The Plummer Terrier is a small, high energy and affectionate working dog. This breed is best suited to an active lifestyle where they spend most of their time outside. The Plummer Terrier is a relatively new breed that was created in Wales by crossing Beagles, Fell Terriers, Bull Terriers and Jack Russells. This combination has resulted in an alert, loyal, intelligent and robust breed. Plummer Terriers are affectionate, energetic and strong-willed characters. They are compact, sturdy dogs with a short, low maintenance coat.
Plummer Terriers are small, robust dogs. They have broad heads, powerful necks and almond-shaped dark coloured eyes. Plummer Terriers always look alert and ready for action. A Plummer has V-shaped ears that are set far apart and fold over.
The breed has strong legs, powerful jaws and flexible spines as well as strong paw pads and nails. All of this helps the Plummer Terrier to work efficiently. Plummers carry their medium-length tail up high. The Plummer Terrier’s coat is short, waterproof and comes in a copper-red colour with a white collar/ cape. The Plummer’s coat is low maintenance but does shed throughout the year.
How big do Plummer Terriers get?
Height - Males: 32 - 36cm. Females: 28 - 34cm.
Weight - Males: 5.5 - 7.5kg. Females: 5.5 - 7.5kg.
Plummer Terriers may be small in size but they have big personalities. They are smart, affectionate and full of energy. Plummer Terriers don’t like to sit around, they need to be kept busy and mentally stimulated so are best suited to active families who spend lots of time outdoors.
The Plummer Terrier is a loyal dog that wants to be with their owners all the time. They are loyal and love to play but become stressed and suffer from separation anxiety if left alone. Plummer Terriers are highly intelligent but training them can be a challenge unless you are familiar with the breed as they can be strong-willed and can pick up bad habits quickly. Regular training is vital for Plummer Terriers and the breed excels at dog sports so this is a potential way of keeping them occupied and happy.
Are Plummer Terriers intelligent? Yes (4/5).
Are Plummer Terriers affectionate? Yes.
Do Plummer Terriers have high or low energy levels? High energy levels (5/5).
Are Plummer Terriers loyal? Yes.
Are Plummer Terriers playful? Yes, and they are often mischievous too.
Are Plummer Terriers aggressive? Rarely.
Are Plummer Terriers easy to train? Sometimes, they can be strong-willed and also pick up bad behaviours quickly.
Are Plummer Terriers good guard dogs? Yes, they are alert and will bark at things they are unsure of.
Well-socialised Plummer Terriers are good with other dogs and they can get along with cats too. As Plummers are terriers they have a high prey drive so interaction with smaller animals should be avoided. This breed is excellent with children of all ages and makes a wonderful pet for young active families. The Plummer Terrier is social and thrives when around their family. Plummer Terriers tend to bark at people they don’t know but they are rarely aggressive, this makes them good watchdogs.
Do Plummer Terriers get along with other pets? Yes, they get on well with other pets but take care around smaller animals as Plummer Terriers have a high prey drive.
Do Plummer Terriers get along with other dogs? Yes.
Are Plummer Terriers good with kids? Yes, they are known for being fantastic with children (5/5).
Are Plummer Terriers good with strangers? They often bark at people they don’t know.
Although Plummer Terriers are small in size, they need a lot of space. This is not the right breed for an apartment, Plummers are much more at home in places where they have lots of space and access to a secure outdoor area. It’s important to know Plummer Terriers are notorious for digging so any outdoor areas need to be thoroughly secured before letting them out off-lead.
As the Plummer Terrier is a high-energy, intelligent breed they need to be cared for by someone who is familiar with their needs otherwise they can become stubborn, frustrated and rebellious. This means the Plummer Terrier is not the best option for first-time owners. A Plummer Terrier also needs to have someone with them all the time as they suffer from separation anxiety and cannot be left on their own.
Are Plummer Terriers good for first-time owners? No, they do better with owners that are familiar with this active, intelligent, high energy breed.
Are Plummer Terriers hypoallergenic? No.
Are Plummer Terriers prone to drooling? No.
Are Plummer Terriers a good breed for apartment living? No, they need plenty of space and secure outdoor areas.
Do Plummer Terriers shed a lot? Moderately with increased shedding twice a year.
Do Plummer Terriers bark a lot? They bark occasionally.
Can Plummer Terriers be left alone at home? No.
Can Plummer Terriers handle the heat? Yes.
