Sir, – I read Tom Best's column (issue 83, December 21, 2012) with interest (as always).

Within it, he mentions the terrier origin from the 'Manchester Heeler'. However there is actually no such breed.

The breed Mr Best will be referring to is the Lancashire Heeler – the smallest of what us show dog people call the working and pastoral breeds and quite a popular show dog actually despite their late recognition with the UK Kennel Club.

They are thought to have been developed from a union between the Welsh Corgi and the sprightly Manchester Terrier, which would tie up with Mr Best's assumptions regarding the origins of certain terriers.

David Alcorn