There are over 20 breeds of terriers. Popular breeds include the Airedale, Miniature Schnauzer, Fox Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Jack Russeell Terrier, Cairn Terrir and America Staffordshire Terrier ("Pit Bull" Terrier). The Dachshund also displays many terrier behavior traits.

Origins: Terriers have been used for a variety of purposes including guarding, pit fighting, hunting of small predators such as fox and badger, and for controlling rodent populations on farms. All these activities involve tenacity and a well developed attack reaction to threat/punishment.

Size: Small (Yorkshire Terrier, 7 lbs) to large (Airedale, 55 lbs).

Coat Care: Terriers come in a variety of coats. The smooth coated dogs require only weekly brushing, Wirehaired terriers need consistent, regular grooming to keep their coats from matting. While they can be clipped by any groomer on a monthly basis, their true coats can only be had if they are "stripped"--the dead hairs pulled out--allowing their new coats to grow in. Stripping is time consuming work and requires learning the proper technique.

General Temperament: Feisty, full of life, affectionate, immense energy, bold, stubborn, loyal, not necessarily obedient.

Watchdog Ability: High. All breeds are alert and will sound a barking alarm upon detecting any unexplained noise. In fact, some of the breeds have a tendency for excessive barking-- most commonly the Miniature Schnauzer, West Highland White Terrier and Fox Terrier. The Airedale is less likely to bark excessively, but more likely to actually defend his territory.

Activity Level: Very high for most terriers. If an extremely active dog that buzzes around a lot would get on your nerves, then a terrier is not for you.

Dominance: Because of their scrappy and independent nature, most terriers will work hard to assert their dominance over family members. All terriers should be started in obedience training at an early age, before they get used to ordering you around. If persistent and assertive training is not maintained, terriers can easily get out of hand--snapping and growling at situations that don't suit them, such as being asked to get off the bed. Early, consistent training will help produce a directed, yet spirited, companion.

Destructiveness: High. Destructiveness often correlates with playfulness and exploratory behavior--all traits exhibited by terriers. Although individuals vary widely, digging and chewing are prevalent in many breeds--especially if vigorous, daily exercise is not provided. Training your terrier to "hunt" for hidden chew toys can be a constructive way to channel his active, exploratory behavior.

Snapping At Kids: Relatively high for all terriers, particularly the smaller breeds. Although some tolerant individuals provide great companionship for children with their playfulness and high energy level, in general, close supervision with children is advised for all terriers.

Behavior Problems: The traits that endear terriers to some--feisty, scrappy and full of energy--are also the traits that lead to their most common behavior problems. Although many of the small terriers are aggressive to both people and other dogs, their small size makes it more easily controllable (in adult households) than with a large dog. Not all terriers are equally feisty. Among the easiest to live with are the Soft-Coated Wheaten and Airedale, along with some Cairn Terriers. The hardest may be the Fox, the Jack Russell, and the Bull Terriers. All terriers require a commitment to training and discipline. Without it, they will become bossy and snappy. With proper direction, they can be playful and spirited companions.