Terriers

Terriers are a group of medium-sized dogs, chiefly of British origin. In earlier days they were used in hunting foxes and other small animals. The name comes from the Latin terra, meaning earth. Terriers go to ground—that is, they dig animals out of their holes or burrows. They have powerful jaws and strong teeth.

Terriers are divided into two groups: short-legged terriers and long-legged terriers. Short-legged terriers, such as the Cairn terrier, were originally bred to work in rocky dens with limited headroom. They have broad chests, turned-out forefeet, and prick or upright ears. Long-legged terriers, such as the Airedale terrier, were bred to dig animals out of holes in the soil. They have narrow chests, straight legs, and button ears.

Terriers are noted for their acute hearing and good eyesight, enthusiasm, courage, and determination. Most breeds are kept as house pets and make excellent watchdogs.

the largest terrier breed. It has long legs and button ears that fold over; the tail is docked. The dense, wirehaired coat is black and tan. The Airedale terrier was originally bred to hunt small game and has been used in police work. It is an active dog, requiring vigorous daily exercise. Typical height: 22 to 23 inches (55.8 to 58.4 cm). Typical weight: 45 to 60 pounds (20.6 to 27.2 kg).

a fighting breed derived from a cross between the bulldog and bull terrier. It is a muscular dog with short legs, a short, tapering tail, and either prick ears or half-rose ears The short, stiff coat may be any color but white. The dog is very protective of its master. Ideal height: males, 18 to 19 inches (45.7 to 48.3 cm); females, 17 to 18 inches (43.2 to 45.7 cm). Typical weight: males, 50 pounds (22.7 kg); females, 45 pounds (20.4 kg).

a small terrier originally bred to guard mines and tend sheep. It has short legs and erect, triangular ears; the tail is docked. The short, harsh double coat is either blue-black or silver-blue with tan markings on the head and legs. There is a topknot of hair on the head. The Australian terrier makes an affectionate companion and a good hunting dog. Typical height: 10 inches (25.4 cm). Typical weight: 12 to 14 pounds (5.4 to 6.4 kg).

a dog originally bred to hunt ferrets and foxes. It has a lamblike appearance, with a pear-shaped head, thick topknot, and curly longhaired coat. The ears hang down and have a tassel of hair at the tip. The legs are long and muscular. The coat is blue, liver, or sandy, often combined with tan. The Bedlington terrier likes to run and it makes a loyal companion. Ideal height: males, 16 to 17.5 inches (40.6 to 44.5 cm); females, 15 to 16.5 inches (38.1 to 41.9 cm). Ideal weight: 17 to 23 pounds (7.7 to 10.4 kg).

a short-legged breed from the Cheviot Hills, on the border between Scotland and England. It has an otter-like head and V-shaped drop ears. The tapering tail is carried erect. The short, wire-haired coat is red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten. Tireless and hardworking, the border terrier is an ideal hunting dog. Typical height: males, 13 inches (33.0 cm); females, 12 inches (30.5 cm), Ideal weight: males, 13 to 15.5 pounds (5.9 to 7.0 kg); females, 11.5 to 14 pounds (5.2 to 6.4 kg).

a breed originally developed for dogfighting. It has short, muscular legs, an egg-shaped head, erect ears, and close-set eyes. The short tail is carried horizontally. Two color varieties are recognized by the AKC: (1) white; and (2) colored (usually red with brindle markings). The bull terrier is aggressive and does not get along well with other pets. Typical height: males, 22 inches (55.9 cm); females, 21 inches (53.3 cm). Typical weight: 50 to 60 pounds (22.7 to 27.2 kg).

a small, shaggy terrier from Scotland. It has short legs and erect, triangular ears. The coat is water-resistant and is any color but white. The Cairn terrier was originally bred to hunt small game. It makes a good family pet. Ideal height: males, 10 inches (25.4 cm); females, 9.5 inches (24.1 cm). Ideal weight: males, 14 pounds (6.4 kg); females, 13 pounds (5.9 kg).

