Fun Welsh Terrier Facts For Kids

Moumita Dutta
Nov 18, 2022 By Moumita Dutta
Originally Published on Aug 05, 2021
Edited by Monisha Kochhar
Fact-checked by Yashvee Patel
Welsh Terrier facts are very interesting for children.

The Welsh Terrier originally came from Wales, where they were bred to hunt badger, fox, and rodents; however, now they are mostly bred as show dogs. Welsh terriers are among the oldest existing dog breeds found in the UK.

The Welsh terrier dog breed usually has a good temperament, full of zest for life and indefatigable energy. They are natural watchdogs and are extremely alert and attentive to even the slightest movements.

They need a lot of physical exercises to remain fit and active. They are generally suitable to be kept as pets in both cities and the countrysides. Their cheerful and lively spirits make them a very good companion to humans, especially children.

They enjoy digging, playing outdoors, and swimming. They are usually friendly in nature but can have an attitude at times.

They look absolutely adorable with their tan and black furs and droopy whiskers and beard. They are medium-sized and have a rectangular body frame with a long face. Welshies do not shed, but regular grooming is required. Their fur needs to be regularly brushed and stripped by hand.

The old hair tends to thin out and fade. Thus the fur has to be trimmed from time to time. The dogs are, in general, extremely friendly by nature and never usually shy.

If you want to know more facts about this interesting dog breed, continue reading below. If you like this article, then you will surely like our facts about miniature Poodle and Dogo Argentino too!

Welsh Terrier Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Welsh Terrier?

Welsh Terriers are dogs belonging to the terrier breed and are considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds of the United Kingdom. They were originally bred in Wales to be independent hunting dogs.

What class of animal does a Welsh Terrier belong to?

Welsh Terriers belong to the mammal class of animals. The presence of mammary glands to feed their young one, along with three ear bones, fur or hair, and the neocortex (region of the brain), are the defining factors of mammals - all of these characteristics are shown by these dogs.

How many Welsh Terriers are there in the world?

The exact number of Welsh Terriers present in the world is hard to tell. However, this breed of dog is in danger of dying out and is currently listed on the UK Kennel Club's list of endangered breeds. There are about only 300 Welsh Terrier puppies registered annually.

Where does a Welsh Terrier live?

Welsh terriers are nowadays mostly found in households as pets and bred as show dogs. Earlier, these dogs were raised as farm dogs and trained to hunt. Welsh Terriers are known for having high energy levels and are known to be excellent pets!

The terrier temperament makes them intelligent, fun-loving, lively, and happy. They are rarely shy and get along well with humans, especially children. They adapt well both as country dogs and city dogs.

What is a Welsh Terrier's habitat?

Welsh terriers enjoy spending time outdoors and typically require a lot of exercises every day to drain out their energy. They are considered a great match for households with children, given they are properly supervised.

They love to play and, being medium-sized dogs, and they can adapt well in apartments. These dogs also usually adapt well to both hot and cold weather conditions.

Who do Welsh Terriers live with?

Welsh terriers live with humans as pets in both cities and the countryside. They are typically watchdogs and are extremely alert and attentive to even the slightest movements. As pets, they are loyal and intelligent, having a high rate of adaptability.

How long does a Welsh Terrier live?

The average Welsh Terrier life span is between 12-15 years. This is usually a long lifespan compared to the other dog breeds.

Health problems might affect their life expectancy as Welsh terriers are known to suffer from various health conditions like allergies, epilepsy, Glaucoma, hypothyroidism, lens luxation, and others. Routine health checkups and vaccinations are necessary for the healthy living of a Welshie.

How do they reproduce?

Welshie puppies usually reach adolescence around the age of five months and become sexually active from the time they are eight to nine months of age. The gestation period of these dogs lasts around 63 days after conception, though it may vary by a few days in certain cases.

A Welshie puppy is usually born fully black, and the fur color changes to black and tan once it grows a little older.

What is their conservation status?

There are about 300 registered Welshie puppies born every year, which is significantly low compared to the other thriving breeds of dogs. Although they have been listed on the UK Kennel Club's list of endangered breeds of dogs, this dog has not yet been listed on the IUCN Red List.

Welsh Terrier Fun Facts

What do Welsh Terriers look like?

A Welsh Terrier is a medium-sized dog covered in black and tan thick fur. Their heads, underbelly, and legs are usually tan in color while the rest of their body is black.

They usually have a rectangular body shape. The long 'brick-like face is accompanied by long whiskers and a beard, and their fur also needs regular brushing. Their fur has to be trimmed from time to time to maintain it and keep it from losing its color and growing too long.

How cute are they?

They are extremely cute and are an absolute joy to have as pets. Their long whiskers and furry bodies make them super fun to cuddle.

How do they communicate?

A Welsh Terrier is known to have a very high energy level, and they often bark loudly. They love communicating with their owners, especially children. They are intelligent dogs and enjoy digging and playing with toys and children a lot.

How big is a Welsh Terrier?

A Welsh Terrier weighs about 20-22 lb upon reaching full maturity. They are about 12-15 in tall, which makes them about 10 in shorter than Airedale terriers.

