Mainly bred for hunting vermin and other small animals, Terriers are now popular pets known for their fun, and energetic personalities.
They account for 27 of the 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds.
And choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
The Kennel Club separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
So you are looking for a dog that is determined, brave and independent, then it’s worth considering a breed from the Terrier Group.
The Kennel Club recently released their breed registration statistics for the first quarter of 2025, revealing how many of each breed of dog were registered with them over the first three months of the year.
According to those figures, here are the 11 most popular Terrier dogs in the UK right now.
5. Jack Russell Terrier
It's been a good year for the Jack Russell Terrier - named after Reverend Jack Russell. There have been 146 registrations so far - there were only 318 in the whole of 2024. They're now the fifth most popular terrier, having only squeezed into the top 10 last year. They were first bred in the early 19th century and used to hunt vermin. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Cairn Terrier
Originating from the Scottish Highlands, the Cairn Terrier is recognised as one of the oldest breeds of working dog and just misses out on a top five spot. There have been 121 Kennel Club registrations so far this year. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Norfolk Terrier
Only officially recognised as an independent breed in 1964, the Norfolk Terrier is a close cousin of the Norwich Terrier - distinguished by its folded ears. There have been 111 Kennel Club registrations in 2025 so far. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Airedale Terrier
Known as the King of Terriers, due to it being the largest of the group, the Airedale Terrier originated near the River Aire in Yorkshire. There have been 101 registrations do far this year. | Canva/Getty Images