Tenterfield terrier dogs are not your average dog breed, but, if you are looking for a dog breed that is a strong, active, agile and of great versatility when put to work, then the Tenterfield Terriers are not only of pleasing proportion in appearance, but they are also of excellent and amiable temperament.

Tenterfield Terriers are intelligent, happy go lucky, and confident type of dog breed who do not hold back when the need for learning a new skill is warranted.

Tenterfield terriers are a small dog breed known for showing great loyalty to its owners, and their fearless, bold, keenness with an alert expression makes the Tenterfield Terrier dogs a good watchdog too.

This dog breed was originally bred in England and they were imported in Australia by British settlers on ships.

The Tenterfield Terrier was originally bred for hunting rats and other small prey, but later on was discovered to be one of the best family companions because of all the wonderful temperaments the breed has, this breed is gentle and very loyal to his owners.

If you are here right now, then it must mean that you seek to know more information on this breed for your own personal reasons and the good news is that, this is exactly where you will learn all there is to know about the Tenterfield Terrier.

And in this guide, you will learn about this breed’s:

Origins/history,
Physical appearance,
Characteristics/temperaments,
Food requirements,
Grooming requirements,
Health issues,
Lifespan

And so many pocket facts you need to look after your new family addition.

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History of the Tenterfield Terrier

The history of the Tenterfield Terrier dog breed can be traced back to the extinct Old English White terrier which was found in England in the 1700.

The Tenterfield Terrier dog breed came in different sizes, shapes, coats and coat colors too. Later on in the 1800, more different types of Terriers were born and since there was no formal registration, different types of terriers were mated and any breed that was adept in a certain job was crossbred with another to proficient in that job.

The settlers never cared about how the breed looked like as long as it did the required task.

Later on, the Tenterfield Terrier that specialized in killing rats was born.

At that time, rats carried diseases that were a threat to both man and dog, and the terriers were able to kill the rats without biting them.

Later in the 1900, sailors made their way to Australia and on their ships they carried the terriers to kill the mice and rats on board, that is how the Tenterfield Terrie made its way in Australia.

And as the population grew in Australia, this breed was made known throughout the country, not only as rat killers but also as wonderful family companions.

In 1992 a breed registry was established and that’s when the breed became known as the Tenterfield terrier, this was in remembrance or honoring George Woolnough, also known as the “Tenterfield Saddler”.

Physical Appearance of the Tenterfield Terrier

This is a small breed, standing 10 to 12 inches tall and weighing 10 to 12 pounds.

The Tenterfield terrier has a wedge-shaped head with a slight rounding to the skull and along muzzle ending in a brown or black nose, has oval-shaped dark brown eyes, medium-length ears that are slightly pointed and erect.

The dog’s legs are strong. The coat of the breed is short and comes in white with patches of blue, liver, tan or black.

The Tenterfield dog breed can sometimes have a tail and sometimes no tail at all.

Temperaments of the Tenterfield Terrier

Firstly, this dog breed is known for being very energetic, he is also very talented and has a high prey drive because they were originally bred for hunting purposes.

But as family pets, the breed is known to be very loving and loyal and are also very great with little kids.

Food Requirements of the Tenterfield Terrier

Taking good care of your furry friend starts with giving him the right type of food that will be good for his health and overall being.

Feeding your Tenterfield terrier with top quality food will provide him a balanced nutritious diet.

When your Tenterfield is still a puppy, let’s say between 8 to 12 weeks old he will need 4 bowls of healthy food a day.

When he is six months old, he will need three meals every 24 hours. When he is one year old, he will need two bowls of food after every 24 hours.

As he adds more years, 1 or 2 bowls of food daily is enough. Below we have listed the best dog food for your Tenterfield, highly recommended by veterinarians.

Taste of the wild high protein dry dog food: Available on Amazon’s next day delivery, this food’s main ingredients is bison, venison, wildfowl, salmon, lamb, and boar. This food is one of the best on our list and is great for dogs of all ages. The food is also grain-free as t has other healthier sources of carbs. This food also helps to maintain the dog’s healthy skin and shiny coat, as it is also enriched with antioxidants and vitamins.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dry dog food: This dog food features real meat as the first ingredient. Real chicken is the main ingredient and a source of high-quality proteins which is excellent for maintaining the dog’s muscles, and the food also contains wholesome grains, garden veggies, and fruits that are healthy for the dog. The blue buffalo dry dog food also contains essential proteins and carbohydrates that help meet the energy needs of the adult Tenterfield terrier and features omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote the dog’s shiny coat and healthy skin. And a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by veterinarians and animal nutritionists are there to support the dog’s immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. The food doesn’t contain any unhealthy byproducts meals and grains such as soy, corn or wheat.

Purina Beyond simply 9 dry dog food: The main ingredient of this dog food is chicken and it’s the only source of animal protein in this food. Other ingredients are wholesome grains such as oatmeal, barley and rice which are all easy to digest for the dog and provide excellent fiber for easier digestion. The food doesn’t contain soy, corn, wheat or poultry by-product meal.

