History of Terriers

History of Terriers (including Jack Russell Terriers)

Terrier (from Latin terra ‘earth‘) is a type of dog originally bred to hunt vermin.^[1][2][3] A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of the terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, game, and fearless.^[4] There are five different groups of terrier, with each group having different shapes and sizes.

Terriers were originally bred in the late Middle Ages to hunt vermin underground, prized for their fearless, energetic, and determined nature. What sets them apart from other breeds is their distinctive “earth dog” heritage, high prey drive, and bold temperament.

First classification (1486): Dame Juliana Berners described “Teroures” in her hunting treatise, marking the first formal recognition.

The gameness of the early hunting terriers was exploited by using them in sporting contests. Initially, terriers competed in events such as clearing a pit of rats. The dog that was the fastest in killing all the rats won.

It is well known a cornered rat is not an easy prey.

In the eighteenth century some terriers were crossed with hounds to improve their hunting, and some with fighting dog breeds to “intensify tenacity and increase courage”.

Types and groups

Hunting-types are still used to find, track, or trail quarry, especially underground, and sometimes to bolt the quarry. Modern examples include the Jack Russell Terrier, the Jagdterrier, the Rat Terrier, and the Patterdale Terrier. There are also the short-legged terriers such as the Cairn Terrier, the Scottish Terrier, and the West Highland White Terrier, which were also used to kill small vermin.

The original hunting terriers include the Fell Terrier (developed in northern England to assist in the killing of foxes) and the Hunt Terrier (developed in southern England to locate, kill or bolt foxes during a traditional mounted fox hunt). These sports are still happening in England today.

Purpose and Why They Were Bred

• Vermin control: Farmers and townspeople needed dogs to keep rat populations down. Terriers excelled at this due to their size and agility.
• Hunting underground prey: Their compact bodies and strong digging instincts made them ideal for chasing animals into burrows.
• Guarding and companionship: Some terriers developed into loyal household protectors, combining utility with companionship.

Distinctive Traits Compared to Other Breed

• Size and build: Typically small to medium, wiry-coated, and muscular, designed for agility in tight spaces.
• Temperament: Known for being feisty, bold, and fearless, often more energetic and stubborn than other groups.
• Prey drive: Unlike herding or sporting dogs, terriers retain a strong instinct to chase and kill small animals.
• Variety: Terriers range from tiny toy breeds (like the Norwich Terrier) to large ones (like the Airedale Terrier, the “King of Terriers”).
• Work ethic: They are relentless, often described as “game” dogs, meaning they won’t back down from a challenge.

Thanks to Wikipedia and Creative Commons License