Terrier Dog Breeds

Dogs have been man's best friend for thousands of years. Among the most favored of all the dog breeds are terrier dogs. Terrier dog breeds have been specifically bred over the years to help man to get rid of various rodents and other vermin. Although there are more than twenty types of terriers, as a group, they share a number of distinctive qualities. They have a remarkable level of stamina and have coats that are relatively easy to maintain. Their eyes are normally deep-set, and they are fearless, spirited animals.

Terriers are regarded by most dog associations as being in their own group or class. Though they are working dogs, they are generally not placed into the working or hunting class. Nor are the smaller types considered to be among the toy group. The standard for each kind of terrier is set by each association. Ear cropping and tail docking of specific kinds of terriers is not uncommon. Several varieties of terriers have traditionally had their tails docked, and their ears clipped to prevent their prey from being able to use them against them in a fight. However, t procedures are no longer required by many dog shows.

The name terrier comes from the French which means the earth. This name is ideally suited to these dogs because a vast number of terriers were bred to chase their prey underground. They were expected to be able to track their quarry to its home and if needed, be able follow the rodent into its burrow. Unlike many dogs that were bred to chase and flush game, the terrier was often expected to kill its victim and then return it to its owner.

The majority of terriers come from the United Kingdom. The different types of terriers were bred to quarry and hunt distinctive kinds of prey, in particular regions. The Airdale Terrier which is the largest type of terrier comes from the region along the Wharfe and Aire Rives. These animals were used to hunt river otters. They are a result of crossing Otter Hounds with Welsh Terriers. The much smaller Norfolk Terrier was bred to be compact and small, which would aid it in its ability to catch rats in their burrows and in the sewers.

These dogs were also bred to be fighters. Blood sports involving dogs included bear and bull baiting. Both commoners and nobility enjoyed these events. To be a good fighter, a dog would need a powerful jaw and good upper-body strength. A fighter would also have to have a lot of endurance and strength. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a perfect example of a dog bred to participate in these fights. As early as the 1830s, these sports became the target of animal activists. However, the bans simply lead breeders to change their focus. Dogs were now used to fight each other.

Terrier dogs are not for everybody. These dogs are loyal and loving animals, but they can be difficult to train. Dogs that were bred as a fighter will need early socialization to curb any issues the dog might have with other animals. Additionally, although there are many small types of terriers, they all have an abundance of energy and require a lot of exercise to ensure that they do not develop unwanted behaviors. If you want to get one these dogs, you will need to educate yourself about proper training for terriers. Doing so will ensure that you do get the kind of dog that you would be proud to call your best friend.