Welsh Terrier is a descendant of the Old English Black and Tan Terrier. People in Wales know the Welsh Terrier since 1737. Some of Britain’s earliest sporting prints feature rough-coated black-and-tan terriers strikingly similar to the modern Welsh. The Welsh is a true working terrier. People bred this dog breed to hunt badger, fox, and otter. The breed retains so much of the hunting instinct that it can be a gun dog without much training.
Welsh Terrier Temperament
Friendly, intelligent and eager to please are hallmarks of the Welsh Terrier. Although game, the Welsh is not quarrelsome. The well-mannered dog is a smart, responsive worker in obedience.
Welsh Terrier Size
The height at the shoulder to be 15 inches (38 cm) for dogs, bitches proportionately less. Twenty lbs. Consider (9 kg) a fair average weight in working condition, but this may vary 1 lb. (.5 kg) or so either way.
Coat and Color: The coat should be wiry, hard, very close and abundant. The color should be black and tan, or black grizzle and tan, free from black penciling on toes.
Welsh Terrier
Head: The skull should be flat, and rather wider between the ears than the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. Stop not too defined, fair length from stop to end of the nose, the latter being of a black color. The jaw should be powerful, clean-cut, rather deep, and more punishing – giving the head a more masculine appearance than that usually seen on a Fox Terrier. The eyes should be small, not being too deeply set in or protruding out of the skull, of a dark haze color, expressive and indicating abundant pluck. The ears should be V-shaped, small, not too thin, set on fairly high, carried forward and close to the cheek.
Neck: The neck should be of moderate length and thickness, slightly arched and sloping gracefully into the shoulders.
Welsh Terrier junior
Forequarters: The shoulders should be long, sloping, and well set back. The legs should be straight and muscular, possessing fair amount of bone, with upright and powerful pasterns. The feet should be small, round, and cat-like.
Body: The back should be short, and well ribbed up, good depth, moderate width of chest, and the loin strong.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters should be strong, thighs muscular and of a good length, with the hocks moderately straight, well let down, and fair amount of bone.
Tail: The stern should be set on moderately high, but not too gaily carried.
Welsh Terrier puppies
Disqualifications: Nose white, cherry, or spotted to a considerable extent with either of these colours. Ears prick, tulip, or rose. Undershot jaw or pig jawed mouth. Black below hocks or white to a considerable extent.
Links: Welsh Terrier club UK; USA Rescue