Terriers

People usually start looking up terriers when they’re deciding whether a lively “little dog with big opinions” will fit their household — or when their current terrier is digging, barking, chasing, or itching and they want to know what’s normal and what needs attention.

Terriers are a broad family rather than one single “type”. Some are small enough to tuck under an arm; others are sturdy, medium-sized workers. What links them is their history as earthdogs bred to go after vermin, often underground, and the busy, switched-on behaviour that can come with that background.¹

At a glance

• Size: Varies widely by breed (toy to large); many popular terriers are small–medium
• Coat: Can be smooth, broken, or wiry; some wiry coats need hand-stripping to keep texture
• Temperament: Alert, persistent, often quick to chase and dig; typically loyal and people-oriented with good socialisation
• Exercise needs: Usually daily physical exercise plus brain-work (sniffing, training, puzzles)
• Common health themes: Skin allergies/itch, ear infections, dental disease risk (especially smaller dogs)
• Typical lifespan: Often around the low-to-mid teens, depending on breed and health management

What makes a terrier a terrier

The word terrier is usually linked to terra, Latin for “earth” — a nod to dogs built to follow quarry into burrows and tight places. That original job shaped more than body size. It also favoured independent problem-solving, persistence, and the kind of focus that can look like stubbornness in a modern backyard.¹

Not every terrier today is a hunter, and most live as companions. But the old wiring still shows up in common household patterns: scanning the fence line, pouncing on movement, patrolling the garden beds, and becoming very good at training the humans if routines are inconsistent.

A short history: British Isles roots, then a wide spread

Many terrier breeds were developed in the British Isles and later spread through working farms, towns, and colonies, where ratting and general vermin control mattered. Over time, different regions selected for different coats and builds — a hard jacket for rough country, shorter legs for going to ground, longer legs for running work.¹

Today, “terrier” is also a formal grouping used by kennel organisations, with a long list of recognised breeds and sub-types.²

Different types of terriers (and what tends to come with them)

Terriers don’t all behave the same way, but they do share a general style: alert, active, and quick to form habits. The details depend heavily on the breed and the individual dog.

Working and “earthdog” style terriers

These are the classic burrow-and-barnyard specialists: dogs bred to chase, bolt, and dispatch small animals. In pet homes, they often enjoy scent games, tug, and structured training that gives them a job to do.¹

Bull-type terriers

These breeds sit within the wider terrier grouping in international breed nomenclature. They’re typically strong, muscular dogs that benefit from careful socialisation, clear routines, and training that builds calm focus rather than confrontation.²

Toy terriers

Some very small terriers are classed as “toy” terriers in international listings, including breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier.²

Small size doesn’t always mean low energy. Many toy terriers still carry the same quick reactions and watchfulness — just in a smaller package.

A note on “common breeds” and size

The original draft treated terriers as if they were mostly 5–10 kg. In reality, the terrier group ranges from very small dogs through to larger breeds such as the Airedale Terrier, and weights can vary dramatically by breed.¹

Also, Chihuahua is not a terrier breed and is generally grouped with companion/toy dogs rather than terriers in international classification systems.³

Training and care: what keeps terriers settled

Terriers often learn fast. They also learn what works. If barking at the window makes interesting things happen, they’ll repeat it. If digging produces movement and scent, they’ll return to the same patch of soil with quiet certainty.

Training approach

Reward-based training tends to suit terriers well: it channels their intensity into clear, repeatable behaviours without turning training into a contest. RSPCA Australia supports reward-based methods (positive reinforcement) and does not support punishment-based training techniques that can cause fear or pain.⁴

• Start small: short sessions, high-value rewards, end while they still want more.
• Practise calm: teach a settle on a mat, reward pauses, reinforce quiet observation at windows.
• Use their nose: scatter-feeding, sniff walks, and simple scent games can take the edge off restless energy.

Exercise and enrichment

Many terriers need daily exercise, but they also need something to think about. A long walk without sniffing can leave them physically tired and mentally underfed. A shorter, varied walk with time to explore scent trails often does more.

