Sporting Lucas Terrier

11-15 lbs
10-12"
England, Scotland
Lucas Terrier

The Sporting Lucas Terrier at one time was strictly used to hunt ground vermin but has evolved into an enchanting, loving companion dog. He is energetic, feisty and alert; he is a terrier after all. Even though he is an energetic dog, he is not typically a hyperactive dog and is relatively easy to train. He does enjoy spending time running, playing and being with his family but he is also able to take it down a notch and spend time relaxing and lazing around the house. The Sporting Lucas Terrier does require early socialization for him to become a well-adjusted member of the family.  

purpose Purpose
Hunting Ground Vermin
history Date of Origin
1940s
ancestry Ancestry
Sealyham Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Plummer Terrier

Sporting Lucas Terrier Health

Average Size
Male Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats
Height: 11-14 inches Weight: 14-18 lbs
Female Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats
Height: 10-12 inches Weight: 11-15 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Usually A Very Healthy Breed
Minor Concerns
  • Ear Infections
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Ectropion
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Dental Issues
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Dental Examination
  • Yearly Eye Exam
  • Yearly Physical Examination

Sporting Lucas Terrier Breed History

Sir Jocelyn Lucas, MC, KBE, MP returned home from World War I and began breeding Sealyham Terriers. He created Ilmer Kennels, a famed kennel in Europe. In the late 1940s Lucas and his long-time business partner, the Honorable Mrs. Enid Plummer, began cultivating the Lucas Terrier because they felt that the Sealyham Terrier was too large to efficiently work. The Sealyham was also experiencing several stillbirths in the whelping box. They chose a smaller Sealyham Terrier female from their kennel and bred her to a Norfolk Terrier male from the Colonsay bloodlines. The resulting litter was the beginning of the Lucas Terrier. The breed gained some popularity because it is said that Sir Jocelyn Lucas was an expert marketer. Throughout the years, the Lucas Terrier lost many of the characteristics that Lucas and Plummer worked so hard to develop. In the 1990s Brian Plummer, a noted terrier expert, began reinventing the Sporting Lucas Terrier. He crossed a Lucas Terrier with one of his Plummer Terriers. This cross was named the Sporting Lucas Terrier. In order for a dog to be officially recognized as a Sporting Lucas Terrier it must be a direct descendant of one of the Ilmer Sporting Lucas Terriers and all ancestors in the pedigree must be registered Sporting Lucas Terrier, registered Sealyham Terrier or registered Norfolk Terrier. Any ancestor that is not purebred or registered will cause the dog to not be recognized as a Sporting Lucas Terrier. The United Kennel Club recognized the Sporting Lucas Terrier in 2002. The Lucas Terrier Club of the United Kingdom was established to continue efforts to have the Sporting Lucas Terrier recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale. 

Sporting Lucas Terrier Breed Appearance

 

The Sporting Lucas Terrier is a compact and sturdy terrier that is low to the ground, standing between 10 and 13 inches tall. He is a working terrier and should have a flexible spine, sturdy legs and a powerful jaw. He should never look bulky or overly muscled. He has triangular shaped ears with rounded tips. His ears are carried close to his head and drop forward in a semi-erect position. His nose is well developed with wide nostrils and black in color. Oval, deep set eyes give him an alert expression. His eyes should be dark in color and set wide apart. The Sporting Lucas Terrier has double coat that is about 1 ½ inches in length. His topcoat is stiff and harsh while his undercoat is dense and softer. There are two types of color patterns for the Sporting Lucas Terrier: predominantly white bodied or solid bodied. The predominantly white bodied Sporting Lucas Terrier can have dark patches of any shade of grizzle, badger-gray, black or brown. Tan markings can be present. The colored body Sporting Lucas Terrier can be any shade of black and tan, grizzle and tan, or brown. He can have small white markings on his feet, brisket or chest. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Sporting Lucas Terrier eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Sporting Lucas Terrier nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
white Sporting Lucas Terrier coat
White
black Sporting Lucas Terrier coat
Black
brown Sporting Lucas Terrier coat
Brown
gray Sporting Lucas Terrier coat
Gray
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Sporting Lucas Terrier wiry coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Sporting Lucas Terrier Breed Maintenance

The Sporting Lucas Terrier is a double coated breed and is not hypoallergenic. He does require weekly grooming to keep his coat in good condition. A pin brush or slicker brush should be used when grooming. A metal comb will help work through any tangles that may have formed. Because he has a double coat, he will shed seasonally. Aside from shedding moderately twice a year, he is a low shedder. When he is shedding in the spring and fall you will want to brush him more often to keep the loose hair from gathering all over the house. To save you time and hassle, you may consider having him professionally hand stripped when he sheds his undercoat. Professional groomers can easily hand strip the coat and keep the mess at bay. When he is being bathed, make sure you are using a shampoo that is formulated for harsh or wiry coats. Sporting Lucas Terriers can be prone to ear infections, be sure to clean his ears weekly as a preventative. 

Brushes for Sporting Lucas Terrier
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Sporting Lucas Terrier requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Sporting Lucas Terrier Temperament

Overall, the Sporting Lucas Terrier is a friendly breed but he is wary of strangers and does not readily accept new people into his home. He is an energetic dog, but he is not as hyperactive as his other terrier cousins and can be content spending the evening chewing on a bone or lazing at your feet. Early socialization and training are important to ensure he understands his position within the home and his boundaries. It is a rare occurrence for any Sporting Lucas Terrier to show aggression towards people; however he may show a bit of an attitude towards other dogs when trying to determine dominance.  He is not an overly barky dog, he will sound the alarm when a strange person or animal approaches his home or threatens his family. He does require daily interaction and exercise to keep him from becoming a destructive nuisance. The Sporting Lucas Terrier is a good choice for a first time dog owner.

Sporting Lucas Terrier Activity Requirements

The Sporting Lucas Terrier is a high energy dog without being the Tasmanian Devil. He does crave mental stimulation along with daily exercise to keep him happy and sharp. Interactive toys are a great way to engage him when you do not have the time throughout the day to play games with him. Taking long walks around the neighborhood or going for long hikes through the local park are great ways to keep him moving. Since he is a terrier, he would excel at many dog sports such as fly ball, barn hunts or agility. Plan on spending between 30 and 45 minutes a day with your Sporting Lucas Terrier doing some type of physical exercise. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
10 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes
activity minutes

Sporting Lucas Terrier Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1.3 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.90 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Sporting Lucas Terrier Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats at six months
Height: 9.5 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs
Female Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats at six months
Height: 9.0 inches Weight: 7.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 12.5 lbs
Female Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats at 12 months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 11.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats at 18 months
Height: 12.5 inches Weight: 16.0 lbs
Female Sporting Lucas Terrier size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 13.0 lbs

Sporting Lucas Terrier Owner Experiences

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