Do Terriers Point?

Have you ever been unpacking a storeroom or garage with your dog shadowing your every move? Well, then it’s rather likely that your little terrier assumed the classic “point” pose when it picked up the scent of a rat or a lizard during that exercise. Noticing this instinct got me wondering if all Terriers point.

The Terrier family of dogs was originally bred to hunt vermin and chase foxes and rabbits out of holes and dens during hunts. Terriers might instinctively assume the “point” pose while on the scent of prey, but it is not a dominant trait and was not ingrained through breeding as in Pointing gundogs.

The Terrier family is a large one with many sub-breeds of different size dogs. These tough dogs are spontaneous and versatile, with heaps of energy, and have a fascinating history.

The Origin Of The Terriers

The name “Terrier” is derivative of the French word “terrier,”meaning burrow,” which is precisely what this breed does. Terriers were initially bred to hunt vermin in and around homesteads and out in the fields as well. They often accompanied horse-mounted hunters on fox and rabbit hunts, where they would dart into dens and burrows to chase the animals out.

The Terrier group is a large and diverse group with dogs ranging in size, color, and coat type. They vary in weight from approximately 1kg (2lb) to the larger dogs around 32kg (71lb). All terriers have the same tenacity, spirit, and perseverance, regardless of their size. They needed to be pretty fearless to dive into a den that could still contain a defensive fox.

History of Terriers in Sports

The determination and fighting spirit of the early hunting terriers saw them used in sporting contests for gambling gains. Terriers were usually tasked with clearing a pit of rats in the shortest possible time. The quickest dog wins!

The terriers were crossed with hounds to improve their hunting instincts, and with the same idea in mind to increase their courage and perseverance, they were bred with the bull-fighting dog breeds. The most notable of these “Bull and Terrier” breeds today is the umbrella group of Pitbulls.

The agility and speed that terriers possess have seen them excel in modern-day agility and jumping sports. The breed as a whole has high energy levels, and they love to burn some of it off while focused and working in the arena.

Types of Terriers

Historically, there were only two terrier classifications, either long-legged terrier or short-legged terrier. Their categories today are informally based on their function or size. 

Common categories of the Terrier group:

  • Toy Terriers – Bred from larger terriers and shown in the Toy or Companion dog group. They may be small, but they have the same fight and determination as to their larger cousins.
  • Hunting Terriers – The largest number of breeds fall into this category, with many breeds still used today to track and trail, especially underground. Hunting terriers are fantastic additions to any farm or home to keep any vermin in check.
  • Bull-type Terriers – The bull breeds are the heaviest and often the most misunderstood of the Terriers. They have a dark past and can’t seem to shake off the stigma attached to their beautiful block-heads.

Most Kennel Clubs recognize thirty-two different terrier breeds today. Below is a list of all the terriers:

  1. Airedale Terrier
  2. American Hairless Terrier
  3. American Staffordshire Terrier
  4. Australian Terrier
  5. Bedlington Terrier
  6. Border Terrier
  7. Bull Terrier
  8. Cairn Terrier
  9. Cesky Terrier
  10. Dandie Dinmot Terrier
  11. Glen of Imaal Terrier
  12. Irish Terrier
  13. Jack Russell Terrier
  14. Kerry Blue Terrier
  15. Lakeland Terrier
  16. Manchester Terrier (Standard)
  17. Miniature Bull Terrier
  18. Miniature Schnauzer
  19. Norfolk Terrier
  20. Norwich Terrier
  21. Parson Russell Terrier
  22. Rat Terrier
  23. Russell Terrier
  24. Scottish Terrier
  25. Sealyham Terrier
  26. Skye Terrier
  27. Smooth Fox Terrier
  28. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
  29. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  30. Welsh Terrier
  31. West Highland White Terrier
  32. Wire Fox Terrier

Dogs Bred To Point

All dogs have their natural survival instincts and will show some of this behavior when their prey drive kicks in, but some dogs are more prone to some behaviors.  Pointing dogs are specifically bred to enhance the instinct of locating prey and using their bodies to point it out to the accompanying hunter.

When the dog finds a bird, he “locks up” and points while the hunter walks in to chase the bird out for the shot. Pointing dogs aren’t retrieving specialists, but they are very smart and can be trained to retrieve downed birds as well.

Types of Pointing Dogs:

  1. American Brittany
  2. Bracco Italiano
  3. Braques Francais
  4. Cesky Fousek
  5. Deutsch-Drahthaar
  6. Deutsch-Kurzhaar
  7. English Setter
  8. English Pointer
  9. French Brittany
  10. German Shorthaired Pointer
  11. German Wirehaired Pointer
  12. Gordon Setter
  13. Irish Setters (Red and White, and the Red)
  14. Italian Spinone
  15. Llewellin Setter
  16. Munsterlander (Large and Small)
  17. Picardy Spaniel
  18. Pudelpointer
  19. Vizsla
  20. Weimaraner
  21. Wirehaired Vizsla
  22. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Do Terriers Make Good Pets?

Terriers make wonderfully playful and enthusiastic pets. With some consistency and patience, you can train them to be obedient and loyal companions. The instincts from their ancestors run thick in their DNA, and if left to their own devices, a terrier will dig, hunt vermin, and run circles around you.

The agile and sporty build of terriers makes them ideal athletes in agility competitions. The drive to run, jump, and please their human is very rewarding for the dog, and they will be more manageable in the home after all the exertion. So make sure to give your pet enough exercise, mental stimulation, and obedience training, and you will be rewarded with a happy dog, and years of fun and entertainment.

Conclusion

Although all dogs share similar instinctual behaviors, not all breeds have been fine-tuned for the same reasons. Hunting dogs are bred for their exceptional sense of smell, prey drive, retrieving, and flushing skills. Terriers are bred for their tenacity, hunting skills, and as companions. It is not uncommon to have a terrier that will point and a spaniel that will catch rats, but it is not something they will do without fail.

References

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