Page 65 - K9News_Issue16_May2021
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The 1850’s : Early Black And Tan breeding and judging of individual breeds.
Terriers These took the form of a ‘description of the
breed’ and a ‘points’ system for individual
From the 1870’s to the 1890’s there were a features such as the head, colouration, body
series of developments which cumulatively shape etc. These can be considered the
brought much needed order, and stability. Key forerunners of the breed standards we know
amongst these was the formation of the Kennel today. Several books written in the 1890s detail
Club in 1873 and the steps which it took to the ‘points’ to used for judging Black and Tan
introduce registration and regulation, particularly Terriers – with the only differences between the
through the development of its stud books miniatures and the larger dogs at that time being
from 1874 onward. The first stud book, which weight.
was retrospective to 1859 had sections for
Toy Terriers (Smooth) And Toy Terriers (Rough The development of the ‘description of the
and Broken Haired) but with no indication of breed and the points of the dog’ scoring
colour. However, by 1878 many of the ‘smooths’ system became largely the responsibility of
were now identified by colour – the Black and the breed clubs, which expanded considerably
Tan, Blue and Tan, White, Brindle and White after 1880. The original Black And Tan Terrier
& Brindle. Of these only the Black and Tan Club was established in 1884. In addition to
survives today. offering prizes at many shows in England to
encourage a healthy entry it played a lead role
From 1880 there was further refinement with in developing the first formal “description of the
the stud book having categories for Black and variety” and “the scale of points”. Not that this
Tan Terriers (except toys), Toy Terriers (Smooth was universally supported by all breeders! This
Coated), and English and Other Smooth Haired club was joined by The Black & Tan Terrier Club
Terriers. The former is what eventually became of England in 1892, The Black and Tan Terrier
the Manchester Terrier, the middle eventually Club of Scotland in 1893, and the Manchester
became the ETT, and the latter was mainly Black & Tan Terrier Club in 1893. There was
composed of English White Terriers and Blue also a South of England Black And Tan Club,
And Tan Terriers. And by 1880 there was and the Black And Tan Terrier Club of Ireland,
the introduction of ‘Championship Classes’ while there was a separate breed club for the
at certain shows, and the concept of ‘Breed White English Terrier
Champions’ was established.
In 1904 the Black And Tan Toy was renamed
These refinements were accompanied by the Miniature Black & Tan Terrier while the
the establishment of standards to assist the larger dog continued to be known simply as
The Black And Tan Terrier. At that time the
standard and points were identical for the
miniature and the larger breed, other than the
continued differentiation by weight (under 7lb for
the miniature). In terms of societies the effort
coalesced round a revived Black & Tan Terrier
Club which had responsibility for nominating
the breed representative to the Kennel Club,
was often asked to act as the breed guarantor,
and provided prizes at championship shows.
As it developed its national role the regional
clubs ceased to operate. The Club met monthly
The Black & Tan, Miniature Black & Tan, in London under a Committee which largely
and White English Terriers consisted of breeders and owners of the
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MAY 2021
