Welsh Terrier dog. Description, features, types, care and price of the Welsh Terrier breed

History of Welsh Terriers

The pedigree of the breed goes back to the 17th century, when wire-haired black and tan terriers roamed the fields of English Wales. Initially, the cocky, loud-voiced dogs were bred by farmers who needed compact animals that combined the “qualifications” of guards and rat catchers, but at the same time were content with a ladle of liquid stew. Subsequently, several new breed lines sprang from Welsh dogs, including the Welsh family.

Over time, the line of the Old English Black and Tan Terrier died out, giving way to more tenacious and agile descendants. Perhaps that is why, from the middle of the 19th century, increased attention began to be paid to “pumping up” the external and working qualities of Welsh Terriers - by 1886, the breed already had its own standard, and pages in stud books, and a club of admirers. The descendants of Welsh rat catchers came to Russia after the Great Patriotic War, but did not arouse any professional interest among dog breeders. As a result, the shaggy “emigrants” lived ordinary, unremarkable lives as pets, leaving no purebred offspring behind.

The real breeding of Welsh Terriers in the USSR began in the 70s, when breeding animals were brought to the country from abroad. At that time, the domestic stock came from foreign sires Glaya-Erik, Axel, Glory-Mercy and Yudita-Yozho, so the breeders soon faced a shortage of fresh genes - all the animals bred by Soviet breeders were closely related to each other. Fortunately, already in the 80s the problem was solved by importing pedigree Welsh Terriers from Sweden, Germany and Finland, which significantly improved the external performance of Russian breed lines.

Breed standard

When you first meet a Welshman, you really want to write him down as a relative of the Airedale Terrier - the same shaggy rectangular face, the same coarse hair on the body and the same hunting bearing. In fact, the only common ancestor between the breeds is the Old English Black and Tan Terrier. At the same time, representatives of both families have never been crossed with each other, not to mention the working specializations, which are completely different between the Welsh and the Airedale. In particular, the Welsh Terrier has always been “sharpened” for burrow hunting, while its competitor from Yorkshire more often practiced catching river otters.

Head

Welsh Terriers have a flattened, moderately wide skull, a harmoniously developed but not excessively long muzzle and a distinctly smooth stop.

Teeth and jaws

Strong, strong teeth meet in a scissor bite. The massive, well-defined jaws have good depth.

Nose

The lobe is neat, painted in a uniform black tone.

Eyes

Welsh Terriers are characterized by small almond-shaped eyes without obvious bulge and roundness.

Ears

The Welsh have elegant, high-set ears: medium-sized, regular V-shaped, tightly fitting to the temples.

Neck

The Welsh Terrier's neck has a slight graceful curve and flows smoothly into the shoulders. The neck muscles are developed, but not excessively.

Frame

The Welsh Terrier is a compact dog. The animal's back is short, with a strong loin; The chest is moderately wide and deep.

Limbs

Welsh dogs have strong, even legs with low-set hocks, providing the animal with a free, energetic reach and linear movement. The dog's shoulder blades are long, strongly laid back; the pasterns are powerful and straight, and the elbows move freely along the body. The hind legs look massive due to the muscular elongated thighs, while the paws have a miniature cat shape.

Tail

Historically, Welsh dogs, like all terriers working in burrows, had their tails docked. Today this procedure is prohibited by European associations, therefore modern representatives of the breed have high-set tails of normal length, carried vertically (the so-called funny tail is considered a defect). If the tail is docked, which is still common in Russia, its tip should not be higher than the occipital protuberance of the pet.

Wool

The slightly disheveled "clothes" of the Welsh Terrier consist of undercoat and wiry, coarse hair. At the same time, the layer of wool is very dense, not lagging behind the animal’s body.

Color

The Welsh Terrier can be black and tan or must have a “coat” of black grizzly and tan color. At the same time, black markings on the toes are prohibited, and black coloring below the dog’s hocks is also not desirable.

Defects and disqualifying defects in appearance

Disadvantages of the exterior include excessively large dimensions (height above 39 cm at the withers), hare-like paws, anatomical deviations from the standard (long/sloping croup, belly, weak withers, etc.). The ban on exhibiting in the ring applies to Welsh Terriers with cryptorchidism, depigmented lobes, lips and eyelids, atypical colors and coat structure, as well as cowardly and overly aggressive dogs.