How fast can a Welsh Terrier run?

The exact speed at which these dogs can run is not known. However, being natural watchdogs and hunters, they are known to run quite fast and usually have a high prey drive. They are very active in catching squirrels and rodents.

How much does a Welsh Terrier weigh?

The adult Welsh Terrier usually weighs around 20-22 lb (9.1-10 kg). They are the perfect medium-sized dogs that can be domesticated in average-sized apartments as well.

What are their male and female names of the species?

The males and females of this breed of dog do not have any such particular names. However, just like in all breeds of dogs, the male ones are called dog while the female Welshies are called bitch.

What would you call a baby Welsh Terrier?

A baby Welsh Terrier is called a puppy. A Welsh Terrier puppy is born after a gestation period of 60-63 days. A Welsh Terrier puppy is usually fully black in color when they are born. Their fur coat color slowly changes when they grow older.

What do they eat?

In the wild and on farmlands, they eat rodents, vermins, and other pests.

A domesticated Welsh Terrier usually has a balanced diet comprising canned food, premium-quality dog food along with fruits, vegetables, and cottage cheese.

Are they hypoallergenic?

One of the most common searches on Google regarding the Welsh Terrier has been 'is Welsh terrier hypoallergenic?' Yes, a Welsh Terrier is a hypoallergenic dog.

They never shed, which means they are less likely to cause allergies in humans with their shedding. However, it is important to note that dogs which are considered non-shedding are also likely to shed a tiny amount sometimes.

Would they make a good pet?

The Welsh Terrier temperament makes them ideal pets. They are extremely lively, happy, and are full of energy, and can be seen playing around the house with children and toys all the time. They love swimming as well. They are very alert and are quick at decision-making. In short, they make for an excellent companion.

However, a Welsh terrier is not the most suitable dog for you if you are looking for a lazy lap dog. They are extremely energetic, and even after exercising and playing outdoors for two to three hours a day, you will find a Welshie running about the house and playing cheerfully.

They have a typical terrier temperament which means they are lively and happy most of the time. However, sometimes they can have a bit of an attitude. When met with a challenge, they are rarely known to back down.

Did you know...

Welsh Terriers have two layers of coat - one, the undercoat which insulates the body and keeps it warm in winters, and second, the abrasive outer layer of the coat, which protects the dog from rain, dust, and wind. But, this coat needs grooming.

The Welsh Terrier personality is like that of a typical terrier. They are playful, intelligent, and extremely energetic. They are the perfect pet for a family to keep.

Welsh Terrier shedding is almost negligible. They require regular grooming, and their fur needs to be cut to maintain it.

A Welsh Terrier price usually ranges from $800-$1200.

A Welsh Terrier size is roughly between 12-15.5 in. They are about the same height as the American Staffordshire terrier.

A Miniature Welsh Terrier is a cross between the Schnauzer and the Welshie.

The Welsh terriers may have been known as the Old English Terrier or the Black-and-Tan Wire Haired Terrier.

In the Welsh Terrier vs. Airedale debate, the Airedale Terrier though very similar to the Welsh Terrier has some stark differences. They are slightly larger than Welshies and more aggressive. They were popular war dogs.

There are several Welsh Terrier mix breeds like the Woodle and the Welshund, which are mixes of the Welshie and the Poodle, and the Welshie and the Dashound, respectively.

These terriers enjoy a wide range of sports. They are very popular in dog shows and, if trained well, can perform various tricks.

How do Welsh Terriers chase their prey?

Welsh Terriers usually have a very high prey drive. They are always on the hunt for things to chase and can start to chase their prey at any instant. They also love digging holes in fields. Welshies usually have a very strong sense of smell, and they use this sense organ to chase their prey aggressively.

Who was the famous Welsh Terrier called Charlie?

Charlie was the pet Welsh Terrier of President John F. Kennedy who lived in the White House with the Kennedy family. There are numerous photographs of the dog with the President and his daughter, Caroline Kennedy. Charlie was actually Caroline's pet dog.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Black German Shepherd, or Tibetan Mastiff.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Welsh Terrier coloring pages.

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Sources

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-facts-about-welsh-terriers/

https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/welshterriers.html

https://www.purina.co.uk/dogs/dog-breeds/library/welsh-terrier

https://spiritdogtraining.com/breeds/welsh-terrier/

https://www.thesprucepets.com/welsh-terrier-dog-breed-profile-4775759

https://petonbed.com/welsh-terrier/

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Written by Moumita Dutta

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

Moumita Dutta picture

Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.

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Fact-checked by Yashvee Patel

Bachelor of Business Management

Yashvee Patel picture

Yashvee PatelBachelor of Business Management

Yashvee has won awards for both her writing and badminton skills. She holds a business administration honors degree and has previously interned with social media clients and worked on content for an international student festival. Yashvee has excelled in academic competitions, ranking in the top 100 in the Unified International English Olympiad and placing second in an essay-writing competition. Additionally, she has won the inter-school singles badminton title for two consecutive years.

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