Welsh Terrier Breed | Welsh Terrier Dog Breed Introduction
Welsh Terrier is a medium-sized terrier dog breed from Wales, in the United Kingdom. It was originally bred for hunting badger, rodents, and fox hence it has a high prey drive. It will chase after anything that moves. The Welsh Terriers share a close resemblance with Lakeland Terrier and Airedale Terrier. However, it is larger than a Lakeland Terrier and smaller in size when compared to Airedale Terrier.
The Welsh Terriers are affectionate, playful, friendly, outgoing, and make great traveling companions. However, they may be feisty, brave, and independent which may make training a bit difficult. They are also energetic dogs that need a great deal of mental and physical exercise to keep them contented.
A Welsh Terrier has a black and tan coat. Although, the puppies are born with a black coat that changes during the first year to standard black and tan color. As a true terrier, this breed can’t back down from a challenge.
Welsh Terrier History | Origin
The Welsh Terrier was developed in Wales, in the United Kingdom. Although, it is impossible to tell when they precisely came into being. The Welsh Terriers that we know started taking shape in the 1700s. They were originally developed for hunting badger, otter, and fox.
There are claims that Welsh Terriers are the oldest existing dog breed in the UK. Earlier on, the breed was known as Old English Terrier or Black-and Tan Wire Haired Terrier. They were first classified as Welsh Terrier in 1885 by the Kennel Club of England.
In the USA, the Welsh Terriers started arriving in 1888. In the United Kingdom, Welsh Terriers have been listed by the Kennel Club on the list of breeds that are in danger of extinction. This is because less than 300 puppies are registered annually.
Welsh Terrier Lifespan | Life Expectancy
The lifespan of Welsh Terriers is 12 to 15 years although some live up to the age of 18 years.
Welsh Terrier Grooming | Grooming Pattern | Grooming Guide
Prepare a Welsh Terrier for a positive grooming process by getting it accustomed to touch on the feet, ears, paws, and the body. This breed has a double wiry coat that sheds at low to non-levels all-year round. Therefore, the coat requires regular brushing at least twice a week to prevent matting and hand stripping to maintain the coat texture and color.
If the coat is not regularly raked, the old hair will eventually be stripped out when the dog is playing or in movement. Irregular hand stripping makes the coat to fade and thin out. Stripping is a skill that may take years to master. However, Welsh Terriers that are primary kept as pets and not show dogs may be clipped every 8 to 12 weeks. Although clipping will alter the texture of the coat from harsh to soft. Parents who clip their pets should leave the coat longer in cold weather.
A regular stripped coat repels dirt and moisture making the need to bath Welsh Terriers very sparse. Therefore, this breed requires a bath when it is visibly dirty. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo designed for wiry-coated dogs. AKC also urges parents to use a good shampoo that contains moisturizers. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the coat to prevent skin irritation. Make a habit of wiping the beard with a clean damp washcloth after the dog eats.
Trim the nails of Welsh Terriers fortnightly using clippers or grinders to prevent cracking, splitting, overgrowth, and discomfort when the pooch is walking or running. Brush the teeth of a Welsh Terrier at least twice a week if not daily using a dog formulated toothpaste and toothbrush to remove tartar buildup. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using cotton balls and an ear cleanser solution to remove excess wax or debris. Wipe the ears dry after a swimming activity to reduce the chances of exposing the pet to an ear infection due to moisture accumulation.
Welsh Terrier Haircut | Cut | Grooming Styles
A Welsh Terrier that participates in a Conformation show should be hand stripped while a dog that is primarily kept as a companion or pet may be clipped. The following are the grooming styles for Welsh Terriers:
The Show cut – To achieve this cut, the dead hair is stripped from the coat using stripping knives to promote new hair growth and maintain the wiry coat texture and color.
The Clipped Cut – To achieve this haircut, groomers and owners use scissors or an electric hair trimmer to cut down the coat to a uniform length every 8 to 12 weeks. However, during cold weather, the coat is left longer. A clipped cut is suitable for older dogs that have completed their show career, puppies that are highly averse to stripping, and pet or companion dogs.
Welsh Terrier Shedding
A Welsh Terrier has a non to low shedding coat that requires regular stripping to maintain the wiry texture and color of the coat.
Welsh Terrier Coat | Coat Type
The Welsh Terriers have a double coat that is wiry, hard, and dense with a close-fitting thick jacket. The undercoat is short and soft.
