English Toy Terrier
Temperament:
The English Toy Terrier is a very small and petite dog. Nevertheless, it is a "real" terrier that has a strong character. Your English Toy Terrier is a bright companion who is alert and alert. Are you looking for a small dog that likes to be active, you should look into this breed.
Characteristics
The English Toy Terrier has a body weight of about 3.6 kg. His height is about 30 cm. With this size the English Toy Terrier is one of the smallest representatives of the group of terriers. Therefore, he falls into the section 4 "dwarf terrier".
The small terrier has a very alert nature. The dogs are very devoted to their humans and bond closely with their family. The intelligent dogs are eager to learn and have a terrier-typical hunting instinct, which is, however, well controllable. If you want an English Toy Terrier, you should socialize him well and get him used to other dogs. Otherwise, his guarding instinct may cause him to bark at people and dogs.
Terrier breed needs employment and exercise, but can be kept well in the apartment. With good training, it is suitable for families with children and for seniors who like to go for walks. Due to the small body size, the dog is suitable for dog sports only with restrictions, but should be kept busy with regular games.
The dog breed is characterized by a slender body. All four legs are straight and very petite. At the same time, the representatives of this breed are athletic and muscular, which is why they can easily accompany you on long walks.
At first sight, the small dog stands out its large and erect ears. The dog's muzzle is long and reminds of larger terriers. The eyes of the English Toy Terrier are alert and awake. All English Toy Terriers have the coat pattern "black and tan", which means black and tan. Most of the coat is black, but there are tan markings on some parts of the body. Thus, the dog always has tan legs and markings on the face and chest. The coat of an English Toy Terrier is short and lies smoothly.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The English Toy Terrier is a very hardy breed that does well on most foods. Due to the small body size, it is important to provide the English Toy Terrier with sufficient energy. For this purpose, for example, a food type can be chosen that has been specially developed for small breeds. Small dogs have a higher energy metabolism than large dogs. Another way of feeding is to feed the dog with fresh food or home-cooked food. Here, too, care should be taken to ensure adequate caloric intake.
Feed your English Toy Terrier several times a day, as the small dog can only absorb small amounts. Although the healthy dogs usually have good teeth, the components of the food should not be too large.
Since the English Toy Terrier is a lovable dog, many people tend to spoil him. However, many foods for humans are unsuitable for dogs. Your English Toy Terrier should therefore only be fed leftovers if they do not contain sugar or spices.
English Toy Terrier Care
The tiny terrier has a low-maintenance coat that never really needs washing. Once your English Toy Terrier has rolled, you can wash it off with plain water. Only in case of very heavy soiling you should use a dog shampoo. Too frequent use of shampoos destroys the natural protective layer of the coat, which can promote skin diseases.
Your English Toy Terrier is a sturdy dog that usually does not need a jacket. In very low temperatures, it can be useful to protect the dog with a well-fitting jacket. Especially very small dogs get hypothermic if they are out in the snow for a longer time. The jacket should fit well and not hinder your dog when running and playing.
Check your English Toy Terrier's teeth regularly. Tartar can form here, which in the long run can lead to painful inflammation of the teeth. For maintenance, a soft dog toothbrush can be used for brushing. A toothpaste for dogs is safe and usually tastes quite good to the animals. Be sure to slowly and gently get your English Toy Terrier used to brushing his teeth.
Suitable accessories
For everyday life you do not need many accessories for your English Toy Terrier. For food and water your dog needs at least two bowls. The water bowl should always be filled and accessible for your dog.
Since English Toy Terriers are very delicate animals, you should buy a well-fitting harness. It is also important to use a lightweight leash. Tug leashes are less suitable if your dog has not yet learned not to pull on the leash. A good alternative is a light drag leash that gives your dog freedom of movement.
The playful English Toy Terrier loves to learn. So you can do many sports with him, which are suitable even for very small dogs. Dummies and other retrieving toys are good for training. In addition, your English Toy Terrier will have a lot of fun with chew toys, which also support dental health.
Last but not least, you should provide your English Toy Terrier with a comfortable dog bed. There are several dog beds, almost all of them are suitable. If your terrier is allowed on the sofa or bed, you can also assign him a dog blanket there.
It is very important to secure your English Toy Terrier well in the car. An adapter for the harness buckles can be attached to the harness. This will prevent jumping around while driving and reduce the risk to your dog should an accident occur. An alternative is to get your dog used to a carrier. You can also take him on the train in a transport box if he is used to it.
Origin & History
The English Toy Terrier is one of the oldest dwarf breeds. He comes, as the name suggests, from England. In the 1860s, the dog was called "Miniature Black and Tan Terrier". Under this name, the small dogs were used, for example, as rat hunters. Shows became popular, where the terriers were chased in an arena on the rodents. Weather were concluded on which dog would kill the most rats.
Another task of the terriers was to protect the winners of the bets from pickpockets. The small dogs were often carried in the bag and protected their owners. Over time, the dog breed became popular with ladies as well. They were companions and playmates.
In the 20th century, some breeders became aware of the almost forgotten dog breed. Since a few years the English Toy Terrier can be seen again on breeding shows in Germany. However, he has only a small circle of followers and is therefore still rare.
