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Welsh Terrier breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Welsh Terrier as alert and spirited as any self-respecting terrier but a bit calmer than most, game and not quarrelsome in the words of fanciers, bred to do battle with badgers, otters and other dangerous opponents.
Sturdy, compact and rugged with a tight black-and-tan coat, folded ears and a jaunty beard.
Temperament
Welsh Terriers are friendly and outgoing, but young ones need adequate socialization to encourage polite behavior around other dogs. All Welsh should be taught to stay under control and tolerant of other dogs on lead.
Lots of exercise and attention help such an energetic dog.
Lifespan
Welsh Terriers live 12 to 15 years. Reaching 15 to 18 years is not uncommon, though the average lifespan seems to be 12 to 14 and breeders screen for allergy problems, hip dysplasia and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
Care
Care of the Welsh coat is similar to that for other broken-coated terriers: the hair may be plucked by hand, hand-stripping, a continual process and an art that takes years to master. Pet grooming is not complicated and the dog should be clipped every eight weeks or so.
Welsh Terriers are high-energy dogs that enjoy playing ball or catching a flying disc in a fenced yard. They need lots of running time in an enclosed area plus a long walk every day or so.
History
Nobody can say when Welsh Terriers came into being, but the breed took shape sometime in the 1700s to hunt fox, otter and badger in the remote mountains of northern Wales. Badgers are dangerous adversaries and digging them out was no job for sissy dogs.
Powerful forequarters, punishing jaws and typical terrier courage equipped the Welsh to go head to head with sharp-toothed, razor-clawed prey.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 2 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 4 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |