English Toy Terrier: an aristocrat with history

Back in the 16th century, images of miniature dogs that looked similar to the modern toy terrier appeared on canvases. Today he is a compact, but strong and energetic dog. He adores his owner, to whom he is infinitely devoted. The English Toy Terrier will become a family favorite. The main thing when keeping an animal is to surround it with care and proper care.

Breed characteristics

Breed standard and description

Dogs of the British Terrier breed are distinguished by their small stature and rather graceful physique. The doggies reach a height of approximately 31 cm, with an average weight of 3 kg. There are some breed standards that are worth paying attention to:

• The head is long, wedge-like. The skull is rather narrow, the transition from the nose to the forehead is poorly defined. The length of the muzzle is equal to the length of the head, the nose is black and voluminous.
• The ears are large, pointed, directed upward and slightly forward. In past times they were cropped, but now such a procedure is prohibited.
• The eyes are often black, located close to each other, the outer corner is slightly raised up. Eyes that are too prominent or small are considered a fault.
• The neck is quite elegant, slightly arched, widening towards the withers.
• The withers are developed and muscular.
• The back is straight, with well-developed muscles, the groin area is wide.
• The croup is rounded.
• The dog's stomach is retracted and his chest is quite narrow.
• The tail is small and mobile.
• The limbs are straight, developed, fingers are small and neat.

English Tor Terriers have very short hair, a little harsh and shiny. Basically, dogs are distinguished by a black color with quite bright tan; there should be no white spots.

Dogs have short black hair

History of the origin of the species

Back in the 16th century, artists painted similar dogs on their canvases. Pets were used to protect agriculture (mills, barns) from rats. John Hulme, a resident of Manchester, crossed such a dog with Uppet and received a new graceful dog. Similar experiments were then carried out in all corners of England, but it was the Manchester one that had the most outstanding physical qualities.

Manchester Toy Terrier

At the beginning of the 18th century, the breed began to win the love of the British. Exhibitions were held that showed that all terriers vary greatly in appearance (color, height). Thus began the division into two branches - large dogs were classified as Manchester Terriers, and small black and half-painted dogs were classified as English Terriers.

The division finally ended in 1962. But the popularity of miniature dogs in America has waned. Therefore, the American standard does not consider Toychikov as a separate breed, but considers it a growth variety.

Now, in order to save the breed, English dog handlers have created a separate stud book, where not only purebred Toys are registered, but also Manchester Terriers that are suitable in color and size. In Russia, dogs have not gained popularity due to the fact that the Russian Toy is cheaper, and looks almost exactly the same in appearance.

Breed standard

Until 1920, black terriers had one difference - their weight, so different standards were established for them. The dogs were divided into two breeds: English and Manchester Terriers. Since 1962, the name of the Englishman’s breed is “Toy Terrier”.

The note! To this day, the American Kennel Club does not recognize the toy as a separate species.

The dog has a proportional build. External description of the breed:

• back – curved;
• the head is long, with tightly closed jaws;
• neck – long, smoothly turning into shoulders;
• chest – narrow, deep;
• ears - reminiscent of a candle fire, the ends are slightly pointed, directed forward;
• eyes – small, almond-shaped;
• the tail is low, narrowed towards the tip.

Note! A dog of this breed's ears stand up at the age of 2.5–4 months.

The fur is short, thick, and shiny. Color: ebony and tan or black and tan. White markings are undesirable. Below is a photo of a black toy with tan.

Distinctive features

English Toys are harmoniously built dogs with long thin limbs, a lean, elongated body and a small muzzle . They have the only true color - black with red tan . Their size is 25-30 cm at the withers, and their weight is no more than 3.5 kg . Even miniature Toys have a well-developed muscular system.

• The head is long, wedge-shaped, with a prominent but shallow stop, prominent forehead and occiput.
• The muzzle is narrow, straight, equal in length to the skull. Scissor bite, strong jaws. The lips are thin and pigmented black.
• The nose is small and black.
• The eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, set wide, at stop level.
• The ears are medium in size, pointed, set high, standing on cartilage.
• The body is elongated, rectangular, dry. The topline is straight, the croup is rounded and sloping, rising above the line of the loin. The neck is short and wide. The chest is not deep, flat, but the ribs are rounded.
• The tail is thin, short, and mobile. Rises above the line of the back.
• Limbs straight, parallel, strong. The hindquarters are muscular, the hips are wide and massive. The paws are round and small.
• The coat is short, smooth, and lies tightly.
• Color – black and tan.

