GROUP 1 - TOYS

Brief History
Long before Manchester was the home of great football teams, it was the seat of England’s textile and manufacturing trade. The English Toy Terrier came into existence in the 19th century as a vermin hunter and formidable adversary in the rat pit. Its distant forebears were the smooth Black and Tan Terriers which have a documented history going back to the 16th century. From the Black and Tans came the Manchester Terriers and from small specimens of this breed the English Toy Terrier was developed. During the Victorian era, tiny dogs were much admired with the consequence that English Toys were bred smaller and smaller to satisfy the demands of the fashionable. The English Toy Terrier is considered a vulnerable native breed, with less than 100 being born in their country of origin each year.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 14 to 17 years.

Temperament
Although shown in the Toy group, the English Toy Terrier is a terrier first and a toy second.  He is alert, aloof, often stand-offish with people he does not know, but never unduly nervous. However, to his owner he is charming, intelligent, loving, inquisitive and loyal.

General Breed Description
The English Toy Terrier possesses a unique and distinctive beauty. He is characterised by a clean and gracious outline, which is elegant and well-muscled yet sleek and cleanly built. His coat is ebony black, enhanced by rich chestnut markings.  The head is long and lean with his beautiful, erect, fine ears that should resemble the flame of a candle.

Coat and Care Requirements
With the coat being short and with minimal shedding, grooming and care is very basic. A brush once a week suffices. Nail trimming is recommended every 1 to 2 weeks, and a bath when required.

Size
Height: 25 to 30cms (10 to 12ins).

Weight: 2.7 to 3.6kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The English Toy Terrier is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Patella Luxation, Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – (hereditary heart condition) a DNA screening test is available, Von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder that causes poor clotting, and is similar to haemophilia, however a screening test is available. Demodetic mange, a skin condition caused by the presence of a certain type of mites, is also sometimes present, but this condition can easily be treated with veterinary assistance. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs in the ETT rarely.

Suitability
The English Toy Terrier is good with children but is unlikely to be patient with teasing or clumsy handling, so they are best suited to families with older, more considerate children. They can be quite sociable with other dogs, but care must be taken with small domestic pets as scurrying movements will trigger their instinct to chase. Gardens need to be well fenced as the English Toy Terrier is an inquisitive breed with an independent streak and their curiosity and self-confidence may lead them to stray into trouble. The English Toy Terrier is at home in city or country, apartment or farm; wherever his owner is, that is where they find comfort and contentment.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs.  With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular, the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/22