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Terrier (from Latin terra 'earth') is atype of dog originally bred to huntvermin.[1][2][3] A terrier is adog of any one of manybreeds orlandraces of the terriertype, which are typically small, wiry,game, and fearless.[4] There are five different groups of terrier, with each group having different shapes and sizes.
Most terrier breeds were refined from the older purpose-bred dogs. The name originated fromOld Frenchchien terrier, literally "earth dog".[5]
Thegameness of the early hunting terriers was exploited by using them in sporting contests. Initially, terriers competed in events such as clearing a pit of rats. The dog that was the fastest in killing all the rats won. In the eighteenth century some terriers were crossed withhounds to improve their hunting, and some with fighting dog breeds to "intensify tenacity and increase courage".[6] Some of the crosses with fighting dogs,bull and terrier crosses, were used in theblood sport of dog-fighting. Modern pet breeds such as theMiniature Bull Terrier are listed by theFédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) under Bull type terriers.[7]
Today, most terriers are kept as companion dogs and family pets. They are generally loyal and affectionate to their owners.
In the 18th century in Britain, only twotypes of terriers were recognized, long-legged and short-legged.[8] Today, terriers are often informally categorized by size or by function.
Hunting-types are still used to find, track, or trail quarry, especially underground, and sometimes to bolt the quarry. Modern examples include theJack Russell Terrier, theJagdterrier, theRat Terrier, and thePatterdale Terrier. There are also the short-legged terriers such as theCairn Terrier, theScottish Terrier, and theWest Highland White Terrier, which were also used to kill small vermin.
The original hunting terriers include theFell Terrier (developed in northern England to assist in the killing of foxes) and theHunt Terrier (developed in southern England to locate, kill or bolt foxes during a traditional mounted fox hunt).
The various combinations ofbulldog and terrier that were used forbull-baiting anddog-fighting in the late 19th century were later refined into separate breeds that combined both terrier and bulldog qualities. Except for theBoston Terrier, they are generally included in kennel clubs' Terrier Group. Breeders have bred modern bull-type terrier breeds, such as theBull Terrier andStaffordshire Bull Terrier, into suitable family dogs and show terriers.
Toy terriers have been bred from larger terriers and are shown in the Toy or Companion group. Included among these breeds are theEnglish Toy Terrier,Toy Fox Terrier and theYorkshire Terrier. While small, they retain true terrier character and are not submissive "lap dogs".
Other descendants of thebull and terrier types, such as the AsianGull Terrier, are among the dogs still raised for dog-fighting.
Terriers range greatly in appearance from very small, light bodied, smoothcoated dogs such as theEnglish Toy Terrier (Black and Tan), which weighs as little as 2.7 kg (6 lb), to the very large rough-coatedAiredale Terriers, which can be up to 25 kg (56 lb) or more. As of 2004, the United Kennel Club recognized a new hairless breed of terrier derived from theRat Terrier called theAmerican Hairless Terrier.
When competing inconformation shows, mostkennel clubs including theFédération Cynologique Internationale group pedigree terrier breeds together in their own terrier group.[9] TheFédération Cynologique Internationale grouped Terriers in Group 3.[10]
Media related toTerriers at Wikimedia Commons
