A Look at Different Breeds of Terriers

The Fox Terrier is one of the oldest of a highly diverse breed. Originally bred to hunt fox and other game, these days they're mostly pets. But what great pets they are.

Their name comes from two terrier breeds which are quite dissimilar, the Wire-Haired and the Smooth Fox. Both of these breeds are usually about 14 to 16 inches in height and weigh around 15 to 20 pounds. The Smooth Fox is generally smaller than the Wire-Haired. They will usually live to be at least 15 years old if they are properly cared for and don't suffer from any major diseases.

Smooth Fox Terriers have a soft, flat coat, which generally features a brown or black saddle on a white base. Their head is most often brown in color, with a white tipped muzzle, and their ears are floppy but not loose. Their bodies are short and stocky.

On the other hand, Wire-haired Terriers don't usually feature such distinctive coloring. Their colored areas, usually gray or black, blend into the white base, and the effect is enhanced because of their curly hair. The face is frequently tan in color and their ears are sturdier than those of the Smooth Fox.

Contemporary Fox Terriers are intelligent, vigilant and enjoy abundant energy. In their history as a hunting dog, they would discover the prey, chase and trap it, and then stand guard until the hunter arrived. These days, they'll exhibit the same behavior by chasing down any cat or squirrel within eyesight. Although you can't eradicate that instinctive behavior, it can be modified with proper training.

If the high spirits of your Fox Terrier are restrained too much, however, he might start to pick up some bad habits. For instance, he might decide to take on a much larger dog, and because of his aggressiveness, he might even cause the big dog to run away. But if the larger dog is just as assertive, he'll likely win the encounter. Therefore, make sure he's always on a leash if you're out walking.

Fox Terriers crave attention, and when they get it, they're loyal and loving companions. However, they'll always be somewhat stubborn. They also get along well with other dogs and cats if they're introduced at a young age. But don't overlook their years of breeding by exposing them to temptation they might not be able to resist. Keep small, defenseless pets like hamsters safely out of reach. You can shape the behavior of a Fox Terrier, but sometimes instinct wins out over training.

A Jack Russell Terrier is a marvelous companion. They're intelligent, full of energy and always happy to work or play. In fact, the most difficult part of owning this breed is managing to keep up with them.

There are various sub-breeds of the Jack Russell. They have three toned black, white and brown coats that can either be rough, broken or smooth. Their natural tail is straight and high, although it's often trimmed down to about five inches. They are somewhat smaller than most terriers, weighing around 14 pounds and having a chest size of approximately 12 to 14 inches. They can live as long as 15 years or more.

Similar to most other terriers, they were first bred to hunt small game. So a Jack Russell will instinctively chase down a squirrel, cat, or anything else that moves. So you really need to keep them on a leash when you're out walking.

They can usually be trusted in an enclosed area like your back yard. However, they like attention, so it's not a good idea to leave them out there on their own for any length of time. Plus, they like to dig and can make a mess of your garden and lawn in no time at all. For hundreds of years they were bred to flush out small animals such as fox and rabbits. Therefore they're determined to dig their way down a hole. You can shape that instinct to a certain extent, but you'll never get rid of it entirely.

Their high levels of energy can get them into all sorts of trouble. Because they're essentially unafraid of anything, they'll pick fights with dogs that are sometimes considerably larger. Surprisingly, because of their fearless attitude, some larger dogs will actually run away. But if they don't, they're almost certain to win the fight.

But this bold outlook also makes them a very loyal pet and very territorial. They can learn to accommodate other pets in the house, but they're inclined to be wary of strangers and will frequently bark at them. Thankfully, they're not all that inclined to biting, and will quickly accept anyone if they're introduced by their owner.

But use caution when introducing them to children or anyone who is a little anxious around dogs. Keep them under tight control in these situations. And don't let them get face to face. They don't usually bite, but they might snap.

Jacks can be trained but their behavior won't necessarily always be reliable. Unlike many other breeds, they continue to be free spirited even with the best of training. But you still must make the effort. Without training your Jack Russell is more than likely to behave like a wild animal.

The Scottish terrier is a favorite among the terrier breeds.

They're smaller than the typical short breed terrier. But their confident posture makes them look taller than they really are. The typical Scottie weighs around 19 to 23 pounds; however, this is mostly muscle. Their length is usually around 11 inches.

The Scottie's coat can become quite long if you don't clip it from time to time. Their facial hair especially can grow to a few inches away from the muzzle. They're usually black in color, but there are also a number of wheaten Scotties around and a mix of black and tan can also be found.

Scotties are quite lively, just like any terrier. They were developed in the early 1700s in the Aberdeen region, and were bred to hunt animals such as fox and rabbits. Although this isn't their typical role these days, they still have that same instinct for hunting, and their fierceness is displayed any time they are challenged.

This becomes quite apparent when they're playing games like tug. Even the most loyal Scottie will be very aggressive in these activities. You'll also see it while you're grooming your dog. They really don't like having their nails clipped and will try to pull away when you touch their paws. They display their aggression with a loud, piercing bark, and they might even snap. But usually they're quite affectionate and will develop a strong attachment to the members of the family.

Their strong focus means that they are capable watch dogs. However, they might need to be held back for a while when strangers are around. They don't usually bite, but will often signal their uneasiness with a strong warning bark.

Scotties are fast on their feet, which is surprising given their small legs. However, they are usually strong and muscular, both because of their heritage their active lifestyle. They don't like to just sit around and they need lots of exercise.

Their active character really shows up in their desire to dig. If you don't keep a careful eye on it, a Scottie can do major damage to your yard in just a few minutes if it's on the hunt. It's hard to keep them fenced in because of their small size. Tightly meshed fencing is your best option to keep them from escaping. Even so, they can do a lot of damage to your yard, so you really need to watch them at all times.

You need to be strict with your Scottie, but don't overdo it. They will respond badly to any physical reprimand. They certainly won't cringe if you wield a newspaper to swat them with, so it's best that you avoid this type of threat. Nevertheless, you need to train them well, otherwise they'll take over your household.

According to the American Kennel Club, the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular breeds. It's not hard to see why. With its playful attitude and beautiful appearance, Yorkies make the perfect companion, as pet or show dog.

Among the smaller of a mostly small breed, the Yorkshire tops the scales at only about 8-10 pounds. He stands only 7-13 inches high on average. The head is small, rounded and topped by short V-shaped ears smaller than their Scottish relatives. Yorkshire is an area in northern England, south of the Highlands that were home to Westies and Scotties.

It has a long, smooth coat that is typically tan at the head with black markings between the withers and tail, sometimes with a blue tint. But since they have no undercoat, the long hair is less trouble because Yorkies don't shed like many other breeds. A small amount of hair loss is normal with any species that has hair. Shedding is a regular, seasonal process.

But, because the coat is silky and fine it will require regular care to keep it in optimal shape. Since they're so small that requires much less effort than with many breeds. Trimming is important, though, to keep the hair off the floor and away from the eyes. They also tend to carry less dander and therefore represent a lower risk of producing allergens for those who are sensitive.

Unlike many terriers of their approximate size, such as Cairns or Scotties, they don't always have the scissor bite of their northern cousins. It may be level. That makes them less of a fighter and more of a lover. They will much less often try to dominate the home the way many other terrier breeds do.

But that attitude, and their small size, means they require a bit more supervision to ensure that larger dogs don't represent a risk to them. When well socialized they'll get along well with other dogs in the home as well as the entire family. Some other terrier breeds tend more often to bond with only one or two people in the household.

Still, they have the typical curiosity of any terrier and will investigate the yard and garden whenever possible. 'Investigation' often involves digging if they're left unsupervised. Bred originally to hunt mice and rats, they still retain those instincts in some form.

But that same lively mentality makes them relatively easy to train and they're happy to take instruction, which they react to as play. Still, like most terriers, they're fairly independent and can be a little harder to housebreak as puppies.

Treat your Yorkie right and they'll give you years of love and affection in return.