When considering the type of dog breed classified as a terrier, it is helpful to look at the origin of the word. Terrier in French it means “burrow”, and these are dogs of hardy constitution and persistent temperament, which were bred to go to the ground in search of such parasites as rats, foxes and badgers. Some even jump into the water to hunt otters. Larger terriers were used in bad times like dogfights and bull-baiting. But regardless of whether they are tiny or large, these loyal and surprisingly brave beasts are among the most popular dogs to have as companions. Here is a list of the top 10 types of terrier dogs.
# 1. Pit bull terrier
Don’t be afraid of the pit bull. Descendants of Bulldogs and types of terrier dogs, including Staffordshire Bull Terriers, these canines were first used for dog fighting in the United States. They still exist in some places, although this practice is illegal. This has given them a sketchy reputation that is largely undeserved as a well-groomed and well-trained Pit Bull Terrier becomes a loyal pet and the best guardian of the home and family.
Their appearance is unmistakable because the dog appears to be overwhelmingly muscular, although its size is not that gigantic. With a shoulder height of 18 to 22 inches, a pit bull weighs 50 to 80 pounds. He has a huge head with a thick-boned skull, round black eyes, and notoriously muscular jaws. The ears are often small and cropped, the chest is wide and deep, the back is powerful, the coat is short but coarse.
Read this to learn more about this breed.
No. 2. Bedlington Terrier
This terrier is known for looking like a lamb with rabbit legs, although there is nothing like a ram in its temperament or tenacity. It was developed in the UK in the 1800s to hunt badgers, one of the most dastardly fossil animals on earth. He has a bulging head that matches his back. He has a bunch of silky curls, and it is customary to leave a pompom at the ends of his ears. The rest of his coarse coat does feel fuzzy and needs careful grooming to stay tidy. The Bedlington Terrier is 15 to 17 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs 17 to 23 pounds.
Click here to learn more about the Bedlington Terrier.
No. 3. Airedale
This decent looking dog is the largest of the terrier dog varieties. Although not as heavy as a Pit Bull Terrier as it usually weighs between 44 and 50 pounds, it stands taller at the shoulder, 22 to 24 inches. He has a long skull, mustache and a stately beard. Like Bedlington, it was developed in the UK in the 1800s to hunt badgers. It was also bred to hunt otters, so it has a dense, sinewy, waterproof coat. The dog’s coat is always yellowish brown, with a beautiful black saddle extending from the back of the neck to the tail. Twice a year the Airedale sheds heavily, and that’s when its fur needs to be removed.
Check out here to learn more about Airedale Terriers.
No. 4. Boston terrier
This small terrier makes up for the lack of size with energy. Although the Boston Terrier grows only 15 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weighs 10 to 25 pounds, it was bred to hunt rats and bait bulls. This pedigree can be identified by a squashed muzzle and a broad head that resembles a bulldog. Indeed, like the Bulldog, Boston Terrier puppies often have to give birth by caesarean section. This popular dog, one of the few raised in the United States, has a sweet and obedient personality. There are three Boston Terrier weight classes: one less than 15 pounds, one not less than 15 pounds but less than 20 pounds, and one not less than 20 pounds but not more than 25 pounds.
To learn more about the Boston Terrier, go here.
No. 5. Cairn terrier
The history of this little dog dates back to 16th century Britain, when it was bred to hunt foxes and rats, although until 1909 it was called the Shorthaired Skye Terrier. You know what this dog looks like because Toto in The Wizard of Oz was a Cairn Terrier. For those who don’t, this dog is 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs 13 to 16 pounds. Since it was bred to work outdoors and even for entry into the water, it has a double layer of coat that is waterproof, dense and slightly dirty. Although its skull is not as long as other types of terrier dogs, Cairne has a surprisingly strong bite. Miss Gulch was not joking when she said she almost limped from a bite on her leg.
Read here to learn more about the Cairn Terrier.
No. 6. German pinscher
Bred in Germany in the 1800s, this dog is very similar to its brother, the Doberman Pinscher, but is significantly smaller – 16 to 19 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs 25 to 35 pounds. Still, the German pinscher for a terrier is large. Its appearance is simple, the coat comes in one or two colors: chocolate brown, black or black with brown highlights. He has a well-defined back, muscular neck, long muzzle and deep chest. The toes are curved and the ears are naturally curved. Since this is a large terrier, it is kept for the protection of livestock, as well as for hunting parasites.
Find out more about the German Pinscher here.
No. 7. Dandy dinmont terrier
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This “sausage dog” terrier originated on the border of England and Scotland in the 1600s and was named after a character from Guy Mannering, a novel by Sir Walter Scott. Despite having such tiny front legs that its back slopes upward, this long, low-lying body was bred to hunt badgers and even otters. He also has drooping, fluffy ears, a soft messy bun on his head, a mustache, and a rather wide black nose. Its coat has an interesting texture because it is a mixture of hard and soft fur, pleasant to the touch.
No. 8. Parson jack russell terrier
This popular little terrier has a cheerful, playful disposition. Developed in Devon by the Reverend Jack Russell in the 1800s, but not recognized by the United Kennel Club until 1991, it was bred to hunt rats. It is a muscular dog with a powerful neck and hind legs. The coat can be smooth, broken or coarse, and in most pedigree dogs it is mostly white, with a brown or black head with a white spot on the muzzle and around the nose. Pastor Jack Russell Terrier is 14 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs 16 to 18 pounds.
To learn more about Shepherd Jack Russell Terrier, go here.
No. 9. Yorkshire Terrier
While this tiny dog might seem overly anxious to many people, this was not always the case. Like other small terriers, it compensates for its lack of size in strength, because Yorkies were bred in the 1800s to hunt rats in the mines of West Riding Yorkshire. It is now known for its amazingly lush, long and silky coat, which is steel blue in the back and tan in the front. This coat, which can be long enough to hide a dog’s paws, requires careful grooming. Because of this, most owners try to shorten the fur to an acceptable length. The dog also has erect, triangular ears, a medium-length muzzle, straight legs and dark, soulful eyes that sparkle. Newborn Yorkies are black and develop their coat color as they grow older.
Learn more about Yorkshire Terriers here.
No. 10. Czech terrier
Bred back in the 1940s in Czechoslovakia and not known until 1963, this dog is definitely a new breed of terriers. Despite being a terrier, it was actually bred as a watchdog, friendly and obedient. He has a silky coat, a thick beard, bushy eyebrows and a long, graceful head. This new little terrier is 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs 12 to 18 pounds. This is not only the best watchdog, but also a good dog for a family with small children.
Read this to learn more about the Chesky Terrier.
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