Welsh Terriers were breed to hunt badgers, otters, fox and rodents. Usually they were independent of the rest of the pack and expected to flush the prey from a burrow. Therefore, they were bred to be intelligent, independent, and not intimidated. This is all true of the breed today. An owner can expect to spend at least 30 to 60 minutes a day playing with the dog. Because of the breeding they love to play ball and chase after thrown objects. They will need some room to run and play and will do so independently, but still need the human interaction as indicated previously. Going for a jog? Take this little dog with you, they will gladly keep pace and enjoy the bonding time. The Welsh Terrier is energetic and should be with a family that is the same way. If left alone, they will find a way to keep themselves amused and will play independently with toys or this may be by barking, digging, or jumping the fence. They have a natural curiosity, so they may run if off a lead and they will definitely chase rodents, squirrels, or anything else that decides to run from it! The breed is highly intelligent and independent, resulting in a potential challenge for a new dog owner. They need to understand and respect structure and the rules of the house. However, this needs to be done carefully and consistently. Training can be a challenge for a dog that will ignore you because it is bored with training! Sometimes this is a challenge to see who gives up first – trainer or dog! If you want to have a well socialized dog, you cannot be the one to give up!
Welsh Terriers are small to medium sized dogs that look like smaller versions of the Airdale. They are sturdy and strong for their size. Typically they are about 12 to 15 inches tall and weigh about 20 pounds. They are terriers and, therefore, act larger than their size. These dogs typically live about 10 to 14 years and are relatively healthy. Problems that the breed has are epilepsy and allergies, both can be controlled reasonably easily.
The Welsh Terrier coat is a double coat. The outside being a tough wire like coat to shed rain, mud and the elements. The inner coat is softer and designed to keep the dog warm in cooler climates. They do equally well in warm or colder climates. If you want the dog to have the classic “brick face” appearance, this will require active grooming. Regardless, the dog should be brushed regularly at least once a week to keep the outer coat clean. Brushing is needed to keep the coat from matting as well, and stripping the coat will be required about 2 to 3 times a year. Nails will need to be clipped if the activity level does not keep the nails from getting too long. Another breed with flop over ears, you will need to check these often to be sure that there is not an infection or mite infestation. Many groomers suggest that brushing teeth be part of the regular grooming of the breed, if not daily, then at least 3 times a week.