The English Toy Terrier is a small breed of dog that was developed in England and was originally used for the sport of rat pitting. These dogs are known by several different names today including English Toy Terriers, Black and Tan Toy Terriers, Toy Manchester Terriers, ETTs and Black and Tan Toy Manchester Terriers. English Toy Terriers were created by crossing Black and Tan Terriers with Whippets. The results were larger Manchester Terriers, which were then bred down in size to create the English Toy Terriers we know today. These dogs were developed for the sport of rat pitting, and the smaller dogs were preferred due to their speed and agility. The dogs were also often used to kill rats in barns and taken on hunting trips to flush foxes out of their dens. These little dogs are thought to be the first toy dogs in English history. While ETTs of today still possess strong hunting instincts, they are sweet dogs that also make great companions.
English Toy Terriers are small dogs that typically weigh between six and nine pounds fully grown. They have short stiff hair that is black with tan or chestnut markings. This is a graceful-looking dog with long legs, a long tail, dark eyes and triangular prick ears that are set high on the head.
Personality
ETTs love attention and are very loyal to their human family members. However, they are also extremely alert and wary of strangers. Males tend to be quite aggressive among each other and should not be kept together without proper training. Due to their strong hunting instincts, English Toy Terriers can be very active and may become bored easily. The English Toy Terrier is a lovely small dog that hold its roots in England as an excellent ratter. Nevertheless, today's ETTs are simply cherished companions and lap dogs. If you are looking for a little dog that is loyal, lively and easy to train, you may want to consider an English Toy Terrier.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 13 years |
| Nicknames: | Black and Tan Toy Terriers, Toy Manchester Terriers, ETTs, Black and Tan Toy Manchester Terriers |
English Toy Terrier Build Information
English Toy Terriers are small dogs that typically weigh between six and nine pounds fully grown. They have short stiff hair that is black with tan or chestnut markings. This is a graceful-looking dog with long legs, a long tail, dark eyes and triangular prick ears that are set high on the head.
| Size: | Small |
Behaviour and Personality
ETTs love attention and are very loyal to their human family members. However, they are also extremely alert and wary of strangers. Males tend to be quite aggressive among each other and should not be kept together without proper training. Due to their strong hunting instincts, English Toy Terriers can be very active and may become bored easily. The English Toy Terrier is a lovely small dog that hold its roots in England as an excellent ratter. Nevertheless, today's ETTs are simply cherished companions and lap dogs. If you are looking for a little dog that is loyal, lively and easy to train, you may want to consider an English Toy Terrier.
| Activity Level: | Active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
The English Toy Terrier requires little grooming other than an occasional bath when necessary. However, you will want to check its ears from time to time for any excess wax buildup or signs of infection. Additionally, if the nails grow overly long, you will want to clip them with guillotine-type nail clippers.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Low maintenance |
English Toy Terrier Common Health Conditions
There are health issues that have been reported in the breed including patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, fading pup syndrome and weak hip joints. Additionally, since they are a fine-boned breed, overly active dogs can be prone to fractured legs.
English Toy Terrier Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
Due to their delicate bones, English Toy Terriers do not make good pets for families with small children. Unlike most other toy breeds, the English Toy Terrier is very confident and rarely displays nervousness. English Toy Terriers can be traced all the way back to the 16th century. Most English Toy Terriers are robust little dogs that can live as long as 13 years or longer.
| Training: | Moderately easy |