22 Amazing Terrier Breeds: Types, Photos, and Temperament Guide
Terrier breeds are known for their energetic, fearless, and playful personalities. Originally bred for hunting small animals, these dogs have become popular companions due to their intelligence and loyalty. With a wide variety of terriers—ranging from small terrier dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier to big terrier breeds like the Airedale Terrier—there’s a perfect terrier for every lifestyle. Some terriers, such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, are even called “nanny dogs” because of their affectionate nature toward children.
In this guide, we’ll explore 22 amazing types of terriers, detailing their unique traits, temperament, and care needs. Whether you’re looking for a small terrier dog or a giant terrier breed, you’ll discover the right match for your family and home.
What is a Terrier?
A terrier is a type of dog originally bred for hunting and controlling small animals like rodents and foxes. These dogs are known for their fearless nature, high energy, and strong prey drive. Terrier breeds come in various sizes, including small terrier dog breeds like the Cairn Terrier and large terrier dog breeds such as the Airedale Terrier.
Terriers often share common traits: they are lively, independent, and curious. Their boldness can make them challenging to train, but with proper guidance, they become loyal companions. Some terriers, such as terrier mixes, are crossbreeds that combine the best traits of two or more breeds. Terrier dogs can vary greatly in size, color, and temperament, depending on their breed or mix.
Whether you prefer a little terrier breed or a larger companion, there are countless options to suit different lifestyles. Let’s explore the most popular types of terriers and discover which one could be the perfect fit for you.
22 Types of Terrier Breeds
Here is a list of the most popular and interesting terrier breeds, ranging from tiny companions to large working dogs. Each breed has its unique temperament and care needs.
1. Jack Russell Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, and playful
- Best For: Active families or individuals
- Known for their boundless energy and intelligence, Jack Russell Terriers need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. These small terrier dogs excel in agility training.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Affectionate, confident, and lively
- Best For: Apartment living and families
- One of the most popular small terrier breeds, the Yorkie is a great lap dog with a bold personality.
3. Boston Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Friendly, smart, and gentle
- Best For: Families with children
- Known as the “American Gentleman,” Boston Terriers are friendly dogs with distinctive tuxedo-like markings.
4. Bull Terrier (Target Dog Breed)
- Size: Medium
- Temperament: Playful, loyal, and mischievous
- Best For: Experienced dog owners
- Famous for their egg-shaped head, Bull Terriers are energetic dogs with a playful nature.
5. Scottish Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Independent, confident, and loyal
- Best For: Families or single owners
- A classic breed, the Scottie is known for its dignified appearance and loyal personality.
6. Border Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Good-natured, agile, and affectionate
- Best For: Families with children
- This little terrier breed is friendly and known for getting along well with other dogs.
7. Airedale Terrier
- Size: Large (Giant Terrier Dog Breed)
- Temperament: Brave, intelligent, and energetic
- Best For: Active families
- Known as the “King of Terriers,” the Airedale Terrier is the largest terrier breed, excelling in various dog sports.
8. Cairn Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Happy, curious, and fearless
- Best For: Families or seniors
- This small terrier dog breed is known for its role in The Wizard of Oz as “Toto.”
9. Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Nanny Dog)
- Size: Medium
- Temperament: Gentle, loving, and loyal
- Best For: Families with children
- Known as a “nanny dog,” this breed is affectionate and great with kids.
10. West Highland White Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Cheerful, bold, and friendly
- Best For: Apartment living
- The Westie is one of the most popular terrier breeds due to its friendly personality and cute appearance.
11. Rat Terrier
- Size: Small to Medium
- Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, and loyal
- Best For: Farms or active households
- As the name suggests, these terriers were bred to hunt rodents and are still great working dogs.
12. Miniature Bull Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Mischievous, energetic, and affectionate
- Best For: Active families
- A smaller version of the Bull Terrier, this breed is full of personality and charm.
13. American Pit Bull Terrier
- Size: Medium to Large
- Temperament: Loyal, energetic, and confident
- Best For: Active owners
- This breed is often misunderstood but can be a loving family pet when trained properly.
14. Fox Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Playful, alert, and energetic
- Best For: Experienced owners
- The Fox Terrier is known for its agility and love of chasing small animals.
15. Welsh Terrier
- Size: Medium
- Temperament: Friendly, energetic, and confident
- Best For: Active owners
- This breed resembles a smaller version of the Airedale Terrier.
16. Irish Terrier
- Size: Medium
- Temperament: Brave, affectionate, and playful
- Best For: Active families
- The Irish Terrier is a bold and protective dog, making it a great guard dog.
17. Bedlington Terrier
- Size: Medium
- Temperament: Gentle, playful, and intelligent
- Best For: Families or singles
- With its lamb-like appearance, the Bedlington Terrier is a unique breed.
18. Patterdale Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Energetic, determined, and independent
- Best For: Active owners
- This small but sturdy breed excels in hunting and working.
19. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Gentle, fun-loving, and loyal
- Best For: Families or seniors
- With a distinctive topknot, this breed is charming and affectionate.
20. Norfolk Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, and affectionate
- Best For: Families with children
- One of the smallest working terriers, the Norfolk Terrier is full of personality.
21. Sealyham Terrier
- Size: Small to Medium
- Temperament: Calm, playful, and charming
- Best For: Families or singles
- This rare breed is known for its distinctive beard and calm nature.
22. Australian Terrier
- Size: Small
- Temperament: Brave, loyal, and friendly
- Best For: Apartment living
- The Australian Terrier is a lively companion with a strong bond to its owners.
Small Terrier Breeds and Large Terrier Dog Breeds
Terrier breeds come in a wide range of sizes, from compact small terrier dog breeds to large terrier breeds with powerful builds. Each size group has its unique characteristics, which make them suitable for different living environments and lifestyles.
