We use a little levity to talk about terriers.
Between the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, there are 41 recognized terrier breeds. Sadly, many of them are on the Vulnerable Breeds list launched by the Kennel Club in 2006: Native Irish and British breeds with 300 or fewer puppy registrations in a year. Four more terriers at “at watch” for moving over to the Vulnerable Breeds list.
The Britannica Encyclopedia writes that members of the terrier group, more than any other group, share a common ancestry. but in the early 1800’s when various different terrier types began to emerge, there were no formal registration records. Hunters and farmers cared only that the dog could control vermin, bolt other animals, and hunt. Generally speaking, the terrain in which these dog worked and were developed mattered. Horse-mounted huntsman typically used long legged terriers that could keep up. On foot, he relied on short legged terriers that hunted more unilaterally.
Terriers are old! The first mention of the dogs classified as such was by Dame Juliana Berners in 1486 AD when she called them ‘Teroures.’ Dr. Johannes Caius would later write in 1570 that the type of dog that followed its prey beneath the ground was a “terrier.”
Over time, there was no shortage of work for these busy dogs. Fox Hunting, ratting, turn-of-the-century badger digs, otter hunting, the list was a long one, and lord help us, but we love these mostly independent, high energy and sometimes feisty dogs. Most terrier owners have a passion for these dogs, and we “get it.”
We leave with a few of our favorite terrier quotes:
“It sometimes takes days, even weeks, before a dog’s nerves tire. In the case of terriers it can run into months.” – E. B. White
“Fox-terriers are born with about four times as much original sin in them as other dogs.” – Jerome K. Jerome
“Things that upset a terrier may pass virtually unnoticed by a Great Dane.” – Smiley Blanton
“(Scottish Terriers) have all the compactness of a small dog and all the valor of a big one. And they are so exceedingly sturdy that it is proverbial that the only thing fatal to them is being run over by an automobile – in which case the car itself knows it has been in a fight.” – Dorothy Parker
“A Jack Russell terrier? My god. He’ll burn you up. They never stop. A German shepherd, you can only go so many miles.” – George Foreman
“I well knew the rules to follow with our training Dogs: Speak when you’re spoken to. Keep out of the way. Obey all orders. Get killed on your own time.” ― Tamora Pierce, Terrier
Among the Terriers, the Scottish Terrier character stands out (my biased opinion!). Here are some descriptions published by breed experts:
Wiliam McCandlish: This character ought to be stamped on his appearance. His face should express human understanding, the eyes should twinkle from under heavy eyebrows, with a keen, alert, inquiring look, yet containing in their depths something of the continual presence and depth of human tragedy. He is a Celt, and in all Celts there is an underlying sense of sorrow. But this tragic outlook on life is not the predominating characteristic. Its existence is almost concealed, but that it does exist gives to those who know him a feeling of security in that, whatever may befall, he will attune himself to the changes and chances of his human companion. In ordinary life he is self contained, at times, perhaps, a little self centred, and he has this much of the canniness, supposed to be Scotch, that however much he grieves when he sees boxes and bags in his master’s bedroom, knowing this means absence from home, yet when departure has taken place he will stroll unaffectedly into the kitchen or to the stable and domineer in his own particular fashion over the domestic or outdoor servants, and enjoy the change from ordinary conditions. To the lover of Scottish Terrier character, the tales of dogs grieving for an absent master or mistress fall on unsympathetic ears, and temptation arises to inquire why a dog is kept which cannot enjoy the pleasures available to it, but must pine for what it cannot get, and in thus pining cause discomfort to a tender¬hearted owner. A dog loves nonetheless because it can put up with other people in the absence of those it loves best.
Betty Penn-Bull: With all his many merits, the Scottie has other traits which can be provoking. Chief of these is his stubbornness; he will hurry only slowly and the more the owner tries to hustle him the less cooperative he may become—he has four-wheel brakes and is quite prepared to use them. Anger will not help for he will collapse completely, shocked and hurt. Instant obedience and slavish subservience are not in his nature and are a betrayal of his inheritance. He is a king, a laird, a chief and will meet you as a friend and equal, but not as a servant or a menial.
William Haynes: Hard as a diamond-tipped drill, thoroughly game to the utter extremity, bright as polished brass, true and lovable, Scottie with his odd little ways, is just the ideal dog.
Dorothy Gabriel: As a guard it is impossible to better him. He gives his warning, and if it passes unheeded, he shows very definitely that he is there and in charge. He is self-centred, deep-natured with a soul both for laughter and tragedy. . . . There is nothing frothy or shallow in the nature of a Scottie. He never forgets—his heart may break with grief, but he will not yowl about it. He is absolutely honourable, incapable of a mean or petty action, large hearted and loving, with the soul and mind of an honest gentleman.
S. S. Van DIne: A gentleman! That is perhaps the whole story. The Scottie is a gentleman. He is reserved, dignified, honorable, patient, tolerant and courageous. He doesn’t annoy you or force himself upon you. He meets life as he finds it, with an instinctive philosophy, a stoical intrepidity and a mellow understanding. He is calm and firm, and he minds his own business—and minds it well. He is a Spartan and can suffer pain without whimpering. . . . He will attack a lion or a tiger if his rights are invaded, and though he may die in the struggle he never shows the white feather or runs away. He is the most admirable of all sports—forthright, brave and uncomplaining. . . . He is one of the few dogs with whom human beings can actually argue. Scotties have their own ideas about things—they work out their problems and arrive at very definite conclusions—and they will go to the mat with you on any issue. If you are right they will, in the end, give in; but if you are wrong from their canine point of view (which, incidentally, is a highly sensible one), they can be as stubborn as only a Scotchman can be. . . . One of the most delightful qualities of a Scottie is his aloofness. He has a sense of bashfulness, and despite his vigorous nature, he is highly sensitive. Like all well-bred people he hates to be stared at. If you look straight at him in a critical way he will turn his head and attempt to act indifferently. . . . It is these qualities—gentleness and gameness, intelligence and modesty, courage and reserve—that have endeared him to every one that knows him, and have brought about his great popularity.
Marvelous additions to the post, Cindy, thank you so much for sharing them. Having grown up with Cairn Terriers (before we found our first pre-ordained Puli), we came to love their ilk. Even before they enter the ring at Westminster, we can hear them trash talking each other. God help us, but we love them!
You know I love my Manchester Terriers. Unlike many other terriers, Manchesters have the attitude of a feisty farm dog and the athletic look of a sighthound. Their sleek, gorgeous appearance is one of the things I love about them, but they are not short, in any way, on the determination, prey drive, and tenacity of other terrier breeds. Like the Scotty, Manchesters are aloof and discerning, and they are highly sensitive to their people. They know their minds, they are motivated to please their people, but if if prey is nearby, all bets are off. While sometimes it gives me moments of panic, it also makes me proud that our terriers are still very much driven by their instincts. I’m quite happy to have them be couch potatoes with me, but nothing makes me happier than seeing them getting the zoomies or chasing down a mouse. In other words, I’m happiest seeing my dogs being happy doing what they are bred to do.
They are marvels of nature, Melissa. Such a perfect “machine” for doing what they do, but with individual personalities, quirks, and attitude. We love them.