terrier, classification used by breeders and kennel clubs to designate dogs originally bred to start small game and vermin from their burrows or, in the case of several breeds in this group, to go to earth and kill their prey. Today these dogs are raised chiefly as pets. The following breeds are classified as terrirers by the American Kennel Club: airedale terrier, Australian terrier; Bedlington terrier; border terrier; bull terrier; cairn terrier; Dandie Dinmont terrier; fox terrier; Irish terrier; Kerry blue terrier; Lakeland terrier; Manchester terrier; schnauzer (miniature); Norwich terrier; Scottish terrier; Sealyham terrier; Skye terrier; Staffordshire terrier; Welsh terrier; and West Highland white terrier. See dog.

soft-coated wheaten terrier, breed of medium-sized dog developed and perfected in Ireland. It stands from 17 to 19 in. (43.1-48.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 30 to 45 lb (13.6-20.4 kg). Its abundant, soft, medium-length coat is silky and slightly wavy and may be any shade of wheat in color. Related to the Kerry blue and Irish terrier, the soft-coated wheaten has been raised for many years in its native land as a farm dog and vermin destroyer. In recent times it has begun to be popular as a pet in the United States, where it is exhibited in the miscellaneous class at dog shows sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. See dog.

silky terrier, breed of agile, spirited toy dog originated in Australia in the early 20th cent. It stands about 10 in. (25 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 8 to 10 lb (3.6.-4.5 kg). Its silky, flat-lying hair is between 5 and 6 in. (12.7-15.2 cm) long and hangs straight down from the sides of the body. Its color is blue with tan markings on the face and legs and a silver or fawn topknot. The silky terrier resulted from crossings of Yorkshire terrier and Australian terrier. It has always been raised as a house pet and companion. See dog.

miniature bull terrier, breed of small, muscular dog developed in England in the early 19th cent. It stands up to 14 in. (35.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 17 lb (7.7 kg). Its short, flat, harsh coat is glossy white or white with brindle patches. As the bull terrier was being created from the bulldog and the white English terrier, dogs were produced in a wide variety of sizes. The toys, weighing from 4 to 7 lb (1.8-3.2 kg), were selectively bred and exhibited until about 1914, when interest in them waned. The medium-sized or miniature bull terriers have retained their popularity to this day and have continued to be bred to resemble in every detail the standard-sized bull terriers. The miniature is shown in the miscellaneous class at dog shows sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. See dog.

fox terrier, breed of long-legged terrier developed over several centuries in England. There are two varieties, the smooth and the wirehaired. The coat of the former is dense, short, and flat, while that of the latter is longer, harsh, and wiry. The color in both varieties is white with black or black-and-tan markings. The fox terrier stands about 15 in. (38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 15 to 19 lb (6.8-8.6 kg). Although the wirehaired is the older variety—some authorities trace its ancestry to the mid-17th cent.—the smooth was the first to be exhibited in the show ring. Both were perfected in the 19th cent. Widely bred to hunt foxes, the fox terrier is a very popular family companion and pet. See dog.

cairn terrier, breed of small working terrier developed on the Isle of Skye in the 19th cent. It stands about 10 in. (25 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 14 lb (6.4 kg). The weather-resistant double coat consists of a soft, furry underlayer and a profuse, hard outercoat about 2 in. (5 cm) long. It may be any color except white, often with dark ears, muzzle, and tip of tail. Originally bred to rout fur-bearing vermin from the rocky crags and cliffs of its native island, the cairn was also bred as a water dog to hunt otters. At an early stage in its history it was accepted into the household as a companion and watchdog, the roles for which it is principally raised today. See dog.

bull terrier, breed of large, muscular terrier originating in England around 1835. It stands from 19 to 22 in. (48.3-55.9 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 30 to 36 lb (13.6-16.3 kg). Its short, flat-lying, harsh coat is glossy white or, in the colored variety, most popularly brindle with white markings. Developed for dogfighting from a cross of bulldog and a now extinct English terrier, the bull terrier was renowned for its courage, strength, and intelligence. However, down through the years English breeders placed increasing emphasis on the breed's overall disposition and less on its aggressiveness. As a result, the bull terrier of today is a friendly, gentle dog that makes a responsible and devoted companion. See dog.

