Terriers come in a wide variety of colors, from black and tan to wheaten to brindle. However, one of the less common terrier coat colors is grey. There are a few different terrier breeds that can have grey coats. Identifying what terrier is grey requires looking at some of the key traits of the different breeds that display this unique coloration. In this article, we will explore some of the terrier breeds that commonly have grey coats and their distinguishing characteristics.
Kerry Blue Terrier
One of the most well known terrier breeds with grey coats is the Kerry Blue Terrier. The Kerry Blue Terrier originated in Ireland and was bred to hunt small game and vermin. These dogs have a thick, dense grey coat that does not shed. The hair shafts themselves are a mix of black, grey, and white hairs, which together give the coat a blue-grey appearance.
Kerry Blue Terriers have a muscular build and square proportions. They typically stand 17-19 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 33-40 pounds. These terriers have a long head with a flat skull and pronounced eyebrows and beard. The ears are small and folded over towards the front. The tail is docked in countries where that practice is still allowed.
In addition to their signature blue-grey coat, Kerry Blue Terriers also have black nose leather and toenails. The eyes are dark in color. Puppies are born black and the blue-grey coloring develops as the puppy matures, usually by the age of 2 years old.
The Kerry Blue Terrier has a lively, energetic temperament typical of terriers. They are highly intelligent and make excellent watch dogs. With proper socialization and training, Kerry Blues form strong bonds with their families. They can be reserved towards strangers and may try to herd children or smaller pets. Consistent leadership and training is important for this active, independent breed.
Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is another terrier breed that can have a grey and brown coat. These dogs originated as vermin hunters in the mining town of Bedlington, England. The Bedlington Terrier has a distinctive appearance with a rounded, arched head, tucked up abdomen, and lithe, graceful build.
Bedlington Terriers come in two coat varieties – sandy/liver brown or blue/grey. The blue grey color is caused by a dilution gene that dilutes black hair to blue and red hair to sandy brown. Some dogs can also have tan points. The coat is clipped into a distinctive lamb-like shape.
These terriers stand between 16-18 inches tall and weigh 17-23 pounds. They are gentle mannered dogs with spirit. Originally bred to hunt vermin, the Bedlington Terrier retains strong prey drive towards small furry creatures. With proper introduction, they can learn to get along with cats and other household pets. Bedlingtons thrive when they can live indoors as part of the family.
Lakeland Terrier
The Lakeland Terrier was developed in England’s Lake District to hunt foxes and vermin. They are small, long legged terriers with wiry coats. Lakeland Terriers come in a variety of colors including black and tan, liver and tan, red, wheaten and blue and tan.
The blue and tan Lakelands have a blue-grey body coat with tan markings on the face, legs and belly. The blue-grey coat is composed of black hairs mixed with white hairs. This breed has a rectangular build and typically stands 14-15 inches tall, weighing between 15-17 pounds.
Lakeland Terriers are bold, friendly dogs devoted to their families. They are typically aloof towards strangers. Lakelands are high energy dogs that need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Their wiry coat needs hand-stripping or clipping every few months. Regular grooming helps minimize shedding.
Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier is a short legged terrier originally bred to hunt vermin in the Scottish Highlands. They may be best known as the breed who played Toto in The Wizard of Oz. Cairn Terriers come in a variety of colors including grey.
The grey Cairn is distinguished by its coat of black hairs mixed with white hairs, giving an overall salt and pepper appearance. They have compact, sturdy bodies with prick ears and a weather resistant outer coat. Cairn Terriers stand about 10 inches tall and weigh 13-14 pounds.
Cairn Terriers are alert, lively dogs that bond closely with their families. They can be feisty with other dogs and determined hunters of small prey. Consistent training and socialization is important for this intelligent breed. With proper exercise and stimulation, the Cairn Terrier makes a great family companion.
Norwich Terrier
The Norwich Terrier originated as a ratting dog in eastern England. They have short legs with longer bodies and erect triangle ears. Norwich Terriers come in red, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle colors.
The grizzle Norwich has blue-grey hairs mixed throughout the coat. They often have red-wheaten color on the face, legs, and underside. Norwich Terriers in pet clips have a double coat of hard, wiry hair.
Norwich Terriers stand 10 inches tall on average and weigh 11-12 pounds. They have balanced, happy temperaments and can excel in many dog sports. Norwich Terriers are affectionate with their families but can be reserved towards strangers. They may chase small pets unless trained otherwise. Regular exercise and training keeps Norwich Terriers entertained.
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier, or Scottie, is a short legged terrier originally from Scotland. They have short, dense black coats or wheaten coats. The wheaten colored Scotties have brown or grey hair mixed throughout their coat, giving a grizzled appearance.
Scotties have compact bodies with erect ears and a wiry outer coat. They stand about 10 inches tall and weigh 19-22 pounds. These are confident, spirited dogs that can be independent minded. Scotties are devoted to their families but aloof towards strangers.
Scottish Terriers are courageous dogs that were bred to hunt vermin and face off against predators. Today they excel as watch dogs and companions. Scotties need consistent, firm training and regular exercise. Grooming and coat care is also important for this breed.
Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire Fox Terrier was developed in England to hunt foxes. These energetic terriers have wiry, broken coats that come in predominantly white coloring with black and/or brown markings. Wire Fox Terriers will sometimes be born with grey ticking throughout the white areas of the coat.
The grey ticked Wire Fox Terrier will have small patches of black hairs mixed throughout the body and head. Their coat still appears mostly white with head markings and a black saddle. They have erect, v-shaped ears and docked tails in countries where that is permitted.
