K9s, K9s, and more K9s. The Terrier group.

Hi my friends,

After a long hiatus I am back to bring to you the dogs of the Terrier group. I would like to tell you all about their history, temperament, and appearance. Enjoy!



THE TERRIER GROUP



Airdale Terrier

History: The Airdale Terrier comes from the Valley of the Aire in England and was used as a guard dog and messenger dog during wartime and now is often used on farms to hunt rodents.

Temperament: They have a sweet disposition and learn quickly but also get bored easily. They require a lot of exercise and also a good amount of grooming and stripping of lose hair.

Appearance: Airdales have a short but strong and muscular body with a deep chest. They can weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. Their head is well balanced with a long and flat muzzle. The eyes are small and dark and the ears are small, v-shaped, and folded towards the front. Their long and straight legs are strong and muscular. The tail is of fair length, set high, and carried straight up. Airdales have a hard, dense, and wiry top coat with a soft under coat.

Colors: The sides and the upper part of the body are black and the rest is tan.



American Staffordshire Terrier

History: They are a crossbreed between a Bulldog and a Game Terrier and were first bred during the 19th century in England. They were used for bull baiting.

Temperament: They are loyal, protective, and very people oriented. They enjoy being part of a family and also like to have a job to do or get bored easily. This dog needs a lot of exercise but very little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 55 and 65 pounds and have a stocky but muscular body with a deep and broad chest. These dogs have great strength and need a strong handler. Their head is of medium length with a rounded muzzle and deep, broad, and pronounced cheek muscles. Their eyes are round, dark, and sunken into the skull. The ears can be cropped or natural. The legs are straight, set wide apart, and large-boned as well as very muscular. The tail is short but not docked. It is set low and tapering. The coat is short, close to the body, and glossy.

Color: They come in any color and can have any variety of markings.



Australian Terrier

History: As the name states, they were first bred in 1868 in Australia and assisted their owners with the control of rodents and snakes in the outback. Now they are mostly used as guard and herding dogs.

Temperament: They are an alert and courageous breed that adapts easily and is affectionate and friendly towards their owners. They need a moderate amount of exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 9 and 14 pounds and have a small but sturdy body. Their chest is deep with a distinguished keel. Their head is long and strong with a muzzle that is equal in length to the skull. The eyes are small, oval, and dark. The small ears are erect and pointed. Their medium size legs are straight and round and the high-set tail is docked. Their medium length coat is harsh and straight with a short and soft under coat. They have a topknot which consists of long hair on top of their head.

Colors: They come in blue and tan or sandy and red.



Bedlington Terrier

History: The Bedlington Terrier comes from the Bedlington Mining Shire in England and was first bred in the 1800s. The coal miners used them as race dogs because of their great speed and endurance.

Temperament: They are a mild and gentle but highly energetic breed. They need lots of exercise as well as lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh 17 to 23 pounds and have a muscular body with a deep chest. The head is round, narrow, and deep with a long and strong muzzle. The eyes are small, almond-shaped, and dark. Their triangular-shaped ears have a round tip and hang flat. The legs are muscular with the hind legs being slightly longer than the front legs. Their tail is medium long and thick but tapering. The coat is a mixture of hard and soft hair that stands out from the body and can also be curly especially on the head.

Color: They come in blue, sandy, liver, tan, or bi-colored of any combination of these colors.



Border Terrier

History: The Border Terrier is one of the oldest terriers and comes from the border country between England and Scotland. They were first bred in the 1800s and were used to protect livestock and hunt vermin.

Temperament: The Border Terrier is a good tempered and affectionate dog. They learn quickly and are highly trainable. They also require lots and lots of exercise but little grooming.

Appearance: The Border Terrier weighs between 11 and 15 pounds and has a narrow but well-boned and muscular body with a moderate chest. The head looks similar to that of an otter with a short and well filled muzzle that is dark in color. They have medium size, dark hazel eyes and small, v-shaped ears that are dropping forward. The legs are straight and muscular and the tail is short, thick at the base, and tapering. The wiry top coat and the short, dense under coat need to be stripped at least twice per year.

Color: They come in red, wheaten, blue and tan, and grizzle and tan.



