Quick Take
- Reaching full maturity requires only 9 months when adhering to a strict developmental timeline.
- Failing to meet the 60-minute daily exercise mark often results in destructive separation anxiety.
- Using a boar’s hair tool is necessary for managing a short-haired dog’s skin health.
- Early settlers transported these dogs to Australia to fulfill a specific farm protection requirement.
The Tenterfield Terrier is a smart, active, and friendly dog. This breed is a relative of the miniature fox terrier that originated in England in the mid-1800s. Early settlers traveled with these terriers to Australia, where they became known as Tenterfield Terriers. They were named after a town in New South Wales. They were bred to chase foxes, rats, and other unwanted small animals away from farms and homes. Tenterfield Terriers are in the Terrier group.
This terrier breed is affectionate, playful, and adapts well to its environment. They get along well with children and love to be with their family!
3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Tenterfield Terrier
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easily trained This Australian breed is easy to train due to its intelligence. | High-energy dogs Like most terriers, Tenterfields are high-energy and need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. |
| A simple grooming routine This is a low-shedding dog, so it needs a minimal amount of grooming. | Separation anxiety These terriers do not like being left alone for hours at a time. Oftentimes, they chew things to relieve their anxiety. |
| Good with children Tenterfield Terriers are affectionate and playful dogs that love being around kids and adults alike. | A big barker This breed of terrier barks a lot, but this can be addressed with obedience lessons. |
Tenterfield Terrier Size and Weight
Tenterfield Terriers are small terriers with a coat of short hair. The average height of a standard male Tenterfield Terrier is 11 inches, while the average height of a female is 10 inches. Males of this breed weigh around 10 pounds, whereas standard females weigh 9 pounds. At 9 weeks of age, Tenterfield Terrier puppies weigh around 4 pounds. They are considered fully grown at 9 months.
Tenterfield Terriers are small terriers with short hair.
©Roman Belogorodov/Shutterstock.com
Tenterfield Terrier vs Mini Foxie
Miniature Fox Terriers, also called the Mini Foxie, are relatives of the Tenterfield Terrier. So, it’s no surprise these two breeds have a lot in common. But there are some subtle differences to take into account.
In terms of size, these two breeds are about the same weight and height. They both have a low amount of shedding and require minimal grooming. Both of these terriers are playful, intelligent, bold, and make good watchdogs.
One of the differences between the standard Tenterfield Terrier and the Mini Foxie is in the texture of their coat. While a Tenterfield Terrier’s coat is smooth and sparse, a Mini Foxie’s coat is dense. Another difference is the cost. Breeders tend to charge a higher price for Tenterfield Terriers than for Mini Foxies. The lifespan of a Mini Foxie is generally similar to or slightly longer than that of a Tenterfield Terrier.
Common Health Issues
Tenterfield Terriers have a few common health issues for an owner to keep in mind. One of those is called Patellar luxation. This is when the dog’s kneecap moves out of place. Decreased range of movement and limping are both signs of this issue. Surgery may be required to solve this problem.
A second common health issue is allergies. Tenterfield Terriers are vulnerable to environmental and food allergies. Symptoms of allergies include an abundance of scratching, redness, dry skin, or bald patches in the dog’s coat. A dog can be tested to find various allergies. Dietary changes or medication can both help a terrier with allergies.
A third common health issue is obesity. These dogs are small in size, so giving them more food than necessary quickly adds up to unnecessary weight gain. A set amount of food and regular exercise both go a long way to preventing obesity.
Temperament and Behavior
Tenterfield Terriers have a playful, affectionate personality. This is what makes them such a great dog for active families with kids. Their high level of energy is one of their most well-known traits. This small breed of dog loves to run, jump, and breathe in the fresh air!
These smart canines are always on alert, so they are likely to bark when there’s a knock at the door or when they spot someone on the property. This barking behavior is a way for Tenterfield Terriers to protect their beloved family.
