WELSH TERRIER
Terrier Group
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Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc.
Revised April 15, 2007.



History

Descended from the Old English Black and Tan (Broken Coated) Terrier, this breed was developed in Wales to hunt badger, fox and otter. It is most likely the most direct descendant in existence today of that earlier breed and has been documented as far back as the early 1700s.

The Welsh Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1936.

The sturdy, compact Welsh Terrier conveys the image of a square dog, being approximately as high as he is long. He is a medium-sized, rugged dog, with a coarse, wire-textured coat.

The breed is friendly and outgoing with people and other dogs. It shows spirit and courage, always being alert and aware while showing self-control. Intelligence and the desire to please are evident. The characteristic "Welsh Terrier expression" is shown in the set, color and position of the eyes, combined with the use of the ears.

The head is rectangular in shape. The top lines of the skull and muzzle are parallel and are joined by a slight stop.

SKULL - Moderately wide and flat between the ears, without wrinkle.

MUZZLE - Approximately the same length as the skull, with deep, strong jaws, flat cheeks and tight, black lips.

TEETH - A full complement of large, strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES - Small, dark and deeply set, giving the steady, confident, alert expression typical of the Welsh Terrier. NOSE - Black in color, squared-off in shape.

EARS - Small and V-shaped, not too thin. The ears fold just above the topline of the skull and are carried forward close to the cheek.

The slightly arched neck is of moderate length and thickness and slopes gracefully into the shoulders. The clean throat has no excess skin.

The long, sloping shoulders are well laid back. FORELEGS - The forelegs are straight and muscular with good bone. Pasterns are strong and upright.

The body has good substance. It is well ribbed up and has a level topline. The moderately short loin is strong. The brisket has good depth, and the chest is of moderate width.

The strong, muscular hindquarters have well-developed thighs of good length.

HIND LEGS – Well bent at the stifle and hock, with short, strong rear pasterns.

The small, round, cat-like feet have thick, black pads and strong, black nails.

Set on high and carried erect, the tail is customarily docked to a length that completes the look of a square outline. If undocked, not curved over the back.

The hard, wiry, dense outer coat has a close-fitting jacket. The undercoat is short and soft. Dense, wiry furnishings are found on the muzzle, legs and quarters.

The furnishings on the foreface are trimmed to complete (without exaggeration) the total rectangular outline of the head.

The black jacket spreads up onto the neck, down onto the tail and into the upper thighs. The legs, quarters and head are a clear tan, which is a deep reddish brown with slightly lighter shades acceptable. A black grizzle jacket is also acceptable.

Serious Fault: Black below the hocks.

Males are approximately 15 inches at the withers, with an acceptable range between 15 and 15½ inches. Bitches are proportionately smaller.

The average weight is approximately twenty pounds.

Straight, free and effortless, with good reach and strong drive. Front and rear legs move parallel with stifles turning neither in nor out.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.