A small black and white terrier smiles at the camera.

Terriers. Some might say they’re the Joe Pesci of the dog world: small, fearless, spirited, and irreplaceably distinctive.

Unlike Joe Pesci, who’s largely retired from the spotlight, terriers continue to be highly visible and popular around the world (please don’t come after us for saying this, Mr. Pesci!).

Originally, these dogs were bred by farmers for the purpose of hunting vermin. Those farmers didn’t care at all about the physical appearance of the two breeding parents since all that mattered was job performance.

As a result, we ended up with a breed category that has extremely diverse body types but a lot in common when it comes to personality.

To help dog owners get better acquainted with their terrific and tenacious terriers, we’ve prepared a terrier care guide. It explains the origins of the terrier lineage, which can help with a better understanding of terriers, along with helpful tips and care instructions so that you can live your best lives together.

Origin of Terrier Breeds

The exact origins of the terrier are murky, likely owing to their provenance as a poor farmer’s dog. However, they show up in art by the Late Middle Ages, most famously in the lush 1434 painting “The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami” by Belgian artist Jan Van Eyck.

 

A French etching depicting “Earthdogs” was created ca. 1560 that depicted dogs digging tunnels in order to seek out their prey. That quality of digging into the Earth inspired the English physician Dr. John Caius in 1570 to dub these types of dogs “terriers,” stemming from the Latin root “terra” for Earth or ground. 

By the 17th and 18th centuries, the name stuck, and it began to be applied to a broad range of small dogs bred by farmers for their ability to quickly chase down prey. Irish novelist Oliver Goldsmith described terriers in 1774 as “a small kind of hound, with rough hair, made use of to force the fox or the badger out of their holes; or by barking, in what part of their kennel the fox or badger resides when the sportsmen intend to dog them out.”

Farmers first bred small terriers to control rat populations and aid them in hunting. The dogs would be fearless in the face of even the most aggressive of prey, including English badgers and rats.

Breeding pairs were selected according to their abilities to perform a specific task. Gradually, they were adapted to the specific needs of the farmer and their land, leading to distinctive coats, sizes, and shapes.

Since these farmers largely stayed within their respective villages, distinct variations of terrier popped up across regions of the United Kingdom.

Wealthy landowners then got wind of these uniquely prey-driven dogs, giving rise to long-legged terrier breeds, like the Welsh terrier, border terrier, and the Airedale Terrier. Realizing that their dog breeding could lead to some profit — not to mention personal gratification as a hobby — farmers began more purposefully breeding dogs in order to sell them for their ratting or hunting abilities.

Some breed lines, called “feists,” did away with the characteristic wire hair and small-legged stature by crossbreeding terriers with hounds. This type of dog, the basis of the still-popular rat terrier breed, actually gave rise to the adjective “feisty,” referring to anything that was small in size but still energetic and brave.

Terriers Become Beloved Worldwide

By the 19th and 20th centuries, terriers could be found the world over. Their small size and tendency to stick close to their home, even while hunting, made them excellent companion animals for families. 

They also found popularity as star athletes in a range of rather bloody forms of entertainment. Competitive “ratter” terriers would be placed in a ring with a number of rats and timed for their ability to dispatch them all — a bloodsport called “rat-baiting.”

The most famous of these ratters was “Tiny the Wonder,” a toy Manchester terrier famed for his feat of killing 100 rats in five and a half minutes. Some terriers were also matched up with larger animals, like bulls, or even other dogs, giving rise to more robust (but still unflinchingly focused) bull terrier-derived breeds.

Fortunately, these cruel sports were gradually banned throughout the course of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the breed traits of efficient exhibitionists became prized by dog owners, many of whom wanted to adopt a terrier of their own to essentially own a piece of the fame.

Terriers also began to dominate another sport around this period, one with (dare we say it) a higher pedigree: dog shows. The first Westminster Dog Show was held in 1877, and terriers quickly established dominance over other breeds in their ability to take home the top prize.

An analysis by FiveThirtyEight shows that terriers took home nearly 2/3s of the Best in Show titles over the course of the show’s first 50 years of history.

Around the turn of the 20th century, a visible presence alongside famous figures helped propel the breed category’s popularity even further. Famous figures with pet terriers included Teddy Roosevelt, whose family dog gave rise to the unique “Teddy Roosevelt terrier” breed, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose loyal Scottish terrier Fala was so beloved that she was immortalized in bronze to sit beside him for his memorial statue in Washington D.C.