Nature’s Recipe Adult dry dog food: This grain-free dog food is easy to digest and is also full of tasty meaty flavor. The ingredients of this meal are highly palatable protein from fish, poultry, lamb, or venison and are combined with wholesome veggies and all the nutrients the dog needs. Real salmon is the first ingredient of this food, and contains high quality proteins that help in the development of the dog’s muscles. Then there’s sweet potatoes and pumpkin that are the main sources of carbohydrates for the dog’s energy. Lastly, the food is rich in antioxidants that help maintain a strong and healthy immune system.

Diamond Naturals Real Meat recipe dry dog food: This food contains high quality protein from real beef which is the main ingredient. The food doesn’t contain any grains but contain whole grains such as barley and oatmeal. The food also contains antioxidants and fatty acids that will help maintain the dog’s healthy skin and shiny coat. The food is great for dogs of all ages and is very healthy for the tummy.

Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog food: The first and main ingredient of this dog food is chicken which is also the main source of proteins. The second ingredient is chicken meal and contains 300% more proteins that fresh chicken. The third ingredient is brown rice and is gluten free. The fourth ingredient is barley which is a starchy carbohydrate responsible for supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients for your dog. All these ingredients combine to make healthy and tasty dog food. The food also contains flaxseed known to be one of the best plant sources of healthy omega 3 fatty acids which are responsible for maintaining the dog’s healthy skin and shinny coat

Pedigree Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food: Pedigree is the dog food that’s been available in the markets for years and its trusted by many dog owners because it offers great quality dog food at affordable prices. The food is available in chicken, steak and lamb formulations and also contains healthy whole grains and veggies. its also contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins for the dog’s health.

Merrick Grain-free Dry Dog food: This dog food comes in buffalo, duck, turkey, salmon, Texas beef, rabbit, venison, and chicken. The food is high in proteins and fat in a dry kibble and also provides the Tenterfield terrier with excellent blends of antioxidants. The food also contains chondroitin and glucosamine for the dog to have healthy bones

Grooming Requirements of the Tenterfield Terrier

The Tenterfield does not shed much, he only sheds a lot in particular seasons, and during those seasons, he will require regular brushing.

Otherwise, brushing this breed 2 to 3 times a week is enough. Only bath him when its necessary and that is when he is really dirty and smells awful, otherwise bathing him once a month is fine because daily bathing may strip his skin its natural oils.

Remember always to check if his ears are clean; if not, wipe them as this will help to prevent ear infections. Also remember to trim his nails once they’ve grown too big and lastly, but not least, don’t forget to brush his teeth once or twice a week, it’s enough.

Health Concerns of the Tenterfield Terrie

The Tenterfield Terrier is a very healthy dog breed, but just like any other dog breed, he is prone to certain health conditions such as patellar luxation and hypothyroidism.

The lifespan of the Tenterfield Terrier

Life expectancy for a new pet is always of concern to any new pet owner When bringing a new pet home. Whether you consider it as an issue, most pet owners obsess about the life expectancy of their chosen dog breed; I will leave that to you to judge. But I can tell you that Tenterfield dog breed’s lifespan is no different.

And at the top of any long lifespan for a dog, care of the dog to make sure she is in good health all the time is vital.

So, How long do Tenterfield Terriers live

And this dog breed has a long lifespan of 12 to 14 years when you have taken reasonable care.

Pocket Facts About The Tenterfield Terrier Dog Breed

Are Tenterfield Terrier good dogs?

Absolutely! As a companion and a working dog, Tenterfield Terrier is a good dog breeds who have adapted over time to become this intelligent dog breed that is loyal, trainable. No wonder that this breed is well-loved by many pet owners who have successfully made an excellent companion dog out of the Tenterfield Terrier.

So, Are Tenterfield Terrier good dogs?

Yes! Tenterfield Terrier Dog breed is an excellent companion as well as working dogs to have.

Now, because of the Tenterfield Terrier having the background of being a working dog, they can quickly become bored and destructive if they are not kept in line with proper dog training and activities that keep them engaged all the time. Other than that, Tenterfield Terrier are good dogs.

Do Tenterfield Terriers bark a lot?

Yes! The Tenterfield Terrier bark alot, especially when they need to draw your attention. Naturally, Tenterfield dogs have a highly playful trait that borders annoyance if you are laid back. In many cases, they get into most of their barking and sometimes nippy when they are hyper and excited.

So, as a way to alert you that they want to play, they jump at you and nipping here and there to get you running after them.

This dog breed is highly recommended for families with children as it is a playful, active, and loyal companion capable of forming long bonds with their family owners.

Do Tenterfield Terriers shed hair?

Yes! all dog breeds do shed their hair, and the good news is that Tenterfield Terriers are moderate shedding dogs. Their coat is made up of fine coats, which only sheds in smaller quantities compared to other dog breeds.

And, because of their low shedding traits, Tenterfield terrier dogs are low-maintenance dogs who require a brush of their coat once a week and bathed once or twice every month as your minimum.

How Big Do Tenterfield Terriers Grow

At the height of 10 to 12 inches tall, the Tenterfield Terrier dog is considered to be a bonafide small dog breed. And their healthy average weight tip the scales at about 10 pounds in weight.