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What is a Tail Line?
The tracing of pedigree tail lines is a breeding practice first made popular amongst Thoroughbred horse breeders. The theory maintains that the most influential parts of a pedigree are it's outside edges or its 'tails.' Many Thoroughbred breeders felt strongly that prominent male or female tail lines are prepotent for certain traits, however our knowledge of modern genetics and the general unpredictability of heredity seems to generally negate the value of the theory as a breeding tool. Despite this, there are still many educated breeders of both canines and equines who subscribe to this school of thought.
*Please note: Unless a specific variety is indicated, "Manchester Terrier" encompasses both Toy and Standard varieties. While tail lines may have begun as predominantly Toy or Standard based, today many female tail lines cross between both varieties. More information on specific tail lines and their founders can be located here.
To understand the theory, the following definitions are useful (adapted from Reading Your Horse's Pedigree):
*Please note: Unless a specific variety is indicated, "Manchester Terrier" encompasses both Toy and Standard varieties. While tail lines may have begun as predominantly Toy or Standard based, today many female tail lines cross between both varieties. More information on specific tail lines and their founders can be located here.
To understand the theory, the following definitions are useful (adapted from Reading Your Horse's Pedigree):
The Sire Line - The top part of a pedigree tracing through the sire, to his sire, to his sire and so forth is termed "the sire line" or male tail line. This ends in the foundation sire, who is the penultimate dog to whom the sire line traces. In the case of horses, these would usually be desertbred horses whose parents are not named. There are four foundation sires in North American Manchesters, the most prominent three of whom are Barlow's Peter, Rex and Little Jimmie.
The Dam Line - The bottom line of a pedigree descending through the dam, her dam (the granddam), etc. is termed "the dam line" or female tail line. This ends in the taproot dam, the first recorded dam to whom that line traces. There are seven prominent female tail lines in North America.
Except in cases where a breed's development was carefully recorded, designating a taproot dam or foundation sire in old breeds like the Manchester is dependent solely on record-keeping given that the breed assuredly existed in recognizable form before 1873 (the earliest year for which pedigree information is available). In the Manchester's case, there are 11 tail lines currently found in the North American population.
The Dam Line - The bottom line of a pedigree descending through the dam, her dam (the granddam), etc. is termed "the dam line" or female tail line. This ends in the taproot dam, the first recorded dam to whom that line traces. There are seven prominent female tail lines in North America.
Except in cases where a breed's development was carefully recorded, designating a taproot dam or foundation sire in old breeds like the Manchester is dependent solely on record-keeping given that the breed assuredly existed in recognizable form before 1873 (the earliest year for which pedigree information is available). In the Manchester's case, there are 11 tail lines currently found in the North American population.
Sire and Dam Tail Lines are clearly marked in the pedigree above.
The sons of a foundation sire form the branches of the sire line. Sometimes a sire line does not survive in male descent. In this instance, it is a sire line that is said to exist "through the middle of the pedigree" as it is found only in females. The same applies in reverse for dam lines. Of course, this means that it is extinct as a sire/dam line per se however the genetic material of those individuals is still available. Individuals for whom this is true in Manchester Terriers include Merry Turk (TMT male), Lane's Dan (male SMT), Wootsie (female TMT) and Sally White (female TMT), Lord Bob (male TMT) and many others.
This is not to say that a pedigree traces back to only two foundation dogs. If, for example, a dog has been identified as representing the Barlow's Peter sire line and the Adamson's Beauty dam line, genetic material from other primary ancestors (i.e., Rex, Little Jimmie, Merry Turk, etc.) may also be present as passed down through the middle of the pedigree. In addition to our tail line founders, our breed has many other primary recorded ancestors. The variety of genetic combinations that can arise through the breeding of those individuals, each of whom possessed 39 pairs of chromosomes to pass on, is what forms the basis of a breed's genetic diversity. The unpredictable path those genes may take through a pedigree provides one of the most compelling arguments against the use of tail lines as a breeding tool.
