Among the feistiest of all dog breeds are the terrier group. Originally bred to hunt rats and other small vermin, these pups are highly energetic and always ready to give you a piece of their mind.
There’s a certain je ne sais quoi that makes terriers popular among dog owners. Maybe it’s their confidence and how they hold themselves. But whatever it is, terriers are just absolutely adored.
As a matter of fact, the Westminster Dog show has awarded the coveted Best in Show prize to the Terrier group a dominating 47 times! That’s almost half of every single Westminster Show since its inception—with the most domineering breed being the Wire Fox Terrier.
Our 21 Favorite Terrier Mixed Breeds
With the love that is shown for Terriers, it comes as no surprise that this group is among the most crossbred out of any other dog. There are countless terrier mixed breeds, and it’s difficult to single out some of our favorites.
That being said, we’ve put together an awesome list of the more notable combinations (in no particular order).
1. Jack Chi
This Jack Russell Terrier-Chihuahua mix a perfect blend of smart athleticism and sassy sweetness. These pups are great family dogs for families with older children as their small stature may be a bit fragile for roughhousing toddlers still learning to play with dogs. But they’re super loyal to their families, and will often shadow their masters every chance they get.
2. Frenchton
One of the most commonly confused pairs of dog breeds is between the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier. So, why not go ahead and combine the two? The Frenchton is the result of that cross. These pups are absolutely incredible for just about anyone. If you’re a dog lover, they’ll fit in just fine anywhere. And while their personalities and sociability rival almost that of any other dog breed, they do carry their own set of issues. Belonging to a sect of Flat-Faced Dogs (Brachycephalic), they do have increased chances of respiratory problems—and they snore louder than a freight train.
3. Yorkiepoo
The Yorkiepoo is a very popular terrier mixed breed and for good reason! This Poodle–Yorkshire Terrier hybrid is a very social and intelligent breed. And while their Poodle intelligence and Terrier stubbornness makes them a challenge to train at first, it’s well worth the effort. Once properly trained, these pups are some of the best family dogs around—not to mention they’re hypoallergenic.
4. Cojack
What do you get when you mix the short-legged Corgi with a Jack Russell Terrier? A pooch straight from a 1970s detective drama—the Cojack. This absolutely adorable breed is a great combination of each breed’s features. They have a short, stocky build with perky ears (like the Corgi) and the iconic markings of a Jack Russel Terrier. And they’ve got a great temperament as well. They’re very personable with just the right amount of sass.
5. Bugg
If you’re looking for a dog that’s going to provide you with a barrel of laughs each day, consider the Bugg. The Bugg is a mix between two of the biggest clowns of the dog world: The Pug and the Boston Terrier. They’re super easy to train and manage—plus they’re absolutely perfect for families with younger children. However, the Bugg is another brachycephalic breed which may lead to future respiratory issues.
6. Schnoodle
The Schnoodle is a very unique terrier mixed breed—or mixed breed in general—because you can choose between different sizes of this hybrid. This breed is a mix between a Poodle and a Schnauzer, each of which has different size variations. They can look wildly different even within the breed, but one thing remains certain. These dogs are active, loyal, and super smart.
7. Jackabee
This Jack Russell/Beagle cross is one of the newest terrier hybrids you’ll find. Jackabees are extremely inquisitive and chock full of personality just like their parent lineages. They love to track scents and have a bit of wanderlust, so it’s best to keep them in a securely contained yard or leashed when outside. If kept fenced, you want to be sure you’ve got something along the lines of an 8-ft privacy fence as well. These dogs have been known to jump as high as 5-6 ft!
8. Morkie
The Morkie is a mixed breed from the Yorkshire Terrier and the Slacker King of all Dogs—the Maltese. And they definitely get that lazy gene from their Maltese side. There’s nothing more they’d love to do than to curl up in your lap and snooze. However, they do get their playful spurts. And it’s not uncommon to find them zooming around your house for twenty minutes or so before heading back for a well-earned nap.
9. Airedoodle
Perhaps the most well-known mixed breed of any dog group is the Labradoodle. The Airedoodle is the Terrier group’s response. Except instead of just one parent being hypoallergenic (as in the case of the Labradoodle), both the Airedale and Poodle lines of this breed are. This makes this pup one of the best choices out of any dog breed for allergy sufferers. Plus, they’re super laid-back and great with kids, other dogs, or other pets in general.
10. Airedale Shepherd
The Airedale Shepherd is a great cross between the Airedale Terrier and the German Shepherd. There’s nothing more that these dogs love than to be actively playing outside. If you’re an adventurous sort, this breed is the perfect companion to take hiking, fishing, camping, and swimming. And the German Shepherd side of them makes the breed exceptionally easy to train and care for.
