Appearance of the Weltador
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| The Weltador is most likely colored according to the colors of its parent breeds. The Labrador Retriever and Welsh Terrier are both black and brown, but the Labrador Retriever can also be cream-colored. It may also have a black or brown nose, and the eye color may be brown, hazel or amber. A Weltador's coat is likely to be of medium length. While a Labrador Retriever's coat is very dense and straight, a Welsh Terrier's is wiry and of normal density. Both breeds are surprisingly double-coated, but the Welsh Terrier has a short undercoat and a long, hard topcoat, while the Labrador Retriever has a thick, dense, waterproof undercoat with a fine topcoat. As there are many differences between the parent breeds, the Weltador will be made up of different characteristics from each parent breed, so it's difficult to determine exactly what the Weltador will look like. The Labrador Retriever has a broader, rounded head, but the Welsh Terrier is often described as square. Both have powerful jaws, with a scissor or flat bite. Labrador Retrievers are a larger, heavier breed than Welsh Terriers, so size and weight may vary. Ears can also vary, as Welsh Terriers are quite small, while Labrador Retrievers are medium-sized. Both dogs have floppy ears on the side of the head, but the Welsh Terrier's ears are generally much hairier. The Welsh Terrier has been described as having the appearance of a hairy old man, as it is known to have a beard, moustache and bushy eyebrows on its face. The tails of the Welsh Terrier and Labrador Retriever are quite similar, hanging low and curving a little at the base. The Welsh Terrier has been known to have its tail docked at an early age if permitted. |
Temperament of the Weltador
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| As a hybrid, temperament is generally difficult to predict due to the difference between parent breeds. However, the Welsh Terrier and Labrador Retriever have similar temperament traits. Both are said to be lively, people-oriented and good with children of all ages, suggesting that the Weltador has the ideal temperament required for a family pet. Both are also intelligent and active, with lots of energy. This means they need regular exercise and mental stimulation, and will become bored if not given this time and attention, which can lead to negative and destructive behavior. The Weltador is said to respond well to positive reinforcement. Both breeds are reasonably easy to train, as they are eager to please. The Weltador should be supervised in the presence of other dogs, as suggested for the two related breeds. The Labrador Retriever and Welsh Terrier, although they tend to bark on occasion, are recognized by the American Kennel Club as friendly and wouldn't necessarily make good guard dogs, but they are very affectionate and make excellent companions. Don't forget to train your dog on leash, as obedience can be a problem with the Labrador Retriever breed. They don't always listen, as they like to follow their noses. They can also be greedy for food and will eat almost anything to fill their stomachs. This isn't necessarily what's best for them, so they need plenty of supervision, especially when out and about. |
Needs and activities of the Weltador
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| The two parent breeds that make up the Weltador are energetic and need plenty of exercise. To expend their energy, they need around 60 minutes of exercise a day. As this is an intelligent breed, mental stimulation is needed in addition to physical exercise, so train your dog and teach him tricks too. Obedience training may be a good idea for this breed, as is often suggested for the Labrador Retriever breed. Having a double coat often means that both parent breeds adapt well to most weather conditions. Of course, extreme heat and cold can be a problem for all breeds. Although it's possible to live in an apartment, a house with a large enclosed yard would be the ideal environment for the Weltador. |
Maintenance of the Weltador
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| Weltador maintenance can vary, and again depends on the breed's characteristics. While the Welsh Terrier tends to shed only seasonally, but has a long, hard coat, even though the Labrador Retriever's coat is short, it tends to shed regularly. Daily brushing is recommended due to the Labrador Retriever's double coat and shedding rate. You can use a detangling brush, a pin brush or a smoothing brush, depending on your Weltador's coat type. Both parent breeds are prone to ear problems, so make sure your Weltador's ears are cleaned regularly and dried properly after bathing, so they need to be checked regularly. Bathing is recommended for both breeds, once every 1-2 months should be sufficient. Labrador Retrievers can be quite sensitive to food, as bloating is common. A high-quality food, served in several small meals throughout the day, rather than one large meal, is therefore preferable for this breed. Keep your Weltador's nails trimmed, and don't forget that this breed's teeth need to be brushed daily to prevent tartar build-up. To keep your Weltador in good health, exercise regularly and make sure you devote time to training and play to avoid boredom. |
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