Sporting Lucas Terrier
From Scotland, first bred at Mey in Caithness and later at Abington in South Lanarkshire.1
At a glance the quick version
UKC gives 14-18 lb for males and 11-15 lb for females; Wikipedia gives about 15 lb.
Coat and looks how to spot one
harsh double coat
A stiff, weatherproof outer coat of roughly 4 cm over a thick, soft undercoat, giving a slightly shaggy look. The body is short-legged, sturdy and narrow enough in the chest to follow quarry underground, with a broad skull and half-pricked ears.21
Personality what they are like
A bright, bustling and bold little terrier that is brave without being reckless. It is keen to work yet steady enough to listen to its handler, and its temperament is described as stable.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An energetic working terrier bred to hunt above and below ground, so it needs daily walks and chances to sniff, dig and explore.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The harsh coat needs regular brushing to stay weatherproof and tidy.2
Home where they are happiest
Adaptable in size, but it needs a secure garden because of its strong hunting drive.21
Company who they like around
Bred originally to work in packs alongside other terriers, it enjoys company and involvement.2
The story where it all began
The original Lucas Terrier was created by Sir Jocelyn Lucas after the First World War from working Sealyhams and Norfolk Terriers. In the 1990s terrierman Brian Plummer bred a more working-type version using Lucas Terriers, Jack Russells and fell terriers, and after his dogs were dropped from the Lucas Terrier club in 1999 they were developed as a separate breed.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- Recognised in March 2002 in the Terrier Group; the only major registry that recognises the breed.2
- FCI / The Royal Kennel Club / AKC
- Not recognised.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Sporting Lucas Terrier. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Sporting Lucas Terrier en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, fun facts, recognition
- UKC Sporting Lucas Terrier breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.