Grooming (especially wiry coats)

Terrier coats range from smooth and easy-care to harsh, wiry coats designed to protect the dog in rough country. Some wiry-coated breeds are traditionally hand-stripped to maintain coat texture, while clipping can soften it over time. The right approach depends on breed, skin sensitivity, and whether you’re aiming for a show coat or a practical pet trim.

The working past: hunting and vermin control

Terriers were shaped by a specific job: controlling rodents and other small animals that damaged stores and livestock, and often doing it underground where people couldn’t easily help. That work selected for dogs that could push into tight spaces, make quick decisions, and persist even when the situation was noisy or dark.¹

In modern homes, that history often surfaces as:

• chasing wildlife and fast-moving toys
• digging (especially along fence lines or under shrubs)
• watchfulness and alarm barking
• strong interest in scent and movement trails

Health issues seen in terriers

Health risks vary by breed and bloodline, but there are a few themes that appear often enough to be worth knowing before you choose a terrier — or while you’re caring for one.

Itchy skin and allergies (atopic dermatitis)

Canine atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease linked to genetic predisposition and environmental allergens, with itch as the hallmark sign. Several terrier breeds are listed among those predisposed, including the West Highland White Terrier and Scottish Terrier.⁵

In practice, owners often notice paw-licking, face rubbing, recurrent ear issues, or seasonal flare-ups that become year-round over time.

Ear infections secondary to skin disease

In allergic dogs, secondary skin and ear infections are common and can worsen itch and irritation. Recurrent otitis can sometimes be the main presenting complaint.⁵

Dental disease (especially in smaller dogs)

Dental disease is extremely common in dogs, particularly as they age, and smaller dogs can be more vulnerable because crowded teeth trap plaque. Regular brushing, sensible chewing options, and veterinary dental checks matter.⁶

When to book a vet visit quickly

• itching that keeps your dog awake, or breaks the skin
• recurrent ear redness, smell, head-shaking, or pain
• bad breath plus red gums, loose teeth, or reluctance to eat

Choosing the right terrier for your lifestyle

A terrier that thrives in one home can be a poor fit in another, simply because the daily rhythm is different. Before you commit, consider the dog’s likely needs for movement, stimulation, and management.

• Space and sound: many terriers are alert watchdogs; apartment living can work, but only with training and outlets for energy.
• Wildlife and small pets: prey drive varies, but it can be strong. Management and training matter, and some households may need a different type of dog.
• Time for grooming: wiry coats can be low-shed but higher-maintenance; smooth coats are simpler but still benefit from regular brushing.
• Your tolerance for digging: it’s often easier to provide a legal digging zone than to try to eliminate digging entirely.

If you’re choosing a specific breed, read the breed standard and speak with ethical breeders and breed clubs. Kennel organisations’ breed pages can help clarify size, coat, and typical temperament traits.²

Famous terriers in pop culture (a quick, accurate note)

Terriers appear regularly in film and television because their silhouette is distinctive and their movements read clearly on camera. One of the most recognisable is Toto from The Wizard of Oz, played by a Cairn Terrier.

Historical claims in the original draft (for example, “the first breed registered with The Kennel Club in 1873”) were overstated and vary depending on how “first” is defined (first entries, first stud book listings, and early registrations are recorded differently). For this page, it’s more useful to focus on what terriers are like to live with, rather than trying to rank historical milestones.

Final thoughts

Terriers are shaped by practical work: quick minds, strong bodies for their size, and a steady readiness to investigate anything that moves. In a pet home, they do best with daily exercise, calm structure, and training that rewards the behaviours you want to see more often. When their skin, ears, or teeth start causing trouble, early veterinary help prevents long problems from settling in.

References

1. American Kennel Club (AKC) – The Terrier Group: Planet Earthdog
2. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) – Group 3: Terriers (Breeds nomenclature)
3. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) – Group 9: Companion and Toy Dogs (Breeds nomenclature)
4. RSPCA Australia – Reward-based (positive reinforcement) dog training position
5. Merck Veterinary Manual – Canine atopic dermatitis (clinical features, breed predisposition, secondary infections)
6. Vets Love Pets (Australia) – Dog dental care and periodontal disease overview