[ [http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dogs/dogs-that-do-not-shed.aspx Go Pets America: Dogs that do not shed - Retrieved September 7, 2008] ] (see Moult).]Temperament
The Welsh Terrier is a consummate terrier—a terrier in a nutshell—with a typical terrier temper.In the right hands, it is a happy, lively, and seldom shy or timid dog. Dogs of this breed can be devoted friends and can function either as city dogs or as country dogs. Welsh typically exhibit a hunting instinct: they chase anything that moves: dry leaves, cats, other animals, small children, almost anything.
Welsh Terriers were developed to hunt independently and this required that they be very assertive and stoic dogs. As a consequence, developing obedience in a Welsh Terrier is a long term proposition and one has to convince the dog that the owner is the alpha male. Application of physical force should be done only in the extreme situations as Welsh Terriers, like most terriers, will not back down and will fight back. A quiet but persistent approach to ensure that Welsh Terrier in the end completes the command, in the end will establish who is in control.
A Welsh Terrier is full of energy and it hardly ever becomes tired. Letting a WT to have a run around the yard chasing something allows it to 'vent some steam' and be quieter in the house. WT is a true comrade for the one who likes open-air activities. It is friendly with people. Some get along with other dogs, but many do not. They are not necessarily eager to fight, although they will hold their own when necessary and like any true terrier they will never give up. Females will especially become very jealous of their owners attention.
The Welsh Terrier is a very smart dog. Couple this with typical terrier persistence, and you have a dog that can come up with solution for any problem that stands in his way to make mischief. In other words, WT needs a lot of intellectual stimulation to stay agreeable. A small yard walk a day, without any other activities, is not enough. These dogs need interesting things to do each day. Leaving WT alone in the yard will make it bored and WT will amuse itself by digging under the fence, digging out plants, hunting mice, or even scaling the fence. Most Welshes make excellent swimmers and thorougly enjoy pool and lake activities with their families.
Welsh Terriers get along well with older children; they love to play and to follow a child as it plays. However, they will often tug at pant legs of young and old and in doing so will knock young ones off their feet. But if they are around young children at an early age will easily learn to play more gently.
Health
The body of the Welsh Terrier is normal and healthy so that the physique is durable and lasting. Some studies have suggested a genetic predisposition to Glaucoma [Glaucoma] . A healthy Welsh Terrier lives about 12-13 years on average and stays active and alert up to a high age if it is well taken care of and healthy.
Miscellaneous
Famous Welsh Terriers
*Charlie, pet of John F. Kennedy
* Clement Attlee, Ist Earl Attlee, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1945-1951 owned a Welsh Terrier. The dog is incorporated in to Earl Attlee's coat-of-arms
* Owen, Welsh Terrier pet of Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII.
References
1. College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri [http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/GLX/rsrchGLX.htm]
External links
* [http://www.weltaf.co.uk/ Welsh Terriers and Friends - British-based site about the breed]
* [http://www.welshterrierassociation.co.uk/ The Welsh Terrier Association] For purchasing a Well Bred Welsh Terrier in North America, find a member of the Welsh Terrier Club Of America who has signed the code of ethics:
* [http://clubs.akc.org/wtca/ The Welsh Terrier Club of America]
* [http://www.weltos.org.uk/ The Welsh Terrier Owners Society (United Kingdom)]
* [http://www.suttonwelshes.com/ Sutton Welsh Terriers]
* [http://www.welshterrier.com/ Bruhil Welsh Terriers] Home of the all time Top Winning U.S. Welsh Terrier
* [http://www.welsh-terriers.nl/ New Husken Welsh Terriers] (Holland) Bob & Annemiek Krautscheid
* [http://www.shaireabs-bayleigh.net/index.html/ Shaireabs Bayleigh Welsh Terriers] Experience the Difference - Breeding and exhibiting dogs which are superior representatives of the AKC breed standard in health, type and temperament
