Terriers

Terriers may come in all sizes, shapes and colours but they all have at least one thing in common – attitude!

The name “Terrier” is derived from the Latin for earth. Most terrier breeds were developed in the British Isles to flush small game and vermin from their burrows or to “go to earth” and kill their prey.

The largest of the breeds is the Airedale Terrier. This terrier stands about 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs from 40 to 50 lbs.

One of the smallest of the terriers is the Yorkshire Terrier. A ‘Yorkie’ stands maybe 9 inches at the shoulder and weighs in at between 4 and 7 lbs.

No matter the breed, all terriers have a lively and inquisitive nature and don’t seem to notice any size difference. One of our Cairn terriers chased a Rotweiller out our yard – not something I’d recommend! I think the Rotti was too startled to realize what was happening.

We had our first Cairn Terrier, Skye, for almost 15 years. She was a great little dog who thought she was “Queen of Everything” and even had a scarf saying so. She would spend hours in the wood pile flushing out squirrels and mice. Once she chased a rat under our neighbours shed. The ground was too hard for her to dig (not that she didn’t try) so she grabbed the edge of the shed and pulled with all her might to get at that rat! Talk about a tenacious terrier!

We now have two Cairn Terriers, Miss Duffy and Wee Angus. Miss Duffy, the elder of the two (she’s 3 years old) is a great hunter. She catches mice and squirrels in the back yard. The fun part is trying to get them away from her once she has caught them! Wee Angus (2 years old) is more interested in ‘girls’ and his “Holey Roller” ball. He has a ‘girl’ friend, Maggy (a blond Cairn terrier), who walks by the house a couple of times a week. If she does not stop by for a visit, he sits in the window and gives the most mournful howl – most un-terrier-like.

Terriers are smart dogs too (although all dog owners think their dogs are smart). Early this spring Duffy had dug a hole searching for mice. Angus came out and started digging in her spot. She was not amused and no amount of barking would move him. I stood there and watched as she looked around the yard. She spied his “Holey Roller” which she usually ignores, ran to get it and bring it to me. I asked her if she wanted to play ball. With that, Angus looked up, saw his toy in my hand and came part way towards me. He was still close the hole. Duffy waited. I threw the ball. Both dogs started after it. Duffy however only ran a few steps then veered sharply to the right and into the hole she had dug.

And some people say dogs can’t think – ha!

These little dogs have such heart! I think of the little terriers as big dogs in a little dog body.

If you are looking for a lively, intelligent and fun dog, consider a terrier. There is bound to be one just right for you.

Here is a list of terrier breeds:

Airedale Terrier

American Hairless Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Australian Silky Terrier

Australian Terrier

Bedlington Terrier

Black Russian Terrier

Border Terrier

Boston Terrier

Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier (Miniature)

Cairn Terrier

Cesky Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

English Toy Terrier

Fox Terrier

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Irish Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Japanese Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier

Lakeland Terrier

Manchester Terrier

Miniature Fox Terrier

Norfolk Terrier

Norwich Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

Patterdale Terrier

Rat Terrier

Russell Terrier

Scottish Terrier

Sealyham Terrier

Silky Terrier

Skye Terrier

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Tenterfield Terrier

Tibetan Terrier

Toy Fox Terrier

Welsh Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier