In the last sixty-five years I have had many dogs, many of them very intelligent. This article is about the intelligence of the Welsh Terrier as a breed and how I have experienced it with my AKC (American Kennel Club) registered Welsh Terrier named “Oliver”. Born on December 7, 2004 in Sedalia, Missouri, Oliver is now eight years old.
Breed Characteristics of Welsh Terriers
My attraction to Welsh Terriers was their striking resemblance to the larger Airedale Terrier. Adult Welsh Terriers stand around fifteen inches tall and generally weigh twenty pounds. The Airedale, on the other hand, is the largest terrier, growing to twenty-four inches and can weigh up to sixty pounds. Unless you have a large property, the Welsh Terrier seems like a better fit for most urbanites and is one of the reasons I chose the breed as a pet.
In addition to my experience with Oliver, the intelligence of the Welsh Terrier is well documented by breed authorities.
The breed is intelligent and, as everyone knows, it is not always easy to cope with intelligence. It’s not a canine robot, but it will show you (without you asking) how many different ways it can execute your request. It can be fun to watch your mental wheels spin, and it doesn’t hurt as long as you kindly stay in control.
In households with children, it is better with children who are at least five years old and not as a new pet in homes with babies. Physical punishment of a Welsh Terrier is not an option, but with proper training, the desired result can easily be obtained through other means.
Sometimes quite comical, the Welsh Terrier is a lovable, loyal companion and reliable watchdog. As is typical of many breeds, he does not react well to being disturbed while eating, is possessive of his food (and other things in his mouth), and may believe that someone will take his food or other object if he gets close.
In practice, it does not shed as much hair as other dogs. It is at its best if it is fixed once a month.
My welsh terrier named Oliver
Oliver is not a show dog, he is a loyal pet and companion. Never far from my side, he is in control of our house and they accompany him when necessary. Eager to please, in addition to the usual canine tricks, he loves to travel, go for walks, drive cars, ride a golf cart and happily play with his toys, retrieving those that are thrown at him.
One of the most unusual indicators of his intelligence is his intense interest in watching television, especially his favorite shows on the Animal Planet channel. There are also several TV commercials that he likes to watch and he will stop what he is doing to watch them the moment he hears them start airing. When he started watching TV shows, if an animal appeared on the TV screen, he would quickly run to the back of the TV to look for it. But now she seems to understand that the animals are only on the television screen and she no longer hunts them.
conclusion
The Welsh Terrier as a breed of dog is easy to train and one of the most intelligent. Oliver is no exception. They would make an excellent addition to any family that wants a loyal companion and faithful friend, but they are not recommended as new pet to a family with children under the age of five.
© 2013 Douglas M. Midgley, JD All rights reserved