The Manchester Terrier
The early
1800s saw times of poor sanitation in England. Rats soon became a
health menace and rat killing became a popular sport. John Hulme,
enthusiastic devotee of the sport of rat killing and rabbit coursing,
crossed a Whippet to a cross bred terrier to produce a tenacious,
streamlined animal infinitely suited to the sport. (Perhaps the Whippet
influence explains the unusual topline of the Manchester still required
today). This cross proved so successful that it was repeated, resulting
in the establishment of a definite type -- thus the Manchester Terrier
was born.
By
1827 the breed's fighting spirit had made it equally handy along a
hedge row as in a rat-pit. The Manchester could tackle, with silent
determination, an opponent twice its size. Ears were cropped to save
risk of being torn in frequent scraps. (This also enhanced the sharp
appearance of the expression). When rat-killing became illegal in
England rat-pits were supplanted by dining halls or public inns, all
of which were infested by rats. To combat the rodent problem each
inn kept kennels. When the taprooms closed, who do you think took
command? The little Black and Tan rat killers who proved their worth
one hudred-fold to the inn keeper.
1860
saw the Manchester district of England as the breed center for these
"Rat Terriers" and the name Manchester Terrier surfaced.
Smaller specimens began to gain appeal. Unethical persons were known
to introduce Chihuahuas in order to reduce size to as small as 2 1/2
pounds! This resulted in numerous problems, including apple heads,
thinning coats, and poppy eyes. Inbreeding further diminished size
yet the smaller versions, though delicate and sickly, remained popular
for some time.
Smaller
Manchesters were carried in specially designed leather pouches suspended
from the rider's belt, (earning the title of "Groom's Pocket
Piece"). With their smaller stature these dogs obviously could
not keep up with the hounds, but when the hounds ran the fox into
dense thickets they were not able to penetrate, the little Manchester
Terrier was released. Nicknamed the "Gentleman's Terrier"
this breed was never a "sissy." His dauntless spirit commanded
respect.
manpower
and Tan Terrier was registered in the stud book. The following year
"Lever" became the first AKC recognized Manchester Terrier.
The
20ted by the recognition of breed clubs devoted to preserving and
promoting this breed:
In
1923 the "Manchester Terrier Club of America" was recognized,
1934 saw the Toy Black and Tan Terrier changed to Toy Manchester Terrier,
and in 1938 the "American Toy Manchester Terrier Club" was
recognized.
By
1952, however, the "Manchester Terrier Club of America"
(Standards) was without organized breed representation. To the credit
of the "American Toy Manchester Terrier Club", the two breeds
were combined as one (with two Varieties - Standard & Toy) with
the formation of the "American Manchester Terrier Club"
in 1958, an organization which still survives today.
Manchester
Terriers are considered by most to be the oldest of all identifiable
terrier breeds, finding mention in works dating from as early as the
16th century. In 1570 Dr. Caius (Encyclopedia of Dogs) gives mention
to the 'Black and Tan Terrier,' though he referred to a rougher coated,
shorter legged dog than we are now accustomed to.
By
the early 1800s a closer facsimile to the current Manchester Terrier
had evolved. In The Dog in Health and Disease by J. A. Walsh a full
chapter was devoted to the Black and Tan, for the first time recognizing
it as an established breed. The description Walsh set forth might,
in fact, serve well today: Smooth haired, long tapering nose, narrow
flat skull, eyes small and bright, chest rather deep than wide, only
true color Black and Tan.
Consistency
in type and appearance this breed has maintained for nearly two centuries
(at the very least).
Two Hundred Rats per Hour - in 1849, according to the Museum of London, publican Jimmy Shaw, owner of the Blue Anchor Tavern in Burnhill Row, Finsbury, near London, entertained customers with a display that was as disgusting by today's standards as it was intriguing. He made wagers that his Manchester terrier Tiny the Wonder could dispatch 200 rats in a specially built sixty-square-foot arena with three-foot-high wooden sides, and set out to prove it. Several dozen well-dressed and top-hatted gentlemen turned up to witness this event, as a commemorative painting found in the museum clearly shows. As he had done exactly one year before, Tiny did indeed pay off for his master, "having on both occasions time to spare." Records show that Shaw's public house became an ongoing venue for ratting contests and was outfitted to store as many as 2,000 of the unfortunate rodents in the cellar.
Breed Clubs and Societies
BRITISH MANCHESTER TERRIER CLUB. Sec: Miss C Wicker. Tel No: 01603 449383
This breed of dog is a 'Vulnerable Native Breed'.
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