If you intend on bringing a dog into your life, then it makes sense to find a breed that you know you can fall in love with. For many, that breed in question would be a Terrier. Terrier breeds make diverse animal companions. When you spend enough time with them in your life, it certainly makes things easier at home. You get to enjoy the satisfaction of having a happy and friendly canine companion with you all day.
At the same time, though, you get to have a quality friend who you know you can grow to love and spend time with on a regular basis. Of course, the challenge for many dog owners is making sure they choose the right type of dog. Terriers were originally dog breeds bred to go and hunt vermin, and for that reason, they still have natural hunting instincts. That being said, the majority of domesticated Terriers are intelligent, obedient, and loyal dogs – you do not have to worry about them scooting off to go rat hunting!
Out of all of the various Terrier types, though, you really need to make sure you choose the right animal for you. In this guide, we will break down what you need to know so you can choose the Terrier type most suited to you personally.
What are Terrier types?
As mentioned above, Terrier breeds are breeds of dogs that were once aimed at terminating smaller rodents. This meant you could have them hunting down vermin such as rats and mice. Their tremendous natural stamina ensures they can keep pace with many animals and creatures, and they will definitely have more stamina and space than you.
While that can be positive, it also means getting used to their incredibly athletic nature. For some who are looking for a more sedate dog, this means that a Terrier would be hard to have in your life. That being said, though, they have tremendous personalities overall and you should have no problem getting used to them. Once you get used to their running nature, you can find it much easier to blend with and enjoy the company of a Terrier.
So, with all of this in mind, what Terrier types are right for you? Let’s investigate. The following are regarded as the best typical Terrier types to go for today.
The best Terrier types that you can have as a pet
Boston Terrier
Among the most popular Terrier types out there would be the Boston breed. These are known as among the most gentle and kind of the Terrier breed. As such they should be very easy for you to spend time with and around. While they lack natural aggression, though, a Boston Terrier can soon find its power when and where it is needed.
They are dogs that are known for having a wonderful style and charm, not to mention a natural tuxedo-style pattern to their fur. They are lightweight and friendly dogs that should have no problem getting to know strangers. On top of that, they tend to be excellent for those who want a dog that can deal with strangers.
If you live in a busy household with lots of people coming and going, a Boston is unlikely to get concerned or flustered by the high influx of people.
Jack Russell
Potentially the most instantly recognizable of all Terrier types, the Jack Russell makes a wonderful breed of dog. They are very popular and have been around since the 19th Century. Their small nature means that they are very energetic and hyper, so you should be prepared to make plenty of time for exercise and time spent outdoors. One thing to note is that a JR will not hesitate to become a touch destructive if you are not getting them outdoors enough.
In general, though, they make tremendous pets for those who are looking for something a little bit different. Their natural proclivity is to hunt rabbits, though, so we do somewhat recommend having a JR at home if you have rabbits as well.
Got a mouse or rat problem? Then they should be able to deal with and dispose of the bodies for you without much effort.
Scottish Terrier
Among the most popular Terrier types for the smaller sizes is the famous Scottish Terrier breed. They make tremendous friends to have around the place and were once used to hunting things like foxes and badgers. While the average Scottish Terrier today will be much more docile, they still retain that natural hunting instinct. So, if you see your ST boosting off into the distance, you know why!
They are good pets, but they can be quite weird with other dogs. If you already have other dogs at home, they might not like the divided attention. Generally, they make the best pets if you not going to have any other canines at home. This can be a minor issue for some, but there is no reason why you cannot find a Scottish Terrier a place in your home.
Just get used to their rather odd nature with other dogs, and you should have no issues.
Welsh Terrier
The next small-sized Terrier type that we recommend you look into is the Welsh equivalent. The Welsh Terrier has become a fine starting point for many people, not least because they tend to be very easy to spend time around. They are known for a history of scrapping with badgers and foxes, though, so if you get lots of them around your house just keep that in mind – your dog’s natural insight might kick in.
This can be problematic if they charge in guns-glazing, but it should not be something you worry about too much. they are a good choice of dog for those who want something a bit more optimistic and cheery. They tend to lack the same aggression or odd nature of the above, and can generally be more friendly around other dogs than some of the other Terrier types.
