In the 1940s, Sir Jocelyn Lucas, sporting man and founder of the Ilmer line of Sealyham Terriers, developed a new breed out of concern that Sealyhams bred for the show ring were getting too heavy and coarse to do the job for which they were created. The breed he and his business partner, Mrs. Enid Plummer, ultimately created was the “Lucas Terrier.” Borne of a cross between the Sealyham and Norfolk Terrier, the Lucas Terrier was a small, unexaggerated, plucky, and low maintenance dog with a softer coat than the Norfolk, more coloring than a Sealyham, and a sweet, calm, and quiet disposition – – – until s/he sees a squirrel, and then the breed designed to work in a pack and push game out of thick cover becomes all terrier.

Just three years ago, it was estimated that there were only 600 terriers left world wide. It seemed fitting, then, but unfortunate that it came to this, that a breed created by Sir Lucas would garner the same attention from Country Life Magazine as did his first breed, the Sealyham Terrier, out of concern over the breed’s future.

Regular readers will recall our post about Country Life’s campaign to save the Sealyham Terrier in 2011 by putting “Molly,” a Sealyham Terrier puppy, on the cover of its October 26, 2011 issue, and featuring the breed inside. Working Sealyham Terrier Club founder, Harry Parsons, later said how crucial it was that the club was not only getting interest, but demand for puppies from the right people, those who had done their homework.

In the November 8, 2014 issue, the Lucas Terrier became another endangered native dog breed to benefit from what editors called the “Country Life effect.” Following the publication, breeders reported seeing a healthy resurgence of interest in the breed suggesting to us another effect we’re tempted to call the, “out of sight, of out mind” effect. With so few of certain breeds around, it’s likely that most people who never attend a dog show will never see in person a Dandie Dinmont, Sealyham Terrier, and other vulnerable breeds.  This is exactly why NPDD urges the owners of all our fabulous breeds to get out and be seen with their dogs, and better yet, put an “Ask About My Heritage” bandana on the dog to encourage conversation about the rich heritage of its breed.

In the future, we’ll share other breeds whose cause Country Life has taken to help out. For now, we tip our hat in respect to a publication that has used its reach to save breeds from extinction. Now, if only American magazines would come to regard our dog breeds as worthy of protection as Panda Bears and Rhinoceroses, both of which outnumbers too many of our terrier breeds.