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be true. This may mean that originally there chewing at a rat as it’s jaw scissors action was
was no direct genetic link in the ETT to the better equipped to dispose of a rat in one bite,
Manchester. Although I should point out that as thanks to unpronounced zygomatic arches in
things progressed there was ‘cross pollination’ the skull. Ears well back on head and erect kept
between the two, which would today show up in them out of harm’s way. (often the ears were
DNA. cropped).
We have to bear in mind, until the advent of the Even before the dog was placed into the pit, the
railway, travelling was far more complicated, via rats would be scurrying about seeking means of
stagecoach, horseback or just walking. Most escape. Once the dog was introduced you can
people, during their lifetime, never went further imagine the mayhem both in AND out of the pit
than 16 miles from their place of birth (a day’s as betting became more animated.
ride on horseback – if you were lucky enough
to own one). You may notice that most towns Sometimes two dogs were placed in the pit
in Britain are about 16 miles apart. To give this and having successfully despatched the rats,
more perspective, Jane Austen, a product of the they would then turn on one another in a killing
middling classes, had such peripatetic fortunes frenzy. This wasn’t always discouraged or
as a spinster, with no personal fortune, that on intervened, unless the dogs carried a certain
occasions in her life, her family couldn’t afford to value and reputation as a renowned ratter.
run their own carriage!
Dog Showing
The Miniature Black and Tan
Terrier We are now at the juncture where dog showing
proper is in swing. Rat-pits by the late 19th
The development of the miniature black and tan century, had fallen into decline, as a more
came about as rat-pitting as a sport demanded a humane attitude towards canines developed,
more evenly matched competition between dog much of it thanks to the efforts of the RSPCA,
& rat. It was the custom to bet on the outcome, and was replaced by the somewhat more
so it needed to look feasible either dog or rats refined hobby of dog exhibition. (Although most
could be the victor. The dog needed to be swift blood sports became illegal as the Victorian era
and a lightly built terrier fitted that requirement. progressed, rat-pitting didn’t become illegal until
1911. The last known event was at Leicester in
All Black and Tan breeds of dogs mark in much 1912, where the promoter was prosecuted and
the same way. Kissing spots, spots above the fined).
eye, tan legs, tan cheek spots, tan on the vent
etc The late Victorian & Edwardian ladies had a
passion for tiny dogs and the ETT came under
This was seen as advantageous in the pit as their scrutiny. This resulted in tiny, effete
it confused the Rat. Rats bite, and they’ll hang specimens with apple heads and the resulting
on like glue. Therefore, the dogs needed some round, large eyes that are traits of dwarfing
protection. With the tan spots far brighter than down breeds. They lacked vigour and frequently
the requisite ‘black’ eyes, these would be the succumbed to diseases, distemper etc. Markings
focus for attack by the Rat, thus affording the and size became the most desirable attributes.
dog some protection from being blinded, making Soundness of wind or limb was fairly much
it useless for further sport. overlooked. The late Victorians also had
developed a morbid fascination with taxidermy
A narrow head meant the eyes were obliquely (one I share with them!).
set; again a protection. This head shaping
discouraged the dog wasting valuable time
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MAY 2021
