18 Terrier Dog Breeds

Reviewed by Bartley Harrison

Terriers were originally bred to search for and destroy vermin. Most hunted rats, mice, and other rodents, but some were used to hunt foxes, rabbits, and other larger game. Many terriers would “go to ground,” which means they would dig down into the earth and crawl into underground dens and tunnels when chasing their prey.

Terrier Breed Characteristics

Typically energetic, playful, adaptable, and outgoing, terriers love to be in the middle of the action. They are generally well-suited to active homes that are looking for a dog with bags of personality. Some might be small, but terriers generally need plenty of exercise and attention, or they might turn to destructive behavior like digging, barking, chewing, and escaping.

Due to their original purpose, terriers can have a high prey drive (the instinct to chase and kill furry and feathery creatures) and you may need to put in some extra work when it comes to recall cues.

While every dog is an individual, and appropriate socialization and training are important for every breed, typical terrier traits are bravery, feistiness, and tenacity. Not all terrier breeds are known for being highly social with dogs they don't know and some might not be so tolerant of young children.

Read on to meet 18 terrier breeds that are overflowing with character.

Airedale Terrier

The largest of all the terriers, the Airedale is known as the “King of Terriers.” The breed hails from a region of England called the Aire Valley, where the dogs were used to hunt ducks and dispatch pesky vermin like rats. The strong, energetic, and sometimes stubborn Airedale Terrier needs lots of obedience training from early on in life, and plenty of vigorous daily exercise.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 23 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 50 to 70 pounds

Physical characteristics: Strong and well-balanced. The hard, wiry, dense, straight, short coat is a mix of tan and black or dark grizzle, with tan head and ears.

American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire terrier was developed in America in the middle of the 19th century from English bull-and-terrier dogs, namely the smaller Staffordshire bull terrier. Sadly, these types of dogs were once used for the now-illegal sport of dogfighting. However, they were also found to make loyal, hardworking companions and were bred for larger size and gentler temperament.

American Staffordshire terriers are smart, affectionate, and energetic dogs that make wonderful companions for the right home. Many of these dogs can get along wonderfully with children, but proper training and socialization are essential. With plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them occupied and happy, Am Staffs make excellent family pets.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 17 to 18 inches (female), 18 to 19 inches (male)

WEIGHT: 40 to 55 pounds (female), 55 to 70 pounds (male)

Physical Characteristics: Thick-bodied and muscular with a blocky head. The short, stiff coat comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, blue, fawn, red, and liver (with or without brindle and/or white markings)

Australian Terrier

The Australian terrier is a small dog breed that originated in Australia. They were developed from English dogs brought over in the 19th century and share ancestry with other small terriers, including the Cairn and Yorkshire terrier. In fact, people often misidentify Australian terriers as Yorkies.

Australian terriers have lively, outgoing personalities. Though loyal and affectionate, these are not lazy lap dogs. The breed does best when given a 'job' to do and may get bored if left alone for too long. Engage the Australian terrier in activities that engage the mind and body to keep them happy and healthy.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 15 to 20 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Short, sturdy, and medium-boned. Medium-length, wiry, waterproof double coat comes in blue and tan, red, or sandy

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier originated in England, in the 1800s, where they hunted rats and other vermin on farms and in coal mines. With a sleek, sighthound shape, they look and feel like little lambs. The soft coat does not shed much (if at all) but requires professional grooming every few months.

Although they are known for being sweet and gentle, they are mightily courageous and tenacious when they have a furry critter in their sights. As always, training and socialization will help your terrier become a well-mannered companion.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 15.5 to 17.5 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 17 to 23 pounds

Physical characteristics: Graceful, lithe and well-balanced. The crisp coat, which is a mixture of hard and soft hair, comes in blue, sandy, or liver, sometimes combined with tan.

Border Terrier

The border terrier was developed during the 19th century in the region of the Scotland-England border, but its ancestry likely goes back hundreds of years before then. Farmers used dogs to protect sheep from predators, but they needed smaller dogs that could flush out foxes from their dens.