Welsh Terrier Hypoallergenic
A Welsh terrier has a low to non-shedding coat. Therefore, it is largely considered hypoallergenic. However, there is no 100% hypoallergenic breed or crossbreed. Therefore, parents should spend lots of time with a Welsh Terrier before adopting to ensure it does not trigger their allergies.
Welsh Terrier Training | Training Guide
Mature Welsh Terriers are outgoing and friendly. Although, puppies need to be adequately socialized by their owners to encourage polite behaviors around other dogs. With early and consistent training, all welsh Terriers can be taught to be under control and tolerant of other dogs especially when on a leash. This breed also requires lots of attention and exercise to help the dog to become affectionate and well-behaved while at home.
This breed was also developed to hunt independently hence making them stoic and assertive dogs. As a result, developing obedience training in a Welsh Terrier is a long-term proposition. They require a consistent training. Assuming pack leadership will also help with obedience training. Naturally, dogs are social animals that thrive where a pecking order has been established. Pack leadership enables a Welsh Terrier to reach its full potential since it understands it is under the leadership off a well-respected, trusted, and loving leader who will make good decisions for the well-being of the entire pack.
Socialization training also helps in raising a well-mannered and well-adjusted dog. This training starts from the early age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the pet has already settled in its new home. However, socialization may still be a life-long process to ensure the dog matures to have a well-rounded temperament and personality.
To socialize Welsh Terriers, expose them to a wide variety of animals, people, situations, surfaces, sight, smell, experiences, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, lawn mowers, washing machine, vacuum cleaners, sirens, and whistles. Enrolling this breed in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. These classes create a controlled environment where dogs interact. These classes are also beneficial to parents. They not only allow them to identify and correct bad habits but also have access to training information and assistance.
Make use of positive reinforcement methods to encourage positive behaviors by using treats, toys, verbal praise, petting, and playtime. Avoid use of harsh correction methods such as yelling, shoving, kicking, beating, punching, and use of choke or prong collars. They are counterproductive. Keep the training sessions short, fun, and challenging to prevent distraction and boredom.
According to The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren, Welsh Terriers rank at 101. Therefore, they are of average obedience/working intelligence. Although, this does not imply that Welsh Terriers fail to learn or understand commands. It is just that they are used to working independently and need a constant reinforcement. Therefore, keep a mental note of this when teaching basic command words like come, sit, stay, heel, leave, lie down, etc. Effectively housebreak a Welsh Terrier by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training.
Welsh Terrier Temperament | Personality | Traits
- Alert.
- Friendly.
- Spirited.
- Independent.
- Playful.
- Affectionate.
- Outgoing.
- Confident.
- Feisty.
- Lively.
- Happy.
- Energetic.
- Loyal.
- Devoted.
Welsh Terrier Exercise
These are high-energetic dogs that enjoy getting exercise by doing activities together with their owners such as catching a flying disc or playing a ball in a fenced yard. Welsh Terriers also enjoy lots of running in an enclosed area. A long walk everyday will also help to keep them happy and motivated.
Welsh Terrier Barking
A Welsh Terrier is a vocal breed that makes a great watchdog. However, it is has a high potential of excessive barking.
Welsh Terrier Height
Male Welsh Terriers have a height of 15 to 15.5 inches ( approx. 38 to 39 cm ). However, female Welsh Terriers are proportionally smaller.
Welsh Terrier Weight | Weight Chart
Welsh Terriers have a weight of 20 pounds ( approx. 9.07 kg ). However, the weight of this breed may vary with a few pounds depending on density of the bone and the height of the dog.
Welsh Terrier Size | Size And Weight
A Welsh Terrier is a medium-sized Terrier dog breed with a height of 15 to 15.5 inches ( approx. 38 to 39 cm ) and a weight of 20 pounds ( approx. 9.07 kg ).
Welsh Terrier Miniature
There is one size variety of Welsh Terriers with a weight of 20 pounds ( approx. 9.07 kg ) and a height of 15 to 15.5 inches ( approx. 38 to 39 cm ). Therefore, there are no miniature Welsh Terriers.
Welsh Terrier Aggression
Although Welsh Terriers may be brave, feisty, and assertive, they should not exhibit an overly aggressive attitude. The youngsters of this breed also require adequate socialization by their owners to encourage polite behavior around other dogs.