border terrier, breed of hardy, medium-sized terrier developed in the Border districts of N England in the 18th and 19th cent. It stands about 12 in. (30 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 131/2 to 151/2 lb (6.1-6.9 kg). Its weather-resistant double coat is composed of a short, dense underlayer and a close-lying, very wiry topcoat. It may be red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten in color, occasionally with a small amount of white on the chest. The border terrier was bred to hunt and kill the large hill fox of its native Border districts and came to be used against a wide variety of vermin. Raised today chiefly as a pet, it is a relatively rare breed in the United States. See dog.

airedale terrier, breed of dog developed in England in the 19th cent. It is the largest of the terrier group, standing about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighing from 40 to 50 lb (18.1-22.7 kg). Its dense, wiry, close-lying coat is a mixture of tan, black, and grizzle in color. Although little can be said with certainty of its history prior to 1850, authorities generally believe the airedale was produced from crosses of the extinct black-and-tan terrier and the otterhound. It has been used to hunt a variety of game, trained as a police dog and dispatch bearer in war, bred for show competition, and kept as a pet. See dog.

Yorkshire terrier, breed of small, spirited toy dog originated and developed in Yorkshire, England, in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 9 in. (22.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 4 to 7 lb (1.8-3.2 kg). Its long, straight, glossy coat is finely textured and is dark steel blue and tan in color. Although the Yorkshire is a "human-made" breed, precisely what dogs were used in its creation remains largely a matter of speculation since no breeding records were kept and the Yorkshire area contained many popular toy and terrier types that could have been used for crossbreeding. However, the general consensus is that the Yorkshire represents the bred-down issue of crosses between Skye terrier and Manchester terrier. Today, as in the past, the Yorkshire is a very popular companion and house pet. See dog.

West Highland white terrier, breed of sturdy, compact terrier developed in Scotland in the early 19th cent. It stands about 11 in. (27.9 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 13 to 20 lb (5.9-9.1 kg). Its white, water-resistant double coat consists of a short, dense, soft underlayer and a hard, curl-free topcoat about 2 in. (5 cm) long. The West Highland white, descending from the same ancestral stock as the cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and Scottish terrier, was used to hunt small game both on land and in the water. In recent times it has been popular chiefly as a house pet. See dog.

Welsh terrier, breed of medium-sized terrier developed in Wales more than a century ago. It stands about 15 in. (38 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 20 lb (9 kg). Its close-lying, harsh, wiry coat may be black and tan or black, grizzle, and tan in color. The direct descendant of the old English wirehaired black-and-tan sporting dogs from which have come many of the present-day terriers, the Welsh terrier was renowned for its gameness on badger, fox, and otter. In recent times it has been raised chiefly as a pet. See dog.

Tibetan terrier, breed of medium-sized dog originating in Tibet probably several thousand years ago. It stands from 14 to 16 in. (35.6-40.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 15 to 30 lb (6.8-13.6 kg). Its double coat consists of a soft, woolly underlayer and a profuse, finely textured, straight topcoat with hair falling over the eyes and forming a beard on the lower jaw. It may be solid white, cream, gray, smoke, black, or gold in color, or any of these in parti-color or tricolor patterns. Introduced into the United States in 1956, the Tibetan terrier is exhibited in the miscellaneous class at dog shows sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. See dog.

Staffordshire terrier, breed of strong, muscular terrier developed in England in the early 19th cent. It stands from 17 to 19 in. (43.1-48.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 35 to 50 lb (15.9-22.7 kg). Its short, close-lying, stiff coat is glossy and may be any color or combination of colors except solid white. As the popularity of bullbaiting and bearbaiting began to decline and the matching of dog against dog became more the fashion, British breeders crossed bulldogs with a now extinct black-and-tan terrier to produce the smaller, more agile pit dog necessary for this sort of contest. The result was the Staffordshire terrier. In recent times the Staffordshire has been raised as a pet and watchdog. See dog.

Skye terrier, breed of sturdy, short-legged terrier developed in the northwestern islands of Scotland more than four centuries ago. It takes its name from the principal island in the group. The Skye terrier stands about 10 in. (25 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 25 lb (11 kg). Its double coat consists of a short, close-lying, woolly underlayer and a profuse, straight-hanging, flat topcoat about 51/2 in. (14 cm) long. It may be black, blue, gray, fawn, or cream in color. Bred originally to hunt small game both on land and in the water, the Skye later became a favorite at the English court. Today it is raised as a pet. See dog.

