Britain's First Terrier

by Bardi McLennan

Originally Published in Dog Fancy, July 1988
(reprinted with permission of the author)

The Welsh is one of those "it looks like..." breeds. That is, it looks like the Airedale or the Lakeland, and some will even go so far as to say it looks like the wire Fox Terrier. The Welsh Terrier, however, stands firmly and proudly a breed apart, with canine historians even referring to it as "Britain's first terrier."

Written mention of the breed first appeared in 1450 when a Welsh poet referred to "a good black and red terrier." The breed name Welsh Terrier, however, did not come about until 1885. (Until then, there was no separation from what was known in the first dog shows as the English Black and Tan Terrier.)

Classes for Welsh Terriers were listed for the first time in a dog show held in Caernarvon, Wales. That same year, the first pair arrived in the United States. They were named simply T'Other and Which--and rather undistinguished, scruffy dogs they were by today's standards. Breeding (and some fancy show grooming) have smartened them up considerably.

In 1888, those two dogs became the first Welsh Terriers to be entered in the stud registry of the American Kennel Club (itself only 4 years old at the time).

The Welsh Terrier has been an integral member of the farm in Wales for hundreds of years. While the sheep dog took on the arduous work of tending flocks, the small terrier's job was to rid the farm of rats and mice, and dispatch the occasional badger or fox (prey equal in size to the dog). The breed's steady temperament was obviously recognized early on, because these dogs were brought into the house to sleep by the fire, play with the children, and on many occasions, accompany the farmer on an evening visit to the pub.

This breed's rather scruffy, sturdy, utilitarian good looks have turned out to be its salvation. The Welsh Terrier was and is "everyman's" dog--with no particular appeal to high society or to fad popularity, both of which are the downfall of so many breeds.

Although few in number--about 55 a month are registered with the AKC, compared, for example, to Miniature Schnauzers (also in the Terrier group) with nearly 3000 registered each month--the Welsh has an extensive fan club. It seems that anyone who has ever owned a Welsh, lived next door to one or had even the briefest friendship with one of these dogs, has been taken in by its charms. Today, many people who had a Welsh in childhood go on to buy one for their own children. The next Welshie is often their retirement dog--proving not only its long life (12 to 15 years), but also its ready adaptability to differing lifestyles.

Looks and Grooming

The Welshie is a small, square and solid, measuring about 15 inches at the shoulder, with males weighing 20 to 22 pounds. The coloring is always black and tan, but the black may be grizzled, and the tan ranges from wheaten to a deep reddish brown; the latter shade is preferred. The markings are standard: a black jacket (it does look like a short-sleeved jacket with the collar turned up) and tan head and legs. It should be noted, however, that puppies are born almost entirely black. As they mature, the black recedes and the tan takes over. Small dark eyes look right at you.

The ears have a natural fold just above the top of the head. They are never cropped (although records indicate that this was done occasionally in the early part of the last century). The tail is docked when the whelps are 3 or 4 days old. Very little is removed, and at that age the end of the tail is soft cartilage.

Legend has it that the tail was docked to the length of of a man's fist, referring to the amount of tail (and fist) needed to pull a dog out from the earth den of a fox, badger or woodchuck. Today, the majority of Welsh Terriers are pets, and the tail length merely contributes to the attractive square outline of the dog.

The coat is double, with a wiry layer on top, a woolly one beneath. This must all be hand-stripped, or plucked, for the show ring. For those who enjoy doing it, and who have the time, patience and aptitude for it, the pet may also be handstripped until it becomes too much for the older dog. Most of us live in a faster lane, however, and electric clippers are the way to go: About four or five clippings a year will keep a pet looking trim. The adult coat doesn't shed, so a good brushing and combing are necessary once a week to remove dead hair.

The weatherproof coat is water repellent and insulated against head and cold. Except when trapped by a skunk or a similar catastrophe, these dogs should not be bathed too frequently because it destroys the wiry texture and the natural oils. Many Welsh Terriers go a lifetime with only two or three baths--and without doggy odor!

Friendly and Adaptable

As a breed, Welsh Terriers make excellent companions and are happy to call home an apartment, house or condo, in town or country. They are sensible dogs: When raised without pampering, they take life pretty much as it comes without undue stress.

Like all of the terriers, the Welsh is a perfect candidate for crate training. It also needs to be walked on a leash, to be protected by a fenced yard or rectangular run (for those yucky days when its owner isn't up to a walk).