Bull Terrier

History: The Bull Terrier was first bred in 1860 by the English dog breeder James Hinks and was used as a sporting dog. At first they were all white but later had some other color variations due to cross breeding. Now they are a pure bred again and all white with a small mark on the head.

Temperament: Bull Terriers are playful, clownish, and very friendly. They love kids and make great family dogs but don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. They need lots of exercise but very little grooming.

Appearance: The Bull Terrier weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and has a strong and muscular build with a broad chest. The head is strong, long, and oval-shaped with a flat and long muzzle. Their small and dark eyes are well sunken into the head and their small, thin ears are close together and erect. The legs are big boned, straight, and of moderate length and the tail is short, fine, and tapering. Their short coat is flat and harsh.

Colors: They are white or white with a small mark on the head only.



Cairn Terrier

History: They were first bred in the early 1900s in the Highlands of Scotland and often used to hunt foxes and badgers. They were trained to track the rock dens of the game and bark until the farmer came and killed the game.

Temperament: They love their families but also test their limits. They can be easily trained and learn quickly. They do like to dig and chase, so they need a fence that goes down deep or has chicken wire around the bottom. They also benefit from a fair amount of exercise and moderate amount of grooming.

Appearance: The Cairn Terrier weighs 10 to 14 pounds and has a well-muscled and strong body. The head is broad with a strong and not too long of a muzzle. Their eyes are medium size, sunken in, and hazel. The small ears are pointed, erect, and set wide apart. The legs are short but straight and the tail is of medium length with lots of hair but not feathered. They have a short and hard top coat with a dense and soft under coat.

Colors: They can come in any color except of white.



Dandie Dinmont Terrier

History: They were first bred in the 1700s by gypsies to catch otters and badgers. They became famous with the story “Guy Mannering” written by Sir Walter Scott in 1844. The main character in the story was named Dandie Dinmont.

Temperament: They are affectionate with their families but reserved with strangers. They are an intelligent and independent breed that needs lots of exercise and also lots of grooming.

Appearance: The Dandie Dinmont weighs between 18 and 24 pounds and is slightly longer than tall. Their body is strong and flexible with a well developed chest. The head is large and strong with a strong and deep muzzle. Their large eyes are round and dark hazel and their pointy ears hang low and wide apart. They have short but muscular legs with the hind legs being slightly longer than the front legs. The tail is approximately 8 to 10 inches long, thick at the base, and tapered. They have a hard top coat and a soft under coat with feathering on legs, ears, chest, cheeks, sides, and tail. A distinguishing feature is the soft and silky topknot.

Colors: They come in pepper or mustard colors.



Glen of Imaal Terrier

History: They were first bred about 100 years ago in the lowlands of the County Wicklow and were used to hunt badger and fox. They were also used as turnspit dogs. This means they were tied to a large wheel over a hearth that they had to turn by walking in circles. Kind of like a canine propelled rotisserie.

Temperament: They are active and agile but somewhat on the silent side. They need a fair amount of exercise and a moderate amount of grooming which consists of stripping the dead hair out of their coat.

Appearance: They weigh between 30 and 35 pounds and are slightly longer than tall. Their body is muscular with a wide and deep chest and their strong and powerful head has a tapering muzzle. The eyes are of medium size, round and brown. The ears are small and erect or thrown back. Their muscular legs are short and bowed and the tail is docked at ½ the length. Their coat is medium length and harsh with a soft under coat.

Colors: They come in wheaten, blue, and brindle colors.



Irish Terrier

History: The Irish Terrier is the oldest terrier breed and was used during WWI as a messenger dog.

Temperament: They are smart, adapt quick and well, and make a good guard dog. They are also great with kids and need lots of exercise but little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 25 and 27 pounds. Their moderately long body is strong and muscular with a deep and muscular chest. The head and muzzle is long with a flat skull. Their small eyes are dark brown and the small ears are V-shaped and drooping forward. Their moderately long legs are strong and muscular and their tail is docked at ¾ of length. The short top coat is dense and wiry with a fine and soft under coat. They also have a long beard and long eye brows.

Colors: They come in bright red, golden red, red wheaten, or wheaten.



Kerry Blue Terrier

History: They come from the county Kerry in Ireland and were used for hunting small game, herding sheep and cattle, and retrieving game from water.

