What makes terriers perfect companions?

Terriers are small wonders that can transform your life with boundless energy and love. Among the many breeds of dogs making great pets, terriers are preferred by most people for their size and attitude. 

Having a terrier as a pet can be great fun, though there are some facts about these dear creatures you need to know. For example, did you know that you can trace the origins of a terrier to the United Kingdom, where people used them to control vermin and hunt foxes?

Terrier breed sizes

Most terrier breeds are small in size, save the Airedale, which is much larger. However, despite the small demeanor, some species of terriers can be pretty aggressive and display fearlessness while challenging other animals. They are tenacious, and “dogged” is an apt way to describe these lovable dogs.

Natural instincts

Thanks to successive breeding, the terriers’ instincts have been honed well. They are trained to find and kill their prey, which they accomplish in a single bite. What’s more is they don’t expect any rewards for their acts, which they carry out as part of their routine.

As a result, they remain happy and healthy when they can do what they do best. These fun-loving animals are ready for adventure and love it when their owners indulge in such exciting activities.

A medium-sized affectionate terrier

The Irish terrier is an ideal companion, not just for its unique terrier looks but also for its medium height and manageable weight that averages 25 pounds. They look so adorable with their longish beards and scruffy coats.

These creatures have floppy ears and hardly shed hair, saving you the trouble of vacuuming the areas they’ve been frolicking around in your home. Moreover, these sensitive creatures shower their affection on you and, like most dog breeds, are great at cheering you up when you are depressed.

Good lookouts

Terriers are alert and are on the vigil all the time. They make perfect lookouts and warn their owners in time about anything amiss. This alertness keeps them ready for action, whether it’s chasing down a rat or any other small game.

If there aren’t any rodents around in your garden, your terrier would at least want to chase a ball or rip a stuffed toy to bits. They can react to other dogs and love chasing cats out of their territory.

Courageous and independent

Another reason why you should prefer a terrier from the many breeds of dogs available today because they show exemplary courage. These fiercely independent dogs are not very obedient to their owners, and training them to follow your commands may be a bit of a challenge.

However, patience and perseverance can help you train your terrier to listen and obey. They generally don’t show a friendly attitude to strangers and prefer to stay aloof.

Noisy bundles of joy

Your pet terrier can be a noisy bundle of joy, prancing around the place non-stop. They make a big racket when they bark ceaselessly, a trait probably developed when they were put to work underground, making it difficult to be heard.

Sometimes, their continuous barking can be a nuisance and have your neighbors complaining about the noise. It is not a great idea to leave them alone at home while you go out to work because they can bark themselves hoarse.

Enthusiastic diggers

Suppose you have a garden and allow your terrier to romp around, don’t be surprised if they dig up the whole place. They usually dig without any purpose. Therefore, it is advisable to fence off a small area where your pet terriers can explore to their heart’s content.

Terriers make excellent pets

Terriers can make excellent pets if you are an adventurous person who likes taking their dog along with them on mini-adventures. However, their courage and instinct to hunt also make them excellent guard dogs for your home. Their size can be misleading, as one doesn’t expect such courage or feistiness from such a small creature.

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