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English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
Other Names | Black & Tan |
Country of Origin | Great Britain |
Weight | 6 - 8 lbs. (2.5 - 3.5 kg) |
Height (at withers) | 10 - 12 in. (25 - 30 cm) |
Coat | Thick, close and glossy |
Colour | Black and tan |
Litter Size | 1 - 3 puppies, average 2 |
Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
Origin & History | The English Toy Terrier (ETT) developed from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier and is closely related to the larger Manchester Terrier. Extremely fast and agile, the origins of this alert terrier are in the world of the rat pit, a sport popular in the cities of Victorian England where terriers were placed in a circle or pit with a number of rats and bets were taken as to which dog would kill its quota of rats in the fastest time. Small dogs were highly prized with the ideal being to produce the smallest dog still capable of killing its quota of rats in as short a time as possible. In 1848 a black and tan terrier weighing just 5 1⁄2 pounds (2.5 kg) named Tiny is recorded to have killed 300 rats in less than an hour. The outlawing of this sport coincided with the formation of the Kennel Club. With its elegant appearance the Black and Tan Terrier moved effortlessly into the conformation show ring. At the first ever all breeds dog show there was a very respectable entry of Black and Tan Terriers divided by weight. This weight division continued with two varieties of Black and Tan Terrier until the 1920s when they were split into two breeds, the larger Manchester Terrier and the smaller Black and Tan Terrier (Miniature). The name English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) was adopted in 1962. Black and Tan Terriers of all sizes were exported to Canada and the USA, founding a population which was largely isolated from the European one until very recently. In North America the two sizes were also split into two breeds until 1958 when declining numbers of the Standard Manchester Terrier prompted the American Kennel Club to re-defined them as a single breed with two varieties; Standard and Toy. |
Personality | Most English toy terriers are lovable, friendly, intelligent, very loud and love to bark. They enjoy exercise, but they also like plenty of cuddles. |
Care Requirements
Health | Breed health concerns may include patellar luxation. |
Grooming | The Black and Tan Hound is a very low maintenance dog. It should never need professional grooming; only an occasional brushing is necessary. A quick rubdown with a chamois cloth will keep the breed’s sheen. Black and Tan Hound’s do shed, and some of them shed quite heavily. This breed is not ideally suited to those with allergies or who simply hate to clean up dog hair. As is the case with all drop-eared breeds, the Black and Tan Hound needs to have its ears cleaned regularly. Doing so will prevent the buildup of dirt and crime which can cause irritations and infections. After a day in the field, breed members should be carefully checked and examined for injuries as this tough and driven animal will continue working without any complaint. |
Exercise | Black and Tan Hound need extensive daily running to be happy. They need to be taken on a daily, long, brisk walk or jog where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the human holding the lead, as in a dog's mind, the leader leads the way. They can become high strung and/or destructive if they are lacking in exercise and/or structure. They may take off after any interesting scent, so do not take the Black and Tan Hound off its leash unless you are in a safe area. |
Other Considerations | While it can live in an apartment, it may perform better in a small yard. It is important for owners to make sure this dog is never unleashed in an unsecured area, as it may run off in the direction of the first interesting scent it picks up. It is important for owners to make sure these dogs are given lots of space to move around in. |