Welsh Terrier Breed Standard
Last updated: 22 May 2009
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Kennel Club, London 1994
FCI Standard No 78
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Group:
Group 2 (Terriers)
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History:
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General Appearance:
Smart, workmanlike, well-balanced and compact.
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Characteristics:
Affectionate, obedient and easily controlled.
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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.
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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.
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Eyes:
Relatively small, dark, expression indicative of temperament. A round, full eye undesirable.
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Ears:
V-shaped, small, leathers not too thin, set on fairly high, carried forward and close to cheek.
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Mouth:
Jaws strong with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
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Neck:
Moderate length and thickness, slightly arched and sloping gracefully into shoulders.
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Forequarters:
Shoulders long, sloping and well set back. Legs straight and muscular, possessing ample bone, with upright and powerful pasterns.
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Body:
Back short and well ribbed up, loin strong, good depth and moderate width of chest.
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Hindquarters:
Strong, thighs muscular, of good length, with hocks well bent, well let down and with ample bone.
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Feet:
Small, round and cat-like.
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Tail:
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.
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Gait/Movement:
Fore and hind legs carried straight forward and parallel. Elbows move perpendicular to body, working free of sides, stifles turning neither in nor out.
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Coat:
Wiry, hard, very close and abundant. Single coat undesirable.
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Colour:
Black and tan for preference, or black grizzle and tan, free from black pencilling on toes. Black below hocks most undesirable.
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Sizes:
Height: not exceeding 39 cms (15.5 ins) at shoulders
Weight: 9-9.5 kg (20-21 lbs)
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Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
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Notes:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.