Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier is a spunky, lively little dog that was originally developed in its native Wales as a sporting dog, to assist in the hunting of fox, badger and otter. It is believed to be one of the oldest breeds in Great Britain. The Welsh Terrier did not appear in the show ring until the 1800's, mainly because it was in use solely as a working dog and not exposed to the general public. Today, it is almost exclusively bred as a show dog and pet, and it remains rare, listed by the Kennel Club as "vulnerable"� that is, in danger of extinction. The Welsh Terrier is a very sturdy, medium-sized dog. It is fairly square of shape. This breed does not reach a height of higher than 15.5 inches at the shoulder, and should not weigh more than 22 pounds. The tail is usually docked, although an undocked tail is only a few inches longer, and carried erect. The neck is very long and graceful, the rectangular head carried high. The Welsh Terrier is known for its very pronounced "terrier expression,"� which comes from the setting and shape of the eyes, as well as movement of the ears. The double coat of this breed is always a grizzled black and tan: the legs and chest are tan, and the back carries a black saddle. Pups are born black, and lighten as they grow older into the classic bicolor grizzle. The top coat is dense, tight, wiry and can be quite curly. It is harsh to deflect dirt, water and wind. The undercoat is also dense and woolly, serving to insulate the dog from cold and wet. The earliest depictions of terrier breeds of the British Isles, which come to us beginning in the 13th century in the form of sketches, tapestries and paintings, often depict a dog looking like the Welsh Terrier the same size, the same black and tan, rough coat. Most other terrier breeds owe some of their ancestry to this original black and tan hunting type. The Welsh Terrier has changed very little from this original type, and it has changed hardly at all since in the 19th century it reached its current standard neither in terms of appearance, nor temperament. The Welsh hunter needed a dog of courage and stamina: badger and fox were not easy animals when cornered. This dog needed tenacity, strong jaw, and needed to be able to work in rough terrain and difficult weather conditions. In the early part of that century it was usually referred to as the Old English Terrier, or the Wire-Haired Black and Tan Terrier. As late as 1886, the Kennel Club was still classifying it as "Welsh or Old English Wire Haired Black and Tan Terriers." The Welsh Terrier was introduced to the American public in 1888, when two such dogs were imported and exhibited at Madison Square Garden. But it failed to generate much interest until 1901 when it was shown at Westminster. After that it increased steadily in popularity. Today the Welsh Terrier is still used in its native country for the hunting purposes for which it was bred. This is a breed which can live successfully in an urban environment. However, the Welsh Terrier was bred to work, and has a lot of energy, both mental and physical. It needs to be provided with various activities to keep it occupied and balanced. A run around the yard is not sufficient; this dog needs at least one long walk a day. Without proper outlet for its energy it can become destructive in the home environment, and develop neurosis. Welsh Terriers should be confined in a fenced yard when not leashed, as their hunting instincts can lead them to wander. The Welsh Terrier loves to play balls, squeaky toys and other entertainment should be provided, and the owner should be prepared to interact frequently with this social dog rather than expect it to play alone. This breed loves water; providing a jaunt to a nearby swimming hole, or providing a shallow "kiddie pool"� in warm weather is recommended. The Welsh Terrier also loves to dig. Some owners provide a permanent digging area such as a sand box in the yard for the dog's use. Dogs who are trained to use their own spot for digging will refrain from damaging other areas of the landscaping. The Welsh Terrier is territorial by nature and will bark to warn the owner of anything suspicious. With consistent training, barking can be kept to a minimum. The Welsh Terrier is an extremely healthy breed. By watching the diet and weight of this dog vigilantly, and taking good care of its teeth, the owner can do a lot toward ensuring the dog lives a long life. Glaucoma may appear in some individuals. The lifespan of the Welsh Terrier averages 13 to 15 years, and it is not uncommon for individuals to live much longer. The Welsh Terrier is a happy, frisky, busy dog. It is loyal and bonds strongly with the people in its environment. It is well suited for a busy household and is fond of playing with children. Because it has existed in a pure working terrier form over its history, it has a particularly strong will and can be stubborn. The owner should begin obedience training early, and be firm and consistent. The Welsh Terrier is usually tolerant of other household pets when socialized to them early in life. This breed loves the company of people best, but also enjoys the company of other dogs. Caution should be used when introducing this breed to cats, ferrets, or other small mammals with which it has not been raised, because this breed may see them as prey at first meeting. This breed is very alert, intelligent and eager to learn. With proper handling, it can respond very well to advanced training in areas such as scenting and tracking, agility, and obedience trials.

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