Dog Breed Categories
Herding Dog : Hound : Non-Sporting Dog : Sporting Dog : Terrier : Toy Dog : Working Dog
Terriers are one of the seven major dog breed categories. This group of dogs was originally created to have the desire to catch and kill various rodents and other vermin. Typically small dogs with wiry hair, terriers may even follow their quarry into their underground homes, and are therefore usually great diggers. In fact, the word terrier is actually a reference to the Latin terra, meaning earth - owners should expect them to dig some holes in the yard (or under a fence).
Many of the terrier breeds were crossed with other breeds to create a feistier dog capable of fighting rats or other dogs in a ring. Some of the larger terriers were even trained as bull baiters. The combination of hunting and fighting means that many terriers, while small, these dogs can be brave and tough, and may have a lot of scrap in them. They could possibly have issues with authority - be it their human masters or other dogs, however, as is the case with nearly any dog - proper training can produce a loving and obedient pet. In fact, over the years, careful breeding has turned many terriers from fighters into energetic players.
Terrier Breeds
* Denotes breeds that are may be classified as non-terrier by some kennel clubs (usually as toy or utility/working dogs instead)
Some Famous Terriers
For more famous dogs, see Presidential pets
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