Tenterfield Terrier

		Tenterfield Terrier
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Australia
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Tenterfield Terrier

The Tenterfield Terrier is a highly efficient little Terrier descended from the ship's dogs that accompanied sailors from England to Australia. They are brave little dogs, both curious and courageous. Although they are active and need a lot of exercise, they are often affectionate and calmer at home. This breed is known to be good with children, but they can be more contentious with other dogs, and their strong prey drive can make them dangerous to cats or smaller, faster animals. Although they can be stubborn in the face of harsh training methods, they respond very well to positive training in short bursts.

History of the Tenterfield Terrier

The Tenterfield Terrier's earliest ancestors were thought to be small pest control dogs from England. Although most believe that small Fox Terriers were the basis of the breed in England, other Terrier breeds may also have contributed to this excellent ratter, probably including Toy Manchester Terriers, as well as the now extinct Old English White and Black Terriers and Tan Terriers. These dogs, being both small and agile, made good boat dogs, dispatching rats and other vermin with ease. In this way, they were brought to Australia at some point in the 1800's. They quickly became popular in the Australian countryside, not only as an effective means of pest eradication, but also as small-game hunting dogs and family companions. These Terriers seem to have been bred mainly in the New South Wales region, particularly near the small town of Tenterfield. A hangman named George Woolnough, immortalized by his grandson Peter Allen in the song Tenterfield Saddler, was known to have owned and bred these little dogs, which at the time were nicknamed Miniature Fox Terriers. In the early '90s, the name Miniature Fox Terrier was deemed inappropriate, as it was not simply a miniaturization of another breed. In 1993, the name Tenterfield Terrier was officially adopted, partly as a tribute to George Woolnough's contribution to the breed. Although the breed has not yet been recognized by the major breed clubs, it was recognized in 2002 by the Australian National Kennel Council.

Appearance of the Tenterfield Terrier

Tenterfield Terriers are compact, well-balanced dogs with strong, straight, powerful hindquarters. They have a wedge-shaped head slightly rounded at the skull and a moderately long muzzle, usually ending in a black nose, although brown is also acceptable. This Terrier's dark brown eyes have a well-defined oval shape, the medium-length ears are set high and slightly pointed, and they can either be held erect, or the upper third of the ear can fold forward. semi-erect position. Their legs are generally strong and straight, with compact, round legs and slightly arched toes. The Tenterfield Terrier's short, uneventful coat is white with black, tan, liver or blue patches, and their tails can range in length from full tail to tail without vertebrae. Unlike many other breeds, this Terrier's natural tail shortening doesn't seem to cause health problems.

Temperament of the Tenterfield Terrier

These small dogs are active and bright, with a curious and confident nature. They are always ready to learn and do new things, and although they tend to become stubborn and recalcitrant with harsh training methods, they are very responsive to training that relies on positive reinforcement. They tend to be loyal and affectionate towards their families and, although interactions between dogs and younger children must always be well supervised, Tenterfield Terriers are known to be particularly good with children. They may need a lot of socialization to be friendly with other dogs, and they have a strong prey drive that can result in the pursuit of cats and other smaller animals. This breed also tends to be very alert, making them suitable guard dogs and with sufficient exercise, they do well in smaller spaces, but they are also prone to barking and separation anxiety, making them a less suitable choice for people who are not at home for long periods.

Needs and activities of the Tenterfield Terrier

This is an active little dog that requires at least an hour to an hour and a half of vigorous activity every day to be at its happiest and healthiest. While they're willing and eager to join you for walks, jogs, swims, hikes and even bike rides, they're also suited to many other dog sports, including agility training, lure coursing and Earthdog events. Like other Terriers, some Tenterfield Terriers are notoriously hard to get along with, but if they're brave, they can also be easy to startle, often leading to unexplained twitching.

Maintenance of the Tenterfield Terrier

When it comes to grooming, this dog is extremely easy to care for. They generally don't tend to give off a strong doggy smell, so bathing is only required a few times a year, and excessive bathing can lead to skin problems or contact allergies. Their single-layer coat tends to make dirt and dust disappear, which is a good quality for a dog that has to chase rats in all sorts of dark corners, but doesn't require much brushing to keep it healthy and smooth . It's also important to check your dog's ears regularly to make sure they're clean, dry and free from infection. Teeth and nail care should also be maintained, with teeth cleaning at least three times a week and nail trimming once a month.

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Tenterfield Terrier