You’ll never have a dull moment with a playful Terrier companion.
Most of us know that terriers can generally be described as large dogs in small bodies and by that I mean that they tend to have huge personalities and oodles of self confidence.
According to the AKC, there are 31 recognised breeds of terriers and so you really are spoilt for choice.
But what about if you want a terrier with spots?
How much more limited is your choice?
Well in this list, I have found nine terrier breeds that have spots.
But before you decide to make a commitment to your life with a terrier, here are some facts about these adorable dog breeds.
Many terrier breeds that you will see are derived from the UK.
They were specially bred to hunt down and kill rats and mice for hundreds of years.
Some breeds can also handle larger animals like foxes, ducks, badgers, and even rabbits. They can hunt in any environment, above or below ground.
This is what you will learn from this article:
- Bull Terrier
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Russell Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Hairless Terrier
- Rat Terrier
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Wire Fox Terrier
Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier is one of the funniest and mischievous dogs in the whole of “Dogdom.”
They are charming and affectionate, stubborn at times, but always loyal.
These unique “eggheads” are energetic, strong companions who love affection and exercise.
Bull Terriers are big-boned, strong terriers that move with agility and power.
Bull Terriers are known for their long, egg-shaped heads, pointed ears, and small triangular eyes that sparkle with humour.
But what about their spots?
White Bull Terriers have black spots on their nose and eyes. Colored Bull Terriers might have white markings on their body or head.
As well as their spots they can come with two types of coat.
White and any other colour, including an attractive brindle striping. They can be either solid or with white markings.
A well-bred Bull Terrier is a picture of strength and balance.
There are four key ingredients to Bull Terrier happiness: socialization early with dogs and people, firm but loving training, plenty of exercises, and quality time with his beloved humans.
These requirements will ensure that your companion is loyal, affectionate, and entertaining. This is the ultimate “personality breed.”
Miniature Bull Terrier
Do you like the idea of a Bull Terrier but are just put off by the sheer size and weight of the things?
How about a miniature Bull Terrier?
They are carbon copies of their larger cousins.
And they do have spots.
White Minis can have black spots over their eyes and I guess you could almost describe a black nose as a spot.
A fawn and white dog might also have a darker spot around its eyes or on their face.
Miniature Bull Terriers are thin, shiny, fine, and glossy coats that are similar to the skin similar to Bull Terriers.
These playful, mischievous dogs are full of terrier fire.
The Mini is the clown prince of dogdom. The Miniature Bull Terrier is full of mischief, like a class clown or a cute toddler.
It is square in body and egg-shaped in the head.
These tiny, muscular terriers can be active, fearless, and entertaining.
It’s not a wise idea to allow your Miniature Bull Terrier puppy to have too many high-jinxes.
You can’t ask for a more entertaining companion than him. He will be his best self if he is socialized early and trained patiently.
Parson Russell Terrier
Next up I bring you two very similar breeds- Parson Russell Terrier and the Russell Terrier.
And in fact, it is hard to tell the difference between these two breeds.
In fact it might just be that the Parson Russell Terrier is slightly taller and heavier than the Russell Terrier.
But the differences are minimal.
Parson Russell Terriers are strong and intelligent.
They can run with horses, but they can also dig in to flush a fox out of his lair. PRTs are independent problem-solvers and can come up with their own solutions.
Parson Russell Terriers are 12- 15 inches tall at the shoulder and 13- 17 pounds when in peak condition.
They are covered with two smooth or broken coats and could be available in various colours.
Their coats are coarse in texture, and their faces can occasionally have a beard.
And in terms of spots, a Parson Russell Terrier has brown and black spots over its head and, in some cases, a large spot on its body.
As an active dog, this dog must be able to get plenty of exercise.
They love nothing more than a walk in the park in which they are free of the leash and detect a scent.
The Parson Russell Terrier is generally a healthy breed.
There are a few genetic eye issues, so it is advised to buy an eye-tested puppy.
Russell Terrier
The “Sporting Parson,” England’s “Sporting Terrier,” developed the cheerful Russell Terrier for use in foxhunts.
Although the adorable Russell Terrier may look like a toy, It is a hardworking and eager working dog.
These cheeky, playful little fellows pack a lot of personality into their small rectangular bodies that measure 10-12 inches at the shoulder.
The breed’s distinctive characteristics include dark eyes, almond-shaped pupils, and V-shaped ears.
The three types of coats are predominantly white, with tan or dark markings, or both.
Russells have a natural, fluid gait that demonstrates their confidence and independence.