Description of the breed

Beautiful, strong-toothed and curly-haired dogs, distinguished by a cheerful and somewhat stubborn disposition. The body is covered with thick, wiry hair with a soft undercoat. A funny thick beard full of stuck crumbs is also striking.

The current breed standard was approved in 1998. The breed is also called the "Welsh Terrier" or "Welsh Terrier". These are dogs of medium height, height at the withers - up to 39.5 cm, weight - 9-9.5 kg. Males are slightly taller and more massive than females.

The head of the Welsh Terrier is flat, the distance between the ears is moderate. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is weakly expressed.
The ears are triangular, small, not too thin, hanging on cartilage. Set high, close to the cheekbones and directed forward.
The eyes are dark, deep-set, and small. The dog's temperament is evident in the expression of the eyes. Protruding eyes are undesirable.
The Welsh Terrier has a straight nose and a medium-length muzzle. The nose is black.
Dogs have a regular scissor bite. The jaws are well developed, powerful, clearly defined, with a strong grip.
The dogs have a strong body, distinguished by a straight topline and a strong, relatively short loin.
The chest is deep, of moderate width, the front of the body looks straight, the ribs are arched.
The Welsh Terrier breed has a short back.
The forelimbs are muscular and straight when viewed from the front. The paws are round and small. The arched fingers are tightly gathered into a ball, the claws are black and strong.
The hind limbs of the Welsh Terrier are muscular and strong, the legs are well developed. The structure of the paws is similar to the front ones; the dewclaws must be removed.
The tail is set high and can be docked. In this case, the dog carries it vertically, the end is at the same height as the dog's occipital protuberance.
The coat is wiry, thick and harsh. The undercoat is soft and short; the coat on the “jacket” is thicker. There is decorative fur on the face, limbs and back of the body. Smooth or single coat without undercoat is extremely undesirable.

The color of the Welsh Terrier is rusty-red or gray, in both cases with a black saddle. A rusty-red background is preferable. Black spots on the toes are unacceptable, and black coloring on the back sides of the metatarsals is considered a defect.

Temperament of the Welsh Terrier

Welsh is perhaps one of the most “terrier” representatives of his own group. Infinitely expressive, passionate, and in relation to other animals also incredibly cocky, this comrade strives to be on time always and everywhere. When acquiring a breed for home keeping, you should not give in to its hunting past: Welsh Terriers do not rush at children and do not show aggression towards adults. The only thing you will have to get used to is the willfulness of the agile nimble. A true Welsh Terrier has his own vision of any everyday situation and his own system of judgment, so it can be difficult to convince him.

The breed cannot imagine life without close contact with the owner. To be more precise, Welsh dogs are generally ready not to part with their owner for days: a terrier resting its head on a person’s slipper or leg and falling asleep in this position is a completely common picture. By the way, if you dream of a pet that can “mimic” the color of the wallpaper, you are definitely not in the right place with Welsh terriers, because you can always see and hear them in the apartment. It’s also difficult to hide anything from Welshies, so when you acquire a representative of this family, prepare to be “under the guard” of your pet every minute.

The Welsh Terrier does not get along with other dogs: this is a fact that needs to be accepted. In addition, he is the greatest provocateur, knowing how to arouse hostile interest on the part of shepherd dogs, wolfhounds and other large-sized tribesmen, famous for their ferocity. However, the dog does no better with small representatives of the fauna - cats, hamsters and rats, when they see a Welsh dog, run away at jet speed. The Welsh Terrier loves to have tough showdowns with creatures even slightly smaller than him.

A modern purebred Welsh Terrier is almost always a gambling addict. Don’t think that you have completed your mission by taking your dog outside and making him run after a ball. Upon returning home, the shaggy “meteor” will continue to demand a new portion of entertainment. He does this not impudently, but in the manner characteristic of terriers, that is, every minute he lies in wait for the owner who is distracted from business and reminds him of his own existence. Toys scattered around the house are another cunning way to catch a person in your net. As soon as you kick a squeaker that has turned up under your foot, the Welshman will regard the sound made by the toy as a signal to action, and then he will not be able to get away from the game.