Sealyham terrier, breed of short-legged terrier developed in Wales in the second half of the 19th cent. It stands about 10 in. (25 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 20 lb (9 kg). Its weather-resistant double coat consists of a dense, soft underlayer and a hard, wiry topcoat. It may be solid white or white with lemon or tan markings on the head and ears. The Sealyham takes its name from the Welsh country estate of Captain John Edwardes, who originated the breed. Used for years to hunt badger, otter, and fox, today it has come to be a popular house pet. See dog.

Scottish terrier, breed of short-legged terrier perfected in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 10 in. (25 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 18 to 22 lb (8.2-10.0 kg). Its dense, hard, wiry coat is about 2 in. (5 cm) long and may be steel gray, brindle, grizzle, black, sandy, or wheaten in color. A very strong dog for its size, the scottie was originally used to hunt small game, particularly badgers. Today it is raised chiefly as a family pet. See dog.

Norwich terrier, breed of small, sturdy terrier developed in England in the second half of the 19th cent. It stands about 10 in. (25.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 11 lb (4.9 kg). The harsh, straight coat lies close to the body and is weather-resistant. It may be red, red wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle in color. The Norwich was originally bred as a compact hunter for work on rats and rabbits. Very soon after the Norwich made its debut as a new breed, owning one became a fad at the Univ. of Cambridge. This early popularity did much to insure the permanence of the breed, as a number of students went on to raise the Norwich after they graduated. Today it is kept chiefly as a pet. See dog.

Manchester terrier, breed of sleek, alert terrier developed in England in the 19th cent. There are two varieties, the standard and the toy (see toy dog). The standard variety stands from 14 to 16 in. (35.6-40.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 16 lb (7.3 kg). The toy Manchester, bred down from the standard, weighs from 5 to 12 lb (2.3-5.5 kg) and stands about 7 in. (17.8 cm) high at the shoulder. The only distinction other than size between the two varieties is in ear carriage; when not cropped, the ears of the standard are semierect, while the toy's natural ear carriage is erect. The dense, short, smooth coat is glossy and is a combination of jet black and mahogany tan in color. Believed to have been the product of breeding a whippet to a famous brown crossbred terrier, the Manchester was originally used in destroying rats and in the widely popular sport of rabbit coursing. Today it is raised chiefly as a house pet. See dog.

Lakeland terrier, breed of strong working terrier developed in the 18th and 19th cent. in the Lake District of England. It stands about 14 in. (35.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 17 lb (7.7 kg). Its short, dense coat is harsh and wiry and usually blue or black marked with tan, bluish black, red, grizzle, or wheaten. The Lakeland was originally bred to follow to ground and kill foxes that preyed upon the Lake District's livestock. To this end, it was common practice on the part of foxhunters to include several of these fearless terriers in their hound packs. Today, the Lakeland is chiefly raised as a pet. See dog.

Kerry blue terrier, breed of large, sturdy terrier perfected in Ireland more than 100 years ago. It stands from 17 to 19 in. (43.2-48.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 30 to 40 lb (13.6-18.2 kg). Its dense coat is soft and wavy, never harsh, and may be any shade of blue-gray or gray-blue. A truly all-purpose working terrier, the Kerry blue was used to hunt small game, destroy vermin, retrieve on land and water, and herd sheep and cattle. Today it is a popular house pet and show competitor. See dog.

Jack Russell terrier, breed of dog developed in the 19th cent. by an English clergyman, the Reverend John (Parson Jack) Russell, 1795-1883, for hunting. The Jack Russell resembles the fox terrier and, like it, has two varieties, one with a short smooth coat, the other—the Parson Jack Russell terrier—wirehaired. It is a smaller dog than the fox terrier, however, weighing 9 to 18 lb (4 to 8 kg) and standing about 10 to 15 in. (25 to 38 cm) at the shoulder. The color is white with reddish brown, black, or tan markings. The Jack Russell has dark, almond-shaped eyes and V-shaped ears that are carried forward. The terrier is not a recognized American Kennel Club breed and less emphasis has been placed on its conforming to a breed standard than on its abilities as a hunting and companion dog. The breed can become aggressive and destructive if not given the attention and exercise required by a dog bred for hunting.

Irish terrier, a breed of hardy working terrier developed in the British Isles and believed to be one of the oldest terriers. It stands about 18 in. (46 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 25 to 27 lb (11-12 kg). The dense, wiry coat lies fairly close to the body and is usually solid red-wheaten, bright red, or golden red in color. Probably descended from the same wirehaired black-and-tan dog of Great Britain that produced most of the terriers, the Irish terrier was used to hunt small game and destroy vermin, both on land and in the water. Today it is principally raised as a show competitor and family pet. See dog.

Dandie Dinmont terrier, breed of hardy, long-bodied terrier developed in England and Scotland and first recorded as a distinct type in the very early 18th cent. It stands from 8 to 11 in. (20.3-27.9 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 18 to 24 lb (8.1-10.9 kg). The double coat consists of a mixture of soft and harsh hair about 2 in. (5.1 cm) long that gives it a crisp but not wiry texture and appearance. Its color may be pepper or mustard. Like most of the other terriers from England's northern Border districts, the Dandie Dinmont was bred to go to ground (i.e., go into an animal's den or underground shelter) in the hunting of such game as otters, badgers, and foxes. Today it is raised principally as a pet. See dog.

Boston terrier, breed of small, lively nonsporting dog developed in the United States in the second half of the 19th cent. It stands between 14 and 17 in. (35.6-43.2 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 13 to 25 lb (5.9-11.3 kg). Its short, smooth, glossy coat may be brindle or black, both with white markings. One of the few breeds native to the United States, it was developed in Boston from a cross between the bulldog and a now extinct white English terrier. Since its perfection in the 1880s, the Boston terrier has steadily increased in popularity as a companion and house pet. See dog.

Bedlington terrier, breed of long-legged, lithe terrier developed in the eastern Border districts of England in the 19th cent. It stands about 16 in. (40.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 22 to 24 lb (9.9-10.8 kg). Its thick, wiry outercoat is trimmed back to the fleecy undercoat for exhibition. The hair when trimmed is no longer than 1 in. (2.5 cm) on the body, absent on the ears except for a fringe on the tips, and, on the head, formed into a topknot that gradually tapers to the nose. The overall appearance when clipped for show resembles that of a sheep. In color the coat may be solid blue, liver, sandy, or any of these marked with tan. Most authorities believe the Bedlington was produced by crossing the old rough-coated terrier with the whippet. Originally raised to hunt vermin, badger, and fox, and often used in organized dogfights, the Bedlington was later taken into the home as companion and pet. See dog.

Australian terrier, breed of small, hardy terrier perfected in Australia c.1885. It stands about 10 in. (25.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 12 to 14 lb (5.5-6.4 kg). Its weather-resistant double coat consists of a soft, short underlayer and a straight, harsh outercoat about 2.5 in. (6.4 cm) long. It is silver-black or blue-black in color with rich tan markings on the head and legs. The Australian terrier is descended from the now extinct broken-hair, or rough-coated, terrier, a dog of widespread popularity in the early 18th cent. and believed to be the progenitor of many terrier breeds. For show purposes the rough-coated terrier was crossed with several British sporting terriers, probably the cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Irish, and Skye, producing the Australian terrier of today. Originally used to guard mines and herd sheep, it is now primarily raised as a pet. See dog.

or Staffordshire terrier

Dog breed developed in 19th-century Britain for fighting other dogs in pits. It was created by crossing the bulldog (which at the time was longer-legged and more agile) with a terrier, possibly the fox terrier. Once known by such names as bull-and-terrier and half-and-half, the pit bull is a stocky, muscular, unusually strong dog with powerful jaws, standing 17–19 in. (43–48 cm) tall and weighing 30–50 lb (14–23 kg). Its stiff, short coat may be any colour, solid or variegated. Seealso bull terrier.

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Well-known breed of dog developed in England to drive foxes from their dens. The wirehaired variety was developed from a rough-coated black-and-tan terrier; the smooth-haired variety was developed from the beagle, greyhound, bull terrier, and a smooth-coated black-and-tan terrier. Both are sturdy, with a tapered muzzle and folded, V-shaped ears. They stand about 15 in. (38 cm) high and weigh 15–19 lb (7–8.5 kg). Predominantly white with black or black-and-tan markings, fox terriers are noted for their bold, energetic nature.

