Welsh Terrier Dog Breed
Aliases: Old English Terrier
Description
The Welsh Terrier is a compact and medium sized dog with a coarse wire haired cod. Their legs, head and underbody are tan and their jackets are black or grizzle. They have docked tails to complement their appearance as a rather square shaped dog. They have a very specific terrier expression that is a result of the particular set and color of their eyes and the way they use their ears. Welsh Terriers are very friendly and spirited dogs, and they tend to be very outgoing. They have a typical terrier trot that makes them effortless runners.
A Welsh Terrier\'s head is rectangular in shape. They have small, dark brown almond shaped eyes that are set far apart. Their ears are v-shaped and small. Their muzzle is about half the length of their head and is squared off. They have black lips and large strong teeth. Welsh Terriers have black, squared off noses.
Welsh Terriers are good hunting dogs for fox hunting and bird hunting. Today, however, they are most often kept as family pets. Terriers are small dogs, but they are not lap dogs. They are energetic, intelligent and require stimulation. Though they are typically calm in nature, they are not designed to lie placidly in the house all day. They will be happiest and best suited to an active family.
Coat Description
The Welsh Terrier\'s coat is hard, wiry, and dense with a close-fitting thick jacket and a short soft undercoat. The undercoat provides insulation, while the wiry topcoat protects from dirt, rain and wind. Furnishings on muzzle, legs, and quarters are dense and wiry, as well. Welsh Terriers are typically red/brown with black marks.
History
The word terrier is from the Latin word "terra" meaning "earth." Welsh Terriers originated in Wales around the 1800s. They descended from the Old English Black and Tan terriers that have been in existence in England since the 13th century. The breed has been officially recognized since 1886. Prior to 1900, Welsh Terriers were referred to as Old English Terriers or Black and Tan Rough Haired Terriers.
Welsh Terriers were bred to be hunters of otter, fox and badgers on Welsh farms. To accomplish such tasks, they needed to be compact, brave and natural hunters. Over time, the Welsh bred their own version of the English black and tan, slowly breeding the features that appealed to their needs. They wanted a dog of good bone and muscle, with strong jaws and teeth. In addition, they needed the dog to have strength and stamina, but have a calm enough disposition that it could be trusted with their children or other dogs. Due to the weather, the dog needed a rugged, weather resistant coat. Appearance was less important than function.
Temperament
Welsh Terriers are very alert dogs, which is what makes them good hunters. However, they are also very friendly and intelligent. They love pleasing their master and show a good level of self control. They are rarely shy and do well in the city or country, though some exhibit a much stronger hunting instinct than others. They are great family pets because they are loving and loyal and get along quite well with children, even tolerating the roughness of toddlers quite well. Because of their intelligence, they are happiest when they have activities to keep them occupied, though they are rarely active to a fault. It\'s important to understand that the general nature of terriers is to be active and engaged in activities. However, of the many breeds of terrier, the Welsh terrier is one of the calmest and most tolerant of inactivity.
These dogs need interesting things to do each day. They are quite curious and playful, which makes them great dogs for children who will truly use them as companion animals. Most love to swim. All in all, they make a very loyal, loving and hardy pet.
Bitches are more alert and quicker to learn. They are also quite independent and tend to love people more than other dogs. They bark more than male Welsh Terriers, as well. The bitches are also the ones most likely to be hunters. In fact, in the American Working Terrier Trials, whether the hunting abilities of terriers are measured, two out of three Welsh Terriers achieving their titles are bitches.
Male Welsh Terriers are typically more easy going and friendlier than bitches. They are also quieter and steadier than females. However, Welsh Terriers, in general, are friendly and rarely aggressive. Though they show aggression rarely, they are a formidable enemy when they do decide to fight back. They have been bred to hold their own when required to do so.
Thyroid Disease - Low Risk
The Welsh Terrier ranks #123 among all breeds for autoimmune thyroiditis prevalence. This is considered a low risk breed so your chances of obtaining a dog with the disease is small. It is still suggested that dogs meant for breeding still be tested to help bring the incidence of disease even lower (or even eliminate it).
| Rank Among Breeds |
Number of Dogs Tested |
Percent of Dogs With Disease |
| #123 |
263 |
2.3% |
You can download the full report (on all breeds) by the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Here
Other Health Problems
Welsh Terriers are typically very hardy and healthy dogs. There are no specific medical defects noted in the breed, except that they are prone to luxated lens, a dislocation of the lens in the eye that can lead to secondary glaucoma and cause blindness. They also occasionally have epilepsy and thyroid conditions. In addition, some blood lines tend to be prone to minor skin and eye problems. Overall, they have maintained their healthy and sturdy tendencies through years of breeding.
