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 and red Jack
Russell Terriers 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 and red 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. Forthe 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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