BREED STANDARDS
THE SPORTING LUCAS TERRIER CLUB
The Sporting Lucas Terrier is a modem breed with a well-documented history. The breed is named for Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas, MC, KBE, MP, a Baron’s son with a keen interest in hunting dogs. After returning from World War I, he began breeding Sealyhams. Concerned about the increasing size of the show-bred Sealyhams, Sir Jocelyn began crossing his hunting Sealyhams with Norfolk Terriers. With his partner, the Hon. Mrs. Enid Plummer, they carefully developed this small, workmanlike Terrier, designed to work in a pack and push game out of thick cover. Today, the breed is maintained primarily as a working Terrier, where it is used to hunt ground vermin and go to ground when required.
WORKING ROLE
To hunt ground vermin, going to ground when required
GENERAL APPEARANCE
A small, sturdy, stiff coated, compact but free-moving, well boned, strong headed working Terrier, roughly a foot high, with either a mainly white jacket and darker coloured patches or, a dark coloured coat with small white markings, usually with a docked tail.
CHARACTERISTICS
Determined, self-confident, lively, bustling, alert, sharp eyed, spirited, keen to hunt, fearless but not full hardy, physically robust, active without being hyperactive, independent minded yet responsive to training and commands.
TEMPERAMENT
Friendly by nature, extrovert but not dog aggressive or prone to give tongue without good reason, not immediately welcoming with strangers but not immediately submissive either, stable, lacking the excessive excitability of some other small Terrier breeds.
APTITUDE
Willing to hunt ground vermin, above and below ground. Perseveres in difficult working conditions. Displays no hesitation in tackling ground quarry, without being to hard or obvious to instruction. Has an offensive approach without ever being out of control.
CONSTRUCTION
Must have the anatomy of a working Terrier, a flexible spine, a powerful jaw, sturdy legs but never heavy bone, ample chest room without too much spread in front, sound feet with well formed pads and strong toe-nails.
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The head is strongly-made, well-boned, broad with good width between the ears and well defined “stop”; the muzzle length measures roughly two-thirds the distance from the occiput or peak to the stop, giving a strong, tapering jaw, still broad at the nose; the jaws close in a scissor bite, with strong even teeth; the jaws are built for biting and gripping, equally strong in upper and lower jaw. The scull size is in proportion to the dog’s size, lacking the heavier ‘Sealyham’ head. The ears are set high, well apart, neat and v-shaped, but with slightly rounded tips, carried close to the head, dropping forward even when the dog is alert (half pricked). The eyes are oval, dark, quite deep set and fairly wide apart. The lips are tight, with dark pigmentation. The neck is strongly-made, of good length, slightly arched, blending well into the shoulder construction.
FOREHAND
The shoulder blades and upper arm are of sufficient length and angle to permit a free front stride with good extension and ample reach of neck, the abbreviated restricted front action of many small Terrier breeds is not desired. The elbows fit closely but allow free forward movement. The forelegs should be straight when viewed from the front, not over-boned but discernibly muscled. The forefeet are small but still good sized, round with strong robust pads.
TORSO
The chest displays obvious breadth, with well-sprung ribs carried well back in profile the dog is oblong not square in outline. The topline is level; the body length indicating symmetry and balance, based on a lower station. The loins are supple and strong. Great flexibility in the body is desirable. The short rigid back of mainly show Terriers is a handicap to a working dog. The underline shows a very slight tuck-up.
COAT COLOUR
There are two main combinations : White bodied, with markings of any shade of brown. Grizzle or badger grey, and black with or without tan. Coloured any shade of brown, black and tan or grizzle and tan. Small white markings are acceptable on the chest, brisket and feet. Texture, harsh and stiff, straight lying close to the body with a thick dense undercoat. A soft undercoat or to much length is not desired 1 being the optimum.
HINDHAND
The tail is set level with the topline, which slopes very slightly downwards at the crop, the tail is carried erect but not set to high. Pelvic angulation, turn of stifle and angulation at the hock must allow good forward reach when working underground and ample rear extension on the move, avoiding the short-stepping, chopping rear-leg action, lacking stride, of many small Terriers.
The hindquarters are not broad across the hips but well muscled. The hind legs are straight when seen from behind. The hind feet are small, round and compact, with strong tough pads, toes and nails. The tail is normally docked to just less than four inches.
MOVEMENT
Purposeful with a low drive and good stride, fore and aft, indicating well-laid shoulders and correctly constructed hind quarters. The style is brisk, full of enthusiasm; the whole impression is one of perky assertiveness, supple strength and physical harmony.
DIMENTIONS
Height at the withers; 11 —13 for dogs, 10 —12" for bitches
Weight 14 —18 lb for dogs, 11 -15 lb for bitches.
FAULTS
Unwillingness to go underground. Excessive hardness. Cloddy build, lacking flexibility. Short neck, so often in sequence with steep shoulders. Box ‘Sealyham’ head. Barrel chest. Lack of extension