Announcing that you own a terrier doesn't really say much. There are so many varieties of this breed that it's hard to keep track of them all. They vary from the miniature toy Yorkie to the relatively enormous Airedale, from the small but feisty Westie to the lovable yet fierce American Pit Bull Terrier.

In the middle is a vast assortment of other breeds. Jack Russells continue to be a popular pet because of their good nature and ceaseless vitality. Scotties and Cairns are also popular choices due to a good measure of Scottish charm and their handsome appearance. Fox Terriers, both Smooth and Wire-Haired, are one more breed that beguiles the most hard hearted, just like the celebrated Asta did years ago in the Thin Man movies.

A number of these breeds got their start over 200 years in the past as working terriers. They were bred to hunt, keep the number of rats in check and discourage pesky animals from hanging around. The characteristics that were encouraged to bring about the desired conduct - bravery, endurance, and strength, among others - have occasionally returned to the dismay of today's masters. Terriers can certainly be an endurance test.

Their disposition continues after all this time. Their attitude, often stubborn, yet forever prepared to play, can make their training a challenging undertaking. Terriers, to a greater extent than the ordinary, call for patience and perseverance. The payback is wonderful, however. Terriers are very loyal and form a strong bond with their family or owner.

They do need a certain amount of upkeep. For example, long-haired, silken Yorkies require scheduled brushing. But since they don't have an undercoat, shedding is minor. The compact undercoat and rough pelt of a Kerry Blue, on the other hand, will require frequent clipping and attention to keep it in good shape.

Since they are highly competitive and full of vigor, a number of terriers don't particularly care for nail and hair grooming. Even more than a lot of other breeds, it's essential to make clear early on that you are the alpha dog and will tolerate no mutiny.

To assist with that job, today's dog owners are fortunate to have a range of useful equipment readily available. For many dogs a straightforward yet sturdy leash and collar are sufficient. Others will need, for both their benefit and yours, a strong halter and perhaps even a muzzle.

In order to care for them properly, you need this kind of security, but you also need to pay attention to their diet. A few breeds have tender tummies. The Boston Terrier is a good illustration of this. They are not the only ones, however. Many a Yorkie has annoyed its master by demanding a lot of effort to come up with just the right diet.

A number of terrier breeds are more inclined than others to specific ailments like cardiomyopathy and von Willebrand's disease. All in all, though, dog diseases are comparatively uncommon (nowadays, at any rate). Yet terriers get their share or maybe even somewhat more.

Nevertheless, in spite of the requirements of diet, grooming and training, every owner of a terrier will attest to the fact that this breed is worth every bit of effort they expend.

Terriers are one of the most assorted breeds, running from the miniature toy Yorkie to the big Airedale. First bred to hunt and snare small animals, the breed has mostly altered its function in people's lives over the last couple hundred years. However, the broad array of sizes, dispositions and appearance has made terriers one of the favorite groups of dogs worldwide.

Even inside an individual subset, like the smaller breeds, diversity is all over the place among terriers. Jack Russells act and look quite different than Westies. A Scottie and a Yorkie are approximately equivalent in size, but have really dissimilar attitudes, although still holding a number of typical terrier features in common.

Mid sized terriers, like the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Welsh Terrier, could scarcely appear less alike. To the uninformed, it would be difficult to come up with grounds to place them in the same class. Even so, both have comparable ancestry, having been bred close to each other by today's standards of distance.

Bigger terriers look even less alike than their smaller relatives. The Airedale, the Irish Terrier and the Lakeland Terrier are a good deal more alike in looks and conduct to each other than to the smaller breeds. All the same, a Kerry Blue - although a great deal bigger than a Scottie - was developed in related conditions and demonstrates similar behaviors. This is seen in the stance, the coat and other characteristics, like their liveliness and capable knack for mountain herding.

These breeds are all quite dissimilar to others that bear the terrier label. The Border Terrier looks like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, although the former is considerably taller. Both feature a close coat, square head, and alert demeanor. However, you couldn't come up with two terriers more closely linked, while appearing completely different, than the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire-Haired Fox.

The 'similarity within variety' is no chance event, naturally. First developed to hunt, a number of terrier breeds were specialized for a particular type of quarry. Rabbit and fox are sufficiently alike to be hunted by the same breed. Yet animals that reside higher up, like tree squirrels, need another method.

That distinction acquired even greater prominence as the generations passed and hunting became rarer. Everything from sporting events to movie production, from guard dog and drug-sniffing responsibilities to Border Patrol has called terriers into service. Raising a dog to help the deaf is of course going to require a somewhat different program from one who will just be a household pet.

Preferences in terriers are as all-encompassing as the breeds themselves. Some people enjoy the portability and precious appearance of a small Westie. Other people will find their hearts taken by a tiny schnauzer, with its floppy ears and questioning gaze. Yet others aren't able to withstand the lovable nature of an Airedale and love their tall, majestic stance and striking good looks.

However, whether your preference is for the Manchester, looking much like a Doberman, or for the petite Norfolk, there is a terrier perfect for you.

Due to their tremendous variety, it's hard to suggest grooming tips that are appropriate to every terrier. There are, however, two basic types of coat, and most terriers will feature one or the other. There are the breeds with long, silken hair and no undercoat, and then there are the terriers that sport a dense undercoat.

For those that have long, soft coats frequent brushing is a necessity. You'll probably also want to trim the coat to a length where it's not dragging along the ground when walking. This isn't suggested for show dogs, however. Instead, plucking and stripping are used to groom these animals, although pet owners might decide to use these techniques as well.

Plucking involves gripping dead hair between the thumb and fingers and giving a swift, steady yank. Hold the skin down with your other hand to avoid pain. Choose just those hairs that are almost ready to fall out in any case. Young growth is securely rooted.

Stripping involves the use of a stripping knife. Use this instrument throughout the coat to get rid of dead hairs and bring back luster and smoothness, moving in the direction that the hair grows. Use the instrument properly so you don't inadvertently pull out live hair.

Clipping is suitable for those breeds with a wiry, coarse coat. Run a #7 blade down the back, beginning at the head and moving in the direction of the tail. Next clip the chest, elbows and outer thighs. Be sure you're clipping in the direction of the hair growth. For Miniature Schnauzers, keep going inside the thigh. A #10 blade is a good choice for clipping the crown, muzzle and ears. You can trim the eyebrows with some round end scissors.

Thinning shears are another useful tool for this type of coat. In combination with a comb, you can swiftly move through the dense patches. Utilize the round end scissors once again to clip around the outside and inside of the ears.

A wire comb is helpful for stimulating the skin, removing dead skin cells and loosening tangles. Move slowly in those patches that are resistant, and use a strong and steady stroke in the more cooperative parts. To get rid of obstinate matted hair, use the utmost care and clip off the mat by gently tugging it away from the skin and easing your scissors in between the mat and skin. If it's quite near the skin, nip off a small piece at a time and work the hair out bit by bit.

For all of these grooming techniques, make sure you're using pet grooming supplies that are specific to the task at hand. Don't try to make do with products designed for people. Your terrier has special needs that must be met with the correct equipment.

If possible, do your grooming on a table or platform. A solid kitchen table, properly covered, is effective. Even a slab of wood placed over the tub, covered with a non-stick rubber mat, will work. Or you can buy a dog grooming table. The best setup will involve a sturdy raised surface with lots of light, where you can move about to view the dog from various perspectives. Professional equipment normally has a halter to limit the dog's movements.