Common and Well-Known Terrier Breeds

The terrier breed category encompasses some of the most famous and iconic dog breeds on the planet, including the:

  • Affenpinscher
  • Airedale Terrier
  • American Hairless Terrier
  • American Toy Terrier
  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Australian Terrier
  • Boston Terrier
  • Bull Terrier
  • Fox Terrier
  • Irish Terrier
  • Jack Russell Terrier
  • Miniature Pinscher
  • Miniature Schnauzer
  • Norfolk Terrier
  • Norwich Terrier
  • Rat Terrier
  • Scottish Terrier (Scottie)
  • Schnauzer
  • Silky Terrier
  • Smooth Fox Terrier
  • Welsh Terrier
  • West Highland White Terrier (Westie)
  • Wirehaired Fox Terrier
  • Yorkshire Terrier

Caring for Terriers: Top 5 Things to Know

Terriers’ unique history makes them a bit of a paradox: they’re extremely job-focused, at least according to their early genetic lineages, but they were also expected to work independently. As a result, they can be vexingly determined once they get their mind set on something. They may also engage in behaviors like barking or digging in order to satisfy their need to have something to do.

To ensure your terrier is well cared for and able to integrate successfully into your family’s life, here’s five top things to consider.

Terriers Need a Lot of Exercise and Stimulation

Since their ancestors were bred to have intense bouts of physical stimulation, these dogs tend to crave the same type of exercise and mental enrichment that can come with tracking and hunting prey. As a result, they can be rather excitable guard dogs in the sense that they can get set off on a barking frenzy at the slightest hint of an “intruder.”

Terriers can also find their own entertainment, often in destructive ways if left unsupervised. That can mean digging outside, scratching inside, or chewing things that shouldn’t be chewed.

Combating their boredom and excess energy requires constant physical and mental stimulation. Terriers should be able to enjoy walks or some other outdoor time at least twice a day.

They should be given toys or equipment capable of keeping them occupied in safe, human-sanctioned ways.

You may also want to consider adding special games and activities for dogs, like flyball, “earthdog” tests, or lure racing.

Give Them a Secure Outdoor Area

Because of their curiosity and need to find something to do, terriers can often get impatient with their enclosures. Their small size and high degree of focus and relative strength gives them the ability to chew, jump, dig, or crawl out of many fences and other enclosures that would seem impossible to escape.

Most terriers won’t intend to wander too far, but unfamiliar environments and outside dangers can make it hard for them to find their way back home again. Prevention is often better than anxious nights spent waving flashlights around or tacking up lost dog posters in your neighborhood.

Supervise Them Closely Around Small Children or Unfamiliar Animals

Always watch terriers closely in situations when there is someone or something around that might not respect their personal bubble.

Terriers are loyal and can enjoy affection, but they also appreciate their personal space. As a result, they may get anxious around small children or animals that don’t seem to respect that space.

For example, children should be cautioned not to put their faces too close to the terrier, especially if they have a history of getting nervous and defensive when pressured. 

They may even bite if they feel provoked — not to intentionally cause harm but as a warning. However, just one bite can be enough to require stitches or a trip to the emergency vet, so again, prevention is the best measure.

Also, remember that terriers were originally bred to be fearless in the face of danger, so if a conflict does break out with another dog — even one many times their size — they may not be willing to back down. Again: watch them closely, and try to avoid placing yourself in direct danger if a fracas does emerge.

Instead, throw water, towels, or something else to distract them long enough to get the dogs (or other animals) separated.

Feed Them a High-Quality Diet

This advice applies to all dogs, but terriers are small and tend to burn through energy fast. As a result, their body needs to constantly replace the nutrients they need to keep their muscles, skin, and organs healthy.

Carefully review your diet options with your vet, and choose a pet food brand and portion capable of meeting their high energy and nutrition demands.

Keep After Their Coat and Teeth

Many terriers have special wiry or silky coats that should, ideally, be tended to just about every day. You may need to purchase special equipment or go to groomers that can tend to your terrier’s unique coat effectively.

Many terriers also have small jaws relative to their head size, which can create a small space for food and other bits to get stuck. You may need to brush your terrier’s teeth several times a week, as a result. Refer to your vet for guidance.

Get Terrier Training and a Safe Place to Stay (and Play!) at Greenlin Pet Resorts in Harrisburg

Terriers can absolutely be a handful, and without proper training, they can be quite focused and even defiant. To ensure they remain safe and that you are able to have a loving, supportive relationship between your terrier and the entire household, consider signing up for dog training in Harrisburg at Greenlin Pet Resorts.

We can help you build a custom program to target areas of concern and help your terrier integrate better into your household’s routine.

There’s also Greenlin’s dog daycare, which separates play groups by size and temperament, ensuring that your terrier has a perfectly matched playmate no matter what type of personality they have. Greenlin’s Harrisburg dog boarding services will provide them with lots of exercise, and the chance to play, train, or both during their stay.

As they say in the movie Best in Show, “God loves a terrier,” and so do we at Greenlin! Find out more about how we can help your feisty friend live their best life at Greenlin when you call our Harrisburg location at (717) 678-7326 or contact us online today.

Posted in Animal Behavior Category