How Big Do Terrier Mixes Get?
How Big Do Terrier Mixes Get? What You Need to Know
Terrier mixes are popular and there are dozens of combinations and potential parent options that terrier mixes can have. While this gives you plenty of options to choose from it can make it hard to know what size dog you’re getting. For example, a Yorkshire terrier mix might weigh less than 5 pounds, while an Airedale terrier can weigh more than 70 pounds. This is a huge gap and depending on the size of your home, age of your children, and your tolerance for bigger dogs, you might be more limited in the type of terrier you can adopt.
For this reason, it’s important to understand how big some of the most popular terrier mixes can get based on the national average. So, how big do terriers get? Read on to find out.
How Big Do Common Terrier Mixes Get?
There are a handful of common and popular terrier mixes that you can adopt. We’ll focus on these breeds because there are hundreds of potential combinations with various weight options. The good news is that most of the terrier mixes you’ll come across are found below. Still, it’s important to note that there can be some variations because some terriers may have different genetic backgrounds and parents.
1. Jack Russell Terrier Mixes
One of the most popular terrier mixes is the Jack Russell terrier. This dog has been around since the 1800s and is one of the most established terrier mixes out there due to their size and hunting abilities. These dogs will often have unique color markings and can weigh up to 20 or 30 pounds and stand at 18-21 inches at the shoulder. They’re one of the more energetic terrier mixes as well.
2. Pitbull Terrier Mix
Pitbull and terrier mixes have been around for a few centuries due to their popularity, temperament, and frightening appearance as watchdogs. You may also know these dogs as American Staffordshire terriers and they’re sometimes called American bullies. These dogs usually weigh around 35-70 pounds and stand at about 18-21 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are usually smaller than males as well.
3. Rat Terrier Mix
The rat terrier is a medium-sized terrier mix. This breed has been around for a while and it even has some genes from dogs that aren’t around anymore. They’re the result of generations of breeding terriers and other dogs like beagles, Italian greyhounds, English white terrier, whippet, and the bull terrier. When it comes to their weight, rat terrier mixes weigh about 10 to 25 pounds. They stand at around 10 to 18 inches at the shoulder. This makes them medium-sized dogs.
4. Terrier Poodle Mix
Terrier poodle mixes are a combination of poodles and a terrier. These dogs belong to a group of dogs known as doodles, which are breeds mixed with poodles of varying sizes. A terrier poodle mix won’t usually be more than 45 pounds and they can be as small as 10 pounds. At the shoulder terrier poodle mixes will reach between 18-28 inches depending on the size of the poodle that’s mixed with the terrier. This is because terriers mixed with toy poodles will be much smaller than terriers mixed with your average-sized poodle.
5. Chihuahua Terrier Mix
The Chihuahua terrier mix is one of the smallest terrier dogs that you can find. It weighs less than 15 to 10 pounds, so they’re a great choice for people who want a smaller terrier mix. They also won’t make it past 15 inches at the shoulder, so they’re one of the better breeds for small homes. Still, they look more like Chihuahuas so you’ll get those big eyes and pointy ears that you find in Chihuahuas. For a complete breakdown of this mix’s history and how to care for them, check out this in-depth breed guide.
Adopt the Terrier Mix that Works Best for You
Terrier mixes can get big but there are also plenty of small breeds. What makes terrier mixes one of the most sought-after breeds is their ability to be flexible. There are all types of temperaments, sizes, and even coat types that work best for you.
That said, make sure you take some time to familiarize yourself with the types of terrier mixes available to you so that you don’t pick a terrier mix that surprises you once it grows up better.
