English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
No daily exercise
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Tina Taylor (HUNTERVAL)

tinataylorhunterval@gmail.com
See Details

Submitted by Lucinda rattray. Ffire Photography.

History

The English Toy Terrier can be traced back through the centuries, having been bred from the Manchester Terrier, which was previously known as the English Black and Tan Terrier. Dr Caius mentioned the Black and Tan Terrier in 1570 when writing to a friend, and Dogs: Their History and Development, published in 1927, mentioned that the Black and Tan Terrier was described in The Hours of the Virgin in approximately 1500. The English Toy Terrier has had a chequered career, being used for rodent control in earlier times. It was likely found onboard ships and on farms, and was later used for sport.

In Australia the breed was quite popular around the 1960s, though it faded in popularity over time until the 1990s when there were only two breeding pairs left in the country. Since then a concerted effort has been made to boost the gene pool. Several key sires with links to Australia’s standard have been imported, which has vastly improved temperament, conformation and acceptance of the breed. Care has been taken to adhere to the correct English Breed Standard, while avoiding extremes in the breed and fashion fads.

Temperament

The English Toy Terrier is a toy dog with terrier-like characteristics and no hint of frailty or weakness. Overall it is a very active dog that has a great zest for life. It is an alert, faithful and intelligent companion that is fast-maturing, mentally and physically. It is quick of eye, keen of hearing, brave and courageous. A completely dependable watchdog, the English Toy Terrier is rather suspicious of strangers, giving warning of any unusual noise or visitors.

Appearance

The English Toy Terrier has a short, shiny black coat set off by trimmings of rich red-brown. So much attention has been paid to colour and markings that the breed apparently hasn’t changed much since the 1900s and is recognised by its ‘candle flame’-shaped ears. English Toy Terriers are 25 to 30cm at the shoulder, with terrier characteristics. Its long, slightly arched neck leads to a narrow and deep chest. It is slightly rounded over the loin.

Health

The English Toy Terrier is relatively free from health issues and its average lifespan is 9–13 years. Dr Rob Zammit cautions that slipping kneecaps and poor hip joints can occur in English Toy Terriers. When buying a puppy, check that the parents don’t suffer from these problems.

Maintenance

The English Toy Terrier is easy to care for and requires bathing only when really necessary. It has a very short, single coat so very little brushing is required. A damp cloth will rejuvenate the gloss and sheen.

Suitability

This breed is suitable for both the elderly and young active families, as it requires very little exercise. Although a daily walk will benefit both owner and dog, it is quite active and cat-like, with a tendency to exercise itself. Being a small dog it makes a good flat-dweller if space is restricted. Over the years people have tended to mollycoddle this breed; however, bearing in mind its origin as a rat hunter, it really is a terrier in a toy’s body.

The English Toy Terrier makes a great companion dog and just needs to be with you. It is not a dog to be left in the backyard and forgotten.

Words & Image supplied by John Wills.

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the English Toy Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the English Toy Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 May 2009)

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Breed Standard - English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Well balanced, elegant and compact, sleek and cleanly built.

Characteristics

Toy with Terrier characteristics.

Temperament

Alert, remembering that historically he could acquit himself satisfactorily in the rat pit. Never unduly nervous.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head long, narrow, flat skull, wedge-shaped without emphasis of cheek muscles, well filled up under eyes. Top and bottom jaws held tightly together within compressed lips. Slight stop. Foreface tapers gently to provide wedge-shaped impression, in profile similar to that seen when viewed from front. Although an illusion of being overshot can result any suggestion of snipey appearance is undesirable. Nose black.
Eyes	Dark to black, without light shading from iris. Relatively small, almond shaped, obliquely set and sparkling.
Ears	Candle-flame shape, slightly pointed tips, placed high upon back of skull and proportionately close together. A guide to size can be obtained by bending ear forward - it should not reach eye. From nine months of age ear carriage must be erect. Entire inside of ear should face front. Leather of ear thin.
Mouth	Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. teeth level and strong.
Neck	Long, graceful, slightly arched. Shoulders well laid back. Line of neck flowing into shoulders, and sloping off elegantly. Throatiness undesirable.
Forequarters	Legs falling straight from shoulders with elbows close to chest providing a straight front. Fine bone eminently desirable.
Body	Body compact, head and legs proportionate thus producing correct balance. Back very slightly curving from behind shoulder to loin, falling again to root of tail. Chest narrow and deep with ribs well sprung. Loins well cut up. Buttocks gently rounded.
Hindquarters	Well-rounded loin leading to a good turn of stifle; hocks well let down; turning neither in nor out; a 'tucked under' appearance undesirable.
Feet	Dainty, compact; split up between toes; well arched, with jet black nails, two middle toes of front feet rather longer than others, hind feet cat-like. Hare feet undesirable.
Tail	Thick at root, tapering to point. Set low and not reaching below hock. 'Gay' tail undesirable if displayed to excess.
Gait/Movement	Ideal fore-movement akin to the 'extended trot'; hackney action not desirable; equally a 'shuffling gait' undesirable. Hind action smooth with ease and precision combined with drive, there should be flowing quality to indicate true soundness.
Coat	Thick, close and glossy. A density of short hair required.
Colour	Black and Tan. The black ebony, the tan likened to a new chestnut deeply rich. Colours not running or blending into each other, but meeting abruptly, forming clear and well defined lines of colour division. Forelegs tanned to knees in front. The tan then continuing inside and at back of forelegs to point just below elbows, the thin black line up each toe (penciling) and a clearly defined black mark (thumb mark) on centre of each pastern, and under chin. Hindlegs well tanned in front and inside with black bar dividing tan at centre of lower thigh. Heavy tan on outside of hindquarters (breeching) undesirable. Muzzle well tanned. Nose black, the black continuing along top of muzzle, curving below eyes to base of throat. A tan spot above each eye and a small tan spot on each cheek. Under jaw and throat tanned, lip line black. Hair inside ears tan (tan behind ears undesirable). Each side of chest has some tan. Vent and under root of tail, tan. White hairs forming a patch anywhere totally undesirable.
Size	Ideal weight: 2.7-3.6 kg (6-8 lbs)Ideal height: 25-30 cms (10-12 ins) at the shoulder.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.