Welsh Terrier Breed Information

Welsh Terriers are a member of the ‘Terrier’ breed group. Dogs in the Terrier group were originally bred for hunting vermin. They are hardy, brave dogs bred to pursue the likes of foxes, badgers and rats (to name a few) above and below ground.

Welsh Terriers are playful, friendly and occasionally mischievous dogs. They can be a little stubborn, making training a bit more of a challenge. As with all breeds, training, along with socialisation, is very important at a young age in order for Welsh Terriers to grow up into confident, sociable dogs. For more information on socialisation and training using reward-based techniques, take a look at our dog behaviour page.

Welsh Terriers bond closely with their family. They love children and are always up for any game on offer, making them excellent family pets.

Breed-related health problems:

Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that Welsh Terriers are prone to include:

• Glaucoma – increased pressure within the eye.
• Lens luxation – dislocation of the lens of the eye.
• Hip dysplasia – hip joint laxity as a result of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
• Atopy – hypersensitivity to certain allergens, causing itching and skin trauma.
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or ‘Dry eye' – decreased tear production, leading to dry eye and damage to the cornea (surface of the eye).

For some conditions, there are screening programmes available through the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club. The Canine Health Schemes allow breeders to screen for a range of inherited diseases, so it’s a good idea to check the parents of any puppy you’re looking to rehome have been screened under these schemes. We’d also recommend discussing the medical history of your potential puppy’s parents and grandparents, and think very carefully before taking on a dog with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line.

You can find out more about the Canine Health Schemes on the BVA's website.

Exercise and grooming requirements:

Welsh Terriers will need around an hour of exercise daily, and grooming two-three times per week.

Estimated lifetime cost:

The likely lifetime costs for a Welsh Terrier are based on estimates calculated using current market prices and include:

• Initial costs of the purchase of the pet
• Neutering
• First vaccinations and booster vaccinations
• Microchipping
• Accessories
• Food
• Pet insurance
• Toys
• Grooming
• Worming
• Flea treatments

The list above does not include veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick or injured, so these average lifetime costs could be even higher.

Insure your Welsh Terrier with PDSA:

1 in 3 pets need vet treatment each year and vet bills can come to hundreds of pounds. PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Welsh Terriers that are prone to certain conditions. PDSA Pet Insurance offers:

1. Dog and cat insurance policies from 8 weeks of age.
2. 24/7 veterinary advice online or over the phone with Petcall.
3. Manage your policy online with the PDSA Insure Hub.
4. Monthly payment at no extra cost.

By insuring your Welsh Terrier with PDSA Pet Insurance you’ll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UK’s neediest pets.

For more information on taking care of your dog please visit our puppies and dogs section.

Rehoming from a reputable source:

Where you get a dog from can have a big effect on how healthy and happy it is for the rest of its life. Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your dog from.

Not sure if the Welsh Terrier is the right pet for you?