Terrier comes from the Latin word "Terra" which means earth. Terriers got their name because they love to dig around in the ground. Farmers often struggle with rats and field mice - and terrier dogs are the perfect solution! As you may already be able to tell, terrier dogs were originally bred to hunt burrowing animals like rats and mice, which they can not only sense - but also retrieve from the earth. Terrier dogs have a stubborn, energetic nature and while they make great pets, their training requires a great deal of discipline. The best way to deal with them is to spend a lot of time outdoors and play lots of games indoors that will challenge your terrier physically and mentally. But watch out: your garden isn't safe from your terrier's appetite either!
The only larger terrier breed is the Airedale Terrier. The remaining terrier breeds are small to medium in size, making them perfect for living in an apartment. Despite their small size, however, terriers have big personalities! They are very stubborn and self-confident top dogs who don't just trust everyone. On the other hand, terriers are very attentive and good at reacting quickly. But beware, if terriers aren't properly trained, they can quickly unleash their energy and instincts on objects or even people - and that doesn't always end well. But now on to something more positive: If you live in an apartment, a terrier is the perfect roommate. Terriers are very playful and have a good sense of humor that they can always cheer you up with. A little tip: To strengthen your bond with your terrier, you can play pull, throw and dig games with him.
A few quick facts about terrier dogs:
The biggest terrier: The Airdale Terrier. Known as the "king" of terriers, he grows up to 60cm tall and weighs up to 30kg. Airdale Terriers are known to shed a lot of hair and are therefore less suitable for allergy sufferers.
The most impressive terrier is the American Staffordshire Terrier. This breed of dog was bred specifically to fight other dogs and therefore has a very energetic and spirited nature. Fortunately, dog fighting is no longer allowed these days, but the American Staffordshire Terrier is still considered intimidating.
The most child-friendly terrier is the Boston Terrier. Boston Terriers are small and very muscular. They have a strong temper but are also obedient and loyal. Dogs of this breed are very gentle with small children and are good at keeping busy around the house. Because of their patience, they are very popular with young families.
Probably the brightest terrier is the Jack Russel Terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred to hunt foxes. Therefore, even today, Jack Russel Terriers have a strong temperament and need a lot of exercise in order not to let their excess energy out in your home. Attention: Jack Russel Terriers like to chase after smaller dogs!
The most popular terrier is the Yorkshire Terrier. This is the smallest terrier breed and can also be classified in the Toy Group. Yorkies may be small, but they have all the bigger personalities and also need a lot of exercise.
We've come to the end of our list again. If you want to learn more about dog breeds, check out our blog posts about the Sporting Group and the Working Group.