Can Plummer Terriers handle cold temperatures? Yes.
Are Plummer Terriers sensitive to loud noises? Not particularly.
Plummer Terriers are known for being healthy dogs with very few health concerns and a life expectancy of 12 - 15 years. Any known health issues and genetic problems were bred out of Plummer Terriers to ensure they are a robust breed. Although healthy, this breed is relatively new so there is limited information regarding common breed-specific health issues.
How long do Plummer Terriers live? - 12 - 15 years
Plummer Terriers are high energy dogs that need at least 60 minutes of exercise per day. They should spend time off-lead in safe areas but be aware of the Plummer Terriers high prey drive as they will chase after any smaller animals such as squirrels or rabbits without a second thought. Always ensure you walk your Plummer Terrier in a safe area and only let them off-lead if they have good recall and obedience.
Their daily walks can be leisurely but Plummers loves intense games in the garden throughout the day too. This helps them to burn off energy and prevents these Terriers from getting bored. Plummer Terriers love spending time with children and will enthusiastically participate in any games. As Plummer Terriers are intelligent and active they benefit a lot from training and participating in hunting activities and dog sports. This is one of the best ways to keep a Plummer Terrier happy if they are a family dog rather than a working dog.
How much exercise does a Plummer Terrier dog need? 60 minutes per day
Do Plummer Terriers like water play? Yes.
As Plummer Terriers are highly active dogs they tend to do well on food that is rich in protein. A Plummer Terrier puppy needs between 40 - 125g of high-quality dry food per day depending on their age and size while an adult needs between 80 - 120g a day depending on their weight and activity level. These are rough estimates, it is important to have a personal dietary plan made as every dog is unique.
Are Plummer Terriers prone to weight gain? No.
How much should I feed a Plummer Terrier puppy? Between 40 - 125g of high-quality dry food per day, split into 3-4 portions.
How much should I feed an adult Plummer Terrier dog? Between 80 - 120g of high-quality dry food per day.
Grooming: Plummer Terriers are very low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They have short coats that are smooth and tight. It’s best to brush a Plummer’s coat each week to keep it in good condition. Plummer Terriers do shed more in Spring and Autumn so more frequent brushing will help you stay on top of this during these periods. Be sure to check your Plummer’s ears regularly, brush their teeth regularly and clip their nails when needed too.
Emotional Care: The Plummer Terrier is a dog that wants to be part of the pack. This breed hates to be left alone and wants to be out and about with their owner. They need to be part of a family where someone is always going to be at home with them. Plummer Terriers thrive when they have a job to do, they get bored very quickly and this can lead to barking and destructive behaviours. These terriers are active and intelligent so require lots of playtime, walks and training sessions to keep them happy. This is not a dog that is going to be happy lazing on the sofa all day.
History of the Plummer Terrier
Bred in Wales in the 1960s, Plummer Terriers were developed to hunt vermin and rabbits. The breed was created by Dr David Brian Plummer and is a result of crossing Jack Russells, Beagles, Bull Terriers and Fell Terriers. The Plummer Terrier is a hardworking, intelligent and feisty breed.
Plummer Terriers have been selectively bred over the years and any obvious genetic problems were worked out to produce a healthy, robust breed. In 1998 The Plummer Terrier Club of Great Britain was established.
Plummer Terriers are not as small as they used to be and are sometimes too big for underground work. While they are popular working dogs, Plummer Terriers are also excellent family pets.
Developed by Dr David Brian Plummer in the 1960s
Plummer Terriers were bred to hunt rats and rabbits
The Plummer Terrier is a rare breed
The Plummer Terrier was developed in Wales
If you’re looking for a new puppy, check out our buying guide for information on finding and buying a puppy. Be aware of scams and make sure you buy from a responsible breeder, never pay a deposit before you have seen the puppy. At Puppies, all breeders are vetted to ensure they are responsible. Take a look at the Plummer Terrier puppies page to see what puppies are available in your area.
How much does a Plummer Terrier cost to buy? £500 - £1500
How much does a Plummer Terrier cost to feed? £25 per month.
How much does insurance for a Plummer Terrier cost? £30 per month.
As Plummer Terriers are quite a rare breed there may be a waiting list for puppies. An alternative option is to adopt a Plummer Terrier. The best place to start would be your local rescue centre but the following organisations may also be able to help you find a Plummer Terrier to adopt:
