Dog shows have so many groupings, that it can be difficult to keep all of the dogs straight...
Contrary to popular belief, not all of the terriers are in the "Terrier Group". There are 27 breeds in the Terrier Group itself, according to the AKC.
Some are in the Toy Group (Australian Silky, English Toy or Black & Tan, Maltese, Manchester, Yorkshire, Toy Fox, sometimes Tibetan or Boston depending upon the kennel club), and some in the Non-Sporting Group (Boston, Tibetan depending on the kennel club).
There are 4 terriers in the Working Group.
Terriers in the Working Group:
1. Black Russian Terrier
2. Giant Schnauzer
3. Standard Schnauzer
4. Miniature Schnauzer (depending on the kennel club)
The fact that they are in the Working Group simply means that they are purebred dogs that were specifically bred to help assist humans with different types of work.
These types of Work may include:
- Eradicating vermin
- Pulling sleds
- Water rescues
- Guarding property
What talented terriers! It is said that these "Working" dogs are quick to learn, very capable, and very intelligent, making them fabulous companions as well.
From what I've seen, terriers are very eager to please and are extremely hard workers, if trained to do so. They focus on their task well, whether it be chasing a squirrel, trying to get their favorite kibble out of the bottom of the bowl, or practicing and competing in earth dog competitions.
Since many of the working dogs have such sheer size and strength, they need to be properly trained, and it is said that they are often not great "family" dogs.
It is in my opinion that these dogs are great family dogs, provided they are properly trained.
by Kimberly Edwards
Kimberly Edwards is the founder of Terrier Lover - Awesome Information and History on the Terrier Breed, Health, Dog Grooming, Dog Breeding, Tips & Tricks, Dog Training, Stories and More. Learn all you need to know about the Terrier dog @ http://www.TerrierLover.com