The Welsh Terrier is a smart, affectionate, and happy little terrier who is equally at home in the countryside or town.

He needs enough exercise and fun to stop him from becoming bored, as a bored dog is a destructive dog.  This can include a long walk on some days or short walks and a game in the garden on busier days.  Like any dog, he should not be left alone for long periods.

​

The Welsh Terrier is a family-orientated dog and gets on well with children, provided that they are taught to respect one another.

The wiry black and tan coat requires a fair amount of work, with regular grooming using a terrier pad and comb.  Professional grooming i.e. hand stripping and trimming of the coat is necessary at least two to three times per year, depending on coat growth. The coat can be clipped but is inclined to lose its colour and become soft when this is done. 

The art of stripping and clipping can be learnt from an experienced owner and is a good way of bonding with your dog.

​

Welsh Terriers are very intelligent and are quick to learn obedience commands.  because they are intelligent, they can be just as quick to ignore these commands, if there is something of greater interest or importance on the horizon.  Selective hearing is a term often used about this breed.  They need to know who is boss!

​

​

The first thing to do is make sure you know what the breed standard calls for.  You are paying a considerable sum of money for a pedigree puppy and it should be up to standard.  It pays to visit a few shows where there are classes for Welsh Terriers, look at the exhibits, and watch how the judge assesses the dogs.

​

Look for:

1.  Straight front legs with good strong bone.  The puppy should have a longish neck and

     sloping shoulders.  Look for a short strong back and the hindquarters should be of good

     length with the hocks well bent, again with good bone.

​

2.  The coat should be dense, hard, wiry, and close.

​

3.  The bite or way the teeth are set in the mouth is important.  The upper teeth should just

      overlap the lower teeth, similar to the blades of scissors.  The puppy should have  28 teeth.

​

4.  Look for a cobby puppy, one with the same height as the length of the body, and watch how it moves. The elbows at the front should be fairly straight and even with the body, neither tight nor loose.

​

5. The puppy should have a shiny coat and clear eyes.

​

6.  Welsh Terrier puppies are born black, the tan will appear as the puppy matures.

​

7.  All the above points are evident in varying degrees at about 9 weeks.

​

Avoid:

Light coloured, large eyes and large low set ears.  Check the tail placement, which should be fairly well set on.  All these are fixed at birth and will not alter.  Avoid a short neck.

​

However appealing the soft fluffy coat may be, try to avoid it if possible. Do not take a puppy that is not in top condition.  There should be no hip or rib bone protruding.  There should be no discharge from the eyes or nose and the puppy should be clean around the anus.

​

 

Watch how the puppies interact with each other, their dam, and with humans.  It may not be wise to choose a shy, nervous puppy or a bold dominant one. Avoid the latter, especially if you are new to terriers. A good breeder will be happy to help you choose a suitable puppy from his/her litter.

​

If you think you may wish to show the puppy, you need to let the breeder know, as the general personality of a puppy, plus its style, gait, and showmanship, never change.  They are either there at 9 weeks or not and cannot be acquired.

​

Don't be afraid to ask the breeder questions and don't be offended if the breeder gives you the third degree!  They need to know that their puppy is going to a good loving and caring home.

​

If possible, arrange with the breeder to visit and see the pups at a young age before going back to collect your pup at around 9 or 10 weeks.

​

Ask the breeder when the puppy was wormed and when the next worming is due.  If possible, ask the breeder for a small sample of the puppy's food, as the puppy will be going through enough upheaval by leaving its mother and littermates, without changing its food too!

​

If you are unsure as to whether the puppy is a good one or have concerns about its health, discuss this with the breeder.  If you are still not happy WALK AWAY.

​

No good respected breeder of Welsh Terriers would knowingly sell you a poor puppy, as this would reflect badly on their breeding.  

​

Once you get your beautiful puppy home, make arrangements with your vet to have it thoroughly checked over.  That way, if there are any glaring problems, you can contact the breeder right away.

​

At this point, it is only fair to say that it is most unusual to have any problems with this breed when bought from a respected breeder.  A good breeder will always be willing to give you advice and encouragement should you need it.  The Welsh Terrier Club of Great Britain can provide you with a list of breeders and Weltos are always here with an excellent after-sales backup.

​