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Manchester Terrier

Historyof the Manchester Terrier

Like many breeds of pedigree dog, the origins of the Manchester Terrier are obscure. We are unlikely to ever know the true origins of the breed, although recent advances in genetic science may result in more light being shed on the subject.The earliest known illustration of a black and tan terrier type dog appears in the illustrated manuscript 'The Hours of the Virgin' This document has been dated at around 1500.The ancestors of the Manchester were well known in Tudor times, so clearly it had emerged as a recognisable type of dog well before then. The earliest known written description comes from Dr Caius, once the physician to Queen Elizabeth I. He described, in detail, small black and tan coloured, terrier type dogs, working as ratters, that bear a remarkable resemblance to later documented examples of the type. Early Documented History Through the 1600's information on these dogs is scarce, but smooth coated types were occasionally documented during this period. The pictorial record suggests that these dogs were not an uncommon sight.
It is likely that during this time the reputation for black and tan coloured terrier type dogs being good rodent killers became established.A quotation from Bewick's book, 'The General History of Quadrupeds', published in 1790, states: There are two types of terrier, one being smooth and sleek, beautifully formed, reddish brown in colour with tanned legs, and is similar to the rough terrier in disposition and faculties, but smaller in size, strengh and hardiness.' Daniel, in his 1802 book, 'Rural Sports', writes about 'Types of terriers which are elegant and sprightly, with smooth coats, black in body and tanned on the leg.' It would appear that the black and tan terrier was already showing the elegance and agility that typify the Manchester Terrier.The black and tan terrier of these times was a working dog, used as a ratter, particularly in buildings, to control vermin. Being very efficient ratters, black and tan terriers were a widespread choice of dog for rat catchers during the 19th century. One of the most famous was Jack Black. He lived and worked in London around the 1850's, and was once the Royal Ratcatcher.

GENERAL APPEARANCE *** Compact, elegant and sound with substance.

CHARACTERISTICS *** Keen, alert, gay and sporting.

TEMPERAMENT *** Discerning and devoted.

HEAD AND SKULL *** Long skull, flat and narrow, level and wedge-shaped, without showing cheek muscles, well filled up under eyes, with tapering, tight-lipped mouth.

EYES *** Small, dark and sparkling. Almond shaped, not prominent.

EARS *** Small and V-shaped, carried well above the top line of head and hanging close to head above eyes.

MOUTH *** Jaw level, with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK *** Fairly long and tapering from shoulder to head and slightly arched at crest; free from throatiness.

FOREQUARTERS *** Shoulders clean and well-sloped. Front narrow and deep. Forelegs quite straight, set on well under dog; and proportionate length to body.

BODY *** Short with well sprung ribs, slightly arched over the loin and cut up behind ribs.

HINDQUARTERS *** Strong and muscular, well bent at stifle. Hind legs neither cow-hocked nor with feet turned in.

FEET *** Small, semi-harefooted and strong with well arched toes.

TAIL *** Short and set on where arch of back ends, thick where it joins body, tapering to a point, carried not higher than level of back.

GAIT/MOVEMENT *** Straight, free and balanced with good reaching forequarters and driving power in hindquarters.

COAT *** Close, smooth, short and glossy, of firm texture.

COLOUR *** Jet black and rich mahogany tan distributed as follows: on head, muzzle tanned to nose, nose and nasal bone jet black. Small tan spot on each cheek and above each eye, under-jaw and throat tanned with distinct tan V. Legs from knee downward tanned with exception of toes which shall be pencilled with black, a distinct black mark (thumbmark) immediately above feet. Inside hind legs tanned but divided with black at stifle joint. Under tail tanned, vent tanned by marking as narrow as possible so that it is covered by tail. A slight tan mark on each side of chest. Tan outside hind legs, commonly called breeching, is undesirable. In all cases black should not run into tan or vice versa, but division between colours clearly defined.

SIZE *** Ideal height: Dogs 40-41 cms (16 ins) at shoulders, Bitches 38 cms (15 ins) at shoulders.

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.

NOTE *** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Engeland 1934