Wire Fox Terriers typically stand 15-16 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 15-20 pounds. They are alert, tenacious, and highly energetic. Wire Fox Terriers need extensive exercise, mental stimulation, and training. With proper activity, they make lively family companions and excel in dog sports.
Grey Schnauzer
Schnauzers come in three different coat colors – grey, black, and white. The grey Schnauzer has a salt and pepper coat composed of banded grey and white hairs. They have bushy eyebrows, mustaches, and beards which are typically darker grey in color.
All Schnauzers share common traits like their rectangular, sturdy build, wiry coats, and energetic personalities. The grey Schnauzer in particular stands 17-19 inches tall and weighs 30-50 pounds. They are intelligent, people-oriented dogs that form close bonds with their families.
Schnauzers make excellent watch dogs as they are naturally wary of strangers. They can be reserved with unfamiliar people and dogs unless properly socialized. Schnauzers need consistent training and leadership along with daily exercise. Regular grooming and stripping of the coat is also important.
Grey Wheaten Terrier
The Wheaten Terrier comes in two coat varieties – Irish Wheaten and Soft Coated Wheaten. The Irish Wheaten has a grey and brown coat composed of blue-grey and beige hairs mixed together. They will often have darker grey ears and muzzle.
In contrast, the Soft Coated Wheaten has a purely wheat colored coat ranging from pale beige to reddish brown. Both varieties share a soft, wavy coat and energetic, friendly temperament. Wheatens typically stand 18-20 inches tall and weigh 30-45 pounds.
The Irish Wheaten was bred to hunt vermin in Ireland. Today’s Wheatens retain this prey drive and need supervision with smaller pets. Wheatens thrive on being with their families and most do well with children. Their soft coats require regular brushing to prevent matting. Yearly trimming or stripping is recommended.
Grey Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds, originally bred in England’s Aire Valley. They have dense, wiry coats that come in tan and black or grey. The grey Airedale is less common than the black and tan variety.
The grey Airedale Terrier has a grizzled, salt and pepper coat composed of black, grey, and white hairs. They often have somewhat darker fur on the saddle. Airedales have an athletic build with a rectangular head and v-shaped ears.
These dogs stand 23 inches tall on average and weigh 50-70 pounds. Airedales are self-confident, independent thinkers. They are energetic working dogs that need a job to do. Airedales thrive when exercised daily and trained consistently. Their coat needs regular hand stripping for maintenance.
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized terrier originally bred for hunting fox, otter, and vermin in Ireland. They have wiry red, wheaten, or grey coats with furnishings on the legs and face. The grey Irish Terrier coat contains black hairs mixed with white hairs.
This breed has a rectangular body shape with a flat skull and tight fitting skin. Their ears fold forward slightly. Irish Terriers are racy dogs bred for speed and endurance. They stand 18 inches tall on average and weigh around 25-27 pounds.
These terriers are bold, willful dogs that need consistent training and leadership. Irish Terriers are energetic and excel at dog sports. They are loyal to their families but may be reserved with strangers. The Irish Terrier’s wiry coat needs hand stripping every few months.
Grey Cairland Terrier
The Cairland Terrier is a relatively newer terrier breed developed in Scotland in the early 1900s. They were bred from the Cairn Terrier and Scottish Terrier to create a larger working ratting dog. Cairlands come in grey, brindle, cream, and red wheaten coats.
The grey Cairland has a salt and pepper coat with darker head furnishings. They have an athletic, workmanlike build and medium length coat. Cairland Terriers typically stand 13-14 inches tall and weigh 13-18 pounds.
Cairlands are active, independent dogs with spirited personalities typical of terriers. They are devoted to their families but more aloof towards strangers compared to other terrier breeds. Cairlands thrive when given plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Regular hand stripping or clipping is needed.
Comparison of Grey Terriers
| Breed | Size | Coat | Temperament |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerry Blue Terrier | 17-19 inches, 33-40 pounds | Thick grey coat | Active, independent, loyal |
| Bedlington Terrier | 16-18 inches, 17-23 pounds | Lamb-like grey or sandy brown coat | Gentle, spirited |
| Lakeland Terrier | 14-15 inches, 15-17 pounds | Blue & tan wiry coat | Bold, energetic |
| Cairn Terrier | 10 inches, 13-14 pounds | Grey wiry coat | Alert, lively |
| Norwich Terrier | 10 inches, 11-12 pounds | Grizzle (grey & red/wheaten) | Happy, affectionate |
| Scottish Terrier | 10 inches, 19-22 pounds | Wheaten or grey coat | Confident, spirited |
| Wire Fox Terrier | 15-16 inches, 15-20 pounds | White coat with grey ticking | Alert, energetic, tenacious |
| Grey Schnauzer | 17-19 inches, 30-50 pounds | Salt & pepper wiry coat | Intelligent, reserved, loyal |
| Irish Wheaten Terrier | 18-20 inches, 30-45 pounds | Blue-grey and beige coat | Energetic, friendly |
| Grey Airedale Terrier | 23 inches, 50-70 pounds | Grizzled grey coat | Self-confident, energetic |
Conclusion
There are several terrier breeds that can have unique grey coat coloring. Some of the most common include the Kerry Blue Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Irish Terrier, and Wheaten Terrier. Identifying a grey terrier requires looking at factors like coat texture, size, head shape, and temperament. While terriers are typically energetic dogs with lively personalities, each breed has slightly different characteristics. With their bold attitudes and distinct looks, grey terriers make interesting companions and show dogs for the right owner.
