7 Wonderful Welsh Dog Breeds to Brighten Your Days

7 Wonderful Welsh Dog Breeds to Brighten Your Days

Wales is a country known for castles, dragons, magic swords, and holy drinking vessels. Popularly known as the “Castle Capital of the World” with over 600 castles, the country offers beautiful coastlines, sceneries, rich history, and beautiful countryside. Adding to its beauty are the Welsh dog breeds. 

The word ‘Wales’, comes from the Cymraeg word ‘Gwalia’ which means homeland if translated to English. The Welsh dog breeds add more to this homeliness as they make great family dogs. 

Let this blog walk you through the 7 breeds of dogs from Wales and more about their features. 

What Are the 7 Different Types of Welsh Dog Breeds?

Welsh dogs have a long history of being active and working dogs. They are known as herders, hunters, game retrievers, vermin catchers, and many others. Their great instinct and stout builds have been the reason for them being the "goodest” boys, and girls. Regrettably, many of them have gone extinct.

The following list comprises 7 Welsh dog breeds that still exist within Welsh homes and hearts. 

1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are short-to-medium-sized dogs. They are known to have short legs but big personalities. Queen Elizabeth II was fond of this breed which adds to their modern-day popularity. 

• Group: Herding (AKC)
• Height: 10 to 12 inches
• Weight: 24 to 30 pounds
• Energy Level: High 
• Physical Characteristics: Short legs, stout appearance, no or shortened tail, straight ears, etc. 
• Lifespan: 12 to 13 years
• Color: Black and tan, fawn with white markings, red, or sable
• Shedding: Heavy 
• Bark: High 

2. Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is closely associated with the English Springer Spaniel. This breed, with an athletic build, enjoys swimming. The breed was developed in the 1800s to work as hunting dogs by the Welsh gentry.

• Group: Sporting (AKC)
• Height: 17 to 19 inches
• Weight: 35 to 55 pounds
• Energy Level: High 
• Physical Characteristics: Athletic build, floppy ears, long-bushy tail, strong legs and back, etc.
• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
• Color: Red and white 
• Shedding: Moderate 
• Bark: Medium 

3. Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier is one of the old terrier breeds and was a popular choice among farmers and hunters in the countryside in the 1800s. They require training and energy, hence, may not be an appropriate choice for novice dog parents. Also, they have a high prey instinct. So, they are not suitable to keep with or around small animals.

• Group: Terrier (AKC)
• Height: About 15 inches
• Weight: About 20 pounds
• Energy Level: High 
• Physical Characteristics: Wire-haired or curly coat, strong build, pointed tail, triangular floppy ears, etc. 
• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
• Color: Black, tan, brown, red, blue, sandy, liver, grizzle, or white.
• Shedding: Low 
• Bark: High 

4. Welsh Sheepdog

Welsh Sheepdog is more commonly seen in north and central Wales. They are known to be independent herding dogs and do not require much guidance for the same. An interesting fact about this breed is that they are loose-eyed herders; this means they control the herd of cattle with their presence rather than fixed stares.

• Height: 16.5 to 18 inches
• Group: Sheepdog 
• Weight: 36 to 40 pounds
• Bark: Moderate 
• Energy Level: High 
• Color: black, red, tan, and blue merle
• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
• Shedding: Moderate 
• Physical Characteristics: Dense undercoat, long or short coat, athletic build, sharp eyes, broad chest, etc. 

5. Sealyham Terrier

Sealyhams are now one of the rare Welsh dog breeds. This breed is difficult to train and requires firm guidance. They make lovely family pets of friendly nature and low energy. Hollywood celebrities such as Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant were fond of this breed and their popularity in the United States stemmed mostly from this Old Hollywood fame. 

• Group: Terrier (AKC)
• Height: About 10.5 inches
• Weight: 21 to 24 pounds
• Energy Level: Medium 
• Physical Characteristics: Muscular and sturdy build, broad head, thick undercoat, wiry and hard topcoat, etc. 
• Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
• Color: White with badger or tan markings 
• Shedding: Medium 
• Bark: High 

6. Welsh Hound

Welsh Hound looks similar to the English foxhound and is a native to the British Isles. These are scent-hunting dogs and have the unique ability to almost "talk" with their packs and hunters. Despite being a hunting breed, they make good family pets. They are royal, loyal, and hard to train; hence, require firm guidance.

• Group: Scenthound
• Height: 24 inches
• Weight: 70 to 75 pounds
• Energy Level: High 
• Physical Characteristics: Strong and athletic build, floppy ears, long legs, wired coat, slick pointed tail, etc. 
• Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
• Color: Red with white markings 
• Shedding: Medium to high 
• Bark: High

7. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a native of the coastal Cardiganshire region of Wales. They can be easily identified from their cousin breed Pembroke Corgi by their long, fluffy tail, different coat colors, and bigger and heavier build. The best way to train them is through the positive reinforcement training method.

• Group: Herding
• Height: 10.5 to 12.5 inches
• Weight: 25 to 38 pounds
• Energy Level: Moderately high 
• Physical Characteristics: Dense and water-resistant double coat, small and sturdy build, small legs, pointed ears, etc. 
• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
• Color: Red, brindle, sable, black or blue merle
• Shedding: Heavy 
• Bark: High 

Takeaway

Welsh dog breeds have some distinctive traits. They are intelligent, energetic, and are highly instinctive. They need training and lots of outdoor time. With their histories and personalities, you should consider all the factors before adopting one for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the usual lifespan of Welsh dog breeds?

The life expectancy of Welsh dog breeds varies between 10 and 15 years. 

Are Welsh dog breeds high grooming pets?

Some Welsh dog breeds require a lot of grooming such as all types of Welsh Terriers.

How well do the Welsh dog breeds interact with children?

Yes, Welsh dog breeds are known to be good with children and make good family pets. 

Which are some of the rare Welsh dog breeds?

Sealyham Terrier is one of the rarest Welsh dog breeds. 

Should I be concerned about any particular health issue with my Welsh dog breed?

Unfortunately, Welsh dog breeds are prone to some specific health concerns including hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and eye problems, which you need to be cautious about.

Are Welsh dog breeds popular outside of Wales?

Yes, you can find Welsh dog breeds outside of Wales. For example, corgis are famous all over the world and Sealyhams are popular among Americans.