Terriers

The Manchester Terrier. The present-day breed was developed in Manchester, England, where rat killing and rabbit coursing were popular pastimes. One breeder, seeking a dog skilled in both pursuits, crossed a Whippet, with the old rat killer. The result was the handsome Manchester: trim, fast, and lethal to vermin.

With the ban on ear cropping the quality and popularity of the Manchester deteriorated.

The Manchester Terrier is a smart, upstanding dog, clean-built in every line, with a smooth, glossy coat. The colour is jet black and a rich machogany tan. There must be a well-defined division between the two colours, they should never run into one another. The head is long, flat, and narrow. It is wedge-shaped without showing cheek muscles. Tapering, tight-lipped jaws; almond eyes, very small, sparkling, and dark, placed fairly close together. The drop ear is correct. Tail is not docked, it is of moderate length, thick at the root and tapering to a point, and not carried higher than the back. Height about 16 inches.

The Norfolk and the Norwich Terriers. Similar to each other in appearance and ancestry except for the carriage of the ears. The Norfolk has a dropped ear and the Norwich an erect one. The British Kennell Club allowed the two varieties to become separate breeds in 1964, but in America they are all known as Norwich Terriers. These are lovable little dogs with steady affectionate temperaments. They stand about 10 inches at the shoulder and are usually red or wheaten in colour. The hard wiry coat should not be trimmed. In contrast to the short hair on the head, the longer, harsher coat on the neck and shoulders almost forms a mane. He is a low, short-legged, stocky dog, with a short, compact back. The head is foxy, the muzzle sharply pointed. Skull broad - a long narrow fox terrier head is a fault. Tail medium-docked. Forelegs should be short and as straight as possible, but lowness to ground should not be sacrificed to ultra-straight fronts.

Their general carriage is unmitigated swagger, giving the impression that in their own estimation they are the salt of the earth. They have an amazing capacity lor finding their way back from strange surroundings, and are very much one-man dogs, capable of immense devotion; they are very gay, very gallant, big-hearted little dogs.