Terriers developed at a time when people were more reliant on dogs to help them make a living on their land. They were in charge of keeping the land free from unwanted animals that wreaked havoc on the farmer or rancher. They were the hunters who made sure the land was free from pests.
They were invaluable to the owners of the land. They were bred to be tireless in the fight against pests that would devour the food of the owner’s other animals, or to consume the harvest intended for the family or income. They were vicious hunters who would never give up. Their work was endless, but that fact never discouraged them, because that was the fun! They are known as tenacious terriers for a reason; they never give up, and when you own land that can easily fall prey to pests, that trait is very important.
Understanding how a particular breed developed and for what purpose is very important when considering it as a family companion. Terriers can be very affectionate dogs and are mostly easy to care for. They can be very entertaining, but their prey drive may be too strong for some environments.
Each Terrier breed was born from the need to control a certain type of vermin. Buzzards included the Australian Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Norfolk and Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier and the West Highland Terrier. Terrier used to control larger animals such as fox, hare, and badgers included the Bedlington Terrier, the Border Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Glen of Imaal Terrier, the Irish Terrier, the Norfolk and Norwich Terriers, the Parson Russelterrier. , the Scottish Terrier, the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, the Welsh Terrier, the West Highland Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier.
The reason for the need to know what the breed of dog was originally developed for is so that you can be better able to predict its behavior. Although much of the killer instinct of each terrier breed has been bred offline, they still have the instinct to chase other animals. This is why it is so important to socialize this particular group with other dogs and animals early in their lives. In this way they begin to see other animals as friends, not as prey. It’s also important to know that they may not be reliable off leash, as they may not heed your calls in the heat of a chase.
This group of breeds can be very affectionate and faithful companions, but they have high energy needs and are probably not suitable for first time dog owners. They tend to get into trouble if left alone for long periods of time and do better when they are obedience trained and given a job to do. If you are looking for a companion to lay on the couch with you all day, then a terrier is definitely not for you. But if you’re looking for a very energetic and challenging dog, you won’t be disappointed if you decide to adopt a terrier.