Welsh terrier

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Welsh Terrier

A Welsh Terrier on the beach.
Nicknames	Welshie WT
Country of origin	Wales, United Kingdom
Traits
Classification & standards FCI Group 3 Section 1 #78 standard AKC Terrier standard ANKC Group 2 (Terriers) standard CKC Group 4 - Terrier standard KC (UK) Terrier standard NZKC Terrier standard UKC Terriers standard

The Welsh Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many British terrier breeds. It was formerly bred for hunting fox, rodents and badger, but during the last century it has mainly been bred for showing. Despite this, it has retained its terrier strength of character and so requires firm, non-aggressive handling. The Welsh Terrier originates from Wales and has been claimed to be the oldest existing dog breed in the UK according to the research of Julian Calder and Alastair Bruce for their book, 'The Oldest - in celebration of Britain's living history'. Its origins cannot be traced back to any particular breeds through DNA analysis and it is now disputed that it has some connection with the Old English Black and Tan Terrier. The Welsh Terrier was a latecomer to the British show-ring (being primarily a working dog) and was not officially registered until the 1800's. It is currently on the UK Kennel Clubs list of breeds that are in danger of dying out, having as few as 300 or so pups registered annually, compared to the nations most popular breeds that are registered in their tens of thousands each year.

Description

Appearance

The Welsh Terrier is colored tan on the head, legs and underbelly while having a black or sometimes grizzle saddle. The breed is a sturdy and compact dog of about medium size that can grow up to 15.5 in. (39.5 cm) with a weight of 20-22 lbs (9-10 kg). The tail is usually docked and is more preferred in order to complete the image of a square dog that is as tall as it is long. The body shape is rectangular, with elongated, "brick-like" face. This shape is formed by the whiskers and beard.

The hair contains two layers, an undercoat that insulates and an abrasive fur on top that protects against dirt, rain, and wind. Welsh Terriers are born mostly all black and during the first year they change the color to standard black and tan grizzle.

This breed does not shed ^[1] (see Moult).

An undocked Welsh Terrier tail is only an inch or so longer than a docked tail and does not make a great deal of difference to the overall appearance. The coat does not moult out but old hairs will eventually be stripped out through play and movement etc if the coat is not regularly raked. Ungroomed coats can also fade and thin out as the old hair loses colour and texture. to keep a moult free house and a good coat on your WT it is necessary to rake out the coat on a regular basis.

Generally speaking, the Welsh Terrier looks quite a bit like a compact Airedale Terrier.

Temperament

The Welsh Terrier is a consummate terrier—a terrier in a nutshell—with a typical terrier temper. In the right hands, it is a happy, lively, and seldom shy or timid dog, but sometimes can have an attitude. Dogs of this breed can be devoted friends and can function either as city dogs or as country dogs. Welsh typically exhibit a hunting instinct: they chase anything that moves: dry leaves, cats, mailmen, other animals, tumbleweeds, small children, almost anything.

Welsh Terriers were developed to hunt independently and this required that they be very assertive and stoic dogs. As a consequence, developing obedience in a Welsh Terrier is a long term proposition and one has to convince the dog that the owner is the alpha male. Application of physical force should be done only in the extreme situations as Welsh Terriers, like most terriers, will not back down and will fight back. A quiet but persistent approach to ensure that Welsh Terrier in the end completes the command, in the end will establish who is in control.

A Welsh Terrier is full of energy and it hardly ever becomes tired. Letting a Welsh Terrier have a run around the yard during the day is insufficient. If bored, they may explore and potentially cause mischief and damage. You need to challenge them and keep them entertained. For example, they love chasing toys to keep active and love swimming (a good example would be lake activities with their families).

Welsh Terriers get along well with older children; they love to play and follow a child as it plays, however, they will often tug at pant legs of young and old people and can knock young ones off their feet. If they are around young children at an early age, they will easily learn to play more gently.

Health

The body of the Welsh Terrier is normal and healthy so that the physique is durable and lasting. Some studies have suggested a genetic predisposition to Glaucoma^[2], as yet inconclusive . A healthy Welsh Terrier lives about 12-13 years on average and stays active and alert up to a high age if it is well taken care of and healthy.

Miscellaneous

Famous Welsh Terriers

• Charlie, pet of John F. Kennedy
• Clement Attlee, Ist Earl Attlee, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1945-1951 owned a Welsh Terrier. The dog is incorporated in to Earl Attlee's coat-of-arms
• Owen, Welsh Terrier pet of Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII.

References

1. ^ Go Pets America: Dogs that do not shed - Retrieved September 7, 2008
2. ^ Glaucoma

1. College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri[1]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Welsh Terrier

• Welsh Terriers and Friends - British-based site about the breed
• The Welsh Terrier Association

For purchasing a Well Bred Welsh Terrier in North America, find a member of the Welsh Terrier Club Of America who has signed the code of ethics:

• The Welsh Terrier Club of America
• Sutton Welsh Terriers
• Bruhil Welsh Terriers Home of the all time Top Winning U.S. Welsh Terrier
• New Husken Welsh Terriers (Holland) Bob & Annemiek Krautscheid
• Cunnings Welsh TerriersAmerican & English lines in Italy
• Shaireabs Bayleigh Welsh Terriers Experience the Difference - Breeding and exhibiting dogs which are superior representatives of the AKC breed standard in health, type and temperament
• Rappaire Welsh TerriersRob & Joanne Geary Welsh Terriers in Australia