Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier is a black-and-tan working terrier from Wales, bred to face otter, fox and badger underground.

History

It descends from the old Black and Tan Terrier of Britain and was worked in Wales long before it was standardised in the 1880s. It resembles a small Airedale, which is no accident — both come from the same rough black-and-tan stock — and it remains rare enough to sit on the Kennel Club's list of vulnerable native breeds.

Temperament

The breed is known for being cheerful, game and less quarrelsome than most terriers, affectionate with its family and good with children while keeping a real hunting drive.

Care and training

It needs regular exercise and a secure garden. The harsh coat needs hand-stripping and sheds very little. Training benefits from variety; it is bright and bores quickly.

Health

Generally robust and long-lived, with lens luxation, glaucoma and hypothyroidism among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.