Breed characteristics and character

The Welsh Terrier breed is a cute, friendly, active, agile, kind, energetic, cheerful dog. They are devoted to their master and serve them faithfully all their lives. They are kept as pets and loyal friends.

Breed Features:

- they do not get along in the same house with cats. Their natural, strong hunting abilities will constantly manifest themselves, and the cats will suffer a little from this, since the dog will constantly chase them;

— the Welsh Terrier dog reacts calmly to its relatives of other breeds. They don't rush into fights unless they get hurt. If this has already happened, then they show themselves to be quite strong rivals, even with much larger individuals;

— dogs are good with children. They love little girls and boys and can run and play with them for hours, considering them their best friends and partners. In addition, the dog will be a faithful guard and protector of your children;

— the Welshman requires daily active and long walks. It could be a forest, a planting, a square, a city park, or any body of water. They swim very well, and especially love to roll around in the snow;

- they can live both in an apartment and in a private house;

— Welsh Terrier puppies must be trainable, starting from the day they are brought into the home. They are able to quickly learn commands and obey their owner;

— Welsh Terrier males are characterized by a calmer and more balanced character;

Welsh Terriers on the street in spring

- They love to dig holes in the ground. Therefore, you can be calm - all the flower beds will be dug up;

- this breed requires constant attention and the presence of a person nearby. If they are left alone for a long time, they become depressed, they lose their appetite and the desire to run.

The dog's activity manifests itself from a very young age. Their puppies do not stop for a second, constantly running and playing. With age, they calm down and begin to behave more calmly within the confines of the house, but the same cannot be said about the street.

A cheerful and playful dog will never ignore a dog fight. He is independent, self-confident, has courage and determination, and has the qualities of a leader. When training, it is very important to let the pet understand that the person is more important and more important than him. This will not be easy or simple, but it is necessary to insist on it.

Dogs perceive aggression and force in their direction negatively. Even during training, a person must be calm so as not to anger the dog and not to learn its bad side. He will become embittered, stop obeying and bare his teeth.

Hunting with a Welsh Terrier will be unforgettable. He will quickly find the holes of animals, dig them up, drive the fastest and most nimble hare, and will tirelessly do this as long as necessary. But, you need to take only trained dogs for hunting, so that they understand all the commands the first time and are able to stop at the request of the owner.

Education and training

The Internet is full of funny videos, the heroes of which are terriers, turning on coffee makers, brushing dust from furniture with a broom and polishing the owner's shoes to a shine. However, it is important to understand that behind such shows there are months, even years of hard work. In ordinary life, Welsh dogs, like all representatives of the terrier group, are not eager to learn and do not tolerate being forced to acquire knowledge. Therefore, the only way to interest a dog in training is to put it in a playful form. The main thing is that the four-legged scoundrel does not see through the trick and does not guess that serious work lies behind the supposed entertainment. Positive incentives can also work wonders. Welsh Terriers are greedy for praise and are easily tempted by treats.

When raising a puppy, it is necessary to adhere to moderate firmness. From the first days of being in the house, the baby must understand the system of prohibitions and then strictly follow it. At first, the Welsh Terrier will try to defend its own rights. For example, he will whine resentfully when he cannot lie on the bed, or he will begin to hypnotize with his gaze every piece that a person puts into his mouth. It is important not to be fooled by provocations and not to meet the dog’s weaknesses. Any permissive action for an animal is identical to a small victory that is worth securing. As a result: today you fished a piece of meat out of your own plate for the Welshman, and tomorrow your pet will jump onto your lap to take the treat from the table on its own.

Train your puppy to come when asked in a timely manner. By three to four months, the Welsh Terrier should respond to the owner’s call, and the animal can be controlled either with the standard command “Come to me!” or simply by pronouncing the nickname. However, you should not abuse trust, so if an animal has done something wrong, calling it for punishment is a grave mistake. Welsh is not a stupid creature and will quickly figure out what awaits him in such cases, so next time he will either skillfully feign deafness or hide from punishment.

If the Welsh Terrier begins to make attempts to dominate, they must be stopped sharply, but kindly. For example, if the dog decides to grumble in response to demands or after the command “Sit!” jumps off abruptly, you can shake it thoroughly or press it to the floor with your hand.

