Tenterfield Terrier

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Fran Smith (COOLAMIN)

coolamintenties@gmail.com
See Details
Breeder - Mrs Barbara Jackson (Wandandian)

wandandian@southernphone.com.au
See Details

Grand Ch Gumhaven Sand Piper Awesum Photography

History

The Tenterfield Terrier’s relationship with Aussies began when early English settlers arrived with the original working dog of the breed.

They were bred small enough to chase vermin out of burrows, but with the strength and agility to jump up onto a horse’s saddle with their master. Together, they would ride the chase after bringing the rats, rabbits and foxes out of hiding. The breed spread across Australian farmland and became a popular working Terrier and a loyal part of many families.

Affectionately known as the mini foxy at the time, the Tenterfield Terrier became an Aussie icon on most farms. While the title mini foxy was accepted for quite some time, given that the breed is not a miniature of the Fox Terrier, the name was inappropriate and it caused some confusion as the two are quite different. Therefore, after the breed was developed to the type it is today, dedicated breeders and enthusiasts established the name Tenterfield Terrier.

The breed was named after another Australian icon, Peter Allen’s grandfather, the ‘Tenterfield Saddler’. Well known for owning and breeding Tenterfield Terriers, he was regularly seen in his home town with his Terriers by his side. It was decided the name would therefore be fitting for a true Aussie breed.

Characteristics

The Tenterfield Terriers have strength beyond their small stature. They are active, extremely agile, very intelligent and highly adaptable to a variety of situations. They are just as happy roaming farmland working to rid their territory of vermin as they are curled up on a lap or playing with a toy in a small apartment.

Maintenance

When it comes to caring for Tenterfield Terriers, they don’t come much easier. A simple ‘wash and wear’ is all that’s required, and the coat will need an occasional brush. If they are being shown, a trim of any untidy bits is recommended and the rest is standard dog maintenance, including trimming nails, cleaning teeth and deworming.

Appearance

Tenterfields are ideally 25.5 to 30.5 centimetres high (10 to 12 inches) at the top of the shoulder with an appropriate weight for the overall size. They should appear square, with a balance between the length of the body and leg. The head and neck length should also be balanced. Proportion-wise, no one thing should stand out, with the exception of the bob tail in dogs where it occurs. As the only Terrier with the natural bob tail gene, this is the Tenterfield’s most unique feature, and tails of all length should be carried gaily and not hanging down or curled right over. The ears should be alert and a Tenterfield’s eyes should be as dark brown as possible, with a keen expression. Lighter eyes are acceptable in a liver. The Tenterfield Terrier is always smooth and single coated. Colouring is predominantly white with black, tan or liver markings with the tricolour being the most common.

Health & Suitability

Tenterfield Terriers are known for living a long life of anywhere from 12 to 20 years, with no major health issues.

Congenital hypothyroidism with goitre has been associated with the breed and more recently primary lens luxation. The national Tenterfield community is taking action to protect the breed, including testing to prevent affected puppies being produced. Tenterfields are suitable for all types of people from the elderly to young children and are very compatible with other pets if introduced as a puppy.

They can endure many miles of walking, if the owner enjoys being active, and are equally happy living indoors or out – making them a truly versatile breed. Tenterfield Terriers are also well suited to sporting events such as Agility, Lure Racing, Flyball and Earthdog. True to Terrier form, they will defend themselves if feeling threatened.

Some people have misinterpreted a Tenterfield Terrier’s vocal enthusiasm as aggression, but they’re generally not in any way hostile. If well socialised there should be no issues and overall they are very affectionate.

Words: Paula Stirzaker

Image: Selectadogbreed

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Tenterfield Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Tenterfield Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 17 Apr 2019)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Tenterfield Terrier is a strong, active, agile working terrier of great versatility and of pleasing proportion. The measurement of wither to ground and wither to rear point of buttock should be of equal proportions. The length of the head and neck should always be in balance to the whole of the dog. The coat is always smooth.

Characteristics

A keen, intelligent and alert expression which is denoted by the carriage of the ears and erect tail.

Temperament

Confident, with an eagerness to learn, showing great loyalty to its owner and although fearless and bold at work, he is an ideal companion dog in the home.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Medium sized head in proportion to body. The head is only slightly rounded from ear to ear. Domed or apple heads are highly undesirable. When viewed from the front and side, head is to be wedge shaped and well filled in under the eyes. The stop to be moderate and when measured from that point to occiput it equals the distance from the stop to the tip of the nose with parallel planes. The colour of the nose is preferably black, with the exception of liver or blue which will have a self-coloured nose. There should be strength in the muzzle.
Eyes	Not large, protruding or round, but slightly oval in shape. Dark preferred but may bear some relation to coat colour, with pigmented eye rims and a keen expression. Wall eyes are to be discouraged.
Ears	V shaped with slightly rounded tips, set high on the outer edge of the skull, erect or semi-erect. If semi-erect the top third of the ear tips forward. Not wide or large at the base, rather medium in size. The length of the ear to be roughly equal to the width between the ears. The ears are of a thin texture (not thick).
Mouth	Strong jaws with full dentition and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth. Lips to be tight fitting and pigmented. A wry mouth should be heavily penalised.
Neck	Strong and clean of moderate length, allowing head to be carried proudly.
Forequarters	Shoulders well sloped back and not too heavily muscled. Forelegs are of strong round bone in keeping with the size of the dog, straight when viewed from any angle with sufficient length of the upper arm which is well angled to the scapula ensuring the elbows are set under the body with the sternum clearly in front of the shoulder blades.
Body	A short, compact, level topline. A strong back without slackness and with powerful loins. Ribs moderately sprung, back ribs deep and reaching well back with only a slight tuck up. The chest is of moderate width and reaching in depth to the level of the elbow, but not below.
Hindquarters	Not too heavily muscled. The rump is well rounded with only a slight slope to the croup. Long and powerful thighs. The stifle is well bent and the hocks well let down. The pastern should be parallel when viewed from the rear, and vertical when viewed from the side.
Feet	Compact, round shaped, toes moderately arched.
Tail	Traditionally Docked.Undocked: Tails can be of varying lengths. Bob tails often occur.High set and erect when alert. Carried gaily, showing bold temperament.
Gait/Movement	Fore and hind legs carried straight forward and parallel. The elbows to move perpendicular to the body, working clear of the sides, stifles neither turning in nor out and the hocks not close, with good rear drive coming from the well flexing hindquarters.
Coat	To be short and of smooth texture. The Tenterfield Terrier is a single coated dog.
Colour	Predominantly white coat with black, tan, blue or liver markings of any shade. Tri colouring is common (i.e., white with black or white with blue or white with liver markings and tan cheeks and/or tan above eyes and/or tan breeches).Brindle markings acceptable but not preferred. Full colour coats are not acceptable. Skin should always be pigmented.
Size	The height to be 25.5 to 30.5cms (10 to 12 ins) with ideal being 28cms (11 ins) but not exceeding 30.5cms (12 ins). The weight to be in proportion to the size of the dog.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Any weakness in the following should be particularly penalised.