Malskred

History of the breed

1. c1500's

   The Mary Rose, flagship of Henry VIII. Henry reigned from 1509 - 1547. The Mary Rose sank in the solent on 19th July 1545 and there she sat until 1830's when some of her cannons were raised, but was lost again until she was rediscovered in 1967. Then in October 1982 the entire starboard side of the vessel was raised, divers also discovered 22,000 artifacts. In these discoveries there was a skeleton of a dog, this skeleton is that of a small dog probably about 2 years old and was given the name 'Hatch' because of where her remains were found, near a sliding hatch door of the Mary Rose's carpenter's cabin. This little dog is thought to be that of a Manchester Terrier or Black and Tan as it would have been known at the time of the Mary Rose. This little dog would have been put to use as the ships rat catcher.

2. c1800's

   The Black and Tan Terrier starts to become more well known. Daniel writes in his 1802 book "Rural Sports" "types of terriers which are elegant and spritely, with smooth coats black in body and tan on the legs" and in 1860 an author by the name of stonehenge in his book "The Dog" writes the earliest description of a Manchester Terrier like dog. John Hulme of Manchester breeds first full Manchester Terrier and Jack Black becomes Royal Rat Catcher. Kennel Club bans ear cropping.

3. 1850

   Jack Black was a Rat Catcher and mole destroyer by appointment to her Majesty Queen Victoria during the middle of the 19th Century, He tells Henry Mayhew in the 'London Labour and the Poor' vol 3 of his work and experiences, including time when he nearly dies from infections following rat bites, he bred pet Rats for" well bred young Ladies to keep in Squirrel Cages", He was also a very accomplished Dog Breeder, He told Mayhew "I had a little rat dog, a Black and Tan by the name of 'Billy' which was the greatest stock dog of London in his day.

1. 1850-1860

   John Hulme of Manchester took the rough Black and Tan terrier and bred it with a Whippet or the Italian Greyhound and produced the sleek, agile and powerful Manchester Terrier that we see today.

2. 1900

   Offers ample scope for confusion between a dog with Black and Tan colouring and types of terriers known for the colouring. This confusion would not be finally put to rest until 1924. In 1924 the Kennel Clubs governing body of pedigree dogs recognized this particular type of dog as a separate and distinct breed and gave it the name Manchester Terrier.

3. 2000

   This dog has proved itself, adapting well to families and modern canine pursuits, they do well in the Show Ring, Agility, Obedience, Flyball, and recently Heel Work to Music, but unfortunately even this little dog is under threat and was put on the "Vulnerable Native Breed" list at the beginning of the 21st Century, but with devoted and loving owners these little dogs will be saved, the Manchester Terrier could have an active and more secure future than anytime in history of this fascinating breed of pedigree dog.