History of the Club
In the mid-1980s onwards our little dogs could be seen at the closing of each television episode of Burkes Backyard as pets owned by Don Burke. The dogs had been known for generations as mini fox terriers. The dogs subsequently created sufficient popularity and interest around the country that by 1991 Mini Fox Terrier clubs were established in NSW, SA and WA. Over the next few years clubs developed in Victoria and Queensland.
The founding members of the WA Club played a key role in connecting with other clubs, ensuring everyone was aligned and allowing a standard to be developed.
When the decision was made to pursue official breed recognition with the Australian National Kennel Council, some Fox Terrier people expressed concerns regarding the chosen name, as our dogs did not represent a true miniaturization of the Fox Terrier breed. A name change was needed with options being put forward such as Ben Hall Terrier, Bendigo Terrier, Tenterfield Terrier and Glynburn Terrier, amongst others.
There was some resistance to the name change because the history of the dogs was cherished, however, more significantly, it was considered the best thing to do on the road to seeking recognition as an Australian breed. Over time the name Tenterfield Terrier became the most popular around Australia and by the late 1990’s all States’ Mini Fox Terrier Clubs changed to Tenterfield Terrier Clubs – except for the NSW Mini Foxie club which still exists under that name. (In 2015 we welcomed the newly established NSW Tenterfield Terrier Club in breeding officially recognised Tenterfield Terriers.)
The diligent efforts of numerous individuals, along with the meticulous maintenance of pedigrees over the years, were instrumental in the ANKC's decision at its October 2001 meeting to grant full recognition to the breed. In June 2002 Tenterfield Terriers were able to enter official events throughout Australia. Seven members of the WA Club entered the show ring at the Canine Association of WA not long after.
Tenterfield Terriers maintain their working terrier characteristics and intelligence and have gained status in many fields of competition such as Agility, Conformation, Fly Ball, Dancing with Dogs, Earthdog Trials and Scent Tracking. Since 2018 Australian Lions Hearing has been training Tenterfield Terriers as hearing assistance dogs and medical alert dogs. They are popular family pets known for being active, loyal, and low-maintenance.
If you own, or are interested in owning, a Tenterfield Terrier you are most welcome to join the Tenterfield Terrier Club of WA. Membership provides you with the Club’s quarterly magazine and discounted fees to fun days held throughout the year at parks and reserves around Perth’s suburbs. Please contact the Club’s Secretary for more information.