Examples of Small Terrier Dog Breeds:
- Yorkshire Terrier: A perfect companion for apartment living due to its small size and friendly temperament.
- Cairn Terrier: Compact and fearless, making it ideal for both city and rural environments.
- West Highland White Terrier (Westie): Energetic yet adaptable to indoor life.
- Miniature Bull Terrier: Small but full of personality, suitable for active families.
- Norfolk Terrier: A friendly small terrier that gets along well with children and other pets.
Small terrier dogs are generally easy to handle and well-suited to smaller homes, including apartments. However, they often come with a big personality, requiring regular mental stimulation and exercise.
Examples of Large Terrier Dog Breeds:
- Airedale Terrier: Known as the largest terrier breed, excelling in physical activities and guarding.
- American Pit Bull Terrier: A medium-to-large breed with a muscular build and a loyal temperament.
- Irish Terrier: Brave and active, often used for hunting and guarding.
- Welsh Terrier: Though not giant, its sturdy build and high energy make it feel larger than it appears.
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Medium-sized but strong, earning a reputation as a dependable family pet.
Large terrier breeds are generally more robust and require space to run and explore. They thrive with owners who lead active lifestyles and provide consistent training to manage their energy levels.
Did You Know?
The Doberman Pinscher is a highly popular dog breed known for its sleek appearance, intelligence, and loyalty.
Terrier Mixes
Terrier mixes are crossbreeds that combine the traits of terrier dogs with other breeds, creating unique companions with diverse appearances and temperaments. These dogs often retain the energy and intelligence of terriers, making them active and loyal pets. Here are a few common types of terrier mixes and what makes them special:
Popular Terrier Mixes:
- Jack Russell Terrier Mixes: Often energetic, smart, and great at agility sports. These mixes thrive in active households.
- Pit Bull Terrier Mixes: Known for their strength and loyalty, these mixes can be great family pets with proper socialization.
- Yorkshire Terrier Mixes: Small and adaptable, often bred with poodles (Yorkiepoos) to create hypoallergenic companions.
- Boston Terrier Mixes: Friendly and outgoing, making them ideal pets for families with children.
- Border Terrier Mixes: Typically alert and playful, these mixes enjoy lots of physical and mental stimulation.
Lifespan and Health of Terrier Mixes
The terrier mix lifespan depends on the breeds involved but typically ranges between 12 to 15 years. Terrier mixes are often healthier than purebreds due to their genetic diversity, but they can still inherit certain conditions from their parent breeds. Regular vet check-ups, a healthy diet, and daily exercise help these dogs live long, happy lives.
Terrier mixes offer the best of both worlds by combining the beloved traits of terriers with the characteristics of other breeds. Whether you prefer a large or small terrier mix, you’ll find these dogs to be versatile and loyal companions.
The Temperament of Terriers
Terriers are known for their bold, energetic, and determined nature. Despite differences across various terrier breeds, many of them share common personality traits that make them unique companions. Below are some key aspects of terrier temperament:
Common Traits of Terriers:
- Energetic and Playful: Terriers love to stay active, whether through games, running, or exploring. This energy makes them great pets for owners who enjoy outdoor activities.
- Intelligent but Stubborn: Terriers are smart dogs, but their independence can make them stubborn. Training requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.
- Loyal and Protective: Many terriers, especially breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier, develop strong bonds with their families and act as protective companions.
- Alert and Brave: Originally bred for hunting small animals, terriers remain fearless and alert, which makes them excellent watchdogs.
Terrier Temperament Around Children and Families
Some terriers, such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, are often referred to as “nanny dogs” because of their affectionate behavior toward children. While terriers can be good family pets, their high energy and prey drive mean they require early training and socialization.
Training and Socialization Tips for Terriers:
- Start training early to manage their independent nature.
- Use positive reinforcement techniques like treats and praise.
- Provide daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
- Socialize terriers from a young age to reduce their prey drive around other pets.
Terriers thrive in homes where their energy is channeled positively. With proper training, they make loving and loyal companions, whether in a family home or with an active individual.
Conclusion
Terrier breeds come in various shapes and sizes, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for small terrier dog breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier or big terrier dogs such as the Airedale Terrier, each terrier has a unique personality. Known for their energy, intelligence, and loyalty, these dogs bring excitement and companionship to any home. Some, like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, even earn the title of “nanny dogs” due to their affection for children.
Choosing the right terrier depends on your lifestyle, space, and activity level. While smaller terriers are perfect for apartments, larger terriers thrive in active homes with outdoor access. Terrier mixes also offer great versatility, combining the best traits of terriers with other breeds.
With so many different kinds of terriers, there is no shortage of options. Whichever breed you choose, one thing is certain: a terrier will bring joy, loyalty, and adventure into your life.
FAQs
1. What is a terrier?
A terrier is a type of dog originally bred for hunting and controlling small animals. Terriers are known for their energetic, brave, and independent nature.
2. What kinds of terriers are there?
There are many types of terrier dogs, ranging from small terrier breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier to large terrier dog breeds like the Airedale Terrier. Each has unique traits and personalities.
3. What type of terrier is the biggest?
The Airedale Terrier is the largest terrier breed, often referred to as the “King of Terriers.”
4. What is the lifespan of a terrier mix?
The lifespan of a terrier mix typically ranges between 12 to 15 years, depending on the breeds involved and their overall health.
5. Are terriers good family pets?
Yes, many terriers make excellent family pets. Breeds like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, known as a “nanny dog,” are especially good with children. However, terriers require training and exercise due to their high energy.
