Lucas Terrier

Lucas terriers from reputable kennels are already provided with basic training. Like all breeds of this group, these dogs are very protective, lovable and hardy. Every dog of this breed is an individual with its own needs and temperament. Some animals are stubborn, but firm and gentle training from the early age helps avoid this problem. Lucas terriers from reputable kennels are already provided with basic training.

Although these dogs make good family pets, they can be described as big dogs in a small body. Being independent and self-assured, they are very sensitive to praise and criticism and should be handled with care. Lucas terriers from reputable kennels are already provided with basic training.

The Lucas Terrier is a rare breed. Most of the Lucas Terriers are found in the United Kingdom. They have been in the USA since the late 1960s with less 100 in the USA today. The Lucas Terrier may be bred to either of its parent breeds, the Sealyham Terrier or the Norfolk Terrier, and still be considered a purebred Lucas. This little dog weighs 20 pounds or less and makes a wonderful little lap dog.

Regardless, of size, all dogs are a mammal of the Canidae family, of the order Carnivora. Canis lupus familiaris, which is a domesticated subspecies of the wolf. Commonly referred to as a canine, dogs have instincts, which we as humans have a responsibility to fulfill.

One of these instincts is to migrate. To fulfill this instinct in our dog, we need to take them for a daily walk.

Even though the Lucas Terrier has a similar name to the Sporting Lucas Terrier, they are two completely different breeds.

The Lucas Terrier is a very rare breed in the United States, as of April 2009 there were only 55 Lucas Terriers documented in the United States and Canada. The breed was brought to the USA in the 1960's by Americans who were exposed to them while traveling through Great Britain.

Lucas Terriers were developed from matings between the Norfolk Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier. Since the gene pool is so small, a Lucas Terrier can be mated with a Sealyham Terrier, Norfolk Terrier or another Lucas Terrier and still be considered a purebred Lucas Terrier.

Males should be 10-12 inches tall and weigh 14-20 pounds. Females should be 9-11 inches tall and weigh 11-17 pounds.

Lucas Terrier coats can be all shades of tan or saddle and tan. The saddle can be black or bluish gray. An "Irwin" Lucas Terrier should have a base coat of white with colored marking in piebald or extreme white spotted patterns. The markings can be any shade of tan, black, gray, black and tan or gray and tan.

Their coats are fairly easy to care for. Brushing and bathing as needed. Hand stripping is preferred to keep their coats in proper condition.

Lucas Terriers tend to do very well in city and rural environments and get along wonderfully with people of all ages. They're not known to be heavy barkers as some terriers can be, however they will bark to alert you to things you should be aware of.

Breed Group: Terrier, but not formally recognized. Weight: Approximately 11-20 pounds. Height: Approximately 9-12 inches. Color(s): A Frost Lucas Terrier can be any shade of tan while an Irwin Lucas Terrier should have a white coat with markings in colours such as black, tan, or badger-grey. Coat: The weather resistant coat consists of harsh fur and is of medium length.

[edit] Overview

Character: Lucas Terriers are friendly dogs that get along well with people and other dogs. Intelligent and delightful, these dogs are very affectionate and charming companions. Country of Origin: Great Britain. History: This rare breed was purposely developed in Great Britain during the 1940's by Sir Jocelyn Lucas who crossed Norfolk Terriers with Sealyham Terriers. Later, other Lucas Terrier owners continued breeding these dogs, keeping the breed alive. In the 1980's in Great Britain, the Lucas Terrier Society was formed and was later renamed the Lucas Terrier Club. In 2006, the Lucas Terrier Club of America was formed. Name: This breed was named for its developer, Sir Jocelyn Lucas. While the names are confusingly similar, the Lucas Terrier and the Sporting Lucas Terrier are two distinct breeds. Temperament: The Lucas Terrier has a calm temperament and is eager to please. These characteristics make the breed good with children and easy to train. [edit] Care

Training: These smart and eager to please dogs are easy to train. Activity: Lucas Terriers are lively and require daily exercise and activity. Ownership: Lucas Terriers are suitable for both town and country life as long as they receive daily walks and have access to a yard. These dogs typically only bark when someone is approaching the door and are otherwise quite quiet. Friendly and loving, Lucas Terriers are great companions for families and children. As a low maintenance breed, the Lucas Terrier requires weekly brushing and occasional bathing.

