Terrier is the generic name of a group of dog breeds that share a common origin, but have physical characteristics so diverse that in some cases it is difficult to think that they are related. The terrier dogs are usually small or medium-sized, and generally have a restless and determined character. Most of these breeds originated in Great Britain, but there are terriers from different parts of the world.
The word "terrier" (in French) derives from the Latin "terra", which means "earth". These dogs were named together with that term because they were mainly used to hunt burrowing animals underground. Although all breeds in this group have the word "terrier" in their name, not all breeds that have this term belong to FCI group 3, intended to group together terrier-type dog breeds. For example, the black Russian terrier belongs to the group of pinscher and schnauzer type dogs (group 2).
On the other hand, not all dogs that hunt underground are called terriers. For example, dachshunds (commonly known as dachshunds) are also burrowing hunting dogs. Keep reading this article on our site and find out what are the terrier dog breeds
Uses of terriers
The main use of these dogs in the past was hunting burrowing animals, such as foxes, rabbits, rats, badgers and marmots. In the 1800s, terrier dogs were also used for a cruel and risky practice from a he alth point of view: competitions in which a dog had to kill rats. A dog was simply released into a pit containing rats, and the winner was the terrier that killed the most rats in the least amount of time.
Years later, terriers were included in the cruel and bloody practice of dog fighting. The organizers of these fights were looking for more agile dogs than the molossers they used, and for this they decided to make crosses between these dogs and some terriers. In this way, they guaranteed greater agility without losing the combative and brave character of their fighting dogs. The result of these crosses gave the ancestors of the current pit bull and the other terriers of the "bull" type.
Today terriers are used primarily as companion dogs, although they are still used as small game dogs in some places in burrowHowever, show bloodlines tend to have slightly different characteristics than working lines, making them ineffective for these purposes. Show lines are generally a bit larger and sturdier, making it difficult for them to enter and maneuver into burrows.
Terriers are also occasionally used as guard and defense dogs, but most breeds in this group are not strong enough big enough to be protection dogs. The exception to this rule is the airedale terrier, whose height at the withers is around 60 centimeters and can be a fierce and combative defender.
Types of terrier dogs
Depending on the source you are looking for or the canine society you use as a reference, you can find different classifications for terrier dogs. However, according to the classification of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), terriers are classified into four main types: large and medium-sized, small, "bull" type and company.
However, there are also other breeds of dogs that have the term "terrier" in their names, but due to their physical characteristics they do not fit well into the third group of the FCI classification and, therefore, are included in other groups.
Thus, considering all the breeds recognized by the FCI that have the word "terrier" in their name, five types of terriers are recognized:
- Medium and Large Terrier Dogs
- Small terrier dogs
- Bull type terrier dogs
- Companion terrier dogs
- Other terrier dogs
Large and Medium Terrier Dog Breeds
They are large or medium, but never very large. In fact, the largest of this type of terrier dog breed, and of all, is the Airedale, which reaches a maximum size of 61 centimeters at the withers.
Dogs of this type have the potential to be used as small game dogs and as utility dogs. The Airedale Terrier adapts very well to different dog training methods and is large enough to fulfill the functions of protection, guard, guide dog, assistance dog, search and rescue dog and others.
The terrier dog breeds of this type are as follows:
- Airedale terrier
- Bedlington terrier
- Border terrier
- Smooth fox terrier
- Wire Fox Terrier
- Irish glen of Imaal terrier
- Irish soft coated wheaten terrier
- Kerry blue terrier
- Lakeland terrier
- Manchester terrier
- Parson russell terrier
- Brazilian Terrier (Terrier brasileiro)
- German Hunting Terrier (Deutscher jagdterrier)
- Irish Terrier
- Welsh Terrier
Small terrier breeds
They are small terriers originally used for vermin hunting. Although they are small dogs, they are not lap or companion dogs, but resistant and very active animals that need a lot of exercise.
The terrier dog breeds of this type are:
- Cairn terrier
- Dandie dinmont terrier
- Jack russell terrier
- Norfolk terrier
- Norwich terrier
- Scottish terrier
- Sealyham terrier
- Skye terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Czech Terrier (Ceský teriér)
- Japanese Terrier (Nihon teria)
- West highland white terrier
Bull type terrier dog breeds
They are molossoid and their origin had to do with cattle and fighting dogs. Although their appearance is easily intimidating, they are not usually good guard or defense dogs, since they tend to be sociable, playful and very affectionate dogs.
The breeds of terrier dogs of this type are:
- Bull terrier
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- American staffordshire terrier
- American pit bull terrier (not recognized by the FCI)
Terrier Companion Dog Breeds
They are the smallest of all terrier dogs and, although they meet the characteristics to belong to this group, they are no longer used for hunting burrowing animals. Its main function today is that of pets. They are excellent for families with grown children who know how to properly respect animals. Due to their small size, these breeds are not suitable for families with very young children.
The dog breeds that belong to this type of terrier are:
- Australian silky terrier
- English toy terrier black and tan
- Yorkshire terrier
Other breeds of terrier dogs
These are breeds of dogs that bear the name terrier but which, due to their characteristics, do not belong to the terrier group, but to other groups of the FCI classification. In total we distinguish three breeds, two of them considered as companion dogs and the rest as a pinscher and schnauzer type dog.
- Tibetan Terrier (companion dog)
- Boston terrier (companion dog)
- Black Russian Terrier or Tchiorny terrier (pinscher and schnauzer type dog)