Important! Do not follow fashion trends and do not train your Welshie using an electric collar. This is a very painful accessory for the animal, which in the future can harm the already sensitive neck of the Welsh Terrier.

To toilet train your Welshman, take him for walks more often. Puppies do not know how and cannot endure for long, so it is important to have time to take the baby out before he has time to make a puddle (immediately after sleeping or eating). If your ward did not make it to the walk and left waste products on the floor, do not scold or spank him. The puppy will decide that going to the toilet in your presence is the height of bad manners and next time he will relieve himself in a secluded corner of the apartment. In general, as Welsh Terriers age, they quickly realize that it is more convenient to satisfy their toilet needs outside and look forward to their next walk.

It is better to do ring training for your pet in secluded places where there are no dogs or other people. This will make it easier for the Welsh Terrier to concentrate on commands. Usually training begins with running (commands “Lynx!”, “Work!”). If the animal moves incorrectly and goes into a gallop, it should be pulled back (command “No!”). From straight-line movements you can move on to running in a circle, which is a more complex action. Commands “Ring!”, “Inspection!”, “Teeth!” are introduced after the Welsh Terrier has learned to move at the correct trot.

Hunting with a Welsh Terrier

In Russian realities, you can successfully fight a fox with a Welsh dog. The breed is distinguished by good viciousness and fiercely attacks the animal in a hole. However, it is better not to count on lightning success, since seasoned foxes can lead a dog by the nose for a long time, winding through underground tunnels. It usually takes Welsh Terriers several hours to wear down a red rogue and drive it out at gunpoint. The process is especially delayed if the hole is old and branched.

The situation is even more complicated with badger holes, which are sometimes occupied by fox families. It can be difficult for a Welsh dog to navigate this semblance of the Parisian catacombs and often, after being active for several hours, the dog loses interest in the enemy. That is why, when buying a puppy for hunting purposes, it is important to ask the seller how high the degree of viscosity is in the baby’s parents. This quality, like malice towards the animal, is inherited and even an experienced professional cannot easily cultivate it.

In Europe and America, classic hunting is not favored, preferring to replace it with bloodless entertainment. For example, in the USA, Welsh Terriers are used in the sport of barn hunting. The essence of the attraction is to imitate hunting actions using a labyrinth built from straw bales, in which cages with rats are placed. A Welsh Terrier released into a hole must find rodents in the shortest possible time and inform the owner about this.

At the moment, barn hunting is recognized as an official sport by several canine associations. In addition, it does not establish class boundaries for participants (both show pets and pet-class Welsh dogs can compete). In Russia, such “quests” are not yet common, although some pioneers have already built straw labyrinths on their plots, where they successfully train Welsh Terriers and their relatives.

Maintenance and care

The Welsh Terrier puppy is a little energizer with an insatiable passion for mischief and destruction, so before moving the baby to a new home, make sure to buy space limiters. These can include dog cages, indoor enclosures and other structures that do not allow the animal to escape beyond the designated area. Of course, the pet should not spend days in this kind of cell, but when leaving home even for a short period of time, it is wiser to protect the Welsh Terrier from itself by limiting its area of movement.

It is better to use old textiles as bedding in the cage, rather than newspapers, which Welshies can chew for fun. On hot summer days, Welsh terriers are not averse to cooling off in a pond, so if there is none nearby, you can arrange an artificial pool for your dog right in the yard by filling a flat, shallow container with water.

Make sure to purchase the correct collar and leash and take your Welshie out into busy streets where other dogs meet, in full walking gear. Remember that Welsh Terriers react very violently to even minor provocation from their four-legged pets. When keeping a dog in the yard of a private house, be responsible when choosing a fence. The Welsh Terrier is extremely jumpy, not to mention the fact that this comrade manages to dig under a fence in a matter of minutes.

Choosing a puppy

Before buying a puppy of this specific breed, you need to answer yourself:

How great is the desire to keep a Welsh Terrier in the house/yard.
For what purpose is a dog purchased?
Is the future owner ready to invest most of his time and effort in raising the dog?