Welsh Terrier Biting
Biting and nipping is a rampant behavior with puppies when exploring their environment, playing, or when teething due to discomfort. Puppy biting may seem adorable but not for long after a Welsh Terrier develops into a dog that has serious biting issues. Therefore, parents are urged to discourage the behavior through bite inhibition training and redirection.
Welsh Terrier Health Issues | Health Problems
This is a generally hardy, robust , and healthy breed that may live up to the age of 15 to 18 years. However, Welsh Terriers may suffer from certain health issues including lens luxation, glaucoma, Onychodystrophy, allergy, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy.
Welsh Terrier Names
A pet parent may decide to get a name for a Welsh Terrier pet before it joins them home or days after the pup settles home to understand better the personality of a particular dog. Owners may get name inspiration from the heritage of the breed, coat color and texture, celebrity Welsh Terriers, books, songs, movies, food, historical figures, and nature.
Regardless of where the parent will source the name, they should ensure the name in question freely rolls off their tongue and will not make them embarrassed when the name is uttered out loud in the public places. Welsh Terriers and other dog breeds easily understand names that have vowels.
If a parent settles with a long name, they should find a cute nickname for the pet. Avoid giving a Welsh Terrier a name that rhymes with the command words to avoid confusion. If a Welsh Terrier shares a name with any family member or guest who frequent your home, it may cause confusion. Some of the names that Welsh Terrier owners give to their pets include:
- Alfie.
- Yogi.
- Eva.
- Joey.
- Isabella.
- Darwin.
- Darcy.
- Cosmo.
- Atlas.
- Jeremy.
- Zumba.
- Wade.
- Morris.
- Bantam, etc.
Welsh Terrier Price
Depending on how reputable the breeder is, the price of a Welsh Terrier may vary between $1000 to $4000. Other factors that determine the price of the dog include the health of the parents and whether they have won competitions.
Welsh Terrier White | Colors
The primary coat color of a Welsh Terrier is Black and Tan. Although, puppies are born with a completely black coat color. Welsh Terrier do not have a white coat color.
Other dog breeds include:
Welsh Terrier Allergies
The Welsh Terriers suffer from various form of allergies such as:
Food allergies – Although rare, Welsh Terriers may suffer from a true food allergy that may cause an immune response that is accompanied with a wide range of symptoms varying from skin issues to gastrointestinal symptoms.
Skin allergies – This allergy is caused by food, contact, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin.
Contact Allergies – This allergy causes inflammation to the skin once an allergen comes in contact with the skin. Some of the contact allergens that affect Welsh Terriers include plastics, carpet cleaning detergents, grooming products, latex, medication, certain fabrics, lawn chemicals, and bed linens.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergens that affect Welsh Terriers include fleas, pollen, trees, grass, ragweed, dust and dust mites, and house molds.
Welsh Terrier Dog Food
The amount of food that Welsh Terriers feed on depend on their weight, size, metabolism level, body build, and activity level. Welsh Terriers will do well on either commercially manufactured or home-prepared food. This dog is also prone to getting overweight. Therefore, parents should watch calorie consumption and weight level.
Welsh Terrier Stink Eye
The Welsh Terriers are popular for their Stink Eye. This is an intense look that the dog gives conveying annoyance and independent thinking when things are not going their way. As a result, the look has become the trademark of the breed.
Welsh Terrier Head | Head Grooming
It has a rectangular head. The head is stripped using a stripping knife working from the middle of the eye to retain the eyebrows.
Are Welsh Terrier Hypoallergenic
Yes. Welsh Terriers are considered hypoallergenic by their dog fanciers since they have a low to non-shedding coat.
Do Welsh Terrier Shed
Yes. Welsh Terriers shed at low levels that are barely noticeable especially if the coat is regularly stripped or clipped.
Are Welsh Terriers Aggressive
No. The Welsh Terriers are not aggressive dogs, although they may be brave, feisty, and assertive.
Are Welsh Terriers Easy To Train
They are independent thinkers that may make training difficult. However, consistent training is key.
Are Welsh Terriers Good Family Dogs
Yes. Welsh Terriers are loyal, friendly, playful, outgoing, energetic, and affectionate dogs making them great pets for active families.
Welsh Terriers Quick Facts
- They closely resemble their terrier cousins, Lakeland Terriers and Airedale Terriers.
- Welsh Terriers are popular for their trademark Stink Eye.
- They are considered hypoallergenic due to their low to non-shedding coat.