At a glance the quick version
FCI gives 9-9.5 kg; Wikipedia gives 20-22 lb (about 9.1-10 kg).
Coat and looks how to spot one
wiry, hard double coat
A square, sturdy terrier with a harsh, dense, close-lying outer coat over a softer undercoat. It sheds very little, and the neat outline looks like a smaller Airedale.13
Personality what they are like
A cheerful, spirited terrier that is friendly with its family and rarely shy. It is brave and keen but usually steadier than many terriers, and it responds well to kind, reward-based training. Like most terriers it has a strong chase instinct and can be vocal.154
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate to high: the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to an hour a day and PetMD one to two hours. Ball games, swimming and barn hunt are good outlets.243
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush weekly and have the coat hand stripped or professionally groomed every few months to keep its texture and colour.432
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A good-quality small-breed dog food, usually split into two meals a day for adults.4
Company who they like around
Friendly with people and usually with other dogs, and happiest when included in family life.34
The story where it all began
The breed comes from the black and tan rough-coated terriers that Welsh farmers and hunts used against fox, otter and badger in the 1700s. The first breed club was set up in Pwllheli in 1885, and breeders later refined the type. It has won Best in Show at Crufts four times.23
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Puppies are born mostly black and gain their tan colouring during their first year.3
- 2
The first Welsh Terrier club was founded in Pwllheli, North Wales, in 1885.2
- 3
The breed has taken Best in Show at Crufts four times, most recently in 1998.3
- 4
The FCI standard suggests the Welsh and Lakeland terriers may share a very old common ancestor.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 78, Group 3 Terriers, Section 1 Large- and medium-sized Terriers; standard dated 13.10.2010.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Terrier group; not a vulnerable native breed.2
- AKC
- Terrier Group.5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Welsh 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.
- FCI Standard No. 78 Welsh Terrier fci.beused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, ancestry
- The Royal Kennel Club: Welsh Terrier royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, lifespan, history, first club
- Wikipedia: Welsh Terrier en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, weight, puppy colour, Crufts wins (secondary)
- PetMD: Welsh Terrier petmd.comused for height, lifespan, exercise, grooming, diet
- AKC: Welsh Terrier akc.orgused for group, temperament summary
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.