Temperament: They are energetic, fun-loving, and tough dogs. They like the chase and therefore are not suited for a household with cats. They benefit from a great deal of exercise and their hypoallergenic coat needs lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 33 and 40 pounds and have a short but strong body with a deep chest. Their head is long and well proportionate with a long and strong muzzle. The eyes are small and dark and the small ears are V-shaped and folded forward. They have long legs that are strong and muscular and a moderately long tail that is straight and erect. Their soft and dense coat is wavy and of moderate length. They also have a long beard, long eyebrows, and the hair on top of the muzzle is kept long as well.

Colors: They come in solid blue gray.



Lakeland Terrier

History: They were first bred in the early 1800s in England and were used for hunting and keeping foxes away from sheep herds.

Temperament: They are friendly, bold, and confident. Lakeland Terriers need lots of exercise as well as lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh around 17 pounds and have a strong and supple body with a deep but narrow chest. Their head is moderately broad and flat with a straight and strong muzzle. The small eyes are oval and liver color and the small ears are V-shaped and folded forward. Their straight legs are strong and well-muscled. The tail is docked, erect, and set high. They have a hard, wiry top coat with a soft under coat and the typical terrier beard and long muzzle hair.

Colors: They come in solid blue, black, liver, red, or wheaten as well as in wheaten with saddle markings in blue, black, liver, or grizzle.



Manchester Terrier

History: The Manchester Terrier comes from England and was used to hunt rats.

Temperament: They are a lively, sharp witted, and loyal breed that forms strong bonds with their owners. They make good watchdogs and need a moderate amount of exercise and little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 12 and 22 pounds and are slightly longer than tall. Their body is sturdy with a deep but narrow chest. The long head is narrow and wedge-shaped with a well-defined muzzle. The small eyes are almond-shaped and black and the ears can be either naturally erect or cropped. They have straight and muscular legs and a moderately short tail with an upward curve. The short coat is smooth, dense, and glossy.

Colors: They are jet black with rich tan markings.



Miniature Bull Terrier

History: They are a cross breed between a Bulldog and an English Terrier and gained popularity in the 19th century. They are well known because of Spuds McKenzie and Target adds.

Temperament: They are strong, active, and clownish. Since they are very good vermin hunters, it is best not to have small pets such as hamsters or guinea pigs in the house. They need lots of exercise but little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh 25 to 33 pounds and have a symmetrical, square, but strong build with a broad chest. Their long head is strong, deep, and oval-shaped with an egg-shaped muzzle. The small eyes are well sunken and dark. The ears are small, thin, and erect. They have very strong and muscular legs and the tail is moderately long and tapered. Their short coat is flat and harsh.

Colors: They come in white , white with markings on the nose, and any other color with markings on the nose.



Miniature Schnauzer

History: They derived from the Standard Schnauzer and were first bred in 1899 in Germany. They were used as farm dogs to hunt vermin.

Temperament: They are smart, cheerful, and highly trainable. They need a moderate amount of exercise but lots of grooming in the form of stripping the dead hair.

Appearance: They weigh 12 to 20 pounds and have a short but robust body with a moderate chest. The head is rectangular and strong with a strong and moderately blunt muzzle. Their large eyes are of light color and the ears are cropped and high set. Their strong legs are good-boned and straight and their tail is docked, erect, and set high. They have a hard and wiry outer coat with a dense undercoat. As most terriers, they have long eyebrows and a long beard, as well as feathering on the legs.

Colors: They come in salt and pepper, black and silver, and solid black.



Norfolk Terrier

History: They derived from the Norwich Terrier and were first bred in 1979 in England. Often used for hunting vermin, they are the smallest of the Working Terriers.

Temperament: They are fearless, energetic, loyal, and affectionate. The Norfolk Terrier is a highly adaptable breed that needs moderate exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 11 and 12 pounds and have a compact body with good substance and bones and a moderately deep chest. The head is wide and slightly rounded with a strong wedge-shaped muzzle. The small eyes are oval and dark and the small ears are V-shaped and dropped. Their short legs are strong and powerful and the tail is docked at medium length. They have a hard, wiry, but straight top coat and a dense under coat with a ruff around the neck.

Colors: They come in red, wheaten, black, tan, or grizzle.