Only in the case of the lone and single Y chromosome, inherited consistently down the male tail line, and mitochondrial DNA inherited from mother to daughter can the direct path of any gene be tracked in a pedigree. It is interesting to observe that, though today's dam lines are predominantly found in both varieties, there is very little cross-over between varieties along male tail lines. For example, there are no male Toy Manchesters among the over 1850 direct (i.e., along tail lines) male descendents of Barlow's Peter (SMT), and only three among both Little Jimmie's (TMT) 3400+ and Rex's 2866 direct male descendents (both past and present) who were titled as Standard Manchester Terriers. While it should be remembered that these statistics account for only those male dogs who were shown, and so consequently do not include dogs placed as pets or even breeding stock that was not shown, the almost perfect division of the varieties along male tale lines does provide a compelling argument for the theory. It should also be noted that these statistics do not account for female descendants of a specific male tail line who would have received an X from their fathers regardless of tail line.
Regardless of the merit of tail lines as a tool in modern breeding, their value from a historical perspective is unequivocal. Following tail lines gives us a glimpse back at the individuals whose genetic make-up - whose mere existence - has profoundly affected the breed we work to mold and preserve today.
This is not to say that a pedigree traces back to only two foundation dogs. If, for example, a dog has been identified as representing the Barlow's Peter sire line and the Adamson's Beauty dam line, genetic material from other primary ancestors (i.e., Rex, Little Jimmie, Merry Turk, etc.) may also be present as passed down through the middle of the pedigree. In addition to our tail line founders, our breed has many other primary recorded ancestors. The variety of genetic combinations that can arise through the breeding of those individuals, each of whom possessed 39 pairs of chromosomes to pass on, is what forms the basis of a breed's genetic diversity. The unpredictable path those genes may take through a pedigree provides one of the most compelling arguments against the use of tail lines as a breeding tool.
Only in the case of the lone and single Y chromosome, inherited consistently down the male tail line, and mitochondrial DNA inherited from mother to daughter can the direct path of any gene be tracked in a pedigree. It is interesting to observe that, though today's dam lines are predominantly found in both varieties, there is very little cross-over between varieties along male tail lines. For example, there are no male Toy Manchesters among the over 1850 direct (i.e., along tail lines) male descendents of Barlow's Peter (SMT), and only three among both Little Jimmie's (TMT) 3400+ and Rex's 2866 direct male descendents (both past and present) who were titled as Standard Manchester Terriers. While it should be remembered that these statistics account for only those male dogs who were shown, and so consequently do not include dogs placed as pets or even breeding stock that was not shown, the almost perfect division of the varieties along male tale lines does provide a compelling argument for the theory. It should also be noted that these statistics do not account for female descendants of a specific male tail line who would have received an X from their fathers regardless of tail line.
Regardless of the merit of tail lines as a tool in modern breeding, their value from a historical perspective is unequivocal. Following tail lines gives us a glimpse back at the individuals whose genetic make-up - whose mere existence - has profoundly affected the breed we work to mold and preserve today.
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Manchester Terrier Breed Founders
Unfortunately little is known about the dogs identified as the primary ancestors to today's Manchester Terrier. Because of intervariety breeding we find the majority of these dogs in both "Standard" and "Toy" pedigrees, inasmuch as the two can today be separately defined. Upon registration in their respective studbooks, however, each was originally classified as Standard or Toy/ETT. Divisions below reflect those findings and should not be interpreted as being mutually exclusive with regard to the variety of their descendents. Individuals have been colour coded for clarity, blue for males and red for females.
Standard Tail Lines
Barlow’s Peter: An unregistered dog whelped in the early 1880s in England. The line was introduced into the U.S. by Charles Wilson’s 1906 import (Am) Ch. Brilliant Boy II. This tail line became extinct in England in the early part of the 20th century but was reintroduced in the U.K. through Mrs. Knight's (now Mrs. Enid Teague-Knight) importation of Gwinny Willow Thunderstorm. Universally this is the dominant Standard male tail line. It should be noted that in examining over 1850 direct male descendents (i.e., tail line descendents only) of Barlow's Peter, no Toy progeny was identified in either the past or the present.
Burton’s Lilly: Whelped in the early 1880s, probably in England. Burton's Lilly is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Flossy: Unregistered bitch whelped in the early 1890s, probably in Canada. The Flossy tail line is in danger of dying out as there are currently no known female tail line descendants in Standards and very few in Toys.
Adamson’s Beauty: Unregistered bitch whelped about 1910 in the U.S. Adamson's Beauty is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Putney Pansey: Unregistered Miniature Black And Tan Terrier whelped in England about 1917, bred by a Mr. Reader. In order to revitalize the gene pool of the Manchester Terrier (Standard), The Kennel Club in the early 1950s permitted for a limited time the interbreeding of Manchesters with what we now call ETTs. This line was introduced into the U.S. through Mrs. Muriel Henkel’s 1984 import (Am) Ch. Eaglespur Astral. The line is one of the two active Manchester dam lines in the U.K.
Judy: An unregistered bitch whelped about 1912 by her breeder, Mr. Evans. The line was introduced into North America with Carl Adiletti’s 1985 importation of Eng./Am. Ch. Keyline Tug Of War and Pat Dresser’s 1987 importation of Eng./Am. Ch. Keyline Star Of The Year. Judy is the other of the two current English MT dam lines. This is the most prevalent Standard dam line in the U.K.
Toy Tail Lines
Little Jimmie: Unregistered dog whelped about 1920 in England. The line was introduced into the U.S. through Ernest and Emma Morgan’s 1932 import Dodger. The line no longer exists in the U.K. with the exception of the recent American import Eng/Am Ch. Animalhouse Partytyme Moe. Upon examining all 3408 male tail line descendents (both past and present) of Little Jimmie, it is interesting to note that only three have ever been titled as SMTs. They are Ch. Rustic Lane's Blockbuster, Ch. Canty's Heyboy and Ch. Canty's Keepin' Close.
Rex: An unregistered dog whelped about 1902 probably in the U.S. He may have been owned by the important early breeder Hans Hirsh. All current Rex line males are descendents of Ch. Salutaire Strike Up The Band, a relatively modern Toy Manchester. Not surprisingly, there are no living SMT direct descendents of Rex. It should be noted, however, that even after examining all 2866 recorded direct male descendents of Rex (both past and present), only three have ever been titled as SMTs (Ch.'s Bam-Saw's Brant, Bromley and Uledon).
Junka: One of only two currently active male tail lines in the UK, this tail line has been introduced to North America through recent imports. Junk was an unregistered dog, probably whelped in 1921 or 1922. No crosses have been included here given the limited time for interraction.
Wee Flossie: Unregistered bitch whelped about 1919 in England. The line was introduced into the U.S. through the Morgan’s 1932 import Watercan Magnolia. The line still is active in ETTs in the U.K. Wee Flossie is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Lady Flora: Unregistered bitch born about 1912 in the U.S. Lady Flora is an active tail line and is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Standard Tail Lines
Barlow’s Peter: An unregistered dog whelped in the early 1880s in England. The line was introduced into the U.S. by Charles Wilson’s 1906 import (Am) Ch. Brilliant Boy II. This tail line became extinct in England in the early part of the 20th century but was reintroduced in the U.K. through Mrs. Knight's (now Mrs. Enid Teague-Knight) importation of Gwinny Willow Thunderstorm. Universally this is the dominant Standard male tail line. It should be noted that in examining over 1850 direct male descendents (i.e., tail line descendents only) of Barlow's Peter, no Toy progeny was identified in either the past or the present.
Burton’s Lilly: Whelped in the early 1880s, probably in England. Burton's Lilly is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Flossy: Unregistered bitch whelped in the early 1890s, probably in Canada. The Flossy tail line is in danger of dying out as there are currently no known female tail line descendants in Standards and very few in Toys.
Adamson’s Beauty: Unregistered bitch whelped about 1910 in the U.S. Adamson's Beauty is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Putney Pansey: Unregistered Miniature Black And Tan Terrier whelped in England about 1917, bred by a Mr. Reader. In order to revitalize the gene pool of the Manchester Terrier (Standard), The Kennel Club in the early 1950s permitted for a limited time the interbreeding of Manchesters with what we now call ETTs. This line was introduced into the U.S. through Mrs. Muriel Henkel’s 1984 import (Am) Ch. Eaglespur Astral. The line is one of the two active Manchester dam lines in the U.K.
Judy: An unregistered bitch whelped about 1912 by her breeder, Mr. Evans. The line was introduced into North America with Carl Adiletti’s 1985 importation of Eng./Am. Ch. Keyline Tug Of War and Pat Dresser’s 1987 importation of Eng./Am. Ch. Keyline Star Of The Year. Judy is the other of the two current English MT dam lines. This is the most prevalent Standard dam line in the U.K.
