Terrier

Terrier (from Latin terra, 'earth') is a type of dog originally bred to hunt vermin.

The gameness of the early hunting terriers was exploited by using them in sporting contests.

Initially, terriers competed in events such as clearing a pit of rats.

In the eighteenth century some terriers were crossed with hounds to improve their hunting, and some with fighting dog breeds to "intensify tenacity and increase courage".

The original hunting terriers include the Fell Terrier (developed in northern England to assist in the killing of foxes) and the Hunt Terrier (developed in southern England to locate, kill or bolt foxes during a traditional mounted fox hunt).

While small, they retain true terrier character and are not submissive "lap dogs".