Originating in England, the Tenterfield Terrier was developed in Australia. The Tenterfield Terrier originated in England when fox hunters required a small dog of great ability. A dog able to go to ground to chase vermin from their dens and then to leap onto the horse's saddlebags and pursue the chase with the hounds.
The early settlers brought the Tenterfield Terrier to Australia, as a working dog for vermin. The breed was widely used throughout England and Australia for ratting and rabbiting as well as fox hunting. Over the next hundred years or so, the breed became established in Australia; both as a working terrier and a family companion. Eventually, there was hardly a farm in Australian that did not have at least one of these Terriers.
Dating back to the early 1800s the Tenterfield Terrier is one of the few Australian - developed dogs and gained official recognition on the 1st January 2002. The dedication and hard work of many individuals in each state helped the Tenterfield, or 'Tentie" as they are affectionately known, to become recognised and the breed is now part of the 'official' dog world.
A true terrier, he is a strong, active, agile working dog. The Tenterfield is at home either hunting larger vermin on the land, hunting smaller vermin around the home and property, or curled up on a loving knee in front of the fire. Confident, with an eagerness to learn, he shows great loyalty to his owner and although bold and fearless at work. The Tenterfield gets on well with both children and the elderly.
Tenties are now to be seen in the show ring, competing in agility, endurance and earth dog trials and many other disciplines. Developed in Australia, he can now claim to be a 'True Aussie' and a great mate!
This rare photograph of a Tenterfield Terrier with a Police seach party and Aboriginal trackers is an important historical record of the Tenterfield Terrier during early Australian settlement.
It shows the photographic tradidions of the time and also locates the Tenterfield in the colonial Australian context.