Toy Tail Lines
Little Jimmie: Unregistered dog whelped about 1920 in England. The line was introduced into the U.S. through Ernest and Emma Morgan’s 1932 import Dodger. The line no longer exists in the U.K. with the exception of the recent American import Eng/Am Ch. Animalhouse Partytyme Moe. Upon examining all 3408 male tail line descendents (both past and present) of Little Jimmie, it is interesting to note that only three have ever been titled as SMTs. They are Ch. Rustic Lane's Blockbuster, Ch. Canty's Heyboy and Ch. Canty's Keepin' Close.
Rex: An unregistered dog whelped about 1902 probably in the U.S. He may have been owned by the important early breeder Hans Hirsh. All current Rex line males are descendents of Ch. Salutaire Strike Up The Band, a relatively modern Toy Manchester. Not surprisingly, there are no living SMT direct descendents of Rex. It should be noted, however, that even after examining all 2866 recorded direct male descendents of Rex (both past and present), only three have ever been titled as SMTs (Ch.'s Bam-Saw's Brant, Bromley and Uledon).
Junka: One of only two currently active male tail lines in the UK, this tail line has been introduced to North America through recent imports. Junk was an unregistered dog, probably whelped in 1921 or 1922. No crosses have been included here given the limited time for interraction.
Wee Flossie: Unregistered bitch whelped about 1919 in England. The line was introduced into the U.S. through the Morgan’s 1932 import Watercan Magnolia. The line still is active in ETTs in the U.K. Wee Flossie is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Lady Flora: Unregistered bitch born about 1912 in the U.S. Lady Flora is an active tail line and is found in both SMT and TMT pedigrees today.
Recent Foreign Imports
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Possible Tail Line Crosses
With only 11 tail lines, looking at the descendents of all of the possible tail line combinations is a manageable project. Though, given the arguments of modern genetic theory, we do not personally endorse the use of tail lines as a breeding tool, looking at examples of particular tail line crosses is definitely interesting if only from a historical perspective.
To give the theory a try though, look for similarities among all of the descendents of a particular foundation sire (i.e., Little Jimmie). This means checking each of his possible crosses with the seven taproot dams. Now do the same for one of the foundation dams. Do you see similarities? Be careful not to assign too much weight to general likeness as many of the dogs listed are more closely related than through common tail lines.
Our thanks to all those who provided both modern and historic photos!
Rex (TMT) x Lady Flora (TMT)
To give the theory a try though, look for similarities among all of the descendents of a particular foundation sire (i.e., Little Jimmie). This means checking each of his possible crosses with the seven taproot dams. Now do the same for one of the foundation dams. Do you see similarities? Be careful not to assign too much weight to general likeness as many of the dogs listed are more closely related than through common tail lines.
Our thanks to all those who provided both modern and historic photos!
Rex (TMT) x Lady Flora (TMT)
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Rex (TMT) x Wee Flossie (TMT)
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Rex (TMT) x Burton's Lily (SMT)
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Rex (TMT) x Adamson's Beauty (SMT)
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Rex (TMT) x Flossy (SMT)
*Note: Though the dogs below represented crosses of these two tail lines, there are no known modern day crosses.
*Note: Though the dogs below represented crosses of these two tail lines, there are no known modern day crosses.
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Rex (TMT) x Putney Pansy (SMT)
No Known Crosses
No Known Crosses
Rex (TMT) x Judy (SMT)
No Known Crosses
No Known Crosses
Little Jimmie (TMT) x Lady Flora (TMT)
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Little Jimmie (TMT) x Wee Flossie (TMT)
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Little Jimmie (TMT) x Burton's Lily (SMT)
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Little Jimmie (TMT) x Adamson's Beauty (SMT)
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Little Jimmie (TMT) x Flossie (SMT)
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Little Jimmie (TMT) x Putney Pansy (SMT)
No Known Crosses
No Known Crosses
Little Jimmie (TMT) x Judy (SMT)
*Note: This is a very rare cross, both historically and today.
*Note: This is a very rare cross, both historically and today.
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Barlow's Peter (SMT) x Burton's Lilly (SMT)
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Barlow's Peter (SMT) x Adamson's Beauty (SMT)
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Barlow's Peter (SMT) x Flossy (SMT)
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Barlow's Peter (SMT) x Putney's Pansy (SMT)
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Barlow's Peter (SMT) x Judy (SMT)
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Barlow's Peter (SMT) x Lady Flora (TMT)
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Barlow's Peter (SMT) x Wee Flossy (TMT)
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