A Brief Look At Several Types Of Terriers
There are a number of different types of terriers, with any particular breed not necessarily resembling the next, though as a group terriers tend to be somewhat wiry and energetic. Terriers originated in the British Isles, and early breeds were almost exclusively used as working and hunting animals. Terriers were often used to hunt animals that borrowed in the earth, everything from rats, to rabbits, to badgers, and the name of the dog is believed to have its roots in the Latin word for earth, terra.
Many of today's types of terriers are the result of breeding two types of terriers prominent in the British Isles with other breeds, resulting in terriers ranging from the largest, the Airedale Terrier, a rough-coated breed which can tip the scales at more than 70 pounds, to the English Toy Terrier, a smooth coated pup which weighs in at around 6 pounds. Despite the disparity in size, the two breeds exhibit the common terrier characteristics of loyalty, courage, and a more than a touch of stubbornness.
Toy Terriers - Most terrier breeds today are kept strictly as pets. One exception, the Jack Russell Terrier is still used by some to hunt varmints, but in most case is kept strictly as a pet. The smallest terriers, the toy terriers, are the Yorkshire Terrier, also called the Yorkie, and the English Toy Terrier. Both carry a large dog's sense of courage in a small package.
Bull Terriers - Another group, the Bull Terrier type has gained a rather bad reputation, in some instances deservedly so, while in other cases the reputation is not deserved at all. Bull terriers have been bred to become great family dogs that are fine to have around children. The American Pit Bull Terrier however does not easily fit in this group. Some have been bred as family pets, while others are still bred as fighting dogs.
Short-Legged Terriers - Two types make up what is often referred to as the short-legged terrier group, the West Highland White Terrier and the Scottish Terrier. The Scottish Terrier, or Scottie, was in the past an extremely popular and oft-seen dog breed in the United States. They are not seen quite as often today, but the breed seems to be making a comeback. The most famous Scottish Terrier may well have been the one belonging to President Franklin D, Roosevelt, Fala being its name. The Scotty has a tendency towards excitability, and does not usually mingle easily with strangers.
The Airedale Terrier - The Airedale terrier is and always has been among the more popular of the terrier breeds. Once bred for hunting, the Airedale is nowadays for the most part a large family dog. It gets its name from the Airedale district in Yorkshire, as does its tiny counterpart the Yorkie. Airedales are still used in some places to help with the herding of cattle, an instinct that comes naturally, but they have to be trained to do it right. The Airedale Terrier is an extremely intelligent breed but also has a reputation for being quite stubborn, and a difficult breed to housebreak.
The other breed from the Yorkshire district is the Yorkshire Terrier, a small dog sporting long hair rather than fur. This little guy is not fragile but has an athletic build and is a ball of energy, needing daily exercise.
The above is just a sampling of a few of the types of terriers. Almost all of the terrier breeds have retained a great deal of popularity over the years, with the Jack Russell, if not the Yorkie, being the most popular type in the United States.