GROUP 2 - TERRIERS

Brief History
Originating in Wales, this black and tan terrier is recorded in early history and poetry. His job was to enter the den and chase out the fox. Although the history of the Welsh Terrier is not completely clear, we can ascertain from paintings and prints that the breed is quite old and may have been one of the first Terriers. Originally the Welsh was known as the Black-and-Tan Wire Haired Terrier or the Old English Terrier. It wasn't until 1885 that he was classified as a Welsh Terrier by the Kennel Club of England.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 15 years.

Temperament
Strong, independent, dominant, loving

The Welsh certainly has a strong personality and no wonder as he was bred to hunt badgers, foxes, and otters. Smart as can be, the Welsh can excel in agility, flyball, tracking, earthdog, and obedience competitions. His loving disposition and energy make him an excellent family companion who is great with the family as long as he knows his place in the pecking order. Regular training will benefit your new family companion. The Welsh Terrier can have a dominant nature and likes to be "top dog" which may lead to a conflict with adult dogs of same sex with the same dominant instinct.

General Breed Description
The Welsh is a square shaped dog. In brief the breed has been described as "a sturdy, compact, rugged dog with a coarse wire-texture coat." An untrimmed Welsh has a ‘’Teddy Bear’’ look that belies his strong temperament. The Welsh Terrier colours are black and tan and very occasionally grizzle and Tan. Puppies are born black with tan points. The tan gradually increases until a black ‘’saddle’’ is left. Like every dog, the Welsh needs early socialization with exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences. Positive reinforcement and winning their attention during early training is most effective.  The Welsh can be independent, which may lead to some training difficulties. As with every breed, you should always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children.

Coat and Care Requirements
A non to light shedder, the Welsh Terrier still requires a fair amount of grooming. He should be brushed at least once per week, although it is frankly better to groom every other day. He needs to be clipped or stripped several times a year to remove any loose or dead hair and to prevent it from matting. Brush your Welsh Terrier’s teeth at least two or three times a week. Trim nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn't wear them down naturally. His ears should be checked weekly for redness or a bad odour.

Size
Height: 39cms (15.5ins) or less.

Weight: 9 to 9.5kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does.

Suitability
Welsh Terriers make excellent companions but are not the right dog for everyone. Owners should be up to the challenge of showing who is in charge for the first two years of training. Small children can often compete for the same things; therefore, supervision is most important. Older family situations are ideally suitable. Add to that a hardiness that allows him to enjoy a fair amount of roughhousing, and you will find that he makes a wonderful companion for older families. The Welsh Terrier enjoys a walk every day.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/60