11. Shorkie
The Shorkie is an adorable cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu. These are tiny dogs that are huge in personality. They can be fierce, loyal, and stubborn, and will often be highly protective of their owners. This overprotective streak makes them ideal for singles or couples, but these assertive little pooches may not go down well with small children. They also have a stubborn streak that can make them a real challenge to train.
Despite these somewhat fiery traits, they are loving, affectionate dogs that become small shadows to their owners.
12. Chorkie
This Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahua hybrid are a playful and friendly breed that will make fast friends with children, and other family pets, too. They are adorable pint-sized pooches that love to play. These dogs become highly attached to their owners and will not be happy to be left alone for even the shortest amount of time. They can be wary of strangers and may show some aggression with people they don’t know.
13. Whoodle
A cross between a Poodle and Wheaton Terrier, Whoodles are as friendly as they are smart, and this combination makes for an ideal family pet. They are curious dogs that are always looking for adventure and will love sniffing out new scents while out on a walk. They are natural and confident leaders, so you’ll need to make sure they know who is in charge, otherwise, they will swiftly take on the role themselves.
14. Highland Maltie
The Highland Maltie is a hybrid cross between the Highland Terrier and the Maltese Poodle, both of which are popular pint-sized dog breeds. They are lively and intelligent little dogs with a touch of mischievousness thrown in that can make them disobedient at times. But they make up for this quirk with a sweetness that is impossible to stay mad at. Plus, they are wonderful family companions who get on great with children.
15. Labrabull
The Labrabull is a hybrid mix of America’s sweetheart, the Labrador, and arguably the most feared (albeit misunderstood) dog in the world, the American Pitbull Terrier. Pitbulls, despite their reputation, are friendly dogs that when trained well and socialized early are great family pets. This trait combined with Labrador’s well-known status as the perfect family pet makes for a calm, friendly, and loyal dog that will do anything to protect their family.
16. Pitsky
A cross between an American Pitbull Terrier and Husky, the Pitsky is one unique pooch. While these parent breeds may seem worlds apart, they are both friendly, loyal, and dedicated to their owners. You can be sure of both strength and stamina with a Pitsky, and it will take a lot to get these powerful dogs tired out. Both parent breeds have a well-documented history of close relationships with humans, and so the Pitsky is sure to be a loyal and dedicated companion.
17. Pitbull Mastiff
This giant breed is a cross between the American Pitbull Terrier and Mastiff and is a powerful and intimidating animal. These dogs are not for first-time owners. Even though they are intelligent and highly trainable, they are strong-willed animals that will need firm and consistent owners who can remain assertive under pressure. That said, with the correct training they are friendly and loyal dogs that actually make wonderful family pets.
18. Pitweiler
The Pitweiler is a cross between an American Pitbull and Rottweiler, two dogs with deservedly infamous reputations. They are loyal, courageous, and dedicated companions with soft hearts, and with the right training and socialization are patient and gentle with children. They are so enamored by their human companions that they will suffer greatly when left alone for too long. They are ideal watchdogs, and great for active owners who enjoy being outdoors.
19. Bullboxer
A mix between a Boxer and Pitbull Terrier, the Bullboxer is a faithful, loyal, and energetic dog that is the ideal companion for active owners. They are strong and athletic dogs that need an assertive and confident owner. With the essential direction and training, they make great family pets who are calm and patient with children and will become their devoted protectors.
20. Ratcha
The Ratcha is a hybrid dog breed that is relatively unknown and is a cross between an American Rat Terrier and Chihuahua. These are high-energy dogs that are loyal almost to a fault, leading them to be overprotective of their owners. This can sometimes lead to aggression if they are not socialized and trained correctly. They will usually bond strongly with one owner and prefer to be the only dog in the home, as they don’t have a strong pack instinct. They have a strong prey drive that will make like difficult for your cats or other small pets, and occasionally your children too!
21. Scottland Terrier
Lastly, we have a Terrier mixed with a Terrier! The Scottland Terrier is a hybrid mix of the Scottish Terrier and West Highland White Terrier. These breeds both originated in Scotland, and so the Scotland Terrier is often lovingly referred to as the “Ultimate Terrier”. They are everything you can imagine an “Ultimate Terrier” to be: intelligent, loyal, playful, and entertaining. They have a ton of character that is sure to win your heart, and their patience and playfulness will be sure to win your family’s heart, too.
Conclusion
ConclusionThere are so many different types of Terrier mixes out there, and that culminates in a bunch of unique and unusual hybrids. From the joker Bugg to the sneeze-free Airedoodle, Terrier mixes can fill even some of the most strange niches.
Terrier mixed breeds do seem to share a few characteristics in common. First, they usually make pretty great family dogs. Many are sociable not just with family but guests and other pets too. Second, they’re pretty active pets—even the Morkie is prone to a case of the zoomies every now and then. And lastly, they’re very loyal dogs. They just love to serve their masters and will look after them with a keen and watchful eye.
Featured Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
