Manchester Terriers, one of Britain’s vulnerable native dog breeds, are to have an art exhibition solely dedicated to them from next month.
 
‘A Terrier’s Tale, the Manchester Terrier through History’ is coming to the Kennel Club Art Gallery from 6th February to 29th June 2012. It is the Art Gallery’s 21st temporary exhibition and coincides with the British Manchester Terrier Club’s 75th anniversary in 2012.
 
The Manchester Terrier was bred specifically in the 19th century for rat catching and was employed as the Royal rat catcher and awarded a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. Unfortunately in recent years the breed has fallen off the public’s radar and last year only 152 Manchester Terrier puppies were registered with the Kennel Club, in contrast to 39,964 Labrador puppies (the UK’s most popular breed).
 
The Kennel Club Art Gallery is bringing the breed back into the limelight with this special exhibition which will feature historical oil paintings, hand coloured prints, sculptures, vintage photographs, cabinet cards, medals and trophies.
 
On loan from the Sir John Soane Museum will be a portrait of Mrs Soane and her Manchester Terrier, ‘Fanny’ posthumously painted by John Jackson in 1831. The exhibition is made complete by the rat catching scene at the Blue Anchor Tavern 1850-1852 from the Museum of London - this historically significant oil painting features the Manchester Terrier, ‘Tiny the Wonder’.
 
Ciara Farrell, Library and Collections Manager at the Kennel Club said: “The Manchester Terrier has a unique and wonderful history in the UK and this exhibition will help to celebrate our charming yet vulnerable breed.
 
“We will be welcoming a number of fascinating exhibits and are delighted to have received some personal artefacts from Agatha Christie’s family. Agatha Christie was a huge fan of the Manchester Terrier, owning two herself, and in her book ‘Postern of Fate' she wrote about a Manchester Terrier based on the characteristics of her own dogs. The exhibition will be a must see for any dog lover, art lover or history enthusiast.”
 
A Terrier’s Tale runs from 6th February until 29th June 2012. The Kennel Club Art Gallery is open Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm, by appointment.
 
To book an appointment or for further information please contact the Art Gallery on 020 7518 1064 or e-mail artgallery@thekennelclub.org.uk.
 
ENDS
[018.12]
27th January 2012
For further press information, images or interview requests please contact:
The Kennel Club Press Office
020 7518 1008
press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk
www.thekennelclub.org.uk

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Picture Caption:
Cabinet Cards courtesy of D Hockley
Mrs Soane with Her Manchester Terrier 'Fanny' by Johyn Jackson, courtesy of the Sir John Soane Museum
The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners.
 
It runs the country’s largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs and the Petlog database, which is the UK’s largest reunification service for microchipped animals. The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme is the only scheme in the UK that monitors and sets standards for breeders, in order to protect the welfare of puppies and breeding bitches. It also runs the UK’s largest dog training programme, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme and licenses shows and clubs across a wide range of activities, which help dog owners to bond and enjoy life with their dogs. The Kennel Club runs the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, and the Discover Dogs event at Earls Court, London, which is a fun family day out that educates people about how to buy responsibly and care for their dog.
 
The Kennel Club invests in welfare campaigns and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports dog welfare charities and research into dog diseases and also into dog training and education programmes. The Kennel Club jointly runs health screening schemes with the British Veterinary Association and through the Charitable Trust, funds the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, which is at the forefront of pioneering research into dog health.
 

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