Terrier: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The terrier is a group of dog breeds initially bred for hunting and killing vermin. Whilst usually small, these dogs are brave and tough, and have a lively, energetic, and almost hyperactive personality.

Most terriers breeds were developed in the British Isles. They were used to hunt fox, otter, badger, and rat both over and under the ground. In fact, the word terrier comes from the Middle French terrier and before that the Latin 'terra', meaning earth.

Terrier Group is also an official breed grouping for most of the major kennel clubs including the AKC, ANKC, CKC, Fédération Cynologique Internationale, KC(UK), NZKC and UKC. Bear in mind that not all terriers are in the terrier group, and not all dogs in the terrier groups are terriers.

See:

• AKC, ANKC, CKC KC(UK), NZKC and UKC Terrier Group
• FCI Terrier Group

Terrier types and groups

Terrier breeds can be divided into different types and groups, such as:

• Hunting Terriers - used to find, track, or trail quarry, and then bolt from a den or tree the quarry.
• Show Terriers - bred for the show ring or as small pets.
• Working Terriers - used to work denning quarry.
  • Fell Terriers - breeds developed in northern England for predator eradication.
  • Hunt Terriers - breeds developed in southern England to bolt foxes during a traditional fox hunt.

• American Hairless Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Australian Silky Terrier
• Australian Terrier
• Airedale Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Border Terrier
• Boston Terrier
• Bull Terrier
• Bull Terrier (Miniature)
• Cairn Terrier
• Cesky Terrier
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
• Fox Terrier (Smooth)
• Fox Terrier (Wire)
• Glen of Imaal Terrier
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Japanese Terrier
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Lakeland Terrier
• Manchester Terrier
• Miniature Fox Terrier
• Norfolk Terrier
• Norwich Terrier
• Parson Russell Terrier
• Patterdale Terrier
• Rat Terrier
• Russian Black Terrier
• Russell Terrier
• Scottish Terrier
• Sealyham Terrier
• Silky Terrier
• Skye Terrier
• Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Tenterfield Terrier
• Toy Fox Terrier
• Welsh Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier
• Yorkshire Terrier