Terrier breeds get their name from the Latin word terra meaning earth. This is because these hunting dogs were originally bred to hunt vermin, such as foxes, badgers and raccoons, underneath and above the ground.
This is perhaps one of the reasons that terrier breeds love to dig and are so determined. They are feisty, playful and enthusiastic pets and, while these high-energy dogs can be a handful and often stubborn, if you socialize them young and train them properly, they make entertaining, obedient and loyal pets.
Many terrier types are also wire-haired dog breeds, and many are dogs with beards!
You’ll notice that most terriers have roots in British dog breeds and are some of the smartest dogs. This intelligent, protective breed group not only makes wonderful companions, but they also make great guard dogs.
The American Kennel Club recognizes 31 terrier breeds, but these are 20 of our favorites.
Terrier breeds
1. Airedale Terrier
Known as the “King of terriers,” the Airedale is the largest terrier breed with males standing 23 inches (58.5cm) at shoulder height with tan and black markings and a thick, wiry coat. The Airedale Terrier was originally bred in the Aire River Valley region of England to hunt otters and water rats, but they have many talents.
They were one of the first dogs used by the police in Great Britain and they even served as messengers during World War I. Today, these smart and gentle dogs make ideal family companions that are determined to protect. They can be stubborn though so make sure they get enough exercise and obedience training.
2. American Staffordshire Terrier
The ‘AmStaff’ has 18th Century British origins, when stocky, powerful bull terrier breeds were developed for grisly bloodsports, such as bull and bear baiting.
Fast forward to today and bull terrier breeds are some of the most docile and loving pooches out there. However, some are unfairly maligned due to their use as status and protection dogs by irresponsible owners.
AmStaffs are intelligent, confident and affectionate dogs with short, glossy coats in many colors and patterns. They are highly trainable, medium energy and don’t need any more than an hour of exercise per day, but it’s important to keep them entertained, as they can become destructive when bored.
3. Bedlington Terrier
Known for their curly coats and funky hairdos, the Bedlington Terrier has the slim, delicate figure of a miniature sighthound dressed in a sheep-like fleece. Another breed hallmark is the Bedlington’s arched back and tail held aloft.
The Bedlington Terrier is named after a mining town in north east of England and has records dating back to the late 18th Century. Initially favoured by the landed gentry, they were soon adopted by the masses as ratters. They even accompanied miners down the shafts to clear them of vermin.
Today, the Bedlington is a beloved family pet that loves to be the centre of attention. They don’t shed, have playful, lively natures.
4. Border Terrier
Measuring 13–15.5 inches (33–40cm) at the shoulder, this tough working terrier was bred in Cheviot Hills near the border of England and Scotland. They are just one of the many terriers who are also dogs with beards.
They were used to drive foxes out of their holes during hunts in the 18th Century, but the breed has adapted to live in the city as well as the countryside.
Friendly and affectionate, Border Terriers make great family dogs as they are playful and good with children if well trained. Their wiry coat means they’re not high maintenance and won’t need a lot of grooming, but they do need exercise as they have lots of energy.
5. Bull Terrier
Nicknamed the “clown of dogs”, the Bull Terrier is playful, funny and mischievous. A cross between a Bulldog and a terrier, this muscular dog was once used for bullbaiting during the 18th Century thanks to having the strength of the former breed and the determination of the latter. Today, however, they are known as an affectionate, endearing family dog.
They love children, but need early socialising and daily exercise to be around kids. Bull Terriers not only have a unique look with their long, egg-shaped head, but they have lots of personality.
6. Cairn Terrier
Do you remember Dorothy’s dog Toto in The Wizard of Oz? Toto was a cairn terrier. The breed gets its name from the cairns or small stacks of rocks in the Scottish Highlands. As early as the 1600s cairn terriers were used to flush out rodents, foxes and badgers from the cairns.
These curious critters still love to chase small animals and dig up the ground. The tiny dogs, which measure 11–12 inches (28–30.5cm) tall and weigh from 14–16 pounds (around 6.5kg), are known for their tenacity. They may be small, but they have bundles of personality and their friendly, sweet nature and loyalty make them wonderful companions.
7. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Small in stature, short in leg, the Dandie is a loyal watchdog with a booming bark! Appearing in historical records from about 1700, this terrier breed gets its name from Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott's Guy Mannering. The character Dandie Dinmont was based on a real life breeder, James Davison, who kept a boisterous pack of pepper and mustard terriers.
The Dandie has an almost comically large head with a tufty mop of hair. With a double coat, Dandies are built sturdily for farm vermin control; however, they have adapted well to family life as playful, loving, and vocal companions.
8. Irish Terrier
Hailing from the Emerald Isle, the Irish Terrier has been a fixture in rural Ireland as a one-size-fits-all farm dog – especially tenacious in pursuit of vermin. Sometimes cheeky, always playful, Irish Terriers might not be the easiest dogs to train, but the rewards are great with a loyal, outgoing companion who thrives in a family setting.
A taller terrier, this wiry-haired breed can be recognized by their bright red coats. With a feisty yet affectionate nature, Irish Terriers love to be in the company of their humans. They are best suited to active families who can provide plenty of enrichment – they’re especially good candidates for scent work.
9. Jack Russell Terrier
The Russell Terrier was originally bred during the 1800s by a vicar and fox hunter called John “Jack” Russell. Developed to hunt foxes, this breed is full of energy and determination. They may be small in size, but they have big personalities and definitely don’t act their size.