Description

A sturdy, symmetrically built working terrier like the Sealyhams of old. There should be a combination of substance, power, balance and hard muscular condition. Any tendency to grossness or weediness is a serious fault. In balance with other proportions of the dog, and in keeping with its general conformation. Skull - broad, only slightly curved between the ears, flattening to a slight but definite stop. Foreface - broad and well filled under the eye with a medium length, deep muzzle. Cheeks - muscular, but not coarse or prominent. Nose - black irrespective of the color of the dog. Nose - black irrespective of the color of the dog. Jaw - strong, deep and well developed. Lips - tight and clean. Teeth- Sound and regularly placed, gripping with a scissor-like action, the lower incisors close behind and just touching the upper. Not to be overshot or undershot. Eyes - dark, almond shaped eyes, neither prominent nor sunken, with well-pigmented eye rims. Ears - moderate in size, preferably small, v-shaped and carried close to the head. Prick or flyaway ears are undesirable. Neck is strong, muscular and of medium length broadening to blend into the body and free from throatiness. The shoulders are broad of blade, sloping, muscular and well angulated to the upper arm and at the point of the withers should not be too closely set. The forelegs have strong, round bone, extending to the feet without weakness of the pasterns. The forelegs should be perfectly straight when viewed from the front. Hindquarters are broad, strong and muscular. Thighs are long, broad and well let down. When viewed from behind the hind legs, from the hocks to the feet, are straight and placed neither close nor too wide apart. The length of the body from the point of the breastbone in a straight line to the buttocks is slightly greater than the height at the withers. The top line is level, back strong, with ribs well sprung and ribbed back (not barrel ribbed). The chest is deep and muscular and moderately broad, loins are broad, deep and muscular with deep flanks strongly coupled between the fore and hindquarters. The set of tail is neither high nor low set. The coat is fairly harsh, weather resistant and of medium length. Very soft, fluffy coats are undesirable but short, harsh Norfolk type coats are acceptable. Coat colors = (Frost). The color should be tan (all shades) or saddle and tan (the saddle can be black or bluish grey). White markings in the pattern of Irish spotting (i.e. around the muzzle, on the feet and legs, on the underside, on the chest area and/or around the neck) is acceptable. Black or bluish grey should not be the predominant color. (Irwin) An 'Irwin' Lucas terrier should have a base coat of white with colored markings in a piebald or extreme white spotted pattern. Markings may be tan (all shades), black, badger-grey, black and tan or badger-grey and tan. A completely white dog is acceptable. Temperament

The Lucas Terrier is a small, sweet, non-exaggerated British terrier that is making a comeback in popularity in the US. Smart and easy to train. Friendly towards people and other dogs. Excellent with children. Eagar to please. Not a yapper by nature. Likes to dig. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals. Height, Weight

Males: 10 - 12 inches (25 - 30 cm.) Females: 9 - 11 inches (23 - 28 cm.) Males: 14 - 20 pounds (6 - 9 kg.) Females: 11 - 17 pounds (5 - 8 kg.)

Health Problems

A hardy dog, they have no reported health problems. Living Conditions

Good for apartment living. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard. Exercise

This breed needs a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. The breed is a low energy dog that makes a good walking companion. Calm and content indoors, adaptable to life in town or the country. Life Expectancy

About 14-15 years Grooming

Brush weekly, bathe occasionally when necessary. Hand stripping is the preferred method of grooming this breed's double coat. They shed little to no hair and have low doggie odor. Origin

Developed in the late 1940’s by Sir Jocelyn Lucas of Great Britain. She felt the Sealyham Terrier was too big to work efficiently and concerned about the increase in whelping deaths, crossed Sealyham Terrier females with Norfolk Terrier males, creating the Lucas Terrier. The Lucas is similar in appearance to the Sealyhams terriers of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Lucas Terriers have been in the USA since the late 1960's. This is a rare breed, with less than 100 inside the USA. The Lucas Terrier may be bred to either of it's parent breeds, the Sealyham Terrier or the Norfolk Terrier, and still be considered a purebred Lucas.

Group

- Recognition

LTCA, LTCUK

General Appearance A sturdy, symmetrically built working terrier like the Sealyhams of old. There should be a combination of substance, power, balance and hard muscular condition. Any tendency to grossness or weediness is a serious fault.

Characteristics A friendly dog with no aggressive tendencies towards people or other dogs, though a dog with an overly soft temperament is as undesirable as a fearful or nervous dog.

Head In balance with other proportions of the dog, and in keeping with its general conformation. Skull - broad, only slightly curved between the ears, flattening to a slight but definite stop. Foreface - broad and well filled under the eye with a medium length, deep muzzle. Cheeks - muscular, but not coarse or prominent. Nose - black irrespective of the color of the dog. Nose - black irrespective of the color of the dog. Jaw - strong, deep and well developed. Lips - tight and clean. Teeth- Sound and regularly placed, gripping with a scissor-like action, the lower incisors close behind and just touching the upper. Not to be overshot or undershot. Eyes - dark, almond shaped eyes, neither prominent nor sunken, with well-pigmented eye rims. Ears - moderate in size, preferably small, v-shaped and carried close to the head. Prick or flyaway ears are undesirable.

Neck Strong, muscular and of medium length broadening to blend into the body and free from throatiness.

Forequarters The shoulders are broad of blade, sloping, muscular and well angulated to the upper arm and at the point of the withers should not be too closely set. The forelegs have strong, round bone, extending to the feet without weakness of the pasterns. The forelegs should be perfectly straight when viewed from the front.