Norwich Terrier

History: They come from England and were used as barnyard ratters. They are basically the same kind of terrier as the Norfolk Terrier but with erect instead of dropped ears.

Temperament: They are fearless, energetic, loyal, and affectionate. Just as the Norfolk Terrier, the Norwich Terrier is highly adaptable and needs a moderate amount of exercise and lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 11 and 12 pounds and have a compact body with good substance and bones and a moderately deep chest. The head is broad and slightly rounded with a strong wedge-shaped muzzle. The small eyes are dark and oval and the medium size ears are naturally erect. Their legs are short and powerful and the tail is docked at mid-size. Their straight top coat is hard and wiry with a dense under coat and a ruff around the neck.

Colors: The come in red, wheaten, black, tan, or grizzle.



Parson Russell Terrier

History: They were first bred in the mid 1800s in England and were used to hunt red fox. They were named after the Rev. John Russell and commonly known as Jack Russell Terriers until recently their name was changed to Parson Russell Terrier.

Temperament: They are very outgoing, friendly, and affectionate. They can be very vocal and are a bundle of energy. Therefore, they need lots and lots of exercise. Grooming is minimal.

Appearance: They weigh between 13 and 17 pounds and have a square and muscular body with a flexible chest. Their head is strong and well proportionate with a strong rectangular muzzle. The eyes are almond-shaped and dark and the small ears are V-shaped and dropping. Their long legs are strong, good boned and muscular. The tail is set low and has the appearance of a squirrel tail. Their smooth and broken top coat has a good sheen to it. They also have a soft under coat.

Colors: They come in white, white with black markings, white with tan markings, and white with tri-color markings.



Scottish Terrier

History: King James the VI adored them and used them to hunt and dig for vermin. They came to the US in 1890.

Temperament: They are gentle, loving, and alert but can be a little aggressive with other dogs. They require lots of exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 18 and 22 pounds and have a short but muscular body with a broad and deep chest. The head is long and of medium size with a muzzle equally in length to the skull and slightly tapered. The small eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown and the small ears are naturally erect. They have straight, heavy-boned legs and a tail that is thick at the base and tapering. The top coat is hard and wiry with a soft and dense under coat. There is feathering on the lower body, legs, beard, and eyebrows.

Color: They come in black, wheaten, or brindle.



Sealyham Terrier

History: They come from Wales and were used to hunt badgers, fox, and otters.

Temperament: They are a charming and inquisitive breed that needs to be occupied or they get bored. They need lots of exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 23 and 24 pounds and have a strong but short body with a deep and broad chest. The head is long, broad, and powerful with a medium long and smoothly formed muzzle. The eyes are very dark, medium size, and oval. The ears are rounded at the tip and folded forward. They have strong and good-boned legs and a docked tail that is carried upright. Their coat is weather resistant with a hard and wiry top coat and a soft, dense under coat.

Skye Terrier

History: This is the oldest terrier breed and comes from the Isle of Skye where they were used to destroy vermin. The reason why they were such good hunters is that their long hair protects them from injuries during the hunt.

Temperament: They are good tempered, loyal, and elegant. A fearless breed, the Skye Terrier has great stamina and strength and thus, needs lots of exercise. The long hair needs lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 35 and 45 pounds and have a long and low body with a deep chest. The head is long and powerful with a strong and tapered muzzle. Their eyes are of medium size and dark brown and their medium size ears are well feathered and either naturally erect or dropped forward. Their short legs are muscular and straight and their tail is long and well feathered. They have a hard, straight, and flat top coat with a short, soft, and woolly under coat. There is lots of feathering on the ears, legs, and tail. The top coat hangs down on each side from head to tail.

Colors: They come in black, blue, grey, silver, fawn, or cream and have no markings.



Smooth Fox Terrier

History: Farmers during the 17th century used them in the British Isles to dig out fox and other vermin.

Temperament: They are friendly, playful, and good with kids but still are very good diggers. They need lots of exercise but little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 16 and 18 pounds and have a square and muscular body with a deep and broad chest. The head is flat and narrow with a muscular and gradually tapering muzzle. The small eyes are deep-set and dark and the small ears are V-shaped and dropping forward. They have long and muscular legs and a tail that is docked at ¾ of length and carried high. The coat is smooth, flat, hard, and dense.

