Hailing from Wales, the Welsh Terrier (Welsh: Daeargi Cymreig) initially raised for hunting otter, badger and fox only. But over the past decade, it has been chiefly produced for showing. In Spite Of this, Welsh kept back the terrier vigor which shows its personality. In the UK, according to research, Welsh Terrier has been announced as the first-born existing breed till date.
Along with Britain’s long-legged terriers’ characteristic appearances, Welsh constructed due to its athletic, condensed and craggy nature. An ancient breed called the Tan Terrier and Old English Black has been considered Lakeland Terrier and Airedale’s ancestor, who share a resemblance.
In the late 15th century, there are proofs of red and black terriers hailing in Wales, UK. But still, the Welsh Terrier is considered one of the eldest terrier breeds.
During the 18th century, for being handy, stubborn, single-minded pest catchers, Welsh terrier was typical with farmers and hunters in the rough Welsh rural areas.
Until the 19th century, being a straggler, Welsh Terrier was not officially registered as a breed to the British show-ring. As per the annual register, the saddest part is that in the tens of thousands each year, Welsh Terriers are now on the Kennel Club’s list in the UK of breeds that are in threat of dying out. The species however holds back most of the temperament that alleged to be the owners hundred years ago.
Welsh Terrier Breed Overview
Welsh Terrier is a medium-size, skillful, sturdy tan dog with a black saddle, upright docked tail, and folded-down ears.
Welsh Terriers are a pack of charm, stubbornness, and cocky attitude dogs. These terriers don’t do well with other dogs and love to dig in the garden and chase a cat. It is believed that you’ll never have a dull moment if you have a Welsh Terrier in your home.
Welsh Terrier weighs around 20 pounds. Its independent and slightly stubborn nature makes this breed one of its kind. Although bold and confident, Welsh Terrier needs affection and a light touch in training to restrict him from turning defensive and ignoring you.
To prevent your terrier from unnecessary barking, implement consistent training at his young age to channel this breed’s inquisitive nature or destructiveness. Regular leash walking helps to keep him from indulging in a little short-range hunting. Welsh Terrier stays happy at any home if he’s given plenty of exercises. Welsh Terriers tend to like older children than the younger ones.
Like many dogs, Welsh Terriers need to be groomed once a week and clipped a few times a year, with occasional baths to make them look their best.
Welsh Terrier Breed Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Minimal shedding
Has an independent and assertive nature
Well-suited to an active and outdoorsy family
High prey drive
Lively and playful
Prone to alert barking
Welsh Terrier Highlights
Welsh Terrier is ideal for houses with a fenced yard and can do all right in apartments if adequately exercised.
Being low- to non shedder, the Welsh Terrier can make a great companion for people with allergies.
Welshies need their coats brushed regularly and need their coats stripped about every eight weeks.
Welsh Terriers can be challenging to train and requires a fun training program consistently. For this reason, they aren’t recommended for novice owners.
The Welsh Terrier is an individualistic breed not prone to separation anxiety. He requires daily activities or toys that keep him entertained since a bored Welsh Terrier can become destructive.
They like climbing onto tables and other high furniture as they desire to be up in high places.
Welshies have a strong prey drive
Welsh Terriers don’t do well with other dogs and need to be properly socialized from an early age.
Welshies common traits are barking and digging
Welsh Terrier Personality
The Welsh Terrier is a tough, solid, craggy dog of medium size with an uneven wire-finished coat. The head, underbody and legs are tan. The tail cropped to length meant to form the image of a ‘square dog’ almost as high as he is lengthy. The motion is a terrier run that characterizes the long-legged terrier. It is unproblematic, with reasonable influence and drive. The Welsh Terrier is approachable, outbound to people and other dogs, screening spirit and bravery. The “Welsh Terrier expression” derives from the set, shade, and spot of the eyes united with the use of ears.
Friendliness Overview
Affection Level
Medium
Family-Friendly
Medium
Kid-Friendly
Medium
Pet-Friendly
Medium
Strangers-Friendly
Medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
Low to Medium
Good for Apartment Living
Medium to High
Sensitivity Level
Medium to High
Tolerates Being Alone
Low to Medium
Heat Tolerance
Medium
Cold Tolerance
Medium to High
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train
Medium to High
Intelligence
High
Prey Drive
Medium to High
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite
Medium
Tendency to Bark or Howl
High
Wanderlust Ability
Medium
Tendency to Dig
Medium to High
Attention/Social Needs
High
Welsh Terrier Physical Features
Head The Welsh Terrier’s head is a rectangle in shape. The eyes are small, dark-brown and almond in condition, which is well set in the skull. They positioned reasonably far apart. The colour, position, size, and shape of the eyes give the stable, assured but alert expression that is the Welsh Terrier’s characteristic feature. The ears are small, not too thin, V-shaped, and the fold is just above the skull’s top line. When the dog is at rest, ears will be carried forward to the cheek along with the tips dropping to the corners of the eyes. The ears move a tad upward and forward when they are aware.
Skull The foreface is potent with powerful jaws, which is only slightly thinner than the back skull. The back skull is of identical length to the foreface. They are on similar planes in shape. The back skull is smooth and flat between the ears. There are no folds between the ears, and the cheeks are flat and clean. The forward-facing of the eyes is a perfect fit. The muzzle is black and squared off, never snippy. The lips are black and tight. A scissors bite is favoured, but a level bite is satisfactory. Either one has complete teething. The teeth are strong, correctly placed, powerful-like jaws.
Neck The neck is of medium length and texture, slightly curved and leaning stylishly into the shoulders. The throat is neat with no glut of skin. There is a sufficient depth of brisket and slight width of chest. The loin is solid and relatively short.
Tail The tail is reduced to a length nearly level with the occiput to finalize the dog’s square image. The core of the bottom is set up well on the back.
Forequarters The front is solid and straight with long, slanting and weak laid back shoulders. The legs are straight and powerful with upright and strong pasterns. The feet are tiny, round, and cat-like. The pads black and thick. Nails short, black, and solid; a Welsh Terrier’s dew claws are removed.
Hindquarters The hindquarters are sturdy and robust, with well-built second thighs and stifle. From joint to ground, the hocks are straight, similar, and short. The feet are identical as in the forequarters. Fittings on legs, quarters and muzzle are thick and wiry.
Color
The black jacket covers the whole neck, down onto the tail and the upper thighs. The head, quarters and legs are clear tans with a deep reddish color with slightly good lighter shades.
Gait The movement is straight, unrestricted, and natural, with an excellent reach in front, solid drive at the back, with feet quickly leaning to converge toward a median line of travel to increase speed.
Welsh Terrier Temperament
The Welsh Terrier is a calm, bold, game dog, aware, spirited but friendly and shows self-control. Intellect and desire to please are evident in his approach. A specimen showing an overly hostile attitude, or timidity, should be punished.
The Welsh Terrier is not at all an option for the shy novice owners. They are packed with a considerable sum of personalities and can be very tricky if they don’t get the proper training and socialization.
They still maintain many typical terrier traits and have loads of energy that need to give a suitable outlet. They need a lot of daily physical activities and mental stimulus around the house to avoid the problem from emerging due to boredom.
Welsh Terriers tend to have aggressive characters, so you will need to do cautious introductions, mainly if you present them to a multi-dog household.
While it is not unnoticed for a Welsh Terrier to live beside a cat, their target drive means that this can occasionally be a face, and they would be the best fit to a home without any tiny furry animals.
Their hunting impulses also indicate you will probably have to work hard to attain a solid memory, and they should not be let off the bridle in areas where they will have the occasion to hunt.
Welsh Terriers are known for being creative diggers – again, a reversion to their working days. If they have this feature, you may need to act on teaching them how to get out of this problem. Instead, you could give them a sandpile or other assigned area to have a channel for this desire.
While they are not as loud as some terriers, they do tend to warn barking. If this is permitted to get out of control, it can be a tough habit to break down. Doing some exercise early on to recompense more proper conduct can be helpful.
Welsh Terriers are an intelligent breed known for being exceptional trouble solvers. They can be persistent and strong-willed at the same time. So, to make sure you come equipped with plenty of stamina and lots of delights.
Welsh Terriers can live together with adult, courteous kids well. They have a lively and loyal environment. , their aggressive traits mean that they may not be finest suited to a home with very immature children unless connections are carefully handled.
If you are considering a ‘velcro’ dog, you can’t expect to get that in a Welsh Terrier. They can create great relationships with their family, but they are not very friendly, and they do often maintain lively freedom.
Welsh Terriers have a minimal maintenance training system. Even Though no breed is indeed non-shedding, they are almost as close as you can get. This also makes them appealing to owners with allergic reactions. They will need a brush out once a week and a slide or hand-strip rarely to maintain the coat in check.
Welsh Terrier Exercise
Welsh Terriers are energetic dogs. They love getting trained by doing movements with their owner, such as playing with a ball or grabbing a flying disc in a surrounded yard. They should have lots of stretching time in a fenced area, as well as a long walk every day or so. Once the dog is matured, and only if he is in excellent health, let him go on and play until they are tired out but not exhausted.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
High
Exercise Needs
High
Playfulness
High
Intensity
Low to Medium
Welsh Terriers are welcoming and outgoing, but pups need to be effectively mingled by their owners to inspire other dogs’ polite behaviour. All Welsh should be trained to control and accept other dogs when walking on the lead. Continuous training and kindness help this enthusiastic dog become the caring, well-behaved mate he was born to be.