Related breeds

The English Toy Terrier has common roots with the Miniature Pinscher, Russian Toy Terrier and Prague Rat.

Comparison of the English Toy Terrier with representatives of related breeds

miniature pinscher

Scientists' opinions about the origin of this breed are divided. According to one version, their distant ancestors are Manchester Toy Terriers, according to another - wild Scandinavian dogs that once lived in the Baltics and Switzerland. Be that as it may, Miniature Pinschers and English Toy Terriers have much in common, but the “Germans” have a more powerful, rough constitution and protruding chest, while the “English” have a graceful, refined physique and a flat chest.

miniature pinscher

Russian toy terrier

In the 19th century, terriers were brought to the Russian Empire. At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia closed with the Iron Curtain, and the breed began to develop in isolation within the country. In the mid-20th century, purebred dogs were crossed with Chihuahuas. As a result, Russian Toy Terriers appeared, which differed from their ancestors in their smaller size, rounded head, small nose and large children's eyes.

Russian toy terrier

Prague Ratlik (ratlik)

In appearance, representatives of this breed resemble miniature English toy terriers. The rat's muzzle is shorter than that of the English toy terrier, but longer than that of the Russian. The jaws are strong, the shape of the head is oblong, pear-shaped. The body is wide, the chest is lowered than that of the “Englishman”, pronounced muscles, a powerful neck. The figure of the rat looks denser and less graceful.

Prague Ratlik (ratlik)

Photo of an adult dog

Health and life expectancy

With good care, a toy terrier lives 12-13 years .

This is a difficult animal to care for, and all because of weak immunity and a tendency to various hereditary diseases, including:

• diseases of the eyes and teeth;
• increased bone fragility;
• frequent knee dislocations;
• destruction of the surface of the femoral head (Perthes disease).

Photos of puppies

Paws

The dog's paws are washed with warm water after each walk. This allows the pads to be freed from dirt and, in the winter months, from salt and reagents that are generously sprinkled on frozen roads.

Pay close attention to the areas between the fingers where dirt accumulates while being outdoors. Heavy dirt is removed with soap and water, and then the paws are thoroughly wiped with a clean, dry cloth.

The English Toy Terrier has luxurious black and shiny nails, which partially wear off on the ground during walks.

Overgrown parts of the claws are removed with a nail cutter. They act carefully so as not to damage nearby blood vessels. If the nails are not trimmed, they will begin to grow into the pads and cause pain to the dog when moving.

Features of character and behavior

For such a small size, Toys are quite balanced. They control their emotions and restrain themselves even in the face of strong irritation. In general, Terriers are active dogs. They quickly become attached to a person and do not recognize anyone other than members of their family. The breed is characterized by a lively mind and good intellectual abilities.

Advantages

There are several breed advantages:

1. Devotion to the owner (Terriers adore their family, they are literally ready to devote all their time to their household);
2. Good relationships with children and large pets;
3. Developed intelligence, quick wit;
4. Mobility;
5. Affectionateness, love;
6. Lack of aggression.

Flaws

Breed deficiencies characteristic of most individuals:

• Distrust of strangers;
• Strong hunting instinct (hatred of rodents);
• Intolerance of loneliness;
• Constant need for attention.

Character

The distant ancestors of Toy Terriers bravely hunted rats and other rodents. Their modern descendants have lost their former aggression and hunting qualities. Today these are balanced and peace-loving dogs that easily find a common language with the owner and other family members.

However, some character traits inherited from the rat-catcher ancestors are clearly manifested in their descendants. They are brave, brave, in moments of danger they zealously rush to protect their owner and resist the enemy, even if he is much larger and stronger than themselves. They treat strangers or unfamiliar animals with caution, sometimes aggressively.

