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Welsh Terrier

Lifestyle needs

Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier, in appearance at least, is a smaller version of the Airedale Terrier.  He was originally used for hunting foxes and badgers and is a sturdy, no nonsense kind of dog.  Ideally he needs to live in a house with a garden.  He needs to be exercised every day and would benefit from plenty of opportunity to run free.  His tight, wiry coat needs grooming twice a week and would benefit from regular trimming.

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible)

The breed average COI is 13.7% 

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)

          None known

BVA/KC Health Schemes  http://www.bva.co.uk/chs

  • Hip dysplasia (abnormality of hip joints causing pain and disability): mean breed score not known
  • Eye disease: Goniodysgenesis (a painful and sight threatening disease); Glaucoma

DNA tests available

Parents should be tested for:

  • Primary lens luxation (PLL) (dislocation of the lens which can cause secondary Glaucoma)      

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

        None known

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents (or check the KC’s health test results finder). If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)
  • Atopy (hypersensitivity to pollen and other protein particles – causes intense itching)
  • Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis)

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life.  Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.  Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

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