and sturdy little dog that suits splendidly for the role of a family pet.

The English Toy Terrier is characterized with reckless courage and curious mind. It wants to be close to its masters at all times and shows destructive tendencies if left without their company for too long. On the whole this dog likes kids but it’s notable for low tolerance to their boisterous games. It gets on much better with older and well-mannered children.

This breed is usually wary of unfamiliar people and greets all houseguests with resonant barking. So it can be entrusted with the duties of a watcher. Of course, this dog won’t defend your dwelling from unwanted visitors since it’s neither aggressive nor large enough.

The tiny Black and Tan will never be intimidated by the adversary, which is twice its size so it must be socialized in a very young age in order to get along with its counterparts. This breed is usually kind with those dogs with which it got acquainted in its puppyhood. At the same time it poses lethal danger for any non-canine pet that is smaller than a cat. As far as it concerns household cats, a properly socialized breed member commonly perceives them as a part of its pack.

The most common problems for the breed include:

· eye problems;

· arthritis;

· skin problems;

· patella luxation.

The grooming of the Black and Tan is an easy job. Its thick silky coat needs just rare brushing to stay in a tip-top condition. The breed is predisposed to skin problems so bathe your pet with special mild shampoos and only when it’s absolutely necessary.

Regular nail trimming is also highly important if your pet doesn’t grind them down naturally. Make sure to brush the dog’s teeth at least once a week and to clean its ears periodically to avoid ear infections.

The training of the English Toy Terrier requires a gentle and well-thought-out approach since this dog is prone to independent thinking and performs orders very reluctantly. It’s recommended to initiate learning process as early as possible, preferably from its first days in your dwelling.

This dog responds very negatively to rough housing and physical punishments, meaning its mistakes should be rectified with kind words rather than with screaming and other forms of harsh discipline. Reward the efforts of your pet with small bits of its favourite food and encouraging words.

The English Toy Terrier is a small yet vigorous dog that needs just two or three daily walks to be happy with its life. The fact is that it likes playing indoors and doesn’t demand a large fenced yard for such activities. The breed is also too tiny to make an agreeable companion for a jogger or bicyclist.

However it enjoys travelling with its master if it’s carried on his hands. The Black and Tan, which is deprived of all types of physical and mental stimulation, usually grows into a habit off hyper activity and destructiveness within the house