Breeds / Size not published
Lucas Terrier puppies
Even tempered, affectionate and notably quiet for a terrier, and sociable with other dogs by design. A rare British working terrier.
The facts
- Size class Not published
- Country of origin Great Britain
- Adult weight Not published
- Adult weight in pounds Not published
- Adult height Not published
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Coat type Not published
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan Not published
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Lucas Terrier
The Lucas Terrier was created in Britain in the twentieth century by crossing Sealyham and Norfolk terrier lines, aiming at a working terrier that was smaller, easier to live with and far more sociable with other dogs than the show types of the day. They carry a harsh double coat over a softer undercoat, with drop ears. The character is the point of the breed: even tempered and affectionate, rating at the top for trainability and at the bottom for barking, which is unusual company for a terrier.
Exercise means on lead walks and a fenced garden in built up areas, with off lead freedom only once recall is genuinely proven. Grooming is a weekly comb through with a metal comb, a monthly bath, and hand stripping to keep the double coat weatherproof; clipping wrecks the texture. They enjoy earthdog, barn hunt, scent work, fetch and rally. Ratings with children and other pets are middling, so supervise and socialise. This is a very rare breed, so expect a wait and a long conversation with a breeder.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Lucas Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Primary lens luxation (PLL), detectable by DNA test, which the breed screens for as standard
- Degenerative myelopathy (DM), detectable by DNA test
- Chondrodystrophy with intervertebral disc disease risk (CDDY/IVDD), detectable by DNA test
- Mitral valve disease, picked up as a heart murmur on auscultation and confirmed by echocardiogram
- Cushing's disease, diagnosed by blood testing including ACTH stimulation or dexamethasone suppression
- Lymphoma in older dogs, diagnosed from a lymph node aspirate or biopsy
Your Lucas Terrier puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the Not published adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Buying guides for this
More on the Lucas Terrier
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type, country of origin and health notes
- Health notes from Lucas Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/lucas-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for adult weight, adult height, life expectancy and coat type, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.
Photo: Harper Barker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.