Tenterfield Terrier
Encyclopedia
The Tenterfield Terrier is a small, lightweight terrier
developed from the Miniature Fox Terrier
s, and akin to Rat Terrier
s. Although it has English origins and was formally called the Mini Foxie, it was developed in Australia
. It has a smooth, predominantly-white coat and a natural bobtail
.
, the Tenterfield Terrier has a more square appearance and always has a smooth coat.
By the late 19th century a dog type known as the Little Foxie or the Miniature Fox Terrier (known colloquially as "Mini Foxies") was well established in rural Australia as a vermin killer and family companion. By the 1920s the dog was a fixture in urban households.
The name "Tenterfield" is sometimes incorrectly stated to denote the terrier’s place of origin as Tenterfield, New South Wales
. Rather, Tenterfield is only one of many Australian towns and villages in which small dogs of this type were known to exist. The town of Tenterfield is significant in Australian history, and the best-known owner of its saddlery was a man named George Woolnough, who was immortalized by his grandson, entertainer Peter Allen
, as the "Tenterfield Saddler". Mr. Woolnough owned a number of small dogs; however, photographs of these dogs are not available.
The name Tenterfield Terrier was suggested in the 1990s by television gardening personality Don Burke
, and was adopted by the South Australian Miniature Fox Terrier club.
formed the autonomous Miniature Fox Terrier Club of South Australia, separate to the Miniature Fox Terrier Club of Australia, which had been operating for some time. In 1992 they met with owners from other states to discuss the future of the Clubs. At that time, it became evident that there were differences as to the preferred type of dog that would represent the Miniature Fox Terrier breed. Further, challenges to the name “Miniature Fox Terrier” were being mounted, and threatened to preclude recognition by an All-Breed club, which was a priority among some breeders. In 1993 fanciers from South Australia and other states formed the Tenterfield Terrier Club of Australia. The breed standard of the Tenterfield Terrier differs from that of the Miniature Fox Terrier, and although they are sometimes confused, the two dogs have been developing along divergent lines for some time and are now separate breeds.
In 2002, the Tenterfield Terrier was recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and placed in Group 2, Terriers.
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
developed from the Miniature Fox Terrier
Miniature Fox Terrier
The Miniature Fox Terrier is a small, fine, lightweight working terrier developed as a hunting dog and vermin router. It is known colloquially in its native Australia as the “Mini Foxie”.- Appearance :...
s, and akin to Rat Terrier
Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is an American dog breed with a rich and varied background as an all-around farm dog and hunting companion. Traditionally more of a type than a breed, they share much ancestry with the tough little mixed-breed dogs known as feists...
s. Although it has English origins and was formally called the Mini Foxie, it was developed in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It has a smooth, predominantly-white coat and a natural bobtail
Natural bobtail
A natural bobtail is an animal's tail which due to a mutated gene grows unusually short or is missing completely. The genes for the shortened tail may be dominant or recessive....
.
Appearance
The Tenterfield Terrier is a small dog with a short, fine coat, predominantly white with markings in black, tan, liver or tri-colour that is combinations of white with black and tan markings or white with liver and tan markings. Their tail can be any length, since they carry the bob-tail gene. They stand 27 cm (11") and weigh around 5 kg (10 lb). While sometimes confused with the Jack Russell TerrierJack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
, the Tenterfield Terrier has a more square appearance and always has a smooth coat.
History
The forebears of the Tenterfield Terrier accompanied Australia's first white settlers who sailed from Portsmouth in the England's South. These small, predominantly-white dogs were vermin killers, weathering the harsh climate.By the late 19th century a dog type known as the Little Foxie or the Miniature Fox Terrier (known colloquially as "Mini Foxies") was well established in rural Australia as a vermin killer and family companion. By the 1920s the dog was a fixture in urban households.
The name "Tenterfield" is sometimes incorrectly stated to denote the terrier’s place of origin as Tenterfield, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Rather, Tenterfield is only one of many Australian towns and villages in which small dogs of this type were known to exist. The town of Tenterfield is significant in Australian history, and the best-known owner of its saddlery was a man named George Woolnough, who was immortalized by his grandson, entertainer Peter Allen
Peter Allen
Peter Allen was an Australian songwriter and entertainer. His songs were made popular by many recording artists, including Elkie Brooks, Melissa Manchester and Olivia Newton-John, with one, Arthur's Theme, winning an Academy Award in 1981...
, as the "Tenterfield Saddler". Mr. Woolnough owned a number of small dogs; however, photographs of these dogs are not available.
The name Tenterfield Terrier was suggested in the 1990s by television gardening personality Don Burke
Don Burke
Donald William "Don" Burke OAM is an Australian television personality and author. He is best known as the long time host of Burke's Backyard, a lifestyle program which ran for 17 years from 1987 to late 2004 on the Nine Network. It has returned several times over recent years with a number of...
, and was adopted by the South Australian Miniature Fox Terrier club.
Breed development
In 1991 a group of enthusiasts from the state of South AustraliaSouth Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
formed the autonomous Miniature Fox Terrier Club of South Australia, separate to the Miniature Fox Terrier Club of Australia, which had been operating for some time. In 1992 they met with owners from other states to discuss the future of the Clubs. At that time, it became evident that there were differences as to the preferred type of dog that would represent the Miniature Fox Terrier breed. Further, challenges to the name “Miniature Fox Terrier” were being mounted, and threatened to preclude recognition by an All-Breed club, which was a priority among some breeders. In 1993 fanciers from South Australia and other states formed the Tenterfield Terrier Club of Australia. The breed standard of the Tenterfield Terrier differs from that of the Miniature Fox Terrier, and although they are sometimes confused, the two dogs have been developing along divergent lines for some time and are now separate breeds.
In 2002, the Tenterfield Terrier was recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and placed in Group 2, Terriers.