How to Take Care of a Tenterfield Terrier
Taking care of a pet Tenterfield Terrier is easier if an owner learns about its diet, exercise needs, grooming routine, and common health issues. Whether someone gets a Tenterfield Terrier puppy or an adult dog, knowing all about the breed is helpful.
The Best Dog Food
Tenterfield Terrier puppies and adult dogs have different dietary needs. Providing them with a balanced diet according to the dog’s age can help fend off common health issues. Look into limited-ingredient diet and allergy-care dog foods.
Puppy food: Protein in a Tenterfield Terrier puppy’s diet supports their developing muscles, organs, joints, and tendons. Getting enough lean protein in its diet may help this terrier to avoid Patellar luxation. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids contribute to brain and vision development in a puppy, along with supporting healthy skin and nails. Fat gives them the energy to explore their surroundings and play. For the first six months of the puppy’s life, feed it three or four small meals per day. This helps them get the energy they need without putting on excess weight. Fiber in the diet helps with this canine’s digestion. Calcium is essential for healthy teeth and bones.
Tenterfield Terrier adult dog food: Chicken, salmon, and lean beef are all good sources of protein in an adult Tenterfield Terrier’s diet. Protein strengthens muscles and keeps organs healthy. A limited amount of fat in an adult terrier’s diet reduces the chances it will become obese. Calcium keeps an adult dog’s teeth and bones in good condition. Vitamin A is important for good vision, while vitamin C supports a healthy immune system.
Maintenance and Grooming
How much do Tenterfield Terriers shed? Though some breeders advertise their Tenterfield puppies as hypoallergenic, they do have a low amount of shedding. These dogs could be considered hypoallergenic simply because they are not likely to shed enough hair to bother an owner’s allergies.
The grooming routine for this breed is simple. This dog needs to be brushed once a week. A grooming glove is a good tool for removing the small number of short hairs this dog is shedding. A brush with soft boar’s hair bristles is great for bringing out the natural shine in its coat.
Since this breed is prone to allergies, be on the lookout for redness, rashes, dry skin, or bald patches. A veterinarian can diagnose the issue and provide a topical salve and prevention advice.
Training
Training this breed is a relatively easy process. They are intelligent and get bored easily, so short obedience training sessions are recommended.
Exercise
Tenterfield Terriers have a lot of energy they need to release. So, 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day is essential. They like playing fetch in the backyard as long as there’s a lot of high-speed running involved.
Another idea is to take them for a walk on the leash through the neighborhood or in a park. Allowing these terriers off the leash is another great way to let them get their energy out. However, be sure the area is enclosed or that the dog is trained well enough to come back when called. Tenterfield Terriers are famous for taking off after birds and other small animals. An owner must ensure the dog is in a safe area before letting it run.
This breed can adapt to apartment living as long as they continue to get enough exercise each day.
Puppies
As puppies, Tenterfield Terriers love to run and explore just as much as adult dogs. Once again, having a fenced-in area where a puppy can exercise and sniff around safely is essential.
Tenterfield Terrier and Children
A socialized Tenterfield Terrier is a good choice for a family with children. These dogs are fun-loving and enjoy playing games. In fact, a puppy or a socialized adult dog are a good choice for a family’s first pet.
Dogs Similar to Tenterfield Terriers
Some dogs similar to Tenterfield Terriers include Smooth Fox Terriers, Lakeland Terriers, and Cairn Terriers.
- Smooth Fox Terrier: Smooth Fox Terriers and Tenterfield Terriers are both tri-colored dogs. They are both smart and lively. However, Smooth Fox Terriers weigh more than Tenterfield Terriers.
- Lakeland Terrier: Lakeland Terriers are intelligent and friendly, just like Tenterfield Terriers. But Lakeland Terriers tend to grow to a larger size.
- Cairn Terrier: Like Tenterfield Terriers, Cairn Terriers are affectionate and friendly. Also, they are about the same size. But Tenterfield Terriers are usually tri-colored, while Cairns are generally a solid color.
Tenterfield Terrier Pictures
View all of our Tenterfield Terrier pictures in the gallery.
Roman Belogorodov/Shutterstock.com
