In this article you will know the answer to the query “7 Dogs With Long Legs And Short Bodies“.
Please find below my list of seven breeds of dogs with long legs and short bodies.
Whats more?
My dogs are all terriers.
Terriers have short bodies because they are generally small dogs.
This may be disappointing to you. I apologize.
You must be able to obtain all sorts of weird and wonderful mixes of dog breeds that have long legs and short bodies but are you really sure about what you are getting? What are their health conditions?
If you stick with my breeds you will find that each is formally recognized by organizations such as The Kennel Club (UK) and the American Kennel Club.
What do long legs and short bodies give you?
There are 31 different types of terrier recognized by the AKC of which 16 are described as long-legged.
There are seven on my list out of these 16.
You know what a terrier is going to be from the first moment you meet him.
No matter how long their legs are any terrier will come with a colossal personality and lots of energy.
The purpose of breeding long-legged terriers was also different from that of short-legged terriers.
Terriers with short legs were bred to follow their prey into underground burrows in order to capture them.
Long-legged terriers on the other hand tend to stay above ground and dig deeper to find their prey.
As well as being more versatile and able to perform other roles such as herding and guarding.
The ideal long-legged short-body dog owner
Its hard to keep up with a high-energy dog with an “I know best” attitude and bucket loads of personality.
Give any one of these small long-legged rascals time and patience and you’ll have a loyal companion for a lifetime.
It is interesting to note that none of these long-legged Terriers are particularly popular.
In my list of 196 registered breeds the most popular dog is ranked 19th and the ninth terrier breed is ranked 123rd!
Here is an overview of the most popular type of terrier in the United States: the long-legged terrier.
1. Miniature Schnauzer
According to AKC this is the most popular long-legged terrier breed even though its name does not even contain the word Terrier.
With a height of up to 14 inches (or 35 cm) and a weight of up to 20 pounds (or 9 kg) Schnauzers are very unique-looking dogs.
These dogs are characterized by their straight ears bushy eyebrows a large beard and a body that is shaped like a straight line.
You can choose between solid black salt and pepper and black and silver.
Despite being very tolerant of other animals and children they make great family dogs.
The family enjoys daily walks and playing together.
2. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are slightly taller than Miniature Schnauzers measuring up to 19 inches tall (48 cm) and weighing around 40 lbs (18 kgs).
From that perspective they look softer than the Mini Schnauzer because their coat runs along a gold spectrum: from beige to dark yellow.
These terriers have hair that has a gentle wave running through it and many of them have a distinctive fringe that covers their eyes.
A Soft Coated Wheaten is a lively energetic dog with a large personality. These dogs are very loyal and form strong bonds with their owners.
3. Airedale Terrier
According to the American Kennel Club the Airedale ranks fairly low among the 169 registered breeds as the 60th most popular breed.
During the 1920s the Airedale was the most popular breed in the United States owned by Presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt.
A male Airedale is taller and heavier than a Wheaten Terrier measuring roughly 23 inches (58 cm) and weighing about 70 pounds (32 kgs).
When Airedales were originally bred as all-run farm dogs and hunting dogs in the mid-19th century they were bred to hunt independently and many of them still have that stubborn streak.
Nevertheless these dogs can make great pets for many families with the right upbringing. Animals including cats can get along with them easily and they are very child-friendly.
4. Rat Terrier
Tired of terrier coats that are wavy and wiry?
What about a long-legged flat-coated terrier?
Those legs are long on the Rat Terrier and without all that hair you can see just how long they are!
Rat Terriers are distinguished by their large naturally upright ears.
Their eyes are filled with a knowing look.
There are two sizes of adult males: standard and miniature. An adult male can be up to 45 cm (18 inches) tall and weigh up to 25 pounds (11 kilograms).
My list is the shortest so far with the Rat Terrier.
Although they were bred specifically to kill rats that could threaten a farms grain supply these Terriers are also capable of guarding chickens and playing with children.
There are many different colors available for Rat Terriers- three color combinations or two color combinations.
The majority of these terriers need moderate exercise but some of them can be content with a little rough and tumble indoors.
5. Border Terrier
Tennis player Andy Murray has two of these as does my sister.
The size of their personalities and their energy levels can be seen in how my sister refers to hers collectively as “the Border Terrorists.”.
With their otter-shaped heads and short snouts they have a distinctive appearance.
In comparison to other terriers Border Terriers are small.
An adult male might weigh just over fifteen pounds and be between 12 and 15 inches tall.
So far these are the smallest breeds on my list.
However their legs are long for their size.
Their legs are indeed long enough for them to keep up with horses and other foxhounds while being short enough for them to flush out foxes from their burrows.
Because of this it can be difficult to integrate them into a house with cats!
6. Wire FoxTerrier
The Wire Fox is only ranked 101st in popularity as of 2019 but was awarded more “Best in Show” awards at the Westminster Kennel Club Show than any other breed.
They are believed to have been bred to flush foxes from their burrows and as such would have played a key role at the beginning of any fox hunt.
Border terriers are slightly larger than Wire Fox Terriers.
Typically a Wire Fox may reach a height of just over 15 inches (or 39 cm) and weighs about 18 pounds not 15.
The coat color is also different as the Wire Fox has lots of white hair whereas the Border Terrier has grizzle and tan!
Such a breed of dog has certainly mastered the art of capturing and holding the attention of everyone.
Dogs can make great family dogs if you can tame their independence and handle their egos.
7. Irish Terrier
Your search for a small and long-legged dog that gets along with your children may have ended here.
The Irish Terrier is known for its love of children.
It is characterized by a dashing red coat which can range in color from a deep fiery shade to a light golden shade.
Their original purpose was to kill rats making them one of the oldest Terrier breeds.
They are nicknamed “The Red Devils” by some as they have a fiery temperament when it comes to other dogs and small animals.
A loyal Irish Terrier will shower you with affection if you give it lots of exercise interaction and socialization.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
