English Toy Terrier

Quick Facts

Introduction

The English toy terrier is a small dog breed that belongs to the toy dog group. They were bred in the 19^th century originally as a vermin hunter that were small enough to hunt rats. They made the transition from rat hunter to companion dog very successfully. Known for its glossy black-and-tan coat, lively personality, and loyalty, the English Toy Terrier makes a charming yet spirited companion for the right household.

History and Origins

They were developed in England from now-extinct breeds known as the old English black and tan terrier dog breeds. The English toy terrier was bred for speed and agility for rat pitting, where the dogs were placed in a pit with rats and bet on how fast they could catch and kill the rats.

Soon after rat pitting was outlawed, their elegant appearance in the show ring led to their recognition by The Kennel Club (UK) in the late 19th century, but only the black and tan coloration is recognized.

In the United States, the Toy Manchester Terrier is a closely related breed that shares ancestry with the English Toy Terrier, but they are recognized as separate breeds by major kennel clubs.  However, the English Toy Terrier is considered a Vulnerable Native Breed by the UK Kennel Club because of its rarity. There are only a small number of puppies registered each year.

English Toy Terrier vs. Manchester Terrier

The Manchester Terrier and the English Toy Terrier are closely related but are considered separate breeds. These dogs share the same ancestry, but have the following differences:

1. Manchester terrier (US): Has a jet-black coat with chestnut markings and a small body with a sleek coat. Here we get larger standard as well as toy varieties.
2. English toy terrier (UK): Fast and agile with a black and tan coat, and was bred for hunting vermin like rats. They are smaller, toy-sized (10–12 inches).

Appearance

English Toy Terriers are compact, elegant dogs with an athletic frame. This gives them a sharp, alert look. They have a sleek and glossy black coat, which is marked by rich chestnut tan points and almond-shaped eyes with pointed ears. Their coats are smooth and do not require much grooming.

English toy terriers are quite small dogs, only reaching an adult size of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm). They are a small dog breed, which makes them suitable for apartment living, and they do not require a large garden to run in, so a small yard will suffice. The English toy terrier is easy to pick up and handle due to their small size, and they rarely weigh more than 6 to 8 pounds (3 to 4 kg) as a healthy adult weight.

Temperament

English toy terriers have a playful and affectionate temperament; however, some individuals may be quite skittish and prone to separation anxiety when away from their owners. Overall, their temperament is quite pleasant and desirable, and they have curious, intelligent, and warm traits that make them well-mannered dogs.

Some downsides to the English toy terrier’s temperament are that they are prone to excessive yapping, just like many other small dog breeds. They may bark or yap at strangers, passersby on a walk, other dogs, or even to get your attention. These behaviors shouldn’t be a major problem in this dog breed if they are well-trained; however, it is something to consider if you plan to keep them in a quiet apartment.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning English Toy Terriers

Care and Maintenance

The English toy terrier is considered to be a fairly low-maintenance dog. This is because they have low grooming and exercise requirements in comparison to large dog breeds.

Grooming

The English toy terrier has a short, sleek coat that does not require much grooming. A brush a few times a month will suffice. They should be washed every three to six weeks. That frequency depends on how much hair they shed or if they get dirty quickly. Your English toy terrier will need to have its nails trimmed every couple of months to prevent overgrowth. Also, check their ears and teeth often to keep them clean.

Exercise

English toy terriers have low exercise requirements, and exercise should be fairly low. They will benefit from half an hour of gentle exercise each day. This can be a short walk or a game of fetch in a secure area.

Most of their activity levels seem to be contained by running around the house or jumping around furniture during the day. Even though they have low exercise requirements, you still need to provide your English toy terrier with mental and physical stimulation through toys or interactive games once a day to prevent boredom.

Training

You can easily train the English toy terrier because their intelligence and loyalty make them eager to learn. Although this dog breed can be stubborn or even independent at times, they can be housetrained over time. The best age to train an English toy terrier is when they are still in their puppy stage. It is possible to train them as they get older, though.