If the desire to have a Welsh Terrier is really great and justified, you should listen to the advice of dog handlers, among whom there is an opinion that a Welsh Terrier dog is more like a monkey with a grenade. It is almost impossible to guess which instinct is driving the dog at the moment and where it will turn. Even despite its small size, the grenade is also small.

As for the purpose of acquisition, each person has his own:

A soul dog is a category of those who are not the first to have a Welsh dog.
Star dog – purchased for a show career. More your own than the dog's. There is a whole iceberg of relationships between dog and owner.
For hunting purposes. Dogs are purchased by practicing hunters.
For the purpose of participating in sports competitions. Welsh dogs are indeed considered talented participants in competitions in agility, offense, and Frisbee.
Purchasing a dog for breeding purposes.

It is extremely rare to find a combination of all five points in one representative of the Welsh Terrier breed, the price of which will be insanely high. Yes, and you can meet such a dog in an extremely rare case, and then only in adulthood. How much effort was put into raising him, ask the owner of that Welshman. To choosing a puppy. The main thing is that the dog is adequate. Therefore, it is worth getting to know the parents of the litter.

Depending on the breed and purpose of the puppy (participation in exhibitions, hunting or companion), its price can range from $100 to $800.

Breeders who respect themselves and their own reputation do not allow dogs with psychological defects or deviations to be bred. The puppy should be active and cheerful. Ears and eyes are clean. The baby should be well fed, but the stomach should not be swollen, which may indicate the presence of worms. The coat of a small Welshman should be silky, without bald patches. The body is clean, without dermatitis or signs of irritation. Puppies are provided with a birth certificate and a veterinary passport with the dates of vaccinations, sealed with wet seals. The puppy's black and tan color changes color only when the dog is two years old.

Hygiene

Conditioned shedding is something that happens to Welsh Terriers twice a year. The breed does not shed its fur completely, so in order for the coat to be renewed, the owner will have to engage in trimming (plucking the fur) or entrust the process to an experienced groomer. The first trimmings begin in puppyhood: at three to four months of age, it is time to teach the Welshman to calmly endure an unpleasant procedure for him. If you plan to apply the shine yourself, buy grooming tools: knives with fine, medium and coarse notches, mucrackers and other auxiliary items, including brushes and tangle cutters.

Before pinching the Welsh Terrier, it is necessary to comb it along the growth of the coat and against it, simultaneously sorting out tangles, if any. In addition, you will have to prepare for the fact that you won’t get a stunning result right away. Keep in mind that a truly spectacular awn grows after several trimmings. At the same time, at first Welsh terriers have to show off almost naked, since during the first plucking of the fur they have to remove all the dead hair down to the undercoat, which exposes the skin. Another problem that may arise in puppies and young animals is the hair on the neck and chest that does not want to shed. It is not recommended to be zealous and try to tear out the fur in such cases. Just comb these areas of the body daily and wait for the hair to begin to die off on its own.

For novice fans of the breed, when they first pinch, it is better to be guided by grooming diagrams, which are easy to find on the Internet. They clearly illustrate how to properly grip the hair and in what sequence to trim parts of the dog’s body. For example, the legs of a Welsh dog are almost never plucked down to the undercoat before an exhibition, since the limbs of show dogs must look like columns, otherwise the score in the ring will be reduced.

Important! Show dogs are plucked a couple of months before entering the ring, and this requires special, more thorough trimming. If you are not yet able to properly “cultivate” the Welshman, it is better to entrust the show plucking to a groomer, after carefully studying his portfolio.

Caring for the ears, eyes and mouth of a Welsh Terrier is not difficult, but it is necessary. The most important thing is timely examination of the hearing and vision organs, as well as their hygiene. Wax from the ear funnel is removed with a clean cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or miramistin. Dust lumps from the eyes can be removed with a clean napkin in the morning, and once a week it is useful to wipe the mucous membrane of the eyelid with cold tea or chamomile infusion. About once every three days you will have to arm yourself with a toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs to treat your pet’s mouth. The process is not complicated, given that veterinary pastes do not foam and there is no need to rinse the Welshman’s mouth with water afterwards.

