General Appearance
The Welsh Terrier is a sturdy, compact, rugged dog of medium
size with a coarse wire-textured coat. The legs, underbody and
head are tan; the jacket black (or occasionally grizzle). The
tail is docked to length meant to complete the image of a
"square dog" approximately as high as he is long. The
movement is a terrier trot typical of the long-legged terrier. It
is effortless, with good reach and drive. The Welsh Terrier is
friendly, outgoing to people and other dogs, showing spirit and
courage. The "Welsh Terrier expression" comes from the
set, color, and position of the eyes combined with the use of the
ears.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Males are about 15 inches at the withers, with an acceptable
range between 15 and 151/2. Bitches may be proportionally
smaller. Twenty pounds is considered an average weight, varying a
few pounds depending on the height of the dog and the density of
bone. Both dog and bitch appear solid and of good substance.
Head
The entire head is rectangular. The eyes are
small, dark brown and almond-shaped, well set in the skull. They
are placed fairly far apart. The size, shape, color and position
of the eyes give the steady, confident but alert expression that
is typical of the Welsh Terrier. The ears are
V-shaped, small, but not too thin. The fold is just above the
topline of the skull. The ears are carried forward close to the
cheek with the tips falling to, or toward, the outside corners of
the eyes when the dog is at rest. The ears move slightly up and
forward when at attention. Skull-The foreface is
strong with powerful, punishing jaws. It is only slightly
narrower than the backskull. There is a slight stop. The
backskull is of equal length to the foreface. They are on
parallel planes in profile. The backskull is smooth and flat (not
domed) between the ears. There are no wrinkles between the ears.
The cheeks are flat and clean (not bulging).
The muzzle is one-half the length of the entire
head from tip of nose to occiput. The foreface in front of the
eyes is well made up. The furnishings on the foreface are trimmed
to complete without exaggeration the total rectangular outline.
The muzzle is strong and squared off, never snipy. The nose is
black and squared off. The lips are black and tight. A scissors
bite is preferred, but a level bite is acceptable. Either one has
complete dentition. The teeth are large and strong, set in
powerful, vise-like jaws.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is of moderate length and thickness, slightly arched
and sloping gracefully into the shoulders. The throat is clean
with no excess of skin.
The topline is level.
The body shows good substance and is well ribbed up. There is
good depth of brisket and moderate width of chest. The loin is
strong and moderately short. The tail is docked to a length
approximately level (on an imaginary line) with the occiput, to
complete the square image of the whole dog. The root of the tail
is set well up on the back. It is carried upright.
Forequarters
The front is straight. The shoulders are long, sloping and
well laid back. The legs are straight and muscular with upright
and powerful pasterns. The feet are small, round, and catlike.
The pads are thick and black. The nails are strong and black; any
dewclaws are removed.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong and muscular with well-developed
second thighs and the stifles well bent. The hocks are moderately
straight, parallel and short from joint to ground. The feet
should be the same as in the forequarters.
Coat
The coat is hard, wiry, and dense with a close-fitting thick
jacket. There is a short, soft undercoat. Furnishings on muzzle,
legs, and quarters are dense and wiry.
Color
The jacket is black, spreading up onto the neck, down onto the
tail and into the upper thighs. The legs, quarters, and head are
clear tan. The tan is a deep reddish color, with slightly lighter
shades acceptable. A grizzle jacket is also acceptable.
Gait
The movement is straight, free and effortless, with good reach
in front, strong drive behind, with feet naturally tending to
converge toward a median line of travel as speed increases.
Temperament
The Welsh Terrier is a game dog-alert, aware, spirited-but at
the same time, is friendly and shows self control. Intelligence
and desire to please are evident in his attitude. A specimen
exhibiting an overly aggressive attitude, or shyness, should be
penalized.
Faults
Any deviation from the foregoing should be considered a fault;
the seriousness of the fault depending upon the extent of the
deviation.
This information from the AKC
Welsh Terrier Club
of America, Inc.
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