English White Terrier

Existing no more, the English white terrier was a common breed in the seventeen hundreds in England. Though this breed existed for a while, it was only in 1860 that its name was first coined. The name was coined by the breeders who wanted to invent their own breed of white, pricked up ear breed. In the later years, after much improvisation, came to be known as the ‘fox terrier’, ‘rat terrier’ etc. the English white terrier was a popular name in the royal kennel club but was very unpopular and uncommon amongst the lay men. This was due to the numerous problems that were associated with this breed of dog.

With tiny dark eyes and a shinny, charcoal-colored nose, the English terrier was known to have a very firm and lustrous coat. Often built of medium height, the dog had a conical tail that never went up more than its own height. Weighing between 12 and 20 pounds, this magnificent breed was found mostly in plain white color. It was in the late nineteenth century that ‘dog shows’ grew more and more in prominence. The English white terrier was an ideal contender to the other breeds in these shows. Known for its human attachment, more than outdoor skills or adventurous sports, this breed was often kept only for show purposes.

Though this dog does not exist today, many of the English white terriers had been mated with bulldogs, giving birth to the famous ‘Boston terrier’ or ‘bull terrier’. The origin of the English terrier was the only doubt faced by all. It was only in 1894 that author Briggs lee revealed in his book, ‘modern dogs’, that one possible theory of its origin was that the English white terrier came into existence when the fox terrier was crossed with a greyhound. Resembling today’s Dalmatian and the bull terrier, this breed was a product of an extreme experimentation. Due to this reason, the English white terrier was a genetically malfunctioned canine. The terrier was faced with ear problems and many claim that the dog was faced with temporary or sometimes complete loss of hearing.

According to author Lee, the English white terrier was a unique breed, very lovable and kind, but not a sportsmen’s companion. They would have made amazing house pets and would have gotten along with small kids and other pets. This smart yet lazy canine required a whole lot of pampering and fondling. A very docile dog, this terrier had all the characteristics of a complete attention-seeker. Ideal for a family pet or simply a companion, this breed of terrier was not cut out for a rough, adventurous life on the edge. This was probably the most shocking part, as most terriers are known to be hunting dogs. Having health problems and a comparatively low life expectancy, it was almost inevitable for this terrier to become endangered and then slowly go into extinction. One of the most famous English white terrier dogs was called ‘Silvio’ and was owned by Alfred Benjamin in 1876. This dog was considered a model English white terrier because of its appearance and temperament.