Outdoor games are the key to the harmonious development of a dog

Deep down, the “English” feel like big and strong dogs, so there is no need to babysit with them. These proud members of the dog tribe want to be treated like serious, big animals. At the same time, they do not tolerate loneliness well and, when their owners do not pay attention to them, they can become offended and sad. They show an active interest in surrounding objects, so they should have a lot of toys at home. In order for kids to give free rein to their exploratory instinct, they need to be taken out for walks more often. However, if there are unfamiliar dogs nearby, it is better not to let them off the leash.

Toys keep toy terriers from getting bored when the owner is not at home

The English Toy Terrier is full of strength and energy; he cannot be without movement for a minute. A slow, phlegmatic person may find it too noisy and active. But an energetic owner will probably get up from the couch to play with his pet. No matter how active the dog is, it does not show nervousness or aggression towards members of its family.

Attention! Do not keep your little Englishman together with dogs of medium and large breeds. While playing together, this baby can get seriously injured.

“The English” love to frolic and run fast

An indispensable condition for raising a toy terrier and developing its character is training. If a dog is not taught discipline and obedience, it can grow into a harmful and embittered individual. If the dog was raised correctly, he will become pliable, flexible and friendly.

Care and maintenance

Toys themselves are small and smooth-haired, which makes street keeping almost impossible. If the climate is warm and dry, then free walking in the local area is allowed. Typically, such pets become domestic sofa dogs. They do not require special care or special cosmetic procedures, so they rarely cause problems for their owners.

Before buying a puppy, you need to arrange a place for it. Low bowls, a comfortable bed, toys, and brushes are purchased. You will need winter clothes.

Nutrition

Little Toys do not have any special dietary indications. Despite their size, dogs have a good appetite, so it is important to accustom your puppy to a certain amount of food. Usually, Terriers need 200-400 grams of food per day. Up to 4 months it is divided into 4-5 parts , during the period of 5-8 months - into 3 parts . By the age of one year, the pet should receive food twice (morning and evening).

The kennel will give recommendations on feeding the dog. But the owner will still have a choice between dry and natural food. It is necessary to transfer from one type to another carefully, feeding with new products.

Ready-made dry products are convenient for dog owners . Firstly, they do not need to be heated or boiled, and secondly, they are convenient to pour and store. They also contain a vitamin complex, which makes it easier to introduce additional bait. When choosing a brand, you should rely on your specific pet and its preferences. Toy terriers are small, they need a super-premium holistic product for small breeds (with medium-sized granules). You can choose a line for a sick pet or a special food for a pregnant female.

Natural nutrition has always been considered healthy, but only in the case of a properly selected menu. If the owner himself chooses the products and prepares them, then the chance that something unhealthy or stale will come across is small.

• The diet must include processed or fresh meat (lamb, rabbit, turkey) approximately 30% of the daily menu.
• In addition to the meat component, you need to introduce other proteins - eggs, kefir, cottage cheese.
• For carbohydrates , dogs are given boiled cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal and rice), raw vegetables and fruits (carrots, apples, beets).

It is strictly forbidden to feed the puppy human food. There is a strict taboo on sweet and floury, fatty and fried, salty and smoked foods. The diet should not contain potatoes, legumes, wheat, sugar, pork and chicken, bones, or citrus fruits.

Only sea fish, frozen or boiled are allowed. It is recommended to scald the meat with boiling water. Be sure to introduce vitamin supplements (brewer's yeast, eggshells, vitamin tablets).

We recommend that you read a detailed article on the topic: “How and what to feed a dog: types and characteristics of nutrition.”

Drinking regime is important, especially when the pet is sick. If the puppy does not drink on his own, he is desoldered from a syringe (without a needle). The drinking bowl must be filled with clean water daily. After each meal, bowls are washed under hot water (without chemicals).

Health

Toys cannot boast of ideal good health. They are quite fragile, often injured, and do not tolerate heat and frost well. Due to unstable selection, animals have acquired several stable genetic diseases. On average, English Terriers live 10-13 years . Owners can prevent the occurrence of certain infectious diseases through vaccination.

Vaccinations

Vaccination is the only reliable way to prevent infection with infectious diseases. Even a pet that is not walked or introduced to other dogs can contract the virus from a person. People carry thousands of bacteria on their clothes and shoes, and not all of them are beneficial to living organisms.