Border Terrier
Next on our list of Terrier types would be the typical Border breed. These are well-loved by most people as they make very friendly and endearing pets in general. They are small dogs and have pretty intense looks and styles.
They are usually used for things like protecting small livestock. They are therefore very attentive and intelligent dogs who can stick to their given task with ease. However, the downside is that they need lots of work and exercise. You should be also willing to take them to fitness classes to improve their agility. This can be very important to ensure they feel physically adept and capable of the challenges they face.
Whatever you are looking for, though, a Border Terrier is one of the best all-around options if you prefer smaller dogs over large ones.
Kerry Blue Terrier
Thinking of getting a dog that is a touch larger? Then you should find a Kerry Blue that makes a fine companion. These larger Terrier types tend to be a bit harder to control than some of the smaller breeds. Their natural power and size make them a bit more domineering than other breeds. However, their natural intelligence shines through given their history of hunting and retrieving.
They are very interesting dogs, though they can certainly be a bit of a challenge for a first-time dog owner. If you want a canine in your life who isn’t going to be quite so hard to control, you should look to another breed. If you want something that is obedient and powerful, though, this breed can be an easy choice. They are regarded as being tremendous pets once you get beyond that initial challenging period of time, though.
Staffordshire Terrier
Among the most popular and famous Terrier types are those who hail from Staffordshire. They are very impressive dogs and are known for their immense power and stocky build. They can easily knock a human off balance and can make tremendous guard dogs when used in the right circumstance.
Many of these dogs get a bad reputation as they were once a common breed made for dogfighting. This is less common today, though, and for that reason, they tend to be used quite a lot in other mediums. Loyal and charming with children, you have nothing to worry about with a Staffie that is given proper raising.
Get one from a tough background, though, and they might not be the best animals to have around your kids. Generally, though, they can be quite satisfying animals to spend time around if you simply want a loyal, friendly canine.
Bull Terrier
Similar to the above, these Terrier types tend to carry a reputation that goes beyond their actual personality. The Bull Terrier is a wonderful breed of dog. They can be excellent as a family dog, and they will look after your kids as if they were their own. They make simply awesome guard dogs, too, and will be more than happy to step in for you or your family as and when needed.
Again, the challenge is finding one of these Terrier types that comes from a happy and safe household. Their reputation precedes them, but if you get one that has come through tough times they can be quick to snap and be aggressive. Most of the time, though, they are excellent dogs that you can easily raise to be kind, loving, and attentive.
Their aggressive nature only comes on show when it has to unless raised otherwise.
Airedale Terrier
Another breed of Terrier that is a touch larger is the Airedale Terrier. We love these dogs as they are probably known as the largest of the Terrier types on this list. They are typically around 50lbs in weight once they get to their full size, so this is not a dog to be trifled with.
They are tremendous pets and are known for natural athletic pursuits. Put them in water or in a long run and it will have no problem at all in doing as it is asked. They are also quite gentle dogs, so they make excellent choices if you want a dog that you can easily keep around your children.
Generally, they make a good choice of dog if you can commit the time needed to take them out for numerous walks and trips. If you can, few Terriers can match the Airedale overall.
American Pit Bull Terrier
The last Terrier type to make our list is the most recognizable within the USA. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a special breed of dog and was once raised for baiting bulls and fighting in blood sports. Again, their name and history have many people questioning whether or not owning one of these would be wise. So long as it comes from a good background and is raised properly, though, these make amazing dogs.
They are known for being incredibly loyal to their owner, so you should have nothing to worry about when you bring one of these into your life. They need to be trained from a young age, but with enough effort, you could turn this dog into the dog of your dreams. They make wonderful family pets once they get settled in and have come through the training you would have expected.
Which of the above Terrier types is right for you?
Choosing a dog is never easy. By choosing from one of the above breeds, though, you are making a very wise choice indeed. Take a look at the above information again, and you can see for yourself why so many people choose these breeds.
Look into each breed in terms of cost, personality, and their overall challenge with families/kids/strangers. Get that down, and you can easily find any of the above Terrier types make wonderful animals have at home. It takes time to find the right dog. With the research above, though, you should hopefully find out what Terrier suits you and your family best.