Historical Notes
Excerpted from: Terriers of the British Isle
By Darley Matheson
Published in 1922The Black-and-Tan Terrier cannot be recommended to anyone who wishes to go in for dog breeding, and to make money by it, for the simple reason that the demand for these Terriers is never likely to be very great. To be commercial success a breed must be sought after, ad the demand steadily maintained.
As previously stated, really high prices have never been paid for these dogs--at any rate, in comparison with any other varieties. Come of the miniature specimens of fashionable breeding can be bought for six or seven guineas, rarely exceeding £20 or thereabout.
Doubtless the Black-and-Tan Terrier will always maintain a position among its colleagues, but it will never be a preeminent one. At some period of its making this Terrier has had either Bull and Terrier or Bull Terrier blood introduced, as proved by the conformation of many of the different specimens, whilst whatever refining influence came into play has, in all probability, been due to the Whippet. The breadth of the skull, the broad hindquarters, and the carriage of the stern in the specimens referred to indicates Bull Terrier influence, whilst the long lean head, the fine limbs, the tucked up flank, and the whip-like tail observed in the most typical representatives of the breed points to Greyhound or Whippet blood. Time and selection have eliminated defects, and a refined type of Terrier has been the result.
The Black-and-Tan Terrier, in make and shape, had its prototype in the English White Terrier--a variety still more difficult to breed true to type and of which there are few specimens.
Common defects in Manchester Terriers are too light in shade of tan markings, breeching, bad carriage of stern, and want of symmetry, with faulty heads and bad carriage of ears.
To be typical, the Black-and-Tan Terrier should not show the remotest shade of Bull Terrier features. The reader will probably ask, "Why not?" The answer is. because any evidence of this destroys the real beauty of the breed, and is incompatible with beauty of the face...