Welsh Terrier Club

Welsh Terrier Breed Standard

A Breed Standard is the guideline, which describes the ideal characteristics. Temperament and appearance of the breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.


General Appearance: Smart, workmanlike, well balanced and compact.


Characteristics: Affectionate, obedient and easily controlled.


Temperament: Happy and volatile, rarely of shy nature, Game and Fearless but definitely not aggressive although at all times able to hold his own when necessary.


Head and Skull: Flat, of moderate width between ears. Jaws, powerful, clean cut, rather deep and punishing. Stop not too defined, medium length from stop to end of nose. Nose black.


Eyes: Relatively small, dark, expression indicative of temperament. A round, full eye undesirable.


Ears: V-Shaped, small, leathers not too thin, set on fairly high, carried forward and close to check.


Mouth: Jaws strong with perfect, regular scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.


Neck: Moderate length and thickness, slightly arched and sloping gracefully into shoulders.


Forequarters: Shoulders long, sloping and well set back. Legs straight and muscular, possessing ample bone, with upright and powerful pasterns.


Body: Back short and well ribbed up, loin strong, good depth and moderate width of chest.


Hindquarters: Strong, thighs muscular, of good length, with hocks well bent, well let down and with ample bone.


Feet: Small, round and cat-like.


Tail: Previously customarily docked.


Docked: Well set on. Carried erect but not too gaily.


Undocked: Well set on. Carried erect but not too gaily. In overall balance with the rest of the dog.


Gait/Movement: Fore- and hindlegs carried straight forward and parallel. Elbows more perpendicular to body, working free of sides, stifles turning neither in nor out.


Coat: Wiry, hard, very close and abundant. Single coat undesirable.


Colour: Black and tan for preference, or black grizzle and tan, free from black pencilling on toes. Black below hocks most undesirable.


Size: Height at shoulder not exceeding 39 cms (15 ½ ins). Weight 9-9.5 kgs (20-21 Ibs).


Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and seriousness with which the fault be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.


Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.


Copyright the Kennel Club – Reproduced with their kind permission