Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier is a zippy little companion, always looking for action and entertainment. He loves to splash in the water and go for long country runs. Welsh Terriers are lovable buddies, and unlike some terriers, are surprisingly well mannered with other dogs.

Welsh Terrier breed facts

In old times the Welsh Terrier was known as Old English Terrier or Black-&-Tan Wire Haired Terrier.

The Welsh Terriers' native home is Wales and was used extensively as a sporting dog.

Welsh Terriers were shown in dog shows as early as the 1800's.

So You Want To Own A Welsh Terrier?
Welsh Terriers make excellent city or apartment dog.

The Welsh Terrier is a sturdy and rugged dog always alert and ready for action.

The Welsh Terrier's wiry dense coat requires weekly brushing.

The Welsh Terrier will be content in a city apartment or in the country. He is a friendly, outgoing, and playful dog who loves people.

Judging from the old paintings and prints of the first known terriers, the Welsh Terrier is a very old breed, for these prints show us a rough-haired black-and-tan terrier.

In old times this dog was more commonly known as the Old English Terrier or Black-and-Tan Wire Haired Terrier, and as late as 1886 the English Kennel Club allotted one class for "Welsh or Old English Wire Haired Black and Tan Terriers." Even to this day the color of the Welsh is as it was over a hundred years ago.

In other respects, also, the Welsh Terrier has changed very slightly. He is, as he was then, a sporting dog extensively used in his native home, Wales, for hunting the otter, fox, and badger, and he possesses the characteristic gameness that one naturally looks for in such a dog. Although game, he is not quarrelsome; in fact, he is well mannered and easy to handle.

The first record of Welsh Terriers having a classification of their own in England was in 1884-85 at Carnavon where there were 21 entries, but even at this time it was not uncommon for dogs to be shown as Old English Terriers and also as Welsh Terriers. As late as 1893, "Dick Turpin," a well-known show dog of those days, continued in this dual role.

Welsh Terriers were first brought to this country by Prescott Lawrence in 1888, when he imported a dog and a bitch and showed them at the old Madison Square Garden in the Miscellaneous Class. No other Welsh, however, were imported for some time. But, about 1901, classification was offered for Welsh at Westminster and four or five dogs were shown; from then on their popularity has steadily increased.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	Yes
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Smart, workmanlike, well balanced and compact.
	Characteristics Affectionate, obedient and easily controlled.
	Temperament Happy and volatile, rarely of shy nature. Game and fearless but definitely not aggressive although at all times able to hold his own when necessary.
	Eyes V-shaped, small, leathers not too thin, set on fairly high, carried forward and close to cheek.
	Mouth Moderate length and thickness, slightly arched and sloping gracefully into shoulders.
	Neck Shoulders long, sloping and well set back. Legs straight and muscular, possessing ample bone, with upright and powerful pasterns.
	Forequarters Back short and well ribbed up, loin strong, good depth and moderate width of chest.
	Body Strong, thighs muscular, of good length, with hocks well bent, well let down and with ample bone.
	Hindquarters Small, round and cat-like.
	Feet Customarily docked. Docked: Well set on. Carried erect but not too gaily. Undocked: Well set on. Carried erect but not too gaily. In overall balance with the rest of dog.
	Tail Fore- and hindlegs carried straight forward and parallel. Elbows move perpendicular to body, working free of sides, stifles turning neither in nor out.
	Gait / Movement Smart, workmanlike, well balanced and compact.
	Coat Black and tan for preference, or black grizzle and tan, free from black pencilling on toes. Black below hocks most undesirable.
	Colour Height at shoulder not exceeding 39 cms (151/2 ins). Weight: 9-9.5 kgs (20-21 lbs).