Most terrier breeds were developed in the British Isles. They were used to control rats, rabbits, and foxes both over and under the ground. Some larger terriers were also used to hunt badgers. In fact, the word terrier comes from the Middle French terrier, derived from the Latin terra, meaning earth. The Kerry Blue Terrier and Airedale, however, are particularly noted for tackling river rats and otters in deep water.
The gameness of the early hunting terriers was exploited by using them in so-called sporting contests. Initially, terriers competed in events such as clearing a pit of rats. The dog that was fastest in killing all the rats won. In the 1700s some terriers were crossed with hounds to improve their hunting, and some with fighting dog breeds to "intensify tenacity and increase courage." Some of the crosses with fighting dogs, Bull and Terrier crosses, were used in the then legal blood sport of dog fighting. Modern pet breeds developed from the Bull and Terrier, such as the Miniature Bull Terrier, are listed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) under Bull type terriers.
Today, most terriers are kept as companion dogs and make great family pets. They are generally loyal and affectionate to their owners but can be "big characters" requiring a firm hand.
Most major dog registries today group all terriers in one Group; only the Fédération Cynologique Internationale subdivides the terrier group, into what the FCI calls Sections: Large and medium-sized Terriers, Small-sized Terriers, Bull type Terriers, and Toy Terriers. The largest breed in the terrier family is the Airedale Terrier.
Genetic analysis shows that most terriers are in the "modern/hunting" genetic cluster of dog breeds developed from the same pool of ancestors in Europe in the 1800s. A few terriers are found in the "mastiff" genetic cluster with Pomeranians, Labrador Retrievers, and other large-headed dogs, and the Tibetan Terrier is found in the older grouping of Asian and African dogs.
In the 1700s in Britain, only two types of terriers were recognized, long- and short-legged.[4] Different localities raised terriers suited to their hunting or vermin control needs. Terriers were crossed with hunting dogs, fighting dogs, and other terriers. In the mid 1800s, with the advent of dog shows, various breeds were refined from the older purpose-bred dogs. All of today's terrier breeds are bred primarily as pets.
Hunting or working terriers - Still used to find, track, or trail quarry, especially underground, and sometimes to bolt the quarry. These dogs are usually of mixed breeding or of breeds not recognized as pure breeds. These include
Fell terriers - breeds developed in northern England to assist in the killing of foxes and
Hunt terriers - breeds developed in southern England to locate and kill or bolt foxes during a traditional mounted fox hunt.
Toy terrier - Bred "down" from larger terriers, these terriers are shown in the Toy or Companion group. Included among these breeds are the English Toy Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. While small, they retain true terrier character and are not "lap dogs."
Bull type Terriers - The Bull and Terrier types were originally combinations of bulldogs and terriers as general mixed breed pit dogs. In the late 1800s, they were refined into separate breeds that combined terrier and bulldog qualities. Except for Boston Terriers, they are generally shown as terriers. Responsible breeders have made modern Bull type terrier breeds, such as the Bull terrier, suitable as family dogs and show terriers. A descendent of the Bull and Terrier types, the American Pit Bull Terriers, are among the dog breeds still raised for illegal dog fighting.
What is considered a terrier varies in the many of the major kennel clubs, including the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, AKC, Australian National Kennel Council, Canadian Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK), New Zealand Kennel Club, and UKC as well as the myriad hunting and pet registries. For example, the Miniature Schnauzer is in the Terrier group in the American Kennel Club but not a Terrier according to the United Kingdom Kennel Club. Boston Terriers are true terriers although not put in the terrier group, while the Tibetan Terrier and Black Russian Terrier are terriers in name only and not true terriers at all.
Large and Medium Sized:
Brazilian Terrier*
Jagdterrier*
Airedale Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Border Terrier
Fox Terrier (Smooth)*
Fox Terrier (Wire)*
Lakeland Terrier*
Manchester Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier*
Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier*
Small Sized:
Australian Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier*
Cairn Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier*
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier*
Skye Terrier*
West Highland White Terrier
Nihon Teria*
Ceský Teriér*
Bull Type:
Bull Terrier (Standard)
Miniature Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Silky Terrier*
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)*
Yorkshire Terrier
American Hairless Terrier*
Toy Type:
Australian Silky Terrier*
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)*
Yorkshire Terrier
Not categorized by FCI:
American Hairless Terrier*
Australian Silky Terrier*
English Toy Terrier*
Irish Staffordshire Terrier*
Miniature Fox Terrier*
Old English Terrier*
Patterdale Terrier*
Pit Bull Terrier*
Plummer Terrier*
Rat Terrier*
Russian Black Terrier*
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier*
Tenterfield Terrier*
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Manchester Terrier*
*Breed not recognized by the American Kennel Club
