In the world of hunting, an “earth stopper” was the person who “stopped,” or blocked the entrances to foxholes so that during a subsequent fox hunt, the animal wouldn’t have an escape route into the ground. Not that it would have helped if a terrier was along on the hunt. The job of a dog like the Welsh Terrier was to act as an “earth stopper,” or go into the caves after the game. As unsporting as it sounds to us today, foxes took a tremendous toll on early lambs, and a pair could devastate a flock. No doubt that a love of sport was also part of the equation of hunts, but it was rooted in protecting one’s livelihood and stock.

Welshies were often used with hound packs to drive a fox to a spot where the dog could corner it, or force back into the open for the chase, though in those early days, the breed was known as the Black-and-Tan Wire Haired Terrier, or the Old English Terrier.  Part of what made the breed so valued was that Welshies had a surprisingly good ability to scent game. By and large, however, the breed’s size, and surprising strength for its size, is what made it a desired working terrier.

 “Rabbit Hunting” by Daniele Trottier is available for purchase here.