Welsh Dog Breeds

From dispatchers of vermin to herders, and hunters the Welsh dog breeds all come from hardworking backgrounds. For those who love energetic pooches, these seven canines are sure not to disappoint. So here is everything you’ll want to know about the dog breeds from Wales

Welsh Terrier

This fearless little firecracker was once used to hunt badgers, foxes, and otters. It is in every sense of the word a true “terrier. Despite its working past today it functions as a companion, although not one that is commonly seen. The breed is quite rare. The Welsh Terrier has a distinct curly beard and a wiry black and tan coat, which is why it was formerly known as the Black and Tan Wirehaired Terrier.

This is a close relative of the Lakeland Terrier and is believed to have come from the same breeding stock. Because of its past as a vermin hunter, the Welsh Terrier breed is an independent thinker that has a high prey drive and a lot of energy. Therefore this is a canine that does best with experienced and active owners that can provide strong leadership.

Welsh Sheepdog

The Welsh Sheepdog is also known as the Welsh Collie. Because it is bred for its working ability rather than looks this medium-sized dog has a coat that comes in a range of colors, lengths, and textures. Among those familiar with this breed it is known for its stamina, athleticism, also courage.

It has the ability to work large groups of livestock of various types, in big open spaces and can do so either totally on its own or by taking commands from its master. In the past, it was used to both drive and guard sheep and cattle sometimes as far as hundreds of miles away from the farm to reach the market.

At home, the Welsh Sheepdog breed is gentle with children and family and makes an excellent guard dog however this is not a dog for everybody. It is a high-energy working breed that really needs a job to do or owners with an extremely active lifestyle that can also provide the dog with a lot of mental stimulation as well.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is affectionately known as the “Welshie,” by its fans. And by those who don’t know it, this Welsh breed is often confused for its similar-looking and more popular English cousin, the English Springer Spaniel. This is a hunting dog that was developed to be able to hunt in the most difficult terrain and harshest weather.

The Welshie’s shiny flat coat protects it yet does not get in its way when hunting. The breed’s coat is always red and white in color. These dogs are naturally gentle and make fantastic family pets. However, because this is a high-energy working breed the Welsh Springer Spaniel does best with owners that have an active lifestyle and can provide it with a lot of daily exercise and stimulation.

Welsh Hound

This Welsh hunting dog breed was created to be perfectly suited for hunting fox in the windy and rocky hills of Wales. For instance, the breed has a notably loud bark which allows the dog’s voice to travel and alert the hunters even in the strong winds. The Welsh Hound has a long cultural history in Wales dating back to medieval times.

Bards would even sing odes to praise the skills and hunting prowess of individual Welsh Hounds which were known by name. Because the breed has such strong hunting instincts it was traditionally not kept as a pet but strictly as a working hunting dog in large packs. Today however the Welsh Hound has become rare as unlike in the past hunting with dogs has been outlawed in Great Britain.

In appearance, this agile hunter is similar to the English Foxhound however it has a rough medium-length coat.  It is also known as the Welsh Bytheuad and the Welsh Foxhound.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the two Corgi breeds, and of the two, is considered to be the more popular.  “Corgi,” actually means “dwarf dog,” in Welsh, and this short yet sturdy dog was developed to herd, guard, and drive cattle. The Pembroke’s short yet athletic build allowed it to move the cattle by nipping at their heels and at the same time avoid being kicked.

The breed’s unique shape and fox-like looks, along with its fun-loving personality have earned it many fans. While in the past the Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s tail was always docked this is not always the case today as tail docking is not legal in many countries although some Pembrokes are born with a bobtail. These little guys have a medium-length coat that sheds profusely so potential owners will want to keep that in mind.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi 

Very similar in appearance to its cousin the Pembroke, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is also a foxy-looking little canine with a long body yet short legs. In fact, its unique body shape has earned it the nickname the “yard-long dog”. In contrast with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, this breed is a bit larger, longer-bodied, and comes in a range of coat colors. It has slightly bowed legs and a long tail that traditionally was never docked.

Originally vermin hunters, cattle herders, and guard dogs, today they function as fun family pets. These dogs have strong characters and are one of the breeds that are described as being a big dog in a little dog’s body. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi dog breed has a short and stiff coat that needs to be brushed regularly as it is a heavy shedder.

Sealyham Terrier

This short-legged yet strong canine is a native of Pembrokeshire County in southwest Wales. The Sealyham Terrier got its name from the Sealyham House, which was the estate of the breed’s creator Captain John-Tucker Edwardes.

His goal was to create a superior hunting dog breed of his own that could hunt badgers, foxes, otters, and polecats (a member of the weasel family from which the ferret was domesticated) but that was also white in color to help identify it from its quarry.

And with the Sealyham Terrier, he accomplished just that. Edwardes is believed to have used the Bull Terrier, Dandie Dinmont, West Highland White Terrier, and Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi, in addition to several other breeds in his breeding program. This small Welsh dog breed is known for being particularly laidback, for a terrier, and also as being a healthy dog, as it’s typically free of the many inheritable diseases that seem to plague many other purebred breeds.

Start Shopping for Dog Supplies!