Small, agile, and muscular features are distinct characteristics of the terrier. Its physique and temperament are perfectly built for hunting. The specialty of this breed is to hunt smaller animals such as rodents, foxes and rabbits. Terriers are athletic and agile maneuvering through forests, shrubs, and rocks. The also could ‘flush’ out game from hiding places. In the modern era, terriers make for great companions as long as their humans can fulfill their energy requirements and mental health needs.
Terriers are very playful, stubborn, protective, energetic and loyal. They should be exercised regularly and given a reasonable amount of freedom to run. These smart dogs will also benefit greatly from engaging interactive play to exercise their minds and utilize their inherent skills.
The following is a shortlist of terrier mix breeds.
| Mix Terrier Breeds | Origin and Ancestry |
|---|---|
| Airedale Terrier | This terrier is bred from the Old English black and tan terriers and the Otterhound. This British born breed has a dense coat of fur that is not very long and is light brown and cream in color. This dog has a medium size. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | This terrier traces its ancestry to several British terriers and bulldogs who migrated to the USA in the 19th century. Some noted ancestors include the white English terrier, black fox terrier, and tan terrier. This mix breed is small to medium in size, with a white coat that is patched in black and brown. |
| Australian Terrier | This dog is the Australian cousin of the British terriers. It is short, has a dense-brown coat, and a great ancestry of the Cairn terrier, Irish terrier, Skye terrier, Dandie Dinmont terrier, and Yorkshire terrier. |
| Bedlington Terrier | The dogs of this breed are known as lambs due to their woolly coats. Its size and height ranges from small to medium. It is bred from Rothbury terriers aka, gypsy dogs. |
| Border Terrier | A native to the Scottish border, this dog is short and tends to have a hairy head which somehow resembles a mustache. Its coat resembles that of a German shepherd. |
| Boston Terrier | This breed is often known as an American gentleman and is born in the United States. It is a descendant of the English bulldogs and terriers. It is short and has a black and white coat. |
| Bull Terrier | This dog has a very unique appearance as its face cut is derived from its ancestors who include the Old English Bulldog, Old English terrier, black and tan terrier, and English white terrier. |
| Glen of Imaal Terrier | This dog was bred in the Wicklow mountains in the Glen of Imaal during the reign of Elizabeth I. Its ancestry can be traced to Irish terriers and low slung hounds. This dog is very furry, and has a long coat that is grayish in color. |
| Irish Terrier | This is one of the oldest terrier mix dogs that originated in Great Britain. It varies in size and has a brown coat. It also has a broad jaw. The black and tan terrier and Irish wolfhound maybe this breeds ancestors. |
| Jack Russell Terrier or Parson Russell Terrier | This delightful breed has a disputed ancestry. Its small size does not hinder it from being violent during hunting. It is named after the breeder, Reverend John Russell. |
| Kerry Blue Terrier | This dog has originated from a legend of a blue dog who swam ashore from a shipwreck in County Kerry in Ireland. It is actually from Tipperary town. Apart from the mysterious blue dog, the other known ancestor is the Wheaten terrier mix. Its coat is bluish-gray and woolly. |
| Lakeland Terrier | This breed is a native to the English Scottish regions and is a descendant of the black and tan terrier. Some of its earlier ancestors include fell, Dandie Dinmont, Bedlington, and border terriers. |
| Norfolk Terrier | This dog has originated from the Irish terriers and red terriers. It has a dense coat which is typically copper-red in shade. This dog is short but has a delightful temperament. |
| Norwich Terrier | This dog is a sibling of the Norfolk terrier and is recognized as a separate breed as a result of a softer and denser coat. |
| Sealyham Terrier | This is a Welsh white-coated dog who was bred by retired army personnel. It was derived from the white English, Dandie Dinmont, fox, and west highland white terriers, and the Corgie. |
| Skye Terrier | This dog has a very unique history starting from 14th century Scotland, where a Spanish man-of-war (ship) sunk near the coast of the Island of Skye, a Scottish island. A Maltese dog was rescued from the ship and was used to breed a soft-furred dog breed. This breed has been a favorite of the British nobility since Queen Victoria’s reign. |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | This powerful dog has been bred from bulldogs and normal terriers. It was originally meant for the fighting rings but soon became a very loyal and loving companion. |
