Tenterfield Terrier Dog Breed

The Tenterfield Terrier, though not recognized by the American Kennel Club, is in the Terrier group of clubs including the Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club. Though this terrier breed was originally developed to hunt vermin and other small game, it makes for a bold, active family pet as well.

A few Tenterfield Terrier facts: they're small-sized, averaging 11 inches at the shoulders in height and nine pounds in weight; they have short, smooth coats that shed moderately and are easy to groom; and they have high prey drives, so they'll instinctively chase small animals.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning this lively little breed:

The Tenterfield Terrier was originally developed in the tiny Australian town of Tenterfield (hence the breed name), and is a direct descendant of the Toy Fox Terrier; in fact, this breed was actually called the "Mini Foxie" for a time. The TT, like the Fox Terrier before it, is a great vermin-buster.

The Tenterfield Terrier has the classic traits of most terrier breeds: smaller size, but plenty of energy; a propensity for digging, chewing, and barking; and the well-known Triple T (or "typical terrier temperament"), meaning the dog is scrappy, bold, and often fussy. This breed can develop Small Dog Syndrome, whereby the dog is overly temperamental and will try to dominate other pets and even people, unless trained otherwise. This means a TT will need obedience training and socialization starting in puppyhood if possible. Even so, the Tenterfield Terrier is an affectionate, fun pet for most families.

The Tenterfield Terrier is also very lively and active, and will need a good bit of physical activity on a daily basis. While these dogs are simply too small to be very strong, they're quick, agile, and energetic, and will benefit from some daily exercise.

Because of this breed's close association with the Toy Fox Terrier, the various "types" of Tenterfield Terrier can be complicated. Some still consider these two breeds the same, and others have various names for them: the Toy Fox Terrier is also called the Miniature Fox Terrier--which leads people to mistakenly refer to these dogs as the "Miniature Tenterfield Terrier" (though no "miniature" variation exists). Both breeds have also been nicknamed the "Mini Foxie," adding more confusion.

Regardless, though the Toy Fox and the Tenterfield are very similar in most respects, they're separate breeds.

Within the Tenterfield Terrier breed itself, there's not much variation in physical features. Coat length and texture is consistent as well.

As to size: no "miniature" or "giant" sub-types exist. Some dishonest breeders may offer "Mini Tenterfield Terriers" for sale, but these tiny dogs are either the result of unethical breeding practices, or simply crossbreeds.

Lively, bold, affectionate, and sometimes stubborn, the Tenterfield Terrier temperament is one of activity and confidence. Like most terriers, the TT is a "huge dog in a tiny body," and will rarely shy away from most situations. These dogs normally get along with kids and other pets, but it helps if the dog is raised alongside them. Another of the Tenterfield Terrier characteristics is that they often challenge dogs much larger than they are! Without question, these little dogs are much better behaved if they get early training and socialization.

The Tenterfield Terrier can also be a handful when it comes to training. The TT is very smart, and can conceivably learn tasks, tricks, and commands easily--but the breed's natural "hard-headedness" often gets in the way. In any case, positive, reward-based training methods (with plenty of praise and dog treats included!) are best.

The Tenterfield Terrier has good watchdog skills too. While the breed is too small to really neutralize any potential threats, a TT is curious, alert, and vocal, and will definitely sound an alarm if it perceives an unknown sight or sound.

The Tenterfield Terrier is normally very healthy, with no known inherited issues. Even so, some TTs may suffer a few naturally-occurring issues like patellar luxation or hypothyroidism. And like other toy breeds, the TT's small facial structure may be the cause of dental problems, especially in older dogs.

Before purchasing a Tenterfield Terrier, it's a good idea to ask the breeder if the dog (and/or its parents) have had health screening. Also make sure to take the dog for veterinary checkups twice per year.

Life expectancy for this breed is 11-14 years.