a dog originally bred to hunt otters. It is named for a character in a Sir Walter Scott novel. It has a distinctive topknot, hanging ears with tassels at the tips, short legs, and a short tail that curls up at the tip. The crisp coat is pepperor mustard-colored. The Dandie Dinmont terrier is stubborn and needs training. Ideal height: 8 to 11 inches (20.3 to 27.9 cm). Ideal weight: 18 to 24 pounds (8.2 to 10.9 kg).

a wirehaired terrier. It has long legs and button ears; the tail is docked. The coat is bright red to wheaten with a small white patch on the chest. The Irish terrier, once popular as a farm dog, makes a good companion and watchdog. Ideal height: 18 inches (45.7 cm). Ideal weight: males, 27 pounds (12.2 kg); females, 25 pounds (11.3 kg).

an Irish terrier with a distinctive silky, grayish-blue coat. It has long, muscular legs; an angular head; button ears; and prominent whiskers. The tail is docked and is held erect. The Kerry blue terrier is energetic and makes a good family pet but it needs firm discipline. Ideal height: males, 18 to 19.5 inches (45.7 to 49.5 cm); females, 17.5 to 19 Inches (44.5 to 48.3 cm). Typical weight: 33 to 40 pounds (15.0 to 18.1 kg).

a small, squarely built terrier used to hunt foxes. It has long legs, a rectangular head, and button ears; the tail is docked. The wirehaired coat is blue, black, liver, red, wheaten, black and tan, blue and tan, grizzle and tan, or red grizzle. The breed is uncommon in the United States. Ideal height: males, 14 to 15 inches (35.6 to 38.1 cm); females, 13 to 14 inches (33.0 to 35.6 cm). Ideal wight: to 17 pounds (7.7 kg).

an English breed used for hunting rats and rabbits. It has long, thin legs; erect ears or button ears; and a whiplike tail. The short, sleek coat is black or mahogany black, with tan markings above the eyes, on the muzzle, and on the lower legs. The Manchester terrier makes a good house dog and companion. Typical height: males, 16 inches (40.6 cm); females, 15 inches (38.1 cm). Ideal weight: 12 to 22 pounds (5.4 to 10.0 kg).

a small dog noted for remarkable courage. It is muscular, active, and aggressive, yet good-tempered and easy to train. It has an egg-shaped head, erect ears, and close-set eyes. The short tail is carried horizontally. There are two color varieties, white and colored (any color). Ideal height: 10 to 14 inches (25.4 to 35.6 cm). Typical weight: 10 to 40 pounds (4.5 to 18.1 kg).

a stocky breed from Germany. It has a wirehaired double coat with thick whiskers and bushy eyebrows. The coat is black, black and silver, or salt-and-pepper, with tan markings. The ears are cropped and the tail is docked. The miniature schnauzer makes a good pet and watchdog. Ideal height: 12 to 14 inches (30.5 to 35.6 cm). Typical weight: males, 15 pounds (6.8 kg); females, 14 pounds (6.4 kg).

a hardy terrier bred for fox hunting. It has a compact body, short legs, and drop ears; the tail is docked. The wirehaired double coat is red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle. The Norfolk terrier is affectionate and obedient. Ideal height: 9 to 10 inches (22.9 to 25.4 cm). Ideal weight: 11 to 12 pounds (5.0 to 5.4 kg).

a short-legged dog originally bred to hunt foxes and rats. It resembles the Norfolk terrier but has prick ears. The wirehaired double coat is red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle. The Norwich terrier makes a good companion. Ideal height: to 10 inches (25.4 cm). Ideal weight: to 12 pounds (5.4 kg).

a compact, short-legged breed. It has erect, triangular ears and an erect tail. The wirehaired coat is brindle, black, steel- or iron-gray, wheaten, or sandy. The dog has prominent eyebrows and whiskers, and an alert expression. It can be stubborn and independent. Ideal height: 10 inches (25.4 cm). Ideal weight: males, 19 to 22 pounds (8.6 to 10.0 kg); females, 18 to 21 pounds (8.2 to 9.5 kg).

