Terrier Mix Breeds – Everything You Need To Know

If you are looking for a great combination of two brilliant pure-breed dog mixes, consider one of the parent breeds to be a terrier mix. 

There are different types of terrier dog breeds, and cross-breeding with any one of them is an excellent option for you. 

But if you are unaware of the terrier breeds and don’t know their qualities, then keep scrolling to find out everything you are looking for. 

Terrier Dog Breeds: History and Origin

Before discussing the Terrier mix breeds, let’s first explore the history and origin of Terrier dog breeds. Terriers originated on the British Isles and were primarily bred to control pests such as vermin and foxes. The name “terrier” comes from the Latin word “terra,” meaning earth, which reflects their original purpose of digging and hunting underground.

Development and Types of Terrier Breeds

Initially, there were two main types of terriers:

• Long-legged Terriers: These were developed to hunt more giant game and were often used in fox hunting.

• Short-legged Terriers: These were bred to hunt smaller vermin and were more suited to digging out burrowing animals.

During the 18th century, terriers were often crossed with hounds to improve their hunting abilities and with fighting dog breeds to enhance their tenacity and courage. 

This led to the development of various terrier breeds, each with specific traits suited to different hunting and pest control types. This led to the creation of modern terrier breeds that we know today. 

Types Of Terrier Breeds

These modern terrier breeds are categorized into several groups based on their size and function:

• Hunting Terriers: Examples include the Jack Russell Terrier and the Rat Terrier, which are still used for hunting and pest control.

• Bull-type Terrier: These include breeds like the Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, initially bred for bull-baiting and dog-fighting but have since become popular family pets.

• Toy Terriers: Breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Terrier were bred from larger terriers and are now primarily kept as companion dogs.

You can go through the table below to look at all the different types of Terrier breeds and the groups they belong to based on their size:

Breed	Origin	Breed Group
Airedale Terrier	England	Large Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier	United States	Bull-type Terrier
Australian Terrier	Australia	Small Terrier
Bedlington Terrier	England	Medium Terrier
Border Terrier	England	Small Terrier
Bull Terrier	England	Bull-type Terrier
Cairn Terrier	Scotland	Small Terrier
Cesky Terrier	Czech Republic	Small Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier	Scotland	Small Terrier
Fox Terrier (Smooth)	England	Medium Terrier
Fox Terrier (Wire)	England	Medium Terrier
Irish Terrier	Ireland	Medium Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier	England	Small Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier	Ireland	Medium Terrier
Lakeland Terrier	England	Medium Terrier
Manchester Terrier	England	Small Terrier
Miniature Bull Terrier	England	Bull-type Terrier
Norfolk Terrier	England	Small Terrier
Norwich Terrier	England	Small Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier	England	Small Terrier
Rat Terrier	United States	Small Terrier
Scottish Terrier	Scotland	Small Terrier
Sealyham Terrier	Wales	Small Terrier
Skye Terrier	Scotland	Small Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier	England	Bull-type Terrier
Welsh Terrier	Wales	Medium Terrier
West Highland White Terrier	Scotland	Small Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier	England	Toy Terrier

Terriers are known for their courage, tenacity, and loyalty, making them popular pets and working dogs even today. Their history reflects their adaptability and the evolving needs of their human companions.

Popular Terrier Mix Breeds

Now that we know all the different types of terrier breeds, let’s look at the various terrier mixes. 

1. The Morkie (Maltese X Yorkshire Terrier Mix)

A Morkie results from what happens when you cross-breed a Maltese and a Yorkshire terrier. This dog is the perfect lap dog you can get. They are very energetic and would chase around a ball all day if they wanted to. 
For the most part, Morkies are one-person dogs; they get attached to one person rather than everyone in the family. This terrier mix is best suited for individuals and not for families. But they can be trained to be family dogs as well.

2. The Highland Maltie (Maltese X West Highland Terrier Cross)

A great terrier mix is if you cross a Maltese with a West Highland terrier, also known popularly as the little white dog, the Maltie is just perfect. These dogs are smaller but super caring and intelligent, making the best companions. 

The Maltie is also hypoallergenic since both its parents have hypoallergenic coats. Being hypoallergenic, they don’t shed, making them perfect for people with allergies or if you don’t like fur all around your house.

3. The Jackabee (Beagle X Jack Russell Terrier Mix) 

When you cross a beagle and a Jack Russell terrier mix, you get the cutest thing ever: a Jackabee. These are medium-sized, friendly, and pleasant dogs with a very active lifestyle. 

Being half beagles, they are great at smelling and sniffing things around. Since they are easy to train, they make for great family dogs. 

4. The  Shorkie (Shih Tzu X Yorkshire Terrier Mix)

The Shih Tzu and Yorkie terrier mix or a Shorkie is a great dog if you are looking for one with a great personality.  These dogs will be completely attached to you and follow you around throughout the house. 

