Terriers are dirt dogs. The name "Terrier" is derived from "Terra", the latin word for earth. Terriers come in all shapes and sizes, and have a common purpose for which they were originally bred - to keep rodents and vermin populations down. Often this task was accomplished by digging and "going to ground" - actually following rodents and other small animals into their underground dens, where they were quickly and efficiently dispatched.

Unfortunately, some Terrier breeds were also bred to kill vermin and fight other dogs in "pit contests", a depraved form of entertainment that is now banned in most civilized countries, but which, unfortunately, still takes place in underground circles, despite attempts to stop this inhumane activity.

Today's Terriers are cherished family pets that are valued for their spunk, energy, humor and tenacity. Terriers excel in many canine sports including racing, agility, flyball, and terrier trials, where these dogs still get to "go to ground" after artificial vermin. Many terriers also perform jobs on farms and acreages, offering an invaluable service to their owners.

If you are thinking about adding a terrier dog breed to your family, you can be assured of acquiring an active, intelligent and spunky dog that will provide your family with many years of love, laughter, joy and companionship.

Here is a list of dog breeds that are in our Terrier (Terrior) Dog Breeds category.

Just click the image or title for each breed listed to view a wealth of dog breed information, pictures, names suggestions, dog breeders, puppies for sale and more.

Affenpinscher Dog Breed Alternate Names: Monkey Terrier, Diablotin Moustachu, Affen, Affen Dog Common Misspellings: Affenpincher, Affinpinscher, Affinpincher, Athenpincher, Athenpinscher, Affanpincher, Affanpinscher

Airedale Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Common Misspellings: Airedaleterriers, Aredale Terriers, Airedale-Terriers, Airdale Terriers, Airedale Terriors, Airedale Teriers, Airdaleterriers, Airdaleterriors

American Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Yankee Terrier, Half and Half, American Bull Terrier Common Misspellings: Pitbull, American Pitbull, Pitbull Terrier, Pitbull Terrior, Pitbull, Pitbull Terrior, Pitbulls, Pitbull Terriors, American Pitbull, American Pitbulls

Australian Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Rough Coated Terrier Common Misspellings:

Bedlington Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Common Misspellings: Bedlinton Terrior

Border Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Coquetdale Terrier Common Misspellings: Border Terrior, Border Terior, Border Terier, Borderterrier, Border-terrier

Boston Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Boston, Bostons, Roundhead Common Misspellings: Bosten Terrior, Boston Terrior, Bosten Terrier, Bostonterrier, Bosten Terier

Bull Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: English Bull Terrier Common Misspellings: Bullterrier, Bull Terrior, Bull Terier, Minature Bull Terrier

Cairn Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Common Misspellings: Karin Terrier, Cairn Terrior, Carin Terrier, Karen Terrier, Cairn Terier, Cairn-terrier

Cesky Terrier Dog Breed Alternate Names: Common Misspellings: Seskie Terrior, Ceskyterrier