Today's border terrier is small yet sturdy and highly energetic. These intelligent dogs need plenty of exercise and will benefit from activities that engage their minds as well as their bodies. Training and socialization are also important to provide structure and enable your dog to feel comfortable in a variety of situations.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 11.5 to 14 pounds (female), 13 to 15.5 pounds (male)

COAT AND COLOR: Small, well-balanced, and athletic. The short, wiry coat is seen in blue and tan, grizzle and tan, red, or wheaten; muzzle is usually darker.

Bull Terrier

The bull terrier was originally bred in England to be a fierce competitor in dogfighting rings, but when that brutal sport was outlawed, the breed was tweaked into the distinguished and sweet companion that it is today.

The bully is brimming with personality and has one of the most unique faces of the dog kingdom, with a long face that resembles that of a horse. The bull terrier can be stubborn, so early, consistent training is a must.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 21 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 50 to 70 pounds

Physical characteristics: Strongly built, muscular and symmetrical. The short coat comes in almost any color including white, red, fawn, black, blue, or brindle (or a combination of these).

Cairn Terrier

Made famous as Dorothy’s little dog Toto in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, the cairn terrier originated in the Scottish Highlands more than two centuries ago. The hardy, fierce little dogs rooted out rats, foxes, and other furry critters from piles of rocks called cairns, from which the breed derived its name.

Friendly and outgoing, cairn terriers typically make wonderful family dogs. Care includes weekly brushing and moderate exercise.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 12 to 15 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Active, hardy, short-legged working terrier; the wiry double coat may be a wide variety of colors, commonly black, cream and grey, often with a brindle mix.

Irish Terrier

With its fiery red coat and intense expression, the medium-sized, sturdy Irish terrier is unmistakable. As the breed name suggests, this dog comes from Ireland, where it was a jack of all trades—hunting down rats and mice, guarding the farmstead, and serving as a devoted family companion.

Strong-willed and full of energy, the Irish terrier needs a good amount of daily exercise and consistent training.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 15.5 to 17.5 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 17 to 23 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Medium-sized with moderately long back and legs. The dense, wiry coat comes in bright red, golden red, red wheaten, or wheaten.

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell terrier was developed in England in the 1800s by a vicar by the name of John “Jack” Russell. He created two varieties of hunting terriers, one with longer legs (the Parson Russell terrier) and one that was slightly smaller with shorter legs (the Jack Russell terrier). Both types of terriers were excellent fox and rabbit hunters, as well as vermin dispatchers.

Intense little dogs with endless energy, Jack Russell terriers need a lot of exercise, play, mental stimulation, and training.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 13 to 17 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Small, muscular and slightly longer than tall. The short coat can be smooth or rough, and is white with black, tan or brown markings.

Kerry Blue Terrier

A working terrier that originated in the mountains of County Kerry, Ireland, more than a century ago, the Kerry blue terrier had varied talents, including hunting, retrieving, and even herding livestock.

All Kerry blue terrier puppies are born black. The coat gradually fades to the distinctive blue-gray color as the dog matures. The final color of adult Kerry blue terriers can vary from a deep slate blue to light blue-gray. Kerries do not shed much, but they require professional grooming every few months.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 30 to 40 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Upstanding and in good balance, with a well-developed and muscular body. The short soft, wavy coat is blue-gray in color.

Manchester Terrier

The Manchester terrier is a small dog breed named after the city in England, where it was used to hunt rabbits and participate in the 'sport' of killing rats, two popular pastimes in that region during the 19th century. Manchester terriers were developed from black and tan terriers (which were similar to today's Manchester) and crossed with whippet-type dogs.

Manchester terriers are seen in toy (extra small) and standard sizes (small). Smart and playful, these dogs can make excellent family companions. As always, training and socialization are necessary to provide structure. Be aware that, like most terriers, these dogs may chase small animals, including wildlife, cats, and exotic pets.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: Toy: 10 to 12 inches; standard: 15 to 16 inches

WEIGHT: Toy: under 12 pounds; standard: 12 to 22 pounds

COAT AND COLOR: Small, sleek, and graceful. The short, smooth coat is black and tan with mahogany markings

Miniature Schnauzer

The miniature schnauzer is a bred-down version of the larger standard schnauzer. Both schnauzer breeds, as well as their cousin, the giant schnauzer, originated in Germany, where they were indispensable working farm dogs and rat catchers.

