The
Terrier Group includes those small but lively terrier breeds that were developed
(mainly in Great Britain) to hunt small burrowing animals such as badgers, foxes,
otters, rabbits and rats. The terrier often had to follow the prey underground
and therefore, except for the Bull and Airedale Terriers, most terriers are small
and stocky with short legs. These are feisty and energetic dogs that have little
tolerance for other animals including other dogs. Of course these small dog breeds
have been domesticated and make good pets but they are still fairly active and
require firm handling. Many breeds like the Airedale, Bull, Fox and the Parson
(Jack) Russell Terriers do best with experienced owners. The top 10 most popular
terrier breeds in the US according to the American Kennel Club 2005 registrations
are discussed below and their registration rank is included in brackets. It is
interesting to note that the top six most popular terriers are all low-shedding
dog breeds that are said to be hypoallergenic when properly groomed.
1. Miniature Schnauzer
Minis (#10) are lively, pleasant and playful
with expressive personalities. These loyal and devoted small dogs want to be totally
involved in all family activities and love to go for walks. Most Minis are good
with children but are a little too small to be a toddler's pet. They will generally
get along fine with other family pets although they are terriers and can be feisty
toward other dogs. Early socialization and obedience training will help with controlling
excessive barking and a reluctance to walk on leash. This breed can be taught
fairly easily and can even excel at advanced obedience competitions.
2. West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White
(#32) is cheerful, bold, assertive, courageous, inquisitive and has a great deal
of personality. This small white dog needs to get involved in everything that
is happening in the home. The Westie is easier to handle and friendlier than many
other terriers but still needs his daily walks and play sessions. Westies will
try and dominate dogs of the same sex but otherwise get along better with other
dogs and cats than most terriers. The Westie still has its hunting prey drive
and shouldn't be let off leash except in a fenced enclosed area. The Westie is
very possessive of its toys and food and doesn't like to be handled by young children.
3. Scottish Terrier
The Scottie (#40) is a small dog breed with
a jaunty and distinctive appearance. The Scottie is brave, alert, proud, confident,
loyal and dignified. While friendly and playful as puppies, the mature Scottish
Terrier can be stubborn at times. Therefore it is important to start socializing
and obedience training the Scottie while it is a puppy and continue through adolescence.
Scotties love to play, so make sure you add play and rewards to your training.
The Scottish Terrier does best with older children.
4. Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier (#41) is one of the smallest of the working terrier
dog breeds. These terriers are bold, spirited and inquisitive but are also somewhat
independent-minded. The Cairn is intelligent, affectionate and eager to please
its master. This breed is easily trained and likes to do tricks although they
may be the tricks that he - not you - wants to do. Cairns do well with older children
and love to play games. These Terriers demand lots of attention but will provide
you with hours of entertainment in return.
5. Airedale Terrier
The
medium-sized Airedale Terrier (#52) is larger than most Terriers and has an even
temperament and sweet disposition, although some Airedales can get into fights
with other dogs. This terrier is dignified, patient, loyal and intelligent and
makes a great companion dog that loves to play with children. The Airedale should
be supervised with young children as it may be too boisterous for them. Airedales
can be trained to a high level as anything from a guard dog or watchdog to a seeing-eye
dog. Airedale puppies are playful and exuberant and obedience training should
be started early and re-enforced through adulthood by a knowledgeable owner.
6. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Wheaten Terrier (#59) is cheerful,
active, busy, playful and affectionate. The Wheaten is independent and self confident
but also fairly intelligent and eager to learn. Wheaten puppies should be socialized
early with children, other dogs and strangers. The breed is fairly easy to train
if you can get their attention. Wheatens get along fine with older children but
can be too playful and assertive with young children. Wheatens are much more sociable
than most terriers but will still need obedience training to control their active
and assertive nature.
7. Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier (#62)
or 'Bullie' is a lively and powerful dog. Bull Terriers are fearless, assertive,
comical and mischievous. This large breed is loyal, affectionate and loving and
can make a good family pet. Bullies are probably too exuberant for small children
but will do fine with considerate older children. Bull Terriers need lots of attention
and may not be the best choice for the city unless they are involved in lots of
family activities. These dogs can be quite strong willed and are difficult to
train. The breed needs early socialization when they are puppies and on-going
obedience training. Male Bullies, especially those which haven't been neutered,
can be extremely aggressive with other male dogs and even other pets.
8.
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire (#63) is usually
calm and friendly with an air of self confidence; this powerful medium-sized breed
is active, playful, affectionate and relatively easy to train. The Am Staff loves
playing with older children but is too boisterous for young children. However
this dog is fearless and is not to be trusted around cats or other dogs. The Am
Staff has powerful jaws and will destroy any toys you give it to chew. This breed
needs early socialization to other dogs and strangers and on-going obedience training.
The Am Staff is the largest of the three breeds generally referred to as Pit Bulls.
The other two are the American Pit Bull Terrier which is not registered with the
American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is registered
with the AKC. In the past, these breeds were all bred to be fighting dogs. Now
that this activity is illegal, these pit bull breeds have an undeserved reputation
for fighting. This is a dog for an experienced owner and prospective buyers should
also check their local area bylaws and also their household insurance to see if
there is any restriction on this breed of dog.
9. Parson Russell Terrier
The small-sized Jack Russell Terrier (#72) is known as the Parson Russell
Terrier in the U.S. The Parson (Jack) Russell is the most energetic, fearless
and athletic of all the terrier dog breeds. The Parson Russell demands full participation
in the family activities with lots of physical and mental challenges. If the Jack
Russell gets too little exercise and companionship, then this cheerful little
dog will get bored and become destructive. The Parson Russell can be very aggressive
towards strange dogs and even other family dogs. The Parson (Jack) Russell needs
a lot of early socialization while a puppy and adolescent to curb aggressive behavior.
These strong-willed Terriers need lots of early and on-going obedience training
to ensure the owner and not the dog is in charge. The Parson Russell gets along
well with older children - especially those that will play ball or Frisbee with
him.
10. White Fox Terrier
The small-sized Wire Fox Terriers
(#76) are one of the liveliest and most energetic of all the terrier breeds. The
two varieties, the Wire haired and the Smooth, differ only in coat type. These
Terriers are very intelligent, curious, cheerful and love their families. The
breed has so much energy that it will play and chase a ball or Frisbee for hours
on end. Fox Terriers make great playmates for older children but still retain
their hunting instincts and shouldn't be left alone with small pets. These Terriers
should be kept on their leashes when being walked. The breed has a stubborn streak
and socialization and training should be started when they are puppies and continued
into adulthood.
About the Author: Mark Ransome is a contributing editor
and writer for the popular new website Dog
Breed Facts. Visitors will have access to information about dog
breeds, products like dog
supplies and answers to dog
health issues.
