It has been said that the Black and Tan Russell Terrier (or Hunt Terrier as they are referred to today) never existed
except in the minds of Victorian picture book makers. There are not only pictures out there of the black and tan Russell
terrier but many books on the subject of these loyal little dogs.
From the writings of Rawdon Briggs Lee (an author of many books on dogs from the nineteenth century and a judge at
the dog shows), a few other books on terriers from the nineteenth century, and the aid of the internet, we know today
there was and still is a black and tan short little terrier in existence. This little terrier was a very common breed hundreds
of years ago and is the foundation of many of the breeds we have today.
The original black and tan terriers were common among the farms of England, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and more than
likely many more countries. They were breed for working and working only.
As a hunting dog he is querulous, fretful, and irascible, high spirited, and alert when brought into action.
The black and tan terrier ran about the stable yards, destroying vermin and was then made into a household pet. Many
black and tan terriers were used to drive foxes from their holes, killing rabbits. They were used not only keep the vermin
under control at the homestead, but also for hunting and sporting purposes.
A Timeline:
Documentation can be found on the black and tan terrier as far back as the 1500’s.
In 1686 “The Gentleman’s Recreation” states the terrier is a very small dog used for hunting the fox and the badger.
“Field Sports” writes of two sorts of terriers in 1760. Rough and short legged, long backed, very strong, normally black
and tan in color or yellowish were some of the descriptions. The other description was smooth-haired and beautifully
formed having a shortened body and more sprightly appearance. It was generally reddish brown color or black with tan
legs.
1800 Cynographia Britannica published this about terriers. The most distinct varieties are crooked legged and straight
legged, their colors generally black with tan legs and muzzles, a spot of the same color over each eye. Sometimes the
terrier is reddish or fallow, white, or pied.
“Rural sports” describes the terrier in 1802 as a stoutly built dog made along the lines of a fox terrier. The common terrier
of this time was for the most part black and tan in color with white on his feet and chest.
The 1803 “Sporting dictionary” says terriers of even the best blood are now breeding in all colors. Red and black with tan
faces, flanks, and legs, brindled or sandy, some few brown pied, white pied, and pure white as well as one sort of each
color, rough and wire haired were some of the descriptions.
The weight of these terriers mentioned through out these hundreds of years is on an average 7 to 17 pounds.
1859 was the first dog show. No prizes were offered for the terriers that year. The following year (1860) classes were
offered for the black and tans, white, other English terriers, and toy terriers.
It is noted on more than one occasion that somewhere between 1850 and 1860 the black and tan terrier was being
crossed with a grey hound or whippet giving him a long lean head, arched back, tucked up loins, and long feet. Along
with these changes to the black and tan terrier came round full glaring eyes instead of the smart piercing almond shaped
eyes.
By 1894 at the Liverpool show, these specimens, for the most part, took the leading prizes, hence the birth of the
Manchester terrier. The Manchester Terrier Club was also founded this same year.
At the dawn of the 20th century, the red hunt terrier and the black and tan hunt terrier were near extinction. Because of
the black and tans great hunting ability, small size, intelligent look and loyalty companionship, he was being used as the
foundation for many other species. The gentlemen’s terrier was the Manchester Terrier. The sporting breed was the Bull
Terrier and the huntsmen in need of a dog that was white as to tell the difference between the dog and the prey used the
Fox Terrier breed, and a smaller version better for the underground work was the Jack Russell Terrier.
The black and tan terrier and the red terrier, being so common throughout all of Europe, England, etc. that becoming
extinct was unheard of. Yet a club for these little terriers true to the excellent qualities still was not organized or failed to
prosper.
After World War I, Germany was focused on getting rid of ALL “foreign” species and bringing back what they considered
“extinct” species. (I might add they did not travel beyond the boundaries of Germany for these dogs.)
Lutz Heck was the pioneer of this peculiar quest among many others. They started with only 8 black and tan fox terriers.
At one time there were 700 dogs in the kennels, but after 10 years the project was complete. The black and tan color was
prominent. The coat and look of the dog was being thrown every time. (I might add here that any dog that did not have
the proper color, coat or look was discarded not, sent out into the world as a pet.)
The first dog was sold in 1938 to a German man by the name of Max Theil Sr. In 1951, Theil came to America with two
female dogs, one of which was breed. By 1956 there were 9 Jadgterrier owners in the US. They formed the Jagdterrier
Club of America. Unfortunately, the club did not prosper in America at that time and eventually died out.
Although this terrier is bigger and holds some resemblance to the modern day Fox Terrier, this is the only organization in
the world today that acknowledges the black and tan terrier and keeps a registry.
In recent years a “new” line of Jagdterrier has been imported into the US. This line is a bit smaller and more refined. For
the Jadgterrier to do well in the US it must be at the smallest end of the breed standard or even undersized. These
terriers, black and tan and red, are not only being imported from Germany but also Ireland, Holland and England.
In 1995 The Hunt Terrier club of America was formed, however at the beginning of 2008 they changed there name to
accept a much wider variety of color, size, shape etc., no longer meeting the standard of the original black and tan or
red Hunting Terrier.
The American Hunt Terrier Club Association organized in 2008 to preserve the original Hunt Terrier, accepting “only” the
original black and tan or red hunt terrier as described from years ago. We are a dedicated registry set out to preserve
and promote these little terriers as described in the lines below as a general appearance.
Well balanced terrier, small, yet strong agile terrier a little longer than tall. Chest is deeper than wide, legs are well
muscled and half the terrier’s height. The head has a moderately broad, flat skull with button drop ears.
Skin is thick with a dense coat. The coat can be rough, smooth or broken. Tail is normally docked and held high.
Solid tan (from a deep reddish tan to a light lemon tan), solid black, or black with tan or red points are acceptable colors
for a Hunt Terrier. Solid white or predominantly white is not allowed. Legs and belly must not be white. A small amount of
white on the chest or feet is acceptable.
The Hunt Terrier is bold and notoriously fearless, loyal, friendly, active and alert. His swift and intelligent movements
match his intelligent expression.
This is a high energy breed, happiest in an environment where there is lots of regular activity.
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