Colors: They are predominately white with black or brown markings.



Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier

History: They were first bred 200 years ago in Ireland and lived on farms where they herded sheep and hunted down vermin.

Temperament: They are an alert and interested breed that is good with kids. They have a happy and steady disposition and need lots of exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 30 and 40 pounds and have a medium size, square but muscular body with a deep chest. The head is moderately long and rectangular with a strong and powerful muzzle. The eyes are reddish brown, of medium size, and almond-shaped. The ears are small and drop forward. They have straight and well-boned legs and a high-set tail that can be either docked or natural. The soft coat is silky and wavy. There is no under coat.

Colors: They come in wheaten only.



Staffordshire Bull Terrier

History: In the 19th century, English coal miners from the county of Staffordshire bred a bulldog with a terrier to have a small, strong, and fast dog to work in the coal mines with them. Now they are known as pitbulls and bad people use them for dog fights.

Temperament: Pitbulls are very affectionate and intelligent. They learn fast and are very obedient as well as courageous. Since they are a strong and muscular breed, they require a strong handler. They also need extra strong toys since their jaw is strong and powerful. They need lots and lots of exercise but very little grooming.

Appearance: They weigh 25 to 45 pounds and have a short but very muscular body with a very deep and broad chest. The head is short, deep, and broad with a short but very muscular and powerful muzzle. The eyes are round, of medium size, and dark and the ears are small and dropping to the side. There straight legs are well-boned, set wide apart, and extremely muscular. The tail is undocked, of medium length, and tapered. They have a smooth, short coat that is close to the skin and no under coat.

Colors: They come in solid red, fawn, white, black, blue, brindle, or any combination of these colors.



Welsh Terrier

History: This is an old English terrier from Wales that was used to hunt badgers, fox, and otter. A fellow by the name of Prescott Lawrence brought the first Welsh terrier to the USA in 1888.

Temperament: They are friendly, intelligent, and they love their family, kids, and other dogs. They can be a little difficult to house break and they love to chase. Welsh terriers need lots of exercise and lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh around 20 pounds and their body is of good substance with a medium size chest. Their rectangular head is strong and powerful with a strong and square muzzle that is half the length of the head. The small, almond-shaped eyes are dark brown and the small, V-shaped ears fold towards the front. Their legs are straight and muscular and the tail is docked at 1/3 of length and carried upright. Their coat is hard, wiry, and dense with a short, soft under coat. They have lots of feathering on their legs and muzzle as well as a long beard and eyebrows.

Colors: The come in black with tan markings on the legs, face, and underside.



West Highland White Terrier

History: They come from Scotland and were used for hunting small vermin. In 1906 the breed came to the USA.

Temperament: They are affectionate, happy, faithful, and they love people. They only need a moderate amount of exercise but lots of grooming.

Appearance: They weigh between 15 and 22 pounds and have a compact and muscular body with a very deep chest. The head is round and broad with a short, blunt but powerful muzzle. The medium and almond-shaped eyes are set wide and dark and the small ears are pointy and erect. They have short, muscular, and well-boned legs and a short tail that has a good substance. The long top coat is straight and hard with a short, dense under coat. There is feathering on the legs and sides. Distinctive to this breed is the facial hair that is plucked in the shape of a ball.

Colors: They only come in white.



Wire Fox Terrier

History: They came from the British Isles in the 17th century and were used to chase fox and other small game out of dens.

Temperament: They are friendly, playful, and make good watchdogs. However, they like to dig a lot. They only need a moderate amount of exercise and grooming.

Appearance: They weigh around 18 pounds and have a square and muscular body with a deep, narrow chest. The head is narrow and flat with a long, flat muzzle. The small, round eyes are deep-set and dark and the small, V-shaped ears fold forward. Their long legs are muscular and strong and their tail is set high, of good substance, and docked at ¾ of length. They have a dense and wiry top coat with a fine, soft under coat and feathering on the legs only. However, like most of the terriers, they have long eyebrows and a beard.

Colors: They come in white with black and tan markings.

And this, my friends, concludes the terrier group. Stay tuned for the next blog on the toy group. Hopefully you don’t have to wait as long as you had to for this one.

Love and Peace,

Tiny