The Welsh Terrier is a cheerful, intelligent dog who loves to have fun and is always affectionate. He's energetic and has a playful nature. Loyal and devoted to his family, he can nevertheless be quite the social butterfly.

He loves to amuse both himself and his family, and he's not as hot-tempered as some other terrier breeds. His loving disposition and energy makes him an excellent family companion who's great with children.

The Welshie can be independent, which may lead to some training difficulties (especially with inexperienced owners). But this is usually offset by what most people love best about the Welsh Terrier: his happy, fun-loving zest for life.

Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who's beating up his littermates or the one who's hiding in the corner.

Always meet at least one of the parents--usually the mother is the one who's available--to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you're comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up.

Like every dog, the Welshie needs early socialization--exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences--when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your Welshie puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills.

« Overview | Next: Care »