Terrier Dog Breeds

Small, wiry, active and tenacious... these words are the key points of the terrier dog breed. What they may lack in size, the terrier breed makes up in attitude and zest. They are highly energetic and inquisitive as a breed, and were bred for rodent hunting. Today, they are one of the best show dogs, and make loving and loyal pets. Since most terrier dog breeds are small and compact, they are a good choice for apartments and small living spaces. Their agility and activeness make them playful companions with interesting personality quirks.

List of Terrier Dog Breeds

Below are the most well-known and famous terrier breeds, along with some physical characteristics:

Miniature Schnauzer
This is one of the most popular and well-known, terrier breeds. Their distinctive rigid pose and bearded face, gives a militaristic impression, but they are highly alert and playful. They are not as aggressive as some other terrier breeds, but are good watchdogs and rat hunters.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 12 to 14 inches
• Weight: 10 - 15 pounds
• Coat: Double coat, hard, wiry outer coat and close undercoat. Thick but not silky fur.
• Colors: Salt and pepper, black and silver, and solid black. White is considered a disqualification for show dogs.

Boston Terrier
Popularly known as the "American Gentleman", this compact little dog started out as a fighting dog. But it has an intelligent and gentle disposition, and makes a good companion. They are easy to train, good with kids and the elderly, and non-canine pets.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 15 to 17 inches
• Weight: 10 - 25 pounds
• Coat: Short, smooth coat, glossy and fine in texture
• Colors: Seal, black or brindle with white muzzle band, blaze between eyes and white forechest.

Bull Terrier
A short, muscular body, large, egg-shaped head and small triangular eyes make up the bull terrier's distinctive look. A rakish gait with a jaunty air is another of its key traits. They may look a little clownish, but they are courageous and loving. They are very attached to their owners and need human companionship to stay occupied. They are very active, so mental and physical exercise is needed regularly. Bull terriers have appeared in numerous ads, TV shows and movies. Bud Light beer commercials featured a bull terrier, "Spuds" and the villainous dog "Scud", in Toy Story is also a bull terrier.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 20 to 24 inches
• Weight: 45 - 80 pounds
• Coat: Flat, short and harsh to touch, with a glossy sheen
• Colors: 2 varieties present. Solid white, with markings only on the head, or black, brindle, fawn and red with white markings.

Scottish Terrier
The Scottie is characterized by its shaggy but classic profile, and firm yet feisty gait. Also called "diehard", it is one of the original terrier breeds, which originated in Scotland. A thoughtful and determined little fellow, with a territorial nature. They are known for their fearlessness and loving nature but can be stubborn and independent. Their features are keen, with piercing eyes and an "alert and on the job" expression. It is the only breed of dog to have lived in the White House 3 times. It is the official mascot of the Carnegie Mellon university. The best example of a Scottie in entertainment, is Jock from Lady and the Tramp, the classic Disney, doggie romance.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 10 to 11 inches
• Weight: 19 - 23 pounds
• Coat: A hard, wiry outer coat with a soft, dense undercoat. It should be trimmed, especially the beard, to give that distinct Scottish Terrier profile
• Colors: Black, wheaten or brindle. Slivers of white or silver hair are allowed.

Skye Terrier
An elegant, low-to-the-ground, hairy dog with a long body and large head. It is one of the oldest and most original terrier breeds. These dogs make polite, loving and loyal companions, with a fondness for the couch. They need a strong hand at the leash, as they are naturally inquisitive and like to chase. Extremely agile and active with a reserved air towards strangers.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 10 inches, length is twice its height
• Weight: 35 - 40 pounds
• Coat: Double coat, hard, flat exterior with a soft and woolly undercoat. It hangs down straight from each side. Tail is feathered and eyes and forehead are veiled by hair, to make up the "carpet" profile
• Colors: Solid color of black, blue, gray, fawn or cream. The ears, muzzle and tip of tail should be black or dark.

Airedale Terrier
The Airedale is known as the "King of Terriers", due to its size. It is a popular police and hunting dog. It is strong willed, with a high degree of intelligence, which should be reflected in its owners. This breed needs a patient and authoritative hand. They get bored easily and have a stubborn streak. But they are highly expressive and protective. They are very loyal and reliable pets, who are capable of taking down larger opponents, if their master is threatened. The Airedale was extremely popular during the First World War time, and Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge owned this breed.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 23 inches
• Weight: 50 - 70 pounds
• Coat: Dense and wiry coat, close to body
• Colors: Black and tan appearance. Ears, head and legs are tan. Sides and upper body are black.

Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie is one of the toy terrier dog breeds. But don't be fooled by its diminutive stature, it's a lot of dog in a little package. They are very bold and brave, with an active and protective temperament. Their gait is one of royalty, with head held high. They are expert yappers and watchdogs, and their compact size makes them ideal for small spaces and homes. They are true people dogs and need socializing and cuddling.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 6 to 7 inches
• Weight: 7 pounds
• Coat: Long body coat, straight and silky in texture. The fine sheen or gloss of hair is a key characteristic.
• Colors: Blue and black and tan are the 2 main colors.

Other Terrier Breeds

Here's a table of the remaining breeds, with their size and coat features

Name	Height (Inches)	Weight (Pounds)	Type of Coat
American Staffordshire Terrier	17 - 19	57 - 67	Short coated
Australian Terrier	10 - 11	9 - 14	Shaggy double coat
Bedlington Terrier	16½, 15½ (female)	17 - 23	Short linty hair
Border Terrier	13 - 16	11½ - 15½	Durable wiry coat
Cairn Terrier	10	13 - 14	Harsh and profuse outer coat with soft, close furry undercoat
Dandie Dinmont Terrier	8 - 10	18 - 24	Distinctive top knot of hair
Glen of Imaal Terrier	12½ - 14	35	Harsh outercoat with soft undercoat
Irish Terrier	18	25 - 27	Dense and wiry coat
Lakeland Terrier	14½	17	Hard wiry outer with soft undercoat
Manchester Terrier Standard	15 - 16	12 - 22	Short, black&tan coat
Manchester Terrier Toy	10 - 12	7 - 12	Short, black&tan coat
Miniature Bull Terrier	10 - 14	24 - 33	Flat and harsh to the touch with a fine gloss
Norwich Terrier	10	10 - 12	Hard, wiry and straight, lying close to the body with a definite undercoat
Parson Russell Terrier	13 - 14	13 - 17	Close and dense double coat with sheen
Sealyham Terrier	10½	24	Soft, dense undercoat and hard, wiry top coat
Smooth Fox Terrier	14 - 16	15 - 20	Hard, dense and abundant
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier	17 - 19	30 - 40	Small, abundant, soft and silky coat
Staffordshire Bull Terrier	14 - 16	24 - 38	Smooth, short and close to the skin
Welsh Terrier	15	20 - 21	Hard, wiry and dense with a close-fitting thick jacket
Wire Fox Terrier	14 - 16	15 - 20	Dense, wiry texture like coconut

Different kennel clubs group terriers into different dog groups. Some terrier breeds like the Yorkshire are not grouped as a terrier but rather as a toy. The same applies to the Boston terrier, who is not classified by the FCI as a terrier breed. The general term terrier is used to describe small, very active dogs, which are used in hunting small animals. Terrier breeds like the Pit Bull are also known as fighting dogs. If trained properly and kept active, any terrier dog breed can be a valuable family pet or a loving comrade.