English Toy Terrier
The English Toy Terrier is a small toy dog, a miniature version of the Manchester Terrier, with the characteristics typical of this breed: they are agile, intelligent, and courageous. Toys are incredibly affectionate to their owners. They are an excellent breed for a small apartment; they are undemanding, healthy, and easy to care for and maintain.
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History of origin
Cynologists believe that the ancestors of toy terriers are the black and tan terrier and larger dogs. Manchester Terrier breed, also do not exclude the infusion of Italian greyhound and whippet blood.
In 16th-century paintings, one can see images of dogs that closely resemble the English Toy Terrier, and as early as the 18th century, a detailed description of the breed, which was developed for catching rats, even featured competitions between specimens. In 1826, Toy Terriers were exhibited and remained favorites of the English nobility until the early 18th century. They later appeared in Germany, France, and the United States.
At first, all black and tan terriers differed only in weight, but in 1920 they were officially divided into two breeds: the Manchester Terrier and the English Black and Tan Terrier, for which the name "English Toy Terrier" was adopted in 1962.
Today, the English Toy is considered an endangered breed. In order to preserve and expand the existing gene pool, the Kennel Club of England decided to open a special stud book in which, under the name Toy Terrier, North American and Manchester Terriers that have passed the appropriate selection and evaluation are registered.
The English Kennel Club and the FCI recognize the breed as an independent one, while American dog breeders consider the English Toy Terrier to be a variety of the Manchester Terrier.
English Toy Terrier Slideshow:
Appearance and standards
Toy Terriers are compact, elegant, and harmoniously complex dogs with a dry build. They stand up to 30 cm at the withers and weigh up to 4 kg.
The head is elongated, wedge-shaped, and narrow. The stop is moderately defined, and all contours of the muzzle are smoothed. The upper and lower jaws are tightly closed. The bite is scissor-like. The nose is black. The eyes are small, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, and the iris is dark. The ears have pointed tips, are set high, moderately close together, and are carried erect. The inner ear faces forward. The neck is graceful, elongated, and flows smoothly into the shoulders. The topline is slightly sloping back, and the back is slightly arched. The chest is deep and narrow. The tail is set low, tapering to a tip and should not reach below the hocks.
The coat is short, very dense, and shiny. Only one color is permitted: black and tan. Tan markings behind the ears are undesirable, and white markings are unacceptable.
Education and training
It's important to begin training and basic obedience training as early as possible, including socialization. Training English Toy Terriers is rarely difficult; these dogs are quite intelligent and quick-witted, but they may need some time to adapt to their new environment and owner. When teaching your puppy to behave, avoid scolding them without reason or frightening them with loud shouts. Toy Terriers can be willful and stubborn; they may know a command, but won't obey it if they find something more interesting to do.
Due to their active and energetic nature, Toy Terriers require regular walks and outdoor playtime. This will help prevent damage to household items and simply provide them with joy. In poor weather, the dog may be limited to indoor play and litter box use.
Character and psychological portrait
The English Toy has a lively temperament and typical terrier qualities: courageous, intelligent, and friendly, it is extremely loyal to its owner, appreciates company, and always strives to be the center of attention. Terriers are wary of strangers and do not recognize anyone outside the family.
The Miniature Terrier retains its hunting instincts, so it may perceive small pets as prey. It generally gets along well with other dogs, though problems may arise if two males are kept under the same roof. The Miniature Terrier is good with children, but families with very small children who could harm the dog are not recommended to get a Miniature Toy Terrier.
Maintenance and care
The English Toy Terrier is a great choice for apartment living. It doesn't take up or require much space; a small bed and a few toys will suffice. It can be litter-trained.
Grooming is very simple; a couple of times a week, simply brushing the short coat with a cloth mitt or a special mitt for smooth-haired breeds is sufficient. The breed has virtually no distinctive odor, so bathing is only necessary when absolutely necessary. It's advisable to accustom your pet to essential hygiene procedures from puppyhood, such as cleaning its ears, eyes, and teeth, and trimming its nails. For walks in cold weather, appropriate clothing is recommended, and in hot weather, care should be taken to protect the dog from heatstroke.
Diet and health
There are no special feeding requirements for a Toy Terrier. The main requirement is a healthy and balanced diet. The dog can be fed natural food, but given its small size and the small portions that need to be prepared regularly with careful ingredient calculations, it's much more convenient to choose high-quality prepared food. This applies to premium-grade food or better. Canned food is sometimes added to regular food, and dry food is not mixed with natural food.
Due to their short coats, English Toy Terriers are prone to overheating and become very cold in cold weather. They are also prone to hereditary health problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, lens luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, and Peters' disease. Due to their brittle bones, they are prone to fractures. Representatives of the breed can be sensitive to anesthetics. Dental problems are common, especially in adulthood. Life expectancy is 10-13 years.
Choosing a puppy and the price of an English Toy Terrier
As already noted, English Toy Terriers are quite rare, with only a few breeders breeding this breed on the side. The high cost of puppies forces unscrupulous breeders to sell Miniature Pinschers, Russian Toy Terriers, or Manchester Terriers as Toy Terriers. Distinguishing between these three breeds can be quite difficult when looking at miniature puppies, so you should only buy a dog from specialized breeders registered with the Kennel Club and able to provide documentation not only for the puppies but also for the pedigree of the parents, who must meet the breed standard.
The price for a good Toy Terrier puppy starts at $800.
Photos
English Toy Terrier Photos:
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