Feeding

Typically, mixed and dry types of feeding dogs are preferred by breeders who regularly attend international exhibitions - while on the move, feeding a pet with natural dishes becomes troublesome. Breeders of working lines, on the contrary, prefer animal proteins, cereals and fresh vegetables to industrial “drying”.

The traditional menu for an adult Welsh Terrier consists of lean meat, tripe and offal, which are added to buckwheat and rice porridge cooked in broth. Ocean fish fillets also add pleasant variety to the diet, as do fermented milk products, but such delicacies should not appear in a dog’s bowl every day.

Pumpkin and carrots seasoned with unrefined vegetable oil are used as vitamin supplements. Welsh terriers love salads like these if they are accustomed to them from an early age. Some individuals prefer heat-treated vegetables or sauerkraut - this is normal and acceptable. The main thing is not to try to replace animal protein with plant fiber.

Laminaria, fucus, and fish oil, which have no contraindications and are well tolerated by the dog’s digestion, can be an equivalent replacement for industrial mineral complexes. Homemade rye crackers or dried fruits are perfect as treats to reward an animal for success in learning and training. The main thing is that the latter are not from a store, where such products contain lethal doses of dyes, sugar and preservatives.

How to choose a puppy

Choose active, inquisitive puppies of medium size. Too small or large Welsh dogs are not the most enviable product.
If you are looking for an animal with show and breeding potential, give preference to matured animals, since even a psychic cannot predict the show career of a two-month-old puppy.
Pay attention to the degree of fatness of the litter. Welsh Terriers should not be thin or overfed.
Find out what diplomas the producers of the offspring have. As a rule, parents with developed working (hunting) qualities have children with similar talents.
There should be no white spots on the Welsh Terrier's coat. If the seller offers a Welsh dog with a white mark or mark on the chest, assuring that for animals of the pet category there is nothing wrong with this, do not give in to persuasion and refuse the purchase.
Find out what vaccinations the puppies have received and what they eat. Responsible breeders feed their animals natural or super-premium dry food. If, while walking around the kennel, you come across a bag of Pedigree, do not expect to buy a healthy Welsh Terrier here.

Welsh Terrier: characteristics of the breed

Trained Welsh Terriers are generally characterized as docile and balanced dogs. Excessive excitability and uncontrollability are manifested in representatives of the breed who are poorly socialized and poorly realized. The situation is saved by an intensive obedience course with a professional instructor.

In general, representatives of the breed can be called friendly towards people and quite obedient. Only a few representatives of this interesting breed exhibit arrogance towards dogs of other breeds. But in a home environment, the behavior of dogs is noted as calm.

At home, an adult Welshman may not be immediately noticed. Dogs prefer secluded places so as not to disturb themselves or others. Until it comes to walking. At the sight of the leash, all the irrepressible energy of the dog will come to the surface, manifested in jumping, squealing, growling and joyful barking.

Several Welsh dogs can get along in one territory at once, provided they are raised well and of good quality. Due to the nature of the Welsh, they demonstratively cannot tolerate representatives of other breeds, well, and with cats they have a historically established hundred-year war of scarlet and white roses. However, the character of each individual depends entirely on the upbringing received.

Welsh Terrier price

Welsh Terriers are not as common in Russia as we would like, so you will have to spend time searching for a puppy of the right class. The cheapest offers on the market are representatives of working lines, which can be purchased for a modest 7,000-10,000 rubles. Usually these are puppies from producers who have achieved certain success in hunting, but are unremarkable in terms of exterior appearance. If you need a future star of exhibitions and dog shows, pay attention to registered nurseries like Siversky, which have been working with the breed for decades. For a baby with a decent pedigree and promising appearance in such places they ask from 25,000 rubles.

History of the origin of the breed

The Welsh Terrier dog breed has a rich past. Originally from Wales, UK. The Welsh Terrier is not as unstoppable as other terriers. Along with related breeds, it was used in hunting foxes, badgers and even otters.

The Welsh Terrier and Lakeland Terrier are very similar to each other and may have a common origin from the pre-Roman period of British history, when their Celtic masters retreated to the mountains of Wales and the Lake District. The breed began to be actively bred in the second half of the 19th century. Standards and characteristics of the Welsh Terrier breed were adopted in 1886. These days they are popular both at home and abroad.