Sometimes training can be a challenge. That’s why having a good reward system, such as treats, is good when training. As with all dogs, this allows them to associate training with a positive experience.

Health and Lifespan

The English toy terrier is a relatively healthy dog breed that is prone to few genetic or other chronic health issues. As long as they are fed a healthy and balanced diet, get enough exercise, regularly interact, and have regular veterinarian check-ups, then they will be able to remain healthy for most of their life. However, even the most well-looked-after English toy terrier is not exempt from disease, genetic conditions, or other health issues.

These are the most common health issues you should expect in the English toy terrier dog breed:

• Cataracts: A cloudy appearance in the dog’s eye, usually caused by old age.
• Patellar Luxation: A dislocated patella is usually inherited from the parents; however, it can happen due to an injury unrelated to genetics.
• Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy: An inherited and fatal disease that results in a birth defect due to genetics. It is a heart disease that can affect young dogs.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: A chronic and degenerative disease in dogs that affects their femur bone, which results in hip collapses.
• Xanthinuria: A hereditary, rare autosomal disorder that affects the metabolism in dogs and is categorized into type 1 (xanthine dehydrogenase) and type 2 (molybdenum cofactor sulfurase).

It is important to take your English toy terrier to the vet frequently, especially as a puppy or senior. Healthy adult English toy terriers will need a regular health check-up by a veterinarian at least once a year. Early detection of certain illnesses is usually easier to treat, which ensures your English toy terrier will have a fast recovery. They have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years with proper care.

Diet and Nutrition

Like all dogs, the English toy terrier is an omnivore that needs both plants and vegetables in their diet. You can choose from a well-rounded pelleted food formulated for small toy dog breeds, or you can choose a high-quality wet, raw, or freeze-dried food.

Since the English toy terrier is an active dog breed that uses a lot of energy throughout the day, they will benefit from a protein-rich diet with minimal carbohydrates in their diet as an adult. A balance of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals is a good option for this breed.

Puppies

English toy terrier puppies are bursting with energy, but their small size can make them fragile when they are young. Puppies can start their training at around 8 weeks of age. They should learn the basic house-training cues during this time. Puppies can be distracted easily, so they need a lot of patience to care for.

A balanced small dog food suited for puppies will suffice until they are an adult at one year old. They should be provided with plenty of toys and fun games to keep them busy.

English Toy Terriers and Families

Children and English toy terriers can get along quite well, but their energy levels and temperament are better suited for older children who know how to handle this fragile dog’s small size. They are not known to be aggressive to children, but they might bark or run away if they feel scared of a child trying to pick them up.

Since the English toy terrier can become possessive over food and toys, they might not be happy if it is taken away from them by children who are trying to play, and they might lash out. However, if they are socialized with children and have had a positive experience, then this is rarely a problem.

The English Toy Terrier does best with families where there are no other small prey animals, like hamsters, rabbits, or guinea pigs.

Dogs Similar To English Toy Terriers

Several small dog breeds share some degree of similarity to the English toy terrier. This includes a resemblance to the English toy terriers’ size and body structure.

• Cairn terrier: An energetic and alert small dog breed with a wiry coat and small size originating from the Scottish Highlands.
• Löwchen: A non-shedding dog breed with a long, flowing coat that is European.
• Tibetan spaniel: A fancy small dog breed with a soft and long coat originating from Tibet.
• Ibizan hound: A medium to large-sized dog from the hound family with a smooth, short coat originating from the Balearic Islands

Famous English Toy Terrier

There is one English toy terrier that became popular in 1848 when they were made to fight in rat pits. An English toy terrier named “Tiny” became famous after reportedly killing 300 rats in less than an hour, which shows how brave and quick these small dogs can be when put to the test. Tiny was a miniature black and tan terrier with a “bigger bite than bark”.