Terriers That Skip Breed Activities May Show More Fear and Clinginess
If you own a terrier and ever wondered whether giving them a “job” or sport to do could change how they act, a new study suggests it might. Research published in the journal Animals looked at 195 terrier-type dogs and found that those who did not take part in breed-specific activities were linked to higher scores for fearfulness and attachment to their owners — meaning they tended to be more anxious and more clingy than dogs that did participate.
This does not mean that skipping activities is the sole reason some terriers seem fearful. But for owners of high-energy terrier breeds who notice nervous or overly dependent behavior, the findings point toward breed-appropriate activities as something worth trying.
Why Terriers Need a Special Outlet
Terriers were bred for a purpose — originally to hunt burrowing animals like rats and foxes. That history left them with a lot of drive, energy, and a strong instinct to dig, chase, and problem-solve. When those instincts have nowhere to go, the energy has to come out somehow, and sometimes that shows up as anxious or difficult behavior.
Breed-specific activities give terriers a controlled way to do what their bodies were built to do. Events like earthdog trials (where dogs navigate underground tunnels after a scent), go-to-ground competitions, or even energetic scent work tap into those natural terrier instincts. For dogs that thrive on challenge and stimulation, these activities may act like a pressure valve — giving them an appropriate outlet for all that built-up drive.
How the Study Was Done
The researchers used a well-known behavioral assessment tool called the C-BARQ (Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire). Think of it as a detailed behavioral survey — owners answer standardized questions about how their dog behaves in a wide range of situations, and the answers are scored to create a behavioral profile.
They collected responses from 195 terrier-type dogs and compared the scores of dogs that took part in breed-specific activities against those that did not. The team also looked at other factors that might be linked to behavior, including the dog’s age and neuter status.
The study was cross-sectional — meaning it captured a snapshot in time rather than following dogs over months or years. That design is useful for spotting patterns, but it cannot show which came first: the behavior difference or the choice to participate.
What the Study Found
Non-Participating Dogs Scored Higher on Fear and Attachment
The key finding was that terriers not involved in breed-specific activities were associated with higher scores on two behavioral measures: fearfulness and attachment or attention-seeking behavior. In plain terms, those dogs were more likely to appear nervous in everyday situations and to be more clingy or dependent on their owners than dogs that participated in activities.
This is a meaningful pattern — fear and over-attachment are two of the more common behavioral concerns that terrier owners bring to trainers and vets. The idea that keeping a high-drive dog engaged in purposeful activities might be tied to lower levels of those behaviors is practically useful, even if the research is preliminary.
Age and Neuter Status Also Matter
Beyond the activity finding, the study noted that a dog’s age and whether it had been neutered or spayed were also linked to variation in certain behavioral traits. This is consistent with what many behaviorists already know — hormones and life stage play a role in how dogs behave, and those factors are worth keeping in mind when thinking about the full picture of any individual dog’s behavior.
A Key Limitation: Selection Effects
The researchers themselves flagged a significant caveat called a selection effect — and it is important to understand what that means.
It works like this: owners who choose to participate in breed activities with their dogs may already own calmer, more confident dogs to begin with. More relaxed terriers may simply be easier to bring to events, train for competition, or handle in group settings. If that is the case, the activity itself might not be changing the dog’s behavior — the dog may have been less fearful all along.
This is not a flaw in the study design so much as an honest limitation of observational research. The study found a meaningful association, not a direct link from activity to outcome. Whether giving a fearful terrier more breed-appropriate outlets would actually lower their fear level is still an open question that would require a different type of study — one that followed dogs before and after introducing those activities — to answer more firmly.
Turning the Finding Into Everyday Terrier Care
Breed Activities Are Worth Exploring
If you have a terrier that seems anxious, clingy, or easily startled, introducing a breed-appropriate activity may be one piece of the puzzle. You do not need to train for competition. Even low-key versions of breed activities — like supervised digging sessions, backyard scent games, or chasing a flirt pole — can give a high-drive terrier something meaningful to focus on.
The idea behind it is straightforward: a dog that is mentally and physically engaged is less likely to have that energy directed toward nervous or clingy behavior. The study supports this idea as a possibility, though it cannot confirm it will work for every dog.
Limits of Activities as a Fear Fix
- Breed activities are one tool, not a cure. Fearful behavior in dogs can have many other reasons, including early socialization gaps, genetics, past experiences, or underlying health issues. An activity alone may not resolve deep-seated anxiety.
- Match the activity to the dog. Not every terrier loves the same thing. Some may thrive in earthdog trials; others prefer nose work, agility, or interactive toys. The goal is finding something that engages their natural instincts in a positive way.
- Start gradually. If your terrier is already fearful, diving straight into a group event could be overwhelming. Build up slowly with positive, low-pressure experiences first.
When to Ask Your Veterinarian or a Trainer
Talk to your vet or a certified animal behaviorist if your terrier:
- Shows signs of fear or panic in everyday situations (trembling, hiding, excessive barking, or aggression triggered by nervousness)
- Seems extremely dependent on you and cannot settle when left alone
- Has become more fearful or anxious recently without a clear reason
- Shows behavioral changes alongside any physical symptoms
A professional can help rule out medical reasons for behavior changes and create a plan that combines enrichment, training, and — when appropriate — behavioral support.
Study Limitations to Keep in Mind
This study used owner-reported surveys rather than direct observation, which means results depend on how accurately owners perceived and described their dogs’ behavior. The cross-sectional design also means the research cannot confirm which came first — the activity participation or the behavioral differences. Additionally, the study could not account for all the many other reasons terrier behavior varies, including genetics, early life experience, and training history. Larger studies following dogs over time would help clarify these relationships.
What the 195-Dog Study Does and Does Not Show
A study of 195 terrier-type dogs found that those not participating in breed-specific activities were associated with higher levels of fearfulness and owner-attachment compared to those that did participate. The research cannot confirm that activities directly produce calmer dogs — selection effects are a real possibility — but the pattern is consistent with what behaviorists generally recommend: high-drive breeds do better when they have meaningful outlets for their instincts.
If you have a terrier who seems tense or overly clingy, talking to your vet or a trainer about breed-appropriate activities is a reasonable place to start.
This article summarizes peer-reviewed research for educational purposes. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice about your pet’s health and behavior.