Training

The Welsh Terrier is more easily taught, or shown, than trained by force. Because this is an eager-to-please breed, the owner's job is to show the dog how great things are when the dog is cooperative.

The bitches are hunters, and in American Working Terrier Trials (in which the earth-hunting capabilities of terrier are measured), two out of three Welsh Terriers achieving their titles are indeed bitches. The first Welsh to gain a certificate of gameness was Ch. Bardwyn Penny Wise in 1975. [The AKC now has Earthdog Tests which are similiar to the AWTA terrier field trials.]

The aim of the trials is to perpetuate the terriers' original purpose in the canine world, which is to "go to ground." This is, of course, how these dogs were named: The word terrier is from the Latin word terra, meaning earth.

Today, the simulated "earths" (or vermin tennels and dens) test the terriers' skills without any animal being hurt. The prey are usually rats, protected in a special cage, so the dogs never come in actual contact with them, either in the 10-foot novice run or in the 30-foot (and more complicated) open tunnel.

Perhaps because of the expert hunting ability of the females, there are distinct differences in personality between the sexes. The bitches are (generally) more alert, quicker to learn and have more of the "I can do it myself" approach to life. They are sometimes dominant in their love of people. The same token, they may be more scrappy toward other dogs than are the males. They are definitely more vocal, but that comparison is relative, because the Welsh Terrier is not a yapper.

The males tend to be easy-going, devoted, friendly companions, and are more challenging than aggressive. They are often steadier, quieter and quicker to enjoy the fun in life than the bitches. The Welsh Terrier is not an aggressive dog and should not be allowed--or worse, encouraged--to become one.

The Welsh has typical terrier quickness: It is quick to make friends with man or beast, quick to race after a squirrel or mouse, quick to react to your moods, quick to switch from sun-napping to super watchdog. All this quickness can be the dog's undoing, however, if it has not been taught right from wrong. For the Welsh (as will all dogs), the first life-saving lesson to be learned at 6 to 8 weeks (and reinforced daily for ever after) is "Come!" The second is "Stay."

The Welsh Terrier is typically funny, mischievous, and either all innocence or endearingly apologetic. It is easy to train as long as the trainer is clear about what is wanted, firm in maintaining discipline, gentle in making any correction understood, and quick to realize when it's time to quit and have fun. Training the Welsh requires a light hand, a gentle voice and the firm conviction on your part that no matter how long it takes, you, as leader of this pack, are right. Rough treatment, harsh corrections, teasing, yelling or shouting are definitely not for the Welsh Terrier; any or all of these approaches will only bring on "terminal deafness" or even snarling--through very large teeth. Prevention is a better teaching tool than punishment. The Welsh considers itself a gentleman and should be treated as such.

Full of Personality

Welsh Terrier puppies are spunky, funny, playful, sweet and very intelligent. They are born knowing that they are all these things, which can make it difficult for the unwary new owner. They learn quickly and easily, and in less time than it takes to say, "Good dog," they have discovered exactly how to get their own way. For this reason, they do not make good pets for people who really wanted a baby or a pet to pamper. The right owner is the person who wants a rugged, healthy dog: a bright but quiet companion that's easy to housetrain, somewhat more difficult to obedience train, but full of terrier spunk should a stranger knock on the door.

Welsh are generally good with children, although an older dog may feel out of sorts if the first baby arrives after many years of Welsh "government" in the household. Toddlers do not make good owners of any breed of dog, and Welsh are no exception to this rule, although the adult dogs can be more patient than some other terrier breeds. For older, responsible children, the Welsh is a fun-loving, playful and faithful companion. The Welsh is calm (for a terrier) and sturdy.

When considering the price of a Welsh Terrier bear in mind that the dog will live to be 12 or 15, is a hardy dog and is generally free from breed-specific ills. But Welshies are not kept "on the shelf" ready for instant purchase. Be prepared to go on a breeder's waiting list.

Also be prepared to be asked by the breeder to have your pet spayed or neutered. The Welsh Terrier Club of America has an active rescue service (WTCARES) and does not take kindly to irresponsible breeding of its very special dogs.

The Welsh Terrier is a basic terrier with basic needs. Those needs are training and controlled "hunting" (for mental stimulation), walks on a leash and play (for physical exercise), normal veterianry care (mostly preventive medicine), a good diet (to keep it healthy and at a good weight) and grooming (to keep it handsome). It needs an owner who cares about all of these things--someone who has a sense of humor to fully appreciate that with a Welshie, life won't be cut-and-dried!

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