They exhibit either a rough or smooth coat or a mix of both that is known by the name of a broken coat.
A dog with a broken coat might have hair that is longer on its face or tail compared to the smooth coat dog.
And what have they got in the way of spots?
Russell Terrier has large brown spots on its head covering the eyes and ears.
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Terriers, also known as AmStaffs to their admirers, are intelligent, confident, and good-natured companions.
Their courage is legendary.
American Staffordshire terrier that has been well trained and socialized is loyal and trustworthy to the end.
American Staffordshire terriers are muscular and tall at 17 to 19 inches at their shoulders.
The head is large, with a well-defined jaw and cheekbones.
The dark, round eyes stand out from the rest of their head.
And where are their spots?
The spots on American Staffordshire Terrier can vary in color, mostly tan or black spots over the head and body.
In the case of this breed of dog, colour is not a factor as they can be any colour: solid colours, and patterns, like patches or partial colouring.
An AmStaff’s coat is very thin and quite glossy.
AmStaff’s movement is graceful and agile, with a springy gait that reflects the breed’s confidence.
AmStaffers describe their dogs as being alert and curious about their surroundings. They can also do anything and love being ‘personality dogs.’
American Staffordshire terriers enjoy mental and physical challenges. As their numerous forays into the showbiz industry demonstrate, they are highly trained.
American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is a small dog with no hair.
However, despite being bald it is friendly and eager to please.
These hairless dogs don’t have fur but have coloured skin with sable, piebald or brindle spots.
You may find spots on their noses, ears, stomachs, backs, legs, and other parts of their bodies.
The American Hairless Terrier stands between 12 and 16 inches from their shoulder. They weigh between 10 to 16 pounds.
However, certain AHTs are smaller or bigger than the standard or average breed.
Like other dogs in the Terrier breed, American hairless Terriers may be tiny; however, their personalities are far from it.
They are extremely energetic and will tell you whether something is happening in their head (or when they see someone at the door).
They don’t do well when left on their own for extended periods.
The AHT requires the attention and validation of their owners.
This makes them excellent pets for large families or active urban dwellers.
Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier, an American original and a breed that Teddy Roosevelt coined, is a small, and tough dog.
The Rat Terrier comes in two sizes and is a happy companion who is playful and mobile.
Rat Terriers are strong and elegant, with a compact build.
The two sizes that are available: Miniatures are 10 to 13 inches tall at the shoulders, while standards are 13 to 18 inches high.
There are many styles and colours available for this shiny, smooth coat that comes in varieties of pied patterns.
Rat Terriers might have brown and black spots over the head and large black spots on the body.
These exterminators have smooth muscles built to move efficiently during long work days.
With the right training, socialization and a certain forgiving of “bad” habits, the clever Rat Terrier can be an important part of your home.
Through breeding professionals and enthusiasts, The Rat Terrier survived his time being a less well-known breed and is gaining popularity again.
Smooth Fox Terrier
Smooth Fox Terrier is known as the “gentleman” of the terrier universe.
It is a friendly, lively, and gregarious terrier originally developed for Britain’s traditional hunts. They are closely related to Wire Fox Terriers.
The Smooths are only 15.5 inches tall at the shoulder as their crispy-coated cousins. Apart from the coat type, the most distinctive physical characteristic is the head.
A Smooth’s head has a more V-shaped head than a Wire.
Smooth Fox Terriers might have black or brown coloured spots over the head and body.
These hunters are sturdy and strong but not bulky or clunky. They are short-backed, symmetrical, and move with the same unfailing grace as a pendulum clock.
Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire was once a staple of traditional British foxhunts.
Today, it is an amusing companion and master show dog.
The Wire Fox Terrier is 16-18 pounds of coiled energy.
It is a strong, symmetrical, short-backed hunter that shines in its round, dark eyes. The predominant white coat is rough and wiry.
The V-shaped ears, which are folded forward to highlight the distinctive expression of the face, are neatly folded back.
Wire Fox Terriers can have tan, black, or black and tan spots on the head and body.
Families looking for a friendly, upbeat pet with lots of personalities will love Wires.
They are terriers with the independence and prey drive that a terrier can display.
They are intelligent and friendly.
Training can be difficult but not impossible.
Wires make great athletes and are natural comedians.
They also make charming housemates.
Photo credits
¹ Photo by Adria Ariste Santacreu on Flickr
² Photo by Adria Ariste Santacreu on Flickr
³ Photo by Maurio Cateb on Flickr
