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Lucas Terrier History
Born in 1889, Sir Jocelyn Lucas was a famous British war hero, Member of Parliament and a hunting authority. His kennel of Sealyham Terriers were among the most sought after dogs in the world. But by the late 1940’s the Sealyham Terriers that Sir Lucas preferred fell out of favor. Below are his own words in how the Lucas Terrier came into being:
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In attempting to breed working Sealyhams, small enough to go to ground to a fox or otter and yet strong and active, I found that I was up against the difficulty and dangers of breeding from a very small bitch, ‘too small to breed from’. I therefore looked around for an even smaller sporting terrier, with all the right instincts, a hard working jacket and above all, not too strong a head! The latter was essential if whelping troubles were to be avoided. My Norfolk dog was a red, with drop ears, and weighed 11 lbs.
The first litter was an outstanding success, and having once bred, the Sealyham mother was then able to be mated to a small dog of her own breed with safety. By this method I have been able to establish a strain of miniature Sealyhams that reproduce their own small size without whelping troubles.
But the cross-bred puppies were so attractive that they found a ready sale, and made such grand little workers, that I now breed several litters a year and have established a type. Lucas Terriers, pedigrees on both sides, are bred from workers who are selected for good looks. They are quicker than Sealyhams, face any cover, being small enough to follow the rabbit meuses, throw their tongues well, and like the Sealyham, work with you.
In appearance they are normally red, or grizzle and tan, weighing about 11 – 12 lbs. But if breed from a small Sealyham bitch they would weigh more. They normally resemble a little red Sealyham with short hard working jacket, legs shorter than a Norfolk, and with less bone than the Sealyham. The head is well shaped, but not so strong as the Sealyham, The eyes are intelligent. I have never known one to fight. They are sometimes a little shy as puppies, but are quite fearless with other dogs, as being friendly they expect no evil!
They make grand pets, as they are affectionate and friendly, but they know their master and don’t just follow anyone. The little red jackets are easy to keep clean and do not show dirt. I have never known anyone who has not ‘fallen’ for them, and they always bring recommendations.
They respond to kindness, and it is never necessary to hit them. Like most inter-bred dogs, they are often more intelligent than either original breed. So far as looks and confirmation are concerned, it stands to reason that both sire and dam must be of the right size and type, sound, active and good-looking, and so far as character is concerned, Lady C. wrote “the family adores her. So far as my husband is concerned, she is worth more than gold. She is death on rats and rabbits and (almost) foxes!”
Mrs. P. of Montréal, Canada wrote: “Everyone is crazy about the Lucas Terrier including me. They are everything I would expect in an affectionate sporting terrier. Such husky, gay, little dogs. Everyone asks where they come from and if the can get one.”
Sincerely,
Sir Jocelyn Lucas
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Sir Jocelyn M. Lucas
Sir Jocelyn Lucas didn’t keep dogs with bad temperaments. His dogs hunted as a pack and were transported as a pack. Getting along well with other dogs was essential. In the photo above, The Honorable Mrs. Enid Plummer lets the dogs out of the left van for a rabbit hunt in 1957.
Getting ready for a rabbit hunt in 1957. Sir Jocelyn Lucas, holding the hunting horn, is second from the right. The Honorable Mrs. Enid Plummer, his business partner and kennel manager, is third from the right. |
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