terrier

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.

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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A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs.

Most terrier breeds were developed in Great Britain and Ireland. They were used to control rats, rabbits, and foxes both over and under the ground. Some larger terriers were also used to hunt badgers. In fact, the word terrier comes from the Middle French terrier, derived from the Latin terra, meaning earth. The Kerry Blue Terrier and Airedale, however, are particularly noted for tackling river rats and otters in deep water.

The gameness of the early hunting terriers was exploited by using them in sporting contests. Initially, terriers competed in events such as clearing a pit of rats. The dog that was fastest in killing all the rats won. In the 1700s some terriers were crossed with hounds to improve their hunting, and some with fighting dog breeds to "intensify tenacity and increase courage". Some of the crosses with fighting dogs, Bull and Terrier crosses, were used in the blood sport of dog fighting. Modern pet breeds developed from the Bull and Terrier, such as the Miniature Bull Terrier, are listed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) under Bull type terriers.

Today, most terriers are kept as companion dogs and make great family pets. They are generally loyal and affectionate to their owners but can be "big characters" requiring a firm hand.

Terrier types and groups

Most major dog registries today group all terriers in one Group; only the Fédération Cynologique Internationale subdivides the terrier group, into what the FCI calls Sections: Large and medium-sized Terriers, Small-sized Terriers, Bull type Terriers, and Toy Terriers.

Genetic analysis shows that most terriers are in the "modern/hunting" genetic cluster of dog breeds developed from the same pool of ancestors in Europe in the 1800s. A few terriers are found in the "mastiff" genetic cluster with Pomeranians, Labrador Retrievers, and other large-headed dogs, and the Tibetan Terrier is found in the older grouping of Asian and African dogs.

In the 1700s in Britain, only two types of terriers were recognized, long- and short-legged. Different localities raised terriers suited to their hunting or vermin control needs. Terriers were crossed with hunting dogs, fighting dogs, and other terriers. In the mid 1800s, with the advent of dog shows, various breeds were refined from the older purpose-bred dogs. All of today's terrier breeds are bred primarily as pets.

A way of categorizing terriers:

• Hunting or working terriers - Still used to find, track, or trail quarry, especially underground, and sometimes to bolt the quarry. These dogs are usually of mixed breeding or of breeds not recognized as pure breeds. These include
• Fell terriers - breeds developed in northern England to assist in the killing of foxes and
• Hunt terriers - breeds developed in southern England to locate and kill or bolt foxes during a traditional mounted fox hunt.

• Toy terrier - Bred "down" from larger terriers, these terriers are shown in the Toy or Companion group. Included among these breeds are the English Toy Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. While small, they retain true terrier character and are not "lap dogs".
• Bull type Terriers - The Bull and Terrier types were originally combinations of bulldogs and terriers as general mixed breed pit dogs. In the late 1800s, they were refined into separate breeds that combined terrier and bulldog qualities. Except for Boston Terriers, they are generally shown as terriers. Responsible breeders have made modern Bull type terrier breeds, such as the Bull terrier, suitable as family dogs and show terriers. A descendent of the Bull and Terrier types, the American Pit Bull Terriers, are among the dog breeds still raised for illegal dog fighting.

Listed at the bottom of the article are all Terrier breeds.

Variation in categorization among Kennel Clubs

What is considered a terrier varies in the many of the major kennel clubs, including the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, AKC, Australian National Kennel Council, Canadian Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK), New Zealand Kennel Club, and UKC as well as the myriad hunting and pet registries. For example, the Miniature Schnauzer is in the Terrier group in the American Kennel Club but not a Terrier according to the United Kingdom Kennel Club. Boston Terriers are true terriers although not put in the terrier group, while the Tibetan Terrier and Black Russian Terrier are terriers in name only and not true terriers at all.

References

See also

• Terriers of Scotland
• Working terriers
• Dog type
• List of dog types

External links

• A Pictorial History of Terriers
• Hunting with Terriers: The Basics
• Tips for Tunnel Training Terriers

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