Description: Plummer Terrier
The Plummer Terrier is a lively and intelligent small working terrier breed developed in the United Kingdom during the latter part of the 20th century. Originally bred by Dr. David Brian Plummer, the breed was established by crossing Jack Russell Terriers, Beagles, and red Fell Terriers, with the purpose of creating a dog particularly skilled in hunting vermin. Plummer Terriers are known for their tenacity, agility, and boundless energy, making them excellent for active families or individuals interested in dog sports and working activities. Their short, smooth red-and-white coats are relatively easy to maintain. While they can make great companions, they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Plummer Terriers tend to form strong bonds with their families and can get along with children when socialized early. However, their high prey drive may make them unsuitable for homes with smaller pets. With the right guidance, Plummer Terriers are affectionate, loyal, and entertaining companions.
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Properties
The Plummer Terrier is a relatively modern British breed, originally developed in the 1960s by Dr. David Brian Plummer. Aimed at creating the perfect working terrier, this breed was crafted by mixing Jack Russell Terriers, Beagles, Fell Terriers, and a touch of Bull Terrier. The Plummer Terrier is distinguished by its agility, intelligence, and tenacity—characteristics that have made it a favorite for those seeking a capable vermin hunter.
This breed is characterized by its medium-to-small size, typically standing 11 to 13 inches (28 to 33 cm) at the shoulder and weighing 12 to 15 pounds (5.5 to 7 kg). Its body is athletic and slightly elongated, allowing the dog to move with remarkable flexibility and speed. The head is wedge-shaped with keen, expressive eyes that reflect high intelligence and alertness.
Plummer Terriers are easily identified by their striking red and white coat, which is usually smooth, dense, and water-resistant. This coloring pays homage to the Beagle ancestry, and the breed often sports a distinct blaze or mask. The tail is traditionally left natural or docked short, depending on country regulations and breeder preference.
Personality-wise, the Plummer Terrier is energetic, lively, and fiercely loyal to its family. They were bred for hunting and retain a strong prey drive, meaning they excel at pursuits like ratting, fox hunting, and agility sports. Despite their working background, Plummer Terriers also make affectionate companions when their need for mental stimulation and exercise is met. They are social dogs, rarely aggressive towards humans, but can sometimes be assertive or dominant with other dogs if not properly socialized. Intelligent and eager to please, they respond well to consistent training but may occasionally display a stubborn streak.
Health-wise, the breed is generally robust, but may be prone to certain hereditary issues such as patellar luxation or eye problems, though responsible breeders screen for these conditions. Regular grooming is minimal due to their low-maintenance coat, but they require substantial daily exercise to prevent boredom-related behaviors.
Overall, the Plummer Terrier is a dynamic, intelligent, and versatile companion, ideally suited to an active home or someone with an interest in working or sports activities.
Appearance
The Plummer Terrier is a striking and compact working terrier breed that displays a distinctive appearance, blending agility, strength, and alertness. Typically, the Plummer Terrier stands between 28-36 cm (11-14 inches) at the shoulder and weighs roughly 5.5-8 kg (12-18 lbs). Its build is well-proportioned and muscular, highlighting the breed's original development for hunting and ratting duties. This terrier has a rectangular outline, being slightly longer than tall, contributing to its athleticism and speed.
The head of the Plummer Terrier is wedge-shaped, moderately broad with a flat skull, and a defined stop. The muzzle tapers toward the nose, which is commonly black but may be flesh-colored in lighter-coated specimens. Eyes are medium-sized, oval, and generally dark, imparting a keen and lively expression that underscores the breed’s intelligent and energetic disposition. The ears are set high, folding neatly to the sides, and enhance the dog’s alert appearance.
Plummer Terriers possess a short, dense, and smooth double coat that provides protection without being harsh or wiry. The breed's most distinguishing feature is its vivid and recognizable coat coloration. The primary color is typically a rich red, ranging from deep ginger to lighter shades, and is always accented by defined white markings, most commonly present on the neck, chest, face and socks on the legs and tip of the tail. Occasionally, black markings or saddles can be present, but they are less common and not preferred according to breed standards.
The tail of the Plummer Terrier is set high, often carried gaily but not curling over the back, and may historically have been docked, although this practice is increasingly rare. The overall impression given by the breed is one of alertness, readiness, and elegance, packaged in a small but robust frame. The Plummer Terrier’s appearance undeniably reflects its purposeful breeding: it is a durable, visually appealing terrier equally suited to active country life or devoted companionship.
History
The Plummer Terrier is a relatively recent addition to the world of terrier breeds, with its origins dating back to the late 20th century in the United Kingdom. The breed was developed by Dr. David Brian Plummer, an accomplished author, animal behaviorist, and keen sportsman. Dissatisfied with the performance and health issues of many existing working terriers, he set out to create a new breed that would excel as a versatile, robust, and effective working dog, particularly for hunting and vermin control.
The foundation of the Plummer Terrier started in the 1970s, with Dr. Plummer combining several breeds in his breeding program. The primary contributors to the genetic pool were the Jack Russell Terrier, Beagle, Bull Terrier, and Fell Terrier. Each breed was chosen for specific traits: the Jack Russell for its intelligence and tenacity, the Beagle for its scenting ability, the Bull Terrier for strength and gameness, and the Fell Terrier for its working drive and size. Dr. Plummer meticulously selected for desired traits such as agility, courage, trainability, and a distinctive red-and-white coat.
The mission of the Plummer Terrier was to create a healthy, reliable, and driven working dog, capable of performing above ground (hunting rabbits and rats) as well as below ground (going to ground after quarry such as foxes). The breed was also intended to be more manageable and sociable than some of the older terrier breeds, making them suitable as companions in addition to their working roles. Over decades of careful breeding and culling, the Plummer Terrier’s traits gradually stabilized, resulting in a dog that is energetic, athletic, and highly adaptable.
Today, the Plummer Terrier remains a working breed at heart and is popular among those involved in terrier work, pest control, and countryside pursuits. It is recognized by several working terrier clubs in the UK, though not by the major kennel clubs such as The Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club. Despite its relative obscurity outside specialist circles, the Plummer Terrier has garnered a dedicated following for its effectiveness in the field and its engaging personality at home. The breed's history showcases deliberate, thoughtful breeding aimed at function over form, cementing its reputation as a capable and vigorous working companion.