Working terrier

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A working terrier is a type of terrier dog bred and trained to hunt vermin including a badger, fox, rat and other small mammals. This may require the working terrier pursuing the vermin into an underground warren. These working dog breeds are neither bred primarily for a dog show nor as a companion dog, rather they are valued for their ability to hunt, endurance and gameness. Working terriers provide utility on farms, for pest control and organized hunting activities. A terrierman leads a pack of terriers when they are working. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the name terrier dates back to 1410 in the writings of Edward of Norwich, 2nd duke of York (1373 – 1415). The word terrier in Old French derives from the Latin terra, which means "earth". The term terrier meaning "earth dog" or "dog of the earth" was used in the Middle Ages with the connection to the dog’s role of burrowing into the ground in pursuit of quarry, which eventually became the name of this group of hunting dogs. With the growth in popularity of fox hunting in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, terriers were extensively bred to follow the red fox, as well as the Eurasian badger, into their burrows. This is referred to as "terrier work" or "going to ground". The purpose of the terrier is to locate the burrow of the prey animal, and then either intimidate it into leaving its burrow or hold the prey still so it can be killed or captured. Working terriers can be no wider than the animals they hunt (chest circumference or "span" less than 35 cm or 14 inches) in order to fit into the burrows and still have room to maneuver. Terrier work has been condemned by British animal welfare organizations,...