Miniature schnauzers are spirited and playful and need moderate daily activity. The wiry coat, which forms the breed’s trademark beard, mustache, and eyebrows, requires professional grooming every few months.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 11 to 19 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Sturdily built, nearly square in proportion, with plenty of bone. The wiry double coat may be salt and pepper, black and silver, or solid black.

Norwich Terrier

Named after its city of origin in England, the Norwich terrier hunted foxes, working in large packs and running alongside the hunters. The Norwich terrier is one of the smallest of all the terrier breeds, but brave as they come and big on love.

It’s closely related to the Norfolk terrier, which they resemble closely (the main difference being the Norfolk’s folded ears versus the Norwich’s upright ears).

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 10 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 12 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Stocky, hardy, and with good bone and substance. The hard, wiry, straight coat comes in red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle.

Rat Terrier

Though most terriers originated in Great Britain, the rat terrier was developed in the United States in the early 1900s, where it was used to hunt and kill rats and other rodents on farms.

Rat terriers come in two sizes: miniature and standard. They are high-spirited, energetic, and determined little dogs that need a good amount of daily exercise and play to stay content.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 10 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder (miniature); 13 to 18 inches (standard)

WEIGHT: 10 to 25 pounds

Physical characteristics: Sturdy, compact and small to medium sized. The smooth, shiny, short coat comes in pied patterns (one or more colors with large patches of white).

Scottish Terrier

Scottish terriers were prized fox and badger hunters for centuries in the Scottish Highlands, where they also earned their keep killing rats and other vermin on farms.

Scotties have short legs, but their bodies are long and substantial. Although the black Scottish terrier is very well known, the breed also comes in wheaten (lighter tan) and brindle (darker tan with tiger stripes).

Today’s Scottie will gladly dispatch any rats or mice in and around your home. Like many other terriers, Scotties are scrappy and bold, and may not get along with other strange dogs.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 10 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 18 to 22 pounds

Physical Characteristics: Thick-bodied and heavy-boned. The hard, wiry comes in black, wheaten or brindle.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

The soft-coated wheaten terrier hails from Ireland and shares ancestry with the Kerry blue and Irish terriers. The breed's origins are unclear, but they can be traced back about 200 years when they were bred to be all-purpose farm dogs.

Soft-coated wheaten terriers are affectionate, active dogs that need plenty of exercise. Training and socialization will help create a confident, well-mannered pet. With proper care, wheatens can be wonderful companions for active homes.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 17 to 18 inches (female), 18 to 19 inches (male)

WEIGHT: 30 to 35 pounds (female), 35 to 40 pounds (male)

COAT AND COLOR: Medium-sized, medium-boned, and athletic. The wavy, silky, medium-length coat is wheaten in color

Welsh Terrier

The Welsh terrier's ancestors were black and red terriers that can be traced back to 15th century Wales, where they were used by farmers to hunt and deter vermin such as foxes and badgers. By the 18th century, they were valued by both hunters and farmers to help pursue a variety of smaller game.

Welsh terriers have retained their working abilities and high energy levels, so these dogs are not ideal for first-time owners. Bold and vivacious, the breed needs a lot of exercise and should be properly trained and socialized from a young age. While they can make excellent companions for active households, these dogs tend to retain an independent streak.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 15 inches at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 20 to 22 pounds

COAT AND COLOR: Small to medium in size, medium-boned, and athletic. Dense, hard, and wiry outer coat with a soft undercoat; tan and black

West Highland White Terrier

Several small, short-legged terriers claim Scotland as their birthplace, including the Cairn terrier, Dandie Dinmont terrier, Scottish terrier, and Skye terrier, but of all the Scottish terrier breeds, the West Highland white terrier is the only one that comes in just pure white.

So the story goes, a Scottish colonel developed an all-white terrier after losing his red terrier in a hunting accident (the dog was shot because it resembled the foxes they were pursuing).

Active and full of personality, without enough exercise and attention Westies might turn to destructive behavior. Train and socialize these dogs properly for a well-behaved, happy companion.

Breed Overview

HEIGHT: 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder

WEIGHT: 13 to 20 pounds

COAT AND COLOR: Small, well-balanced, and hardy. The medium-length double coat is always pure white.

Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.