Looking Into Breeds of Terriers and Why They Are Not For Everyone

Breeds of terriers have come a long way from their origins in Great Britain and Ireland. From being bred as hunter dogs and pest controllers in the 18th century, they have now evolved and are currently developed as companion dogs and domestic pets. In the olden days, most terriers were stationed in farms to catch rabbits and rats that destroy farm crops. Fell and hunt terriers were used to hunt down and kill foxes. A number of them were also known for their swimming abilities and were used to catch otters even in deep waters. Then, terriers were divided into two types, the short-legged and the long legged varieties.

These days, breeds of terriers are classified by their function and size. Despite being primarily bred as household pets, there are still terriers used in hunting. They are now categorized as working terriers, also known as hunting types. They are utilized for quarry tracking and locating. These hardworking terriers go undergrounds, sometimes even to bolt quarries.

Terriers developed at a time when people were more dependent upon dogs to help them make a living on their land. They were the ones who were charged with keeping the land free of the unwanted animals that wreaked havoc on the farmer or rancher. They were the hunters who ensured the land would be pest free.

They were invaluable to the owners of land. They were bred to be untiring in the fight against pests who would devour feed for the owner’s other animals, or to consume the crop meant for the family or for income. They were vicious hunters that would never give up. Their job was unending, but that fact never discouraged them, for that was the fun in it! They are known as tenacious terriers for a reason; they never give up, and when you own land that can easily fall prey to pests, that trait is very important.

Although much of the killing instinct of each terrier breed has been bred out of the line, they still have the instinct to chase other animals. This is the reason why it is so important to socialize this particular group with other dogs and animals early on in its life. This way they begin to see other animals as friends, not as prey. It’s also important to know that they may not be reliable off leash, since they may not heed your calls in the heat of a chase.

This group of breeds can be very loving and faithful companions, but they have high energy needs and are probably not suited for the first time dog owner. They tend to get themselves into trouble if left alone for long periods of time and do best when obedience trained and given a job to do. If you are looking for a companion to lie on the couch with you all day, then a terrier is definitely not for you. But if you are looking for a highly energetic and challenging dog, you will not be let down if you decide to adopt a terrier.