The Welsh Terrier
The Welsh Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt fox, small game, badgers, and otter. They are descendants of the British Black and Tan Terrier and they still carry most of the same appearance characteristics today!
The Welsh terrier has a messy, hard coat that has a wire texture. Their fur is very short and as puppies, this breed is completely black but will become lighter as they age. These dogs have a muscular body, a large square muzzle and tiny floppy ears. Naturally the Welsh terrier will have a long tail but for show purposes is will be docked.
These dogs are sweet, loving and upbeat who enjoy time spent with their families. They are a curious, intelligent breed that are notorious diggers and swimmers! The Welsh Terrier will make a great family pet because they get along well with children and dogs, but will need to be raised with smaller family pets such as cats so their chase instinct does not come into play.Breed Group
Terrier
Size
Males: 14-15 inches high
Females: 14- 15 inches high
Weight
Males: 19-22 lbs
Females: 19-22 lbs
Color(s)
The Welsh Terrier is born completely black but will lighten as they grow older. During their first year, the Welsh Terrier’s coat will eventually turn into a tan colour with black/grey accents.
Coat
This breed has a double layered coat with the outer layer being a hard, wiry texture and the under coat being a plush soft layer that protects them from the cold. Although they have a short coat, the Welsh Terrier will need to be brushed about twice per week and will need to have their coat plucked about 3 times per year.
Life Expectancy
About 10-12 years.
Personality
This breed is responsive, energetic and has a positive attitude. They can entertain themselves just by exploring their territory but thrive on being part of the family pack. This dog is not just a great pet but also a great worker because they hunt well as a team! Loyal and trustworthy, the Welsh Terrier is an overall great breed to own.
Although these dogs are responsive and faithful, they are still Terriers which will do what their instincts tell them to, whether that be to chase, sniff out, or hunt. When walking this dog a leash is always needed because there is always potential for them to spot a small animal they want to chase. They should be off-leash only in areas where it is completely fenced in such as a dog park.Care
The Welsh Terrier will need to be brushed about 3 t times per week and bathed once every 2-3 months. They will need to have their coat plucked around 4 times per year which will remove the excess dead fur. These dogs are prone to skin allergies, some eye problems such as glaucoma, and epilepsy. They are generally very healthy dogs that live long and happy lives!
Training
The Welsh Terrier will need gentle yet firm training and repetition to be able to grasp basic obedience. They are smart dogs that just need consistency to understand, but will catch on quickly when they are taught on a daily basis with short sessions.
Activity
This breed will need a large amount of exercise daily in order to burn off their energy. Long walks and time spent off-leash playing with other dogs or just chasing a ball will be needed! They will do well in an apartment as long as they are exercised regularly. A fenced in back yard would be preferable so they have an outdoor space to run in, but is not necessary for their living environment.