This lively dog is most suited to experienced owners as they can be a challenge to train because of their energy levels. They are fun and easy-going pets, but they do need to get enough exercise and interactive play.
10. Lakeland Terrier
Similar in look to the Irish, the Lakeland is typically smaller in stature. Various terrier breeds have contributed to the Lakeland – including the Bedlington and Welsh Terriers – with the idea of creating a sleek, long-legged terrier that could keep up with hounds out hunting, while able to go to ground after foxes.
Bold, courageous and with a turn of speed, the Lakeland loves long walks and to dig – make sure your yard is puppy-proof!
11. Miniature Schnauzer
You may not realise that the miniature schnauzer is a terrier, but it is. This feisty, energetic breed was developed in the 19th Century by German farmers to help with vermin control, but today this friendly companion dog is just as happy on your lap as it is out on long walks.
They may be small in size but they’re not afraid of anything. The miniature schnauzer makes a wonderful family dog as long as it is socialised from an early age.
12. Norfolk Terrier
The small, sturdy Norfolk Terrier hails from the east of England and has a friendly, cheerful nature. They’re related to the Norwich Terrier, which comes from the same part of England, but became a separate breed in 1964. The breed has links with the world-renowned Cambridge University as they were a fashionable companion for students in the 19th Century.
The main difference between the Norwich and the Norfolk is that the former has pointed ears, while the latter folded over. They earned their stripes hunting rodents, and retain much of that fiery terrier temperament, but these days make an ideal small family dog.
13. Sealyham Terrier
This fun-loving, feisty breed was developed in 19th Century Wales as an all-purpose vermin-catching terrier. With a distinctive, long and silky coat and built low to the ground, the Sealyham is on the larger side of small when it comes to terriers.
Noted for their fun-loving attitude and sense of humour, Sealyhams can be a handful and benefit from experienced handlers who will dedicate much time to training. As a family dog they are loyal and affectionate, with a tendency to bark to alert the household to the presence of a stranger.
14. Scottish Terrier
This breed is the famous Monopoly piece! Nicknamed the Scottie thanks to its Scottish origins, this small, muscular, wiry-coated dog was bred as a working dog and pest controller. Today, while their bravery and powerful bark makes them excellent watchdogs, they are mainly kept as companions and show dogs.
The Scottish Terrier is intelligent, independent and confident. They can be stubborn, a challenge to train and they may not be suited to families with younger children or other pets, but they also make friendly, loyal pets.
15. Skye Terrier
Another Scottish dog breed, the small but mighty Skye Terrier comes from a Hebridean island of the same name. One of the older and rarer terrier breeds, the Skye is known for its long, straight and somewhat shaggy coat, as well as sweet pointed ears that help give it an inquisitive look.
Like the Dandie, the Skye is long and built low to the ground, making it the perfect shape and size for squeezing into the holes of small mammals to hunt them.
Unlike many working terrier breeds, Skyes don’t have a huge exercise requirement, but will still need walks and other entertainment to keep their intelligent brains engaged – otherwise they might try to find their own fun.
16. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
One of the largest terriers, this versatile Irish farm dog was used as a watchdog as well as for vermin control and livestock herding over 200 years ago. Known for its soft, silky coat, surprisingly the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a dog that hardly sheds.
While they are not one of the most popular terrier breeds, if you’re looking for a friendly and devoted pet, this is the dog for you. They’re also great with kids as they’re playful, fun-loving and adore adventure.
17. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffie suffers from a bad reputation, but really they are just misunderstood. The byproduct of breeding between the Bulldog and terriers, these muscular dogs were originally bred for dog fighting in the 19th Century after bull and bear baiting was banned.
However, they were bred to attack other dogs and not their owners. This means that as long as they are socialised early and trained correctly, they make calm, loyal and protective dogs.
Despite their reputation as dangerous dogs, they can actually make wonderful family dogs and were once referred to as “nanny dogs” because of how they cared for children.
18. Welsh Terrier
The Welsh Terrier is similar in look to the Airedale and Lakeland, but between them in size. Why do these three look so similar? They share an ancestor in the Old English Black and Tan Terrier.
Bred to hunt foxes, otters and badgers in the more remote and mountainous regions of Wales, the Welsh Terrier follows the characteristics and history of the longer-legged terrier breeds. They’re noted for their typical terrier boldness and energy, and make wonderful additions to families of all kinds.
19. West Highland White Terrier
During the 1600s, Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch decided he would only ever have white dogs when he mistook his dark-coloured terrier for a fox. This is how the West Highland White Terrier or Westie, as it is affectionately known, came to be.
Like many other Terriers, this Scottish breed is feisty and energetic. As a companion, this iconic breed is sweet and playful, but it also makes an effective watchdog thanks to its loud bark.
20. Wire Fox Terrier
The fox terrier comes in two varieties – smooth and wire coated – but we just love any dogs with beards. With a quick and independent mind, training a wire fox terrier can be a challenge, but once you’ve earned their loyalty you couldn’t hope for a better partner.
Like other long-legged terriers, the foxy’s job in former times was to help the hunt by going to ground to flush out foxes. They must be predominantly white so as not to be confused with their game. Symmetrical and short-backed, the fox terrier is a gentlemanlike dog who’s bright, alert and fun to be with.
Looking for a new dog? How about checking out our selection of the best small dog breeds
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
Recent updates
This feature was last updated on March 11, 2025 by Bethany Stone.