Hindquarters Broad, strong and muscular. Thighs are long, broad and well let down. When viewed from behind the hind legs, from the hocks to the feet, are straight and placed neither close nor too wide apart.

Body The length of the body from the point of the breastbone in a straight line to the buttocks is slightly greater than the height at the withers. The top line is level, back strong, with ribs well sprung and ribbed back (not barrel ribbed). The chest is deep and muscular and moderately broad, loins are broad, deep and muscular with deep flanks strongly coupled between the fore and hindquarters.

Tail The set of tail is neither high nor low set.

Coat Fairly harsh, weather resistant and of medium length. Very soft, fluffy coats are undesirable but short, harsh Norfolk type coats are acceptable.

Color (Frost). The color should be tan (all shades) or saddle and tan (the saddle can be black or bluish grey). White markings in the pattern of Irish spotting (i.e. around the muzzle, on the feet and legs, on the underside, on the chest area and/or around the neck) is acceptable. Black or bluish grey should not be the predominant color.

(Irwin) An 'Irwin' Lucas terrier should have a base coat of white with colored markings in a piebald or extreme white spotted pattern. Markings may be tan (all shades), black, badger-grey, black and tan or badger-grey and tan. A completely white dog is acceptable.

Height at withers Males 10 - 12 inches Females 9 - 11 inches

Weight Males 14 - 20 lbs Females 11 - 17 lbs

Movement Soundness is of paramount importance. The action is true, free and supple. Capability of quick and sudden movement is essential. Stiltedness, loaded or slack shoulders, straight shoulder placement, weakness at elbows, pasterns or feet, straight stifles, cow or bow hocks must be regarded as serious faults.

How long have Lucas Terriers been in the United States? About 40 years.

How did they first get here? There were imported by Americans who were exposed to them while traveling in Great Britain.

How many Lucas Terriers are in the US today? Less than 100.

Are there any breeders in the United States? Yes, a few.

Does the American Kennel Club recognize the Lucas Terrier? No. Sir Jocelyn Lucas wanted the Lucas Terrier to remain an unexaggerated sporting breed. Out of respect for his wishes, formal recognition has never been sought.

Where can I see a Lucas Terrier? There are Lucas Terriers in the states of: California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Hawaii.

Are puppies difficult to find? They can be. Demand for Lucas Terrier puppies usually exceeds supply.

Are Lucas Terriers expensive? Individual breeders set their own prices. As a general guide, Lucas Terriers start at around $900 and go up from there.

Is a Sporting Lucas Terrier the same as a Lucas Terrier? No, absolutely not. They are two distinct breeds. Unfortunately, the similarity in names is confusing.

Is a Lucas Terrier bred to a Norfolk Terrier still considered to be a Lucas Terrier? Yes. Because the Lucas Terrier gene pool is so small, a Lucas may be bred to another Lucas or either of its parent breeds (the Norfolk Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier) and still be considered a full-blooded Lucas. With this approach the Lucas Terrier has been able to avoid the harm of inbreeding - while retaining all of the unique qualities that make it so special and charming.

Who is the world’s leading authority on Lucas Terriers? Pamela Harrow of Scotland. She became involved with the Lucas Terrier Club of the United Kingdom shortly after its inception serving as the Club’s Secretary. A lifelong canine enthusiast, Pamela Harrow has an encyclopedic recall of all facts pertaining to the Lucas Terrier.

Lucas Terrier Overview

History The Lucas Terrier is a rare British breed. In the late 1940’s, Sir Jocelyn Lucas of Great Britain, feeling that the Sealyham Terrier was too big to work efficiently and concerned about the increase in whelping deaths, crossed Sealyham Terrier females with Norfolk Terrier males, creating the Lucas Terrier.

Appearance A small, sweet, non-exaggerated sporting terrier, similar to the Sealyhams Terriers of the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Size Females: 11-17lbs, 9-11 inches. Males: 14-20lbs, 10-12 inches.

Average Life Expectancy 14 –15 years.

Health Problems None reported.

Temperament Friendly towards people and other dogs. Eager to please.

Excitability Calm and content indoors.

Intelligence Smart, easy to train.

Children Excellent with children. Very loving and affectionate.

Space Requirements Town or Country.

Exercise Easy keepers. A daily walk on a leash, or a romp in the yard, is all it takes to keep your Lucas in shape.

Barking Not a big barker. They let their masters know when a stranger is at the door, but they don’t bark for entertainment.

Digging Like all terriers the Lucas likes to dig. But going after a root or long-lost bone seems to satisfy the occasional itch.

Odor Very low “doggy” odor.

Shedding A non-shedding breed.

Grooming A good brushing once a week, and an occasional bath, will keep this low maintenance breed looking great. Hand stripping is the preferred method of tidying its non-shedding double coat.