But they could be better for people who are first-time dog parents. They are challenging to take care of. The Shorkie is also a one-person dog and demonstrates undying loyalty towards their masters. So, if you are looking for a family dog, the Shorkie is not for you.

5. The Chorkie (Chihuahua X Yorkshire Terrier Mix)

If you want a dog with a tiny figure but a larger-than-life personality, then the Chorkie is the breed for you. They are a Yorkshire terrier mix with a chihuahua, making the perfect handbag pupper. 

These dogs are not perfect as family dogs since they are one-person dogs and get hostile against others around them. The Chorkies require a lot of mental stimulation and exercise and must be trained to be around others.

6. The Jackahuahua or Jack Chi (Chihuahua X Jack Russell Terrier Mix)

If you love the sassy chihuahuas and the athletic Jack Russel terrier, you will love the Jackahuahua or Jack Chi. This tiny dog is a perfect Chihuahua and Jack Russell terrier mix, making them active, clever, sassy, and sweet. 

 These Jack chis make the perfect little companion for you as they won’t leave your side, and they are also great as a family dog.

7. The Whoodle (Poodle X Wheaten Terrier Mix)

Do you know what a Whoodle is? It is a Wheaton terrier mix with a poodle; by that, only you know that they will look like a fluffy teddy bear. These dogs are great with any family equation but don’t go along with other pets. 

Due to their natural tendency to chase other animals, they are great as farm dogs. But this chasing nature can be fixed with proper training since they are young.

8. The Yorkipoo (Poodle X Yorkshire Terrier Mix)

Yorkipoo is a cute name, so I think the breed will also be adorable. A Yorkshire terrier mix with a poodle is going to be so pretty. Although they are a cute breed, they can be difficult for first-time dog parents, as they are very stubborn. 

But since they are intelligent and friendly, they are great for families. The breed is excellent for kids since the poodle loves to play around kids.

9. The Frenchton (French Bulldog X Boston Terrier Mix)

If you love a French bulldog, crossing it with a Boston terrier mix will make a bubbly little buddy for you, which is the Frenchton. 

The dog was bred originally for the genetic issue of Brachycephalic, a respiratory disease seen in dogs. The mix of these two dog breeds creates a playful and bubbly pet perfect for every dog parent. 

 10. The Airedale Shepherd (German Shepherd X Airedale Terrier Mix)

Being a more extensive terrier mix, the Airedale shepherd, part GSD, and part Airedale terrier, is a great outdoor dog that loves hiking, swimming, and running. 

These dogs love to exercise and need about 120 minutes each day. Being half GSD, these dogs are very obedient and easily trained, so they are great for first-time parents.

Common Health Issues and How To Care For Terrier Mix Breeds

Each dog breed is different from one another. Still, we, as dog parents, should take extra care to keep our pups healthy and happy. So, to make things easy for all new dog parents, here are some tips and advice you need to know when caring for your terrier mix breed dog.

Accommodation

Regarding accommodation, a terrier mix would thrive in places with ample space outside the house where the dog can run around. Next, you need to ensure that there are enough explorable places near your house so your dog can explore by himself. Finally, your home should have enough room for the dog to roam around. Otherwise, the dog might feel cooped up.

Exercise Needs

Terrier mix dogs are pretty active by nature. Without enough exercise, the dogs can gain weight. This is never good, as dogs are meant to be agile. Ensure your Terrier mix gets around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. These exercise sessions can include fetch sessions, play sessions in the yard or park, long runs, etc. This would keep your terrier active.

Grooming Needs

Unlike most breeds, terrier mix breeds do not need frequent grooming. Your terrier mix would only need bathing once a month. However, depending upon the length and thickness of your dog’s coat, they can need brushing daily. Also, make sure that you keep your dog’s nails trimmed to keep it mobile and agile. 

Terrier Mix Breeds Health Issues You Need To Know.

Researchers believe hybrid mixes like the one in question are some of the most resilient breeds of dogs out there. The reason behind this resilience is the extensive gene pool that they come from. 

Therefore, terrier mixes are generally healthy dogs that do not suffer from many ailments. Still, things can turn out worse. So, it is better to know about some of the ailments these mixes suffer from.

Some of these common health problems include the following:

• Genetic heart disease
• Bone and joint complications
• Allergies
• Hip or elbow dysplasia
• Luxating Patella or loose kneecap syndrome.
• Anemia

Therefore, veterinarians suggest you take your dog to regular checkups to learn more about your dog’s health. 

There you go. I have explained what a terrier mix is and how many terrier mixes there are, and now you can decide which mix of terrier breeds you want. So, if you are sure about your choice, leave a comment below, letting us know which breed of terrier mix you chose.