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SmallTerrier Group

Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier was developed in Wales as a fox, otter, and badger hunter from the native Old English Black and Tan Terrier stock.

Calculate Welsh Terrier age
Lifespan13.8 yrrange 13–15
SizeSmallTerrier Group
Weight20–20 lb9.1–9.1 kg
Senior at8 yrgeriatric at 12

Gallery (3)

About

About the Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier was developed in Wales as a fox, otter, and badger hunter from the native Old English Black and Tan Terrier stock. Type resembles a smaller Airedale with the same black-and-tan pattern; AKC recognition dates to 1888.

Aging

How Welsh Terriers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 13.8 years (n=716). Hip dysplasia (OFA screening routine) and hereditary cataracts are the defining late-life concerns on OFA screens; lens luxation and epilepsy are secondary breed-club tracked issues.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.8 yr · range 13–15Senior careSenior at 8 · geriatric at 12Common health issues7 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
20–20 lb(9.1–9.1 kg)
Height
15–15 in(38.1–38.1 cm)
Coat type
Wire
Colors
Black & TanGrizzle & TanBlack Grizzle & Tan
Temperament

Temperament

How Welsh Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

cheerfulspiritedintelligentsturdy
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~8 yr

    Degenerative Myelopathy

    Description and veterinary guidance for Degenerative Myelopathy land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~5 yr

    Primary Lens Luxation

    Description and veterinary guidance for Primary Lens Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Welsh Terrier physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.