Sporting Lucas Terrier

The Sporting Lucas Terrier is a small, short-legged working terrier developed in Scotland. It is named for Jocelyn Lucas, who created the Lucas Terrier from which it partly descends.

History

Brian Plummer developed the breed in the 1990s, first at Mey in Caithness and later at Abington in South Lanarkshire. Aiming for a good working terrier, he combined the Lucas Terrier with the Jack Russell Terrier and various Fell Terriers.

In 1999 the Lucas Terrier Club removed all of Plummer’s dogs from its lists, because it did not want other terrier types introduced into its bloodlines. Separate breed clubs were then set up for his dogs, which became the Sporting Lucas Terrier, even though the link to the original Lucas Terrier is slight.

The Lucas Terrier itself dates from the late 1940s, when Major Jocelyn Lucas crossed Sealyham and Norfolk Terriers in an attempt to breed a Sealyham able to go to ground. Plummer also developed the Plummer Terrier, a similar dog with Bull Terrier in its makeup.

Among the major kennel clubs of the English-speaking world, only the United Kennel Club in the United States recognises the Sporting Lucas Terrier, placing it in its Terrier Group.

Appearance

The dog must be small and narrow enough in the chest to go to ground when needed. It stands about twelve inches at the withers and weighs about 15 pounds. The harsh, shaggy coat is white with dark patches, or a combination of brown, black and tan, or grizzle and tan.

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