Top Ten Terrier Dog Breeds
Author: Mark Ransome

The Terrier Group includes those small but lively terrier
breeds that were developed (mainly in Great Britain) to hunt
small burrowing animals such as badgers, foxes, otters, rabbits
and rats. The terrier often had to follow the prey underground
and therefore, except for the Bull and Airedale Terriers, most
terriers are small and stocky with short legs. These are feisty
and energetic dogs that have little tolerance for other animals
including other dogs. Of course these small dog breeds have
been domesticated and make good pets but they are still fairly
active and require firm handling. Many breeds like the
Airedale, Bull, Fox and the Parson (Jack) Russell Terriers do
best with experienced owners. The top 10 most popular terrier
breeds in the US according to the American Kennel Club 2005
registrations are discussed below and their registration rank
is included in brackets. It is interesting to note that the top
six most popular terriers are all low-shedding dog breeds that
are said to be hypoallergenic when properly groomed.

1. Miniature Schnauzer

Minis (#10) are lively, pleasant and playful with expressive
personalities. These loyal and devoted small dogs want to be
totally involved in all family activities and love to go for
walks. Most Minis are good with children but are a little too
small to be a toddler's pet. They will generally get along fine
with other family pets although they are terriers and can be
feisty toward other dogs. Early socialization and obedience
training will help with controlling excessive barking and a
reluctance to walk on leash. This breed can be taught fairly
easily and can even excel at advanced obedience competitions.

2. West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White (#32) is cheerful, bold, assertive,
courageous, inquisitive and has a great deal of personality.
This small white dog needs to get involved in everything that
is happening in the home. The Westie is easier to handle and
friendlier than many other terriers but still needs his daily
walks and play sessions. Westies will try and dominate dogs of
the same sex but otherwise get along better with other dogs and
cats than most terriers. The Westie still has its hunting prey
drive and shouldn't be let off leash except in a fenced
enclosed area. The Westie is very possessive of its toys and
food and doesn't like to be handled by young children.

3. Scottish Terrier

The Scottie (#40) is a small dog breed with a jaunty and
distinctive appearance. The Scottie is brave, alert, proud,
confident, loyal and dignified. While friendly and playful as
puppies, the mature Scottish Terrier can be stubborn at times.
Therefore it is important to start socializing and obedience
training the Scottie while it is a puppy and continue through
adolescence. Scotties love to play, so make sure you add play
and rewards to your training. The Scottish Terrier does best
with older children.

4. Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier (#41) is one of the smallest of the working
terrier dog breeds. These terriers are bold, spirited and
inquisitive but are also somewhat independent-minded. The Cairn
is intelligent, affectionate and eager to please its master.
This breed is easily trained and likes to do tricks although
they may be the tricks that he - not you - wants to do. Cairns
do well with older children and love to play games. These
Terriers demand lots of attention but will provide you with
hours of entertainment in return.

5. Airedale Terrier

The medium-sized Airedale Terrier (#52) is larger than most
Terriers and has an even temperament and sweet disposition,
although some Airedales can get into fights with other dogs.
This terrier is dignified, patient, loyal and intelligent and
makes a great companion dog that loves to play with children.
The Airedale should be supervised with young children as it may
be too boisterous for them. Airedales can be trained to a high
level as anything from a guard dog or watchdog to a seeing-eye
dog. Airedale puppies are playful and exuberant and obedience
training should be started early and re-enforced through
adulthood by a knowledgeable owner.

6. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Wheaten Terrier (#59) is cheerful, active, busy, playful
and affectionate. The Wheaten is independent and self confident
but also fairly intelligent and eager to learn. Wheaten puppies
should be socialized early with children, other dogs and
strangers. The breed is fairly easy to train if you can get
their attention. Wheatens get along fine with older children
but can be too playful and assertive with young children.
Wheatens are much more sociable than most terriers but will
still need obedience training to control their active and
assertive nature.

7. Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier (#62) or 'Bullie' is a lively and powerful
dog. Bull Terriers are fearless, assertive, comical and
mischievous. This large breed is loyal, affectionate and loving
and can make a good family pet. Bullies are probably too
exuberant for small children but will do fine with considerate
older children. Bull Terriers need lots of attention and may
not be the best choice for the city unless they are involved in
lots of family activities. These dogs can be quite strong willed
and are difficult to train. The breed needs early socialization
when they are puppies and on-going obedience training. Male
Bullies, especially those which haven't been neutered, can be
extremely aggressive with other male dogs and even other pets.

8. American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire (#63) is usually calm and friendly
with an air of self confidence; this powerful medium-sized
breed is active, playful, affectionate and relatively easy to
train. The Am Staff loves playing with older children but is
too boisterous for young children. However this dog is fearless
and is not to be trusted around cats or other dogs. The Am Staff
has powerful jaws and will destroy any toys you give it to chew.
This breed needs early socialization to other dogs and strangers
and on-going obedience training. The Am Staff is the largest of
the three breeds generally referred to as Pit Bulls. The other
two are the American Pit Bull Terrier which is not registered
with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Staffordshire Bull
Terrier which is registered with the AKC. In the past, these
breeds were all bred to be fighting dogs. Now that this
activity is illegal, these pit bull breeds have an undeserved
reputation for fighting. This is a dog for an experienced owner
and prospective buyers should also check their local area bylaws
and also their household insurance to see if there is any
restriction on this breed of dog.

9. Parson Russell Terrier

The small-sized Jack Russell Terrier (#72) is known as the
Parson Russell Terrier in the U.S. The Parson (Jack) Russell is
the most energetic, fearless and athletic of all the terrier dog
breeds. The Parson Russell demands full participation in the
family activities with lots of physical and mental challenges.
If the Jack Russell gets too little exercise and companionship,
then this cheerful little dog will get bored and become
destructive. The Parson Russell can be very aggressive towards
strange dogs and even other family dogs. The Parson (Jack)
Russell needs a lot of early socialization while a puppy and
adolescent to curb aggressive behavior. These strong-willed
Terriers need lots of early and on-going obedience training to
ensure the owner and not the dog is in charge. The Parson
Russell gets along well with older children - especially those
that will play ball or Frisbee with him.

10. White Fox Terrier

The small-sized Wire Fox Terriers (#76) are one of the
liveliest and most energetic of all the terrier breeds. The two
varieties, the Wire haired and the Smooth, differ only in coat
type. These Terriers are very intelligent, curious, cheerful
and love their families. The breed has so much energy that it
will play and chase a ball or Frisbee for hours on end. Fox
Terriers make great playmates for older children but still
retain their hunting instincts and shouldn't be left alone with
small pets. These Terriers should be kept on their leashes when
being walked. The breed has a stubborn streak and socialization
and training should be started when they are puppies and
continued into adulthood.


About The Author: Mark Ransome is a contributing editor and
writer for the popular new website
http://www.dog-breed-facts.com. Visitors will have access to
information about dog breeds, products like dog supplies and
answers to dog health issues.