Welsh Terrier Grooming
Nursing of the Welsh Terrier’s coat is related to that for other shattered-coated terriers. The hair can be taken by hand, generally described as hand-stripping. This kind of grooming is a constant procedure and an ability that takes years to conquer. Pet training for a Welsh Terrier is not tricky. The dog should be trimmed every 8 to 12 weeks, departing the coat longer in cold weather. The nails should be reduced at least weekly and brush once or twice a week. Generally, cleaning between clippings is not essential, but if it is, apply good shampoo that has moisturizers.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding
Medium
Tendency to Drool
Medium
Easy to Groom
High
Welsh Terrier Health
Welsh puppies are usually tough, flourish with regular care, and don’t seem as delicate as many other puppies. Welsh who reach 15 to 18 years of age are not unusual, but the expected lifespan appears to be 12 to 14. Responsible breeders check their stock for physical conditions such as allergic reactions, Legge-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia.
Welsh Terriers are commonly believed to be a tough breed, and it is not unnoticed for them to reach the mature old age of 18. Compared with other long-recognized species, they can also be susceptible to certain hereditary situations.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium
Weight Gain Possibilities
High
Always select a trustworthy breeder that has staged suitable health screens on potential parents. Some of the hereditary conditions that it is worth being aware of includes:
Epilepsy: It is of three types—reactive, secondary, and primary or idiopathic epilepsy. Reactive seizures are caused by the brains’ reaction to metabolic problems like low blood sugar, toxin or organ failure. Secondary seizures are due to a brain tumor, trauma, or stroke. If the above condition is not present, the disease is primary or idiopathic epilepsy. The signs of seizures begin as early as six months and three years of age.
Addison’s Disease: This hazardous disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is triggered by the adrenal gland’s inadequate adrenal hormone development. Addison’s disease causes most dogs to vomit, have a low appetite, and be drowsy. Since these symptoms are ambiguous and may be mistaken for other illnesses, it’s possible to overlook this disorder until it’s too late. When a dog is depressed or where potassium levels rise to the point that they interfere with heart activity, causing extreme shock and death, more severe symptoms appear. If your veterinarian suspects Addison’s disease, he or she can run a battery of tests to validate the diagnosis.
Hypothyroidism: A disorder of the thyroid gland that is believed to cause conditions such as epilepsy, obesity, hair loss, dark skin patches, lethargy and other skin conditions. Treatment is medication and proper diet.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint where the socket portion does not entirely fit the ball portion, resulting in an ascending risk for joint dislocation. Hip dysplasia may occur at birth or in early life. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Some dogs exhibit discomfort and lameness on one or both rear legs. The Orthopedic Foundation does x-ray screening for hip dysplasia for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia should not be bred.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL): This illness usually starts to take place around middle age, and it is radical and can lead to subsequent blindness. It is triggered by the collapse of the fibres that keep the lens in place. There is a PPL test that is advised for breeders to have done on probable parents.
Primary Glaucoma: This condition is affected by the lowered capacity to sink fluid from the eye, producing pain and eventual blindness. Glaucoma in Welsh Terriers is often related to an irregularity in the eye called Goniodysgenesis, which is believed to be genetic.
Allergies: The breed can be more sensitive to creating ecological or food allergies. If you observe that your dog has scratchy or dry skin or hotspots, it is worth getting guidance from your vet. You may need to perform an exclusion diet to realize if your dog has any specific food allergies. Medicine and other methods may be required to help pact with environmental allergies.
National Breed Club Recommended Health Tests for Welsh Terrier
PPL DNA Test
Welsh Terrier Diet and Nutrition
Welsh Terriers, like every dog, should be supplied a high-quality and suitably portion-controlled diet. Because they can be more susceptible to food allergies, it is worth laying with simple elements and only trying new nutrients one at a time to permit you to watch them for any unfavourable reactions.
Some dogs are susceptible to getting obese, so watch out for your dog’s calorie intake and weight point. Treats can be an essential aid in exercise but providing too many can cause flabbiness.
Did You Know?
In 1888, American Kennel Club(AKC) has first recognized Welsh Terrier as its 45th breed
In older days, the Welsh Terrier was known as the Old English Terrier or the Black-and-White Terrier Haired Terrier.
The Welsh Terriers’ native home is Wales and was used widely as a sporting dog
Welsh Terrier Breed Recognition
ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
AKC = American Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
CET = Club Español de Terriers(Spanish Terrier Club)
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
CKC = Continental Kennel Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
NKC = National Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel Club
Adding a Welsh Terrier to Your Family
Welsh Terrier Rescue Groups
Welshies bought without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one end up in need of adoption or fostering. Some of the rescue group of such dogs are mentioned below:
