This popular, portable pooch boasts brains and brawn…in miniature! Its glamorous trimmings today belie its working-class roots. Originally valued for its ratting abilities in the clothing mills of Yorkshire, England, this tenacious terrier was popular with weavers and its silky, luxurious coat was affectionately envied by those spinning the looms. These rugged ratters eventually transcended life in the mills and became luxurious companions to Europe’s upper crust. They are adaptable family pets, who do not have extensive exercise requirement but do need regular grooming and plenty of social interaction.
Each AKC approved purebred breed has its own national club. The mission of these “parent breed clubs” is to improve and preserve a particular breed by advancing knowledge about its history, its health and care requirements and by assuring that the breed’s form and function remain true to its historical physical type and character: A Dalmatian, for instance, should be athletic and have a natural affinity for working with horses. A Fox Terrier should have the right body size and shape, and a drive to go after vermin.
Pet owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and others with a special love for a breed, join the parent breed club to meet like-minded enthusiasts and to support the club’s mission.
The national parent breed club is the first place for the public to go to learn about a breed or find a knowledgeable, experienced breeder.
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