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Breed of terrier developed in Scotland to rout animals that prey on game. The modern breed's characteristics are carefully patterned on those of the dog's ancestor, a 17th-century terrier of the Isle of Skye. This short-legged dog has a short, broad face. Its coarse coat is usually bluish gray, tan, or pale yellowish brown. Generally active, hardy, alert, and spirited, it is valued as a pet and watchdog. It stands 9–10 in. (23–25.5 cm) high and weighs about 13–14 lbs (6–6.5 kg).

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Breed of dog developed in 19th-century England from the bulldog and the now-extinct white English terrier. The Spanish pointer was later bred into the line to increase its size. The bull terrier was developed as a courageous fighting dog but not an aggressive fight provoker, and it is generally friendly. A muscular dog, it is considered, for its weight, the strongest of all dogs. It has a short coat, tapering tail, erect ears, and deep-set eyes. It stands 19–22 in. (48–56 cm) high and weighs 50–60 lbs (23–27 kg). There are two varieties, coloured and white.

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or Yorkie

Breed of toy dog developed in the mid-19th century in Yorkshire and Lancashire, Eng. Its lineage appears to include terriers such as the Skye and Dandie Dinmont. Its outstanding feature is its straight, silky coat, parted on the back from nose to tail and long enough to sweep the ground. Its coat colour is dark blue-gray, with tan on the head and chest. It may grow to 9 in. (23 cm) tall and weigh up to 7 lb (3 kg).

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Breed of terrier developed in the late 19th century by Capt. John Edwardes for hunting foxes, otters, and badgers on his Welsh estate, Sealyham. A small, short-legged, sturdy dog, it was bred for courage, stamina, and hunting ability. It has a double coat, soft underneath and wiry on top, and may be solid white or white with darker markings on its head and drooping ears. It stands about 10 in. (25.5 cm) and weighs about 20 lbs (9 kg).

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or Scottie

Short-legged terrier breed, perhaps the oldest of the Highland terriers. A strong and plucky dog, the Scottie is squat and bewhiskered, with alert-looking eyes and a distinctive rolling gait. It stands about 10 in. (25.5 cm) tall and weighs 18–22 lb (8–10 kg). Its hard, wiry coat may be of various colours.

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Breed of terrier developed in Ireland, one of the oldest terrier breeds. It stands 16–18 in. (41.5–46 cm) high, weighs 22–26 lbs (10–12 kg), and has a wiry golden-red to reddish brown coat. Nicknamed the daredevil, it is reputedly adaptable, loyal, spirited, and recklessly courageous. It served as a messenger and sentinel in World War I, and has been used to hunt and to retrieve game.

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Breed of terrier developed in the border country of England and Scotland. First noted as a distinct breed circa 1700, it was later named after a character in Sir Walter Scott's Guy Mannering (1815). It has a long, softly curved body, short legs, and a large, domed head crowned by a silky topknot. Its crisp-textured coat, a combination of hard and soft hairs, may be pepper- or mustard-coloured. It stands 8–11 in. (20–28 cm) high and weighs 18–24 lb (8–11 kg).

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Breed of dog developed in the late 19th century in Boston. Bred from the English bulldog and a white English terrier, the Boston terrier is one of the few breeds to have originated in the U.S. It has a terrier-like build, dark eyes, a short muzzle, and a short, fine coat of black or brindle, with white on the face, chest, neck, and legs. It stands 14–17 in. (36–43 cm) high and ranges in weight from 15 to 25 lbs (7–11 kg). The breed is characteristically gentle and affectionate.

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Breed of dog. It was developed in the 19th century in Northumberland, Eng., and named for Bedlingtonshire, a mining district in the area. Initially established as a fighting dog and hunter of vermin, the breed later became a popular pet. Lamblike in appearance, it has an arched back, a topknot, and a thick, curly coat that is blue-gray, deep reddish brown, or pale sandy, often with tan markings. The breed stands 15–16 in. (38–40 cm) tall and weighs 22–24 lbs. (10–11 kg).

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