There are 2 required vaccinations:

1. A complex vaccine containing strains of distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, influenza, leptospirosis is carried out at 2, 2.5, 6, 12 months and repeated every year ;
2. The rabies vaccine is given at 7 months and repeated once every 2 years (maybe more often, depending on the drug).

Two weeks before the procedure, the dog must be dewormed. On the day of vaccination, the dog must be absolutely healthy. This is checked by measuring the temperature; if there is a deviation from the norm, vaccination is not carried out. Malnourished pets and pregnant females are not allowed to be vaccinated.

Vaccination is carried out in a veterinary clinic. Some dog owners prefer to administer the injection themselves. This is possible only if you are completely sure that there are no allergies to the components.

Important article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about dog vaccinations.”

Diseases

Toys are prone to some genetic diseases transmitted from their parents:

• Peters disease (destruction of the femoral head, causing lameness, severe pain);
• Cataracts, glaucoma, other eye problems;
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland);
• Diabetes;
• Brittle teeth (manifests at the age of 6-10 years).

Owners need to pay attention to the health of the parents and take into account their problematic aspects. It is worth remembering that Toys are very fragile. It is important to avoid overloading the limbs, falls, and impacts.

Walk

Walk pets 2 times a day. Some owners transfer their dogs to full housekeeping, that is, to a litter tray. This is convenient, but brings a lot of stress to the dog. It is important for an animal to express its activity and meet new people and pets.

They begin to take Toev outside after the second vaccination. At first they are carried out in their arms (2-3 days), then lowered to the ground. Up to 3 months, the Terrier is walked 3-4 times for 30 minutes . Then they are accustomed to walking twice a day for 40-60 minutes .

Despite their modest size, English Toys need a lot of running and exercise. They will not be against morning jogging, sports games for dogs (freestyle, agility).

Grooming

The breed is easy to care for and does not require special procedures. It is enough to iron the wool with a special glove 2 times a week, and when shedding - 3-4 times . Toys are bathed only in case of severe contamination, but not more than 2 times a year. You need to wipe your paws after every walk.

From childhood, the pet is taught to brush its teeth (2 times a week) and examine its ears and eyes (daily). Nails are trimmed once every 3-4 weeks . It is also important to treat Terriers for fleas and worms once a trimester . In the warm season, it is recommended to strengthen protection against ectoparasites.

Pros and cons of the breed

Old English Terriers have both positive and negative sides. The advantages of such dogs include the following:

• small size,
• excellent mind and intelligence,
• stress resistance,
• excellent and friendly attitude towards the owners,
• devotion,
• can be good guards
• do not require complex care,
• communicate well with other animals living in the house and children,
• They are characterized by optimism and a cheerful character.

Another plus is that these dogs generally have excellent health, so their life expectancy is quite long.

Despite the large number of advantages, owners of English toy terriers highlight negative aspects. These include:

• may be stubborn and self-willed
• are very active,
• training requires a lot of patience,
• cannot tolerate foreign animals
• They become attached to one person, although they love all family members.

Attention! Another negative point is the fairly high price of doggies and their rarity; it can be difficult to purchase a purebred animal.

Puppies are cheerful and friendly

Mating

Full puberty ends in dogs at 2 years of age . At this time, girls begin their third heat. Attentive owners should monitor the course of the female's cycle. Days 13-15 are considered favorable for mating , when signs appear: a loose large loop, transparent or light discharge, playful behavior.

Both male and female must be registered with the breed club (if they have documents and pedigree). The nursery selects pairs that complement each other's shortcomings. The owners fill out documents, agree on the location of the procedure and its cost.

Read a detailed article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about breeding dogs: appropriate age, what to do if it doesn’t work out, rules and tips.”

On the appointed day, the pets are brought together on neutral territory so that the male feels relaxed and the male feels restrained. The dogs get to know each other, sniff, and walk together. If the girl is ready, she will allow you to do the cage. Toys do not vary much in size between the sexes, so you only have to help the first time. You can invite a specialist to solve the problem. If the animals are in the castle, then the mating was a success. But even in the absence of a lock, a girl can become pregnant. Pets are brought again every other day.

