Plummer Terrier Dog Breed

The Plummer Terrier is not an official member of any breed group, though its physical characteristics and breeding history would likely make it a member of either the Working or the Terrier group. Since their creation in the United Kingdom in the latter half of the twentieth century, Plummers have been utilized as ratting dogs and small-game hunters; as such, they're best suited as "vermin-busters," and they make decent family dogs as well.

A few Plummer Terrier facts: they're small- to medium-sized (height at the shoulders is about 14 inches, and weight 15 pounds), with short-haired, smooth coats that normally come in red and white. Here are some advantages and drawbacks to owning this feisty little breed:

PROS:

• Good work ethic
• Playful and energetic
• Well-suited to apartment life (if provided sufficient exercise)
• Good watchdog abilities
• Little grooming required
• Good with kids and other pets
• Sociable and outgoing
• Fairly low barking tendencies

CONS:

• Can be stubborn and strong-willed
• High exercise requirements
• Strong prey drive; will instinctively chase all small animals
• Will turn destructive if bored or restless
• Moderately difficult to train
• Will need early/frequent socialization with people/other animals
• Fairly rare, and thus difficult to find

This breed is relatively rare and obscure, so not much Plummer Terrier information is available--especially regarding its temperament and health. What is known is that dogs of this breed are "composite animals"--in other words, the breed is a still-developing result of crossing very similar breeds. So Plummer Terriers have the classic terrier build and demeanor, and are at least known to behave in true terrier fashion.

Any description of the Plummer Terrier would be incomplete without mentioning the controversy surrounding the breed's development. The breed is named after its initial creator, a Welsh writer, hunter, and dog enthusiast named Brian Plummer. Starting in the late 1960s, Plummer sought to create a new breed of ratting dog, so he crossbred Jack Russell Terriers with a variety of similar breeds including the Fell Terrier, the Bull Terrier, and Beagle. According to many people (including Plummer himself), his crossbred offspring were often deformed, mute, or ill-tempered (and his kennels were known to be in very poor shape). And while Plummer Terriers are now known to breed healthy and true, the lines are often shrouded by discord over the breed's early development.

Despite the issues with Brian Plummer's terriers, today these rare dogs are considered healthy, vibrant, and active. They do need a good bit of daily physical activity, or they may turn destructive. But despite their problematic past, Plummer Terrier dogs are thought of as hard-working, feisty little animals.

The Plummer Terrier breed has no known variations in physical features, size, or coat length. The only recognized variant within individual dogs of the breed is in their coloring. All Plummers are red and white, but some have "collared" markings (with white bands on their necks), while others are "caped" (with white only on the throat).

Over time, some kennels are claiming to have created distinct bloodlines of the breed, like Pitman & Brimar or Legion Plummer Terriers. No evidence exists, though, that these lines vary from the standard Plummer Terrier size, coat, or physical appearance.

Energetic, playful, affectionate, and often stubborn and strong-willed, the Plummer Terrier temperament is one of pure activity. Due to the breed's relative rarity, not a lot is known about Plummer Terrier behavioral characteristics--but these dogs are considered "true terriers," and thus are likely to be happy, fun-loving, and bossy. They should be good with children and socialize well with other pets; as ratting dogs, though, they're not to be trusted around rodents and other small animals, as their instinct is to chase and kill small critters.

As to training, Plummers are likely to be like other terrier breeds, in that teaching them tasks and commands may be difficult. Trainers will definitely need to establish themselves as the leader, and will need to employ consistent, firm (but not harsh!) training methods.

Plummers are also pretty loyal, and should make good watchdogs. Like most terriers, they shouldn't hesitate to sound a vocal alarm when confronted with a potential threat.

Little is known about inherited health issues for Plummer Terriers. Health problems may include patellar luxation and cryptorchidism (also called retained testicles); issues common to all terrier breeds, and to which Plummers may be prone, include Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) and various eye problems.

Life expectancy for Plummer Terriers is 12-15 years.