Despite their naturally combative nature, terriers make great pets, with most breeds described as affectionate, friendly, loyal or playful – or a mix of them all.
While many appear on the rarest dog breed lists, others are booming in popularity. James Fair looks at six key terrier breeds.
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Top terrier breeds
West Highland terrier
Extremely distinctive in appearance because of their pure white coats, West Highland terriers or ‘Westies’ were developed in Argyllshire in the mid-19th century by Edward Donald Malcolm, the 16th laird of Poltalloch. According to one story, one day while out hunting, a reddish-brown dog owned by Malcolm was mistaken for a fox and shot, so he decided to breed only white terriers from then on. Up until that point, it’s said that white or pale terriers were not popular and culled at birth. At the beginning of the 21st century, the West Highland was the most popular terrier breed in the UK, but its star has waned somewhat in recent years.
Staffordshire bull terrier
All bull terriers have their origins in the 19th century when bulldogs and terriers were bred together to create a pugnacious dog that was used for fighting. The Staffordshire bull terrier (which originated in the northern Black Country region) or ‘Staffie’ is no exception. A survey in 2022 found it was the third most popular dog in the UK (just behind the Jack Russell, though Horse & Hound put it eighth), and despite its reputation for aggression, it’s actually known to be a model family pet, described as affectionate and loyal.
Jack Russell
Arguably the dog with the greatest disparity between its size and its bark, the Jack Russell is surely the platonic ideal of a terrier – small, feisty, even a bit grumpy sometimes, but with a big heart and a great aptitude for ratting. The breed takes its name from the Reverend John (or Jack) Russell, who was a vicar in North Devon in the late 19th century. It ranks as one of the healthiest dog breeds and live into the mid-teens.
Famous Jack Russells include the TV chef Rick Stein’s dog Chalky, and Eddie who appeared in the long-running US comedy series Frasier. Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ Jack Russell, Bothie, is the only dog ever to have reached both the North and South Poles. It's also a favourite of King Charles III and Camilla.
Airedale terrier
The largest of the terrier breeds, the Airedale originated (as its name suggests) in the Airedale Valley in what is now the Yorkshire Dales National Park. They were bred by factory workers to hunt ducks and rats, used as messengers during the First World War, and were one of the first dogs to be used by police forces in both Britain and Germany. Famous Airedale owners include US presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge.
Border terrier
The Border terrier was bred in the 18th century in the Border country of Northumberland and southern Scotland. Originally used to protect livestock, it was later used to flush out foxes for hunts. Border terriers still retain a strong hunting and digging instinct, as well as energy levels that allow them to keep up with horses all day despite their diminutive stature. A medium-sized terrier, the coat can vary in colour but always consists of a short soft undercoat and a harsh, wiry outer one.
Yorkshire terrier
The Yorkshire terrier (Yorkie) is regarded as a toy and not a working dog. It was bred from Maltese and Skye terriers, and its origins can be seen in its colouration. Though the Yorkie became popular as a companion dog, it can still bring down a troublesome rodent if necessary. The breed standard says a Yorkie’s coat should hang down straight and evenly on either side of its body – as it has hair not fur, the breed is also hypoallergenic.
Main image: Getty
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