The progress of pregnancy can be checked at an ultrasound center. The first signs appear in the 2nd week, but the status can be recorded and clarified only after 20-25 days.

Behavior and temperament

The character of English Toys has both pros and cons.

Pros:

• energetic;
• strive to protect their home and their owners, despite their small stature;
• attached to family, faithful and loving;
• non-aggressive;
• smart and quick-witted.
• There is no dog smell.

Minuses:

• stubborn and willful;
• overly curious.

Key points in training

There are practically no problems when training these dogs. They are smart, resilient, they don’t need to be convinced or forced. From the first days, the animal is taught that the owner is a leader, that he must be obeyed unquestioningly. During the period of getting used to the new home, the puppy is shown his sleeping place, food bowls, and a temporary toilet (tray or diaper). They prohibit the baby from begging to sleep with members of the household, from biting and snarling.

When choosing a training and educational program, you can focus on socialization and adaptation according to the “dog in the city” course. It is needed so that the pet learns to follow commands, has a positive attitude towards others, and does not show aggression. By 4-6 months, Toy needs to clearly know his nickname and basic commands: “sit”, “near”, “place”, “voice”, “no”.

Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

You cannot use harsh methods or beat your pet. To explain what is wrong, it is advised to limit treats, threaten, or call out strictly. For all achievements, the dog is rewarded with toys or treats.

Education and training

Decorative toy requires hard training. Otherwise, a small, good-natured terrier puppy can turn into a small but harmful adult dog. Naturally, the methods and approaches of English Toys differ from raising large breed dogs. It is very important to teach energetic children useful commands. The toy terrier must clearly follow the primary commands “fu” and “sit”. In order for a terrier dog to grow up obedient, it is necessary to observe certain conditions when raising it:

1. Do not shout during training, speak in an even, calm voice;
2. Do not show aggression towards a baby of this breed;
3. Diligently and persistently repeat the command until it is strictly carried out.

A common problem: toy terriers are naturally biting and can bite without any aggression. You should never beat dogs, but you definitely need to stop them.

How to choose a puppy

Buying an English Toy can be a real problem, especially for residents of Russia . You only need to contact official verified nurseries. When purchasing a puppy from a private person, you can guarantee that the dog is purebred, because there are many outwardly similar breeds (Prague Rat, Russian Toy, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher). The breeder must provide certificates and pedigrees of the parents.

The future owner needs to decide on the gender, age and class of the desired puppy. Based on this, the club will select a pet based on its characteristics. Babies are taken away from their mother at 1.5-2 months , after the introduction of the first complementary foods. But it is possible to purchase an adult dog at 6-8 months , when the appearance is fully formed. In this case, education and training will be more difficult.

Depending on the class, the dog builds its career in one area or another:

• Pet class – pets with slight deviations from the standard that do not prevent them from being favorites;
• Breeding class – dogs for breeding;
• Show class – future champions of exhibitions and competitions.

The nursery always has the right to refuse a purchase if the specialists are not satisfied with the potential owner. Some clubs post on their websites requirements for hosts: age, character, living conditions, social status.

The puppies will be clean, cheerful and active. They should not have obvious external deviations from the standard or any diseases. The average cost of animals is 50,000-80,000 rubles .

English Toys are almost perfect miniature dogs. They are similar to their breed counterparts in appearance, but in temperament they are very different. Only these dogs have such boundless love for their owner.

How much do puppies cost?

The price of a puppy starts from 50 thousand rubles, since a purebred toy is a rare animal. In Russia it is difficult to find a nursery that breeds English breeds.

An unscrupulous breeder can sell a miniature pinscher under the guise of a toy.

Nurseries

The best option for purchasing an elite pet is to contact a reliable nursery that is registered with the Association of Cynologists. The breeder must provide a pedigree for the puppy.

The nursery provides complete information about how much it costs, what kind of character he is, and how to treat the baby so that he can adapt to his new family without stress.

• Nursery in Moscow: https://minpin.ru/
• Nursery in St. Petersburg: https://handlerspb.ru/katalog/toi_teriery/angliyskiy_toiterier/

The English Toy Terrier is a calm, peace-loving dog with a fragile exterior and a huge soul. If she experiences the love of her owner, she will become his devoted companion.