Manchester Terrier History
The following is a brief overview of the breed's history
in both its native England and America:
In England
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.
In the United States
As in its native country the Manchester gained quick acceptance
as a recognized breed. In 1886, just two years after the
American Kennel Club was organized, the first Black and
Tan Terrier was registered in the stud book. The following
year "Lever" (AKC #7585) became the first AKC
recognized Manchester Terrier.
The 20th century is dotted 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.
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