a short-legged dog originally bred to hunt badgers, otters, and foxes. It has a rectangular head and button ears, and the tail is docked. The wirehaired coat is white with lemon, tan, or badger markings on the head and chest. There are shaggy eyebrows and whiskers. The dog makes a lively family pet. Ideal height: 10.5 inches (26.7 cm). Typical weight: 23 to 24 pounds (10.4 to 11.3 kg).

a breed from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It is noted for its long coat, which covers its eyes and ears and reaches the ground. The hair is often parted and tied back to keep it out of the eyes. The coat is blue, gray, silver-platinum, fawn, or cream, with black on the ears, muzzle, and tip of the tail. The dog has short legs, erect ears or drop ears, and a long tail. The Skye terrier makes a good companion and watchdog. Ideal height: males, 10 inches (25.4 cm); females, 9.5 inches (24.1 cm). Typical weight: males, 25 pounds (11.4 kg); females, 23 pounds (10.5 kg).

a small, energetic terrier descended from the bull terrier, greyhound, and beagle. The dog was originally bred to drive foxes from their holes. It has long legs, button ears, and a stiff, erect tail. The flat, dense coat is white with black or tan markings on the head, back, and tail. The smooth fox terrier makes an active family pet. Ideal height: to 15.5 inches (39.4 cm). Ideal weight: males, 17 to 19 pounds (7.7 to 8.6 kg); females, 15 to 17 pounds (6.8 to 7.7 kg).

a medium-sized dog from Ireland named for its soft, wavy coat. The puppies have a red-wheaten coat that lightens to a wheaten color by the age of two. The soft-coated wheaten terrier has long legs and button ears; the tail is docked. It makes an alert watchdog and is good with children. Ideal height: males, 18 to 19 inches (45.7 to 48.3 cm); females, 17 to 18 inches (43.2 to 45.7 cm). Ideal weight: males, 35 to 40 pounds (15.9 to 18.1 kg); females, 30 to 35 pounds (13.6 to 15.9kg).

a short-legged breed developed from the bulldog and Manchester terrier for dogfighting. It has a stocky, muscular build; a wedge-shaped head; and rose ears or half-prick ears. The smooth coat is red, fawn, white, black, brindle, or blue, with white markings. The Staffordshire bull terrier is aggressive and makes a good watchdog. Ideal height: 14 to 16 inches (35.6 to 40.6 cm). Ideal weight: males, 28 to 38 pounds (12.7 to 17.2 kg); females, 24 to 34 pounds (10.9 to 15.4 kg).

an ancient breed from Wales. It has long legs, a rectangular head and button ears. The tail is docked and is held erect. The wirehaired coat is black or grizzle on the back, tail, neck, and ears. The legs, chest, and face are reddish-tan. The Welsh terrier is a sensitive, friendly dog and makes a good companion. Ideal height: 15 to 15.5 inches (38.1 to 39.4 cm). Typical weight: 20 pounds (9.1 kg).

an all-white terrier from Scotland. It has a broad head; short, erect ears; short legs; an erect tail; and a harsh, double coat. The dog is alert, playful, and protective. Ideal height: males, 11 inches (27.9 cm); females, 10 inches (25.4 cm). Typical weight: males, 19 pounds (8.6 kg); females, 17 pounds (7.7 kg).

a breed related to the smooth fox terrier but distinguished by its wirehaired coat. It has long legs, a rectangular head and button ears; the tail is docked. The double coat is white with black and tan markings or tan with black markings. The wire fox terrier is an active dog and is playful with children. Ideal height: to 15.5 inches (39.4 cm). Ideal weight: males, 17 to 19 pounds (7.7 to 8.6 kg); females, 15 to 17 pounds (6.8 to 7.7 kg).