Breed standardWelsh Terrier
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 |
Small, well set in, 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 cheek. |
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 dog. |
Gait/Movement |
Fore- and hindlegs carried straight forward and parallel. Elbows move 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 (151/2 ins). Weight: 9-9.5 kgs (20-21 lbs). |
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. |
Notes | Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |