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Breed profile

Welsh Terrier

A sturdy black-and-tan hunt terrier: friendly, game and rarely shy. Hand-stripped, the wiry coat sheds very little.

Black and tan Welsh Terrier lying on a lawn in front of evergreen shrubs
A Welsh Terrier resting on the lawnPhoto: Shleiderbmx / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Weight
9–11 kg20–24 lb
Height
37–39 cm15–15 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Terrier
Origin
Wales
Popularity
#114 US#82 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsLow shedding

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Friendly, Spirited, Fearless, Playful.

Health problems to know about

  • Primary lens luxation and glaucoma
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Epilepsy
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

About an hour of exercise a day plus games to burn off terrier energy. Brush weekly and hand-strip or clip every two to three months. Recall work on a long line.

A good fit for

Active families and people who enjoy a playful, outgoing dog with a sense of humour.

Probably not ideal for

Close neighbours (they bark), homes with cats or small pets, owners wanting a dog that ignores squirrels.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Welsh Terrier
  2. Royal Kennel Club breed standard: Welsh Terrier
  3. VCA Canada: Welsh Terrier
  4. PetMD: Welsh Terrier

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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