Terriers developed outside Great Britain
Terriers which developed outside Great Britain originate from British Terriers, but bear the name of their country of development. Mainly their origins were the Old English White Terrier and the Old English Black and Tan Terrier.
Carried on board sailing ships to kill the rats and mice that lived in the squalor of the ship's holds, most bear the name of their country of development. These include the Brazilian Terrier, the Japanese Terrier and the Tenterfield Terrier of Australia all of which also originated from the Old English White Terrier. On the other hand, the Australian Terrier was developed from a combination of Scotch terriers to produce a dog that would kill snakes as well as other indigenous Australian animals that threatened either the sheep farmer or his stock.
Australian in development, the forebears of the Tenterfield Terrier accompanied Australia's first white settlers who sailed from Portsmouth in England's South[1]. These small basically white dogs were vermin killers, surviving this harsh country without pampering. Today they are strong, hardy, active and agile, their smooth short coat making them 'easy care' family companions. Their unique feature is their naturally occuring bob tail which can come in any length.
The evolution of the Australian Terrier follows the history of white man's emigration to Australia in the early 1800's. With wool being Australia's first industry, early emigrants came from the sheep counties of the Scottish and Border regions of Great Britain. Usually considered to be made up of 'the best of the British terriers' remnants of his Scottish ancestry remain in today's breed standard in the form of his body proportions which are those of the old Rough Coated Scotch Terrier which preceded the Scottish and Skye Terriers, and his distinctive topknot which comes from the Dandie Dinmont.
German Hunting Terrier (Jagd Terrier)
The German Hunting Terrier was developed in Germany purely as a hunting dog. He obviously came from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier. In the 1800's the Old English White and Old English Black and Tan Terriers were similar in size, shape and coat type. Just as the function of the Old English White Terrier was split into the working Jack Russell Terrier and Fox Terrier showdog, the Old English Black and Tan Terrier was similarly split into various breeds of working terriers and showdogs.