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Tenterfield Terrier
Country of Origin | Australia |
Weight | 10 - 14.5 lbs. (4.5 - 6.5 kg) |
Height (at withers) | 10 - 12 in. (25.5 - 30.5 cm) |
Coat | The single coat should be short and of smooth texture. |
Colour | Coat colours are predominantly white with black, liver and/or tan markings in its various tones. Brindle markings acceptable but not preferred. Full-colour coats are not acceptable. Skin should always be pigmented. |
Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
Life Span | 10 - 14 years |
Origin & History | The forebears of the Tenterfield Terrier accompanied Australia's first European settlers who sailed from Portsmouth in England's South. These dogs were vermin killers, and so the smallest of them were selected to play that role on ships, which is how they arrived in Australia. Large dogs may would not have fared as well in the cramped shipboard environment, where vermin find nooks and crannies. Thus small terriers had an advantage. Miniature individuals of the Fox Terrier breed suited the role, as their original breeding matched the new task closely. By the late 19th century a dog type known as the Miniature Fox Terrier (known colloquially as "Mini Foxies") was well established in rural Australia as a vermin killer and family companion. By the 1920s the dog was a fixture in urban households. The name "Tenterfield" does not denote the terrier’s place of origin as Tenterfield, New South Wales. Rather, the name derives from there. The dog was bred extensively in and around northern New South Wales. Tenterfield is one of many localities in Australia in which small terriers of this type were kept. The town of Tenterfield is significant in Australian history for the Tenterfield Oration on independence from Britain. Additionally, the owner of the town's saddlery a man named George Woolnough, was immortalized by his grandson entertainer Peter Allen as the "Tenterfield Saddler". Tenterfield residents attest that Mr. Woolnough owned and loved a number of these terriers, though unfortunately no photographs of his dogs are known. Accordingly the name Tenterfield Terrier was suggested in the 1990s by television gardening personality Don Burke. |
Personality | The Tenterfield Terrier is a strong, active, agile working terrier of great versatility and of pleasing proportion. Bright, happy and confident, with an eagerness to learn, showing great loyalty to its owner. Fearless, lively, clever, independent, bold, keen, and very intelligent with an alert expression. Like all terriers, it takes loving patience to train them. They respond well to a positive reinforcement method of training; yelling and hitting will not get a good response from this loving breed. They are friendly and love to cuddle in your lap. This terrier is a useful working dog and a wonderful companion. It needs an owner who understands how to be a strong pack leader. To keep them from developing Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors, owners need to be consistently firm and confident, providing rules they must follow and limits as to what they are and are not allowed to do. Meek owners will find this dog can easily take over the home, causing a varying degree of behavior issues. These issues include, but are not limited to, quick to bark, bossy, feisty, scrappy, stubborn, persistent, impulsive and intense. They may develop separation anxiety, display guarding behaviors, snap and sometimes even bite. They will become untrustworthy with other dogs, children and sometimes adults they do not know. The Tenterfield Terrier can become destructive, and noisy if bored. They do well with children who know how to display leadership and will play games such as fetch with them. Socializing with other dogs in a neutral setting like a Dog Obedience Club is a wonderful idea. If this dog has a stable pack leader and is properly introduced on equal terms and allowed to use normal doggy language, it can get along with other dogs without problems. This terrier should not be trusted with non-canine pets such as mice or guinea pigs. It does have the typical, very strong terrier chase and kill instinct. Terriers were bred to control vermin and the Tenterfield Terrier is all terrier. This means that rodents and Tenterfield Terriers should be kept separated, although the dog may learn to tolerate the rodent in time. A lot of Tenterfield terriers will get along well with cats that stand their ground but will chase cats that are scared and run. Some Tenterfields never get along with cats, while others do, sleeping together like best friends. Tenterfields need human companionship. They would love to accompany you everywhere—they love walking, hiking and jogging. They will even run behind your horse if you have one and like to ride. They are good retrievers, good swimmers and good at Obedience and Agility. And whether you have one or a dozen or more they are all happy individuals who love to be by your side. |
Care Requirements
Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
Grooming | The Tenterfield Terrier is easy to groom. Comb and brush regularly with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. |
Exercise | The Tenterfield Terrier needs to be taken for a daily walk or jog. The Tenterfield Terrier will often run for the sheer pleaser of it. They enjoy exercise and need to run. If you do not have a yard for your dog, try to take your Tenterfield Terrier to a safe dog park or a beach and allow it to run off-lead for an hour 3 or more times a week. After its daily walk, it can also be a happy couch potato and enjoy nothing more than to snuggling with you in front of the TV. |
Other Considerations | The Tenterfield Terrier will do okay in an apartment. These dogs are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard as long as you take them to alternate safe places to run. |