Earthdogs on the go!

Eager terriers bark with excitement. An earthdog trial is about to begin! Each terrier must crawl through an underground tunnel to find rats hidden inside cages.

A border terrier goes first. Her owner releases her into a dark tunnel. Once inside, the dog’s nose is her only guide. The tunnel is 30 feet (9 meters) long and has several turns. But the dog is determined. She finds the rats in about two minutes. Terriers excel at earthdog trials!

The Terrier Group

The terrier group is part of the American Kennel Club, or AKC. It is made up of 31 dog breeds. These fun dogs may be small or medium in size. They are known for their playful personalities. Terriers are full of energy!

Dogs in this group were bred, or made, by farmers to hunt rats, badgers, and other pests. These animals often live in underground tunnels called burrows. Terriers dig into the ground to hunt them. Their sharp barks let people know their location when they are underground!

The first terriers were developed more than 500 years ago. Breeders chose small, brave puppies with a high prey drive. If a dog has a high prey drive, they love to chase and catch things. Over time, they bred these dogs to develop different terrier breeds. Most breeds were developed in the British Isles. A few came from other countries, including Germany and Australia.

By the 1700s, demand for working terriers had grown around the world. Farmers and landowners used terriers to get rid of rats, weasels, and other animal pests. Hunters also used them to chase foxes from their dens.

The terrier group is divided into three smaller groups. Short-legged terriers were bred to follow prey underground. This group includes small, sturdy breeds such as the Cairn terrier and the Norfolk terrier. Long-legged terriers are too large to squeeze into holes. Instead, they dig down to their prey. This group includes the Kerry blue terrier and the border terrier.

Bull-type terriers, such as the American Staffordshire terrier, are sturdy and strong. They were originally bred to be fighters. This is illegal today. Now, these breeds are friendly companions who keep people company.

Terrier breeds have different types of fur called coats. Many terriers have double coats. A soft, fluffy undercoat is covered by a short, stiff outer coat. Double coats protect dogs from rain, heat, and cold. Breeds with double coats include the Australian terrier, the Lakeland terrier, and the Welsh terrier.

Some breeds, such as the Manchester terrier, have sleek, flat coats. The Cesky terrier and the soft-coated wheaten terrier have silky coats. The Bedlington terrier has a white coat with tight curls. Its fur looks like the coat of a sheep. It’s fluffy like fleece!

Terriers at Work

Today, some terriers still work as pest hunters. New York City is home to a trained dog team called R.A.T.S. The team is mostly made up of terriers. Guided by their owners, the dogs catch rodents in alleys, garbage heaps, and other hiding places.

Terriers do other jobs, too. Miniature schnauzers are smart and friendly. West Highland white terriers are loving and energetic. Both breeds make great therapy dogs for people who need comfort. A rat terrier named Ricky was once the smallest search and rescue dog in the United States! His size allowed him to squeeze into places where large dogs could not fit.

Some talented terriers have risen to fame on the big screen. The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz featured a Cairn terrier named Toto. A Norwich terrier plays the winning dog in the film Best in Show. Animated movies have also brought fame to the terrier group. A wire fox terrier named Snowy is a loyal friend in the 2011 movie The Adventures of Tintin!

Terriers have achieved fame in other ways. An American Staffordshire terrier named Sallie was a devoted mascot, used to represent troops fighting in the American Civil War. Today, Target’s mascot is a bull terrier named Bullseye!

Terriers as Pets

Terriers make great family pets. They are lively companions, loyal watch dogs, and loving friends. Terriers love to play, explore, and chase. Fenced yards help keep them safe.

Terriers are not ideal pets for everyone, though. Many still have an instinct to hunt small animals. They may not do well with cats, hamsters, or other small pets. Terriers may dig holes in yards and gardens. Some also bark a lot. Positive training can teach terriers how to stay out of trouble!

Many owners love cheering for their terriers in dog sports. Barn hunt tests a dog’s hunting skills. They search for rats hidden safely in tubes. Agility events are also popular with energetic terriers because they love to run. They race around poles and through tunnels. Terriers also excel in flyball, a relay race in which teams of dogs race over obstacles to retrieve a ball!

In this sport, teams of dogs race against each other on a course. They must run, jump over hurdles, and fetch balls to win. Terriers are full of spirit. These playful dogs bring fun to every day!

West Highland White Terrier

West Highland white terriers were first bred in the highlands of Scotland in the 1700s. The breed was created to control the rodent population on farms. For decades, these white terriers were known by many other names. In 1909, the breed became officially known as the West Highland white terrier.

Airedale Terrier

Airedale terriers were originally developed in the Aire Valley of Yorkshire, England. Their role was to catch rats and other pests. Airedales served in the British Armed Forces during World War I as guard dogs and messengers. The first Airedale arrived in the United States in 1881. His name was Bruce!

Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature schnauzers were bred from standard schnauzers. These dogs date back to around the 1400s in Germany. They were bred to catch rats on farms. Later, the standard schnauzer was bred to be smaller. Today, the miniature schnauzer is one of the most popular dog breeds. People love their smart, friendly personalities.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

Soft-coated wheaten terriers were first bred as farm dogs in Ireland. They are related to other Irish breeds such as the Kerry blue terrier and Irish terrier. In the 1940s, Lydia Vogel brought soft-coated wheaten terriers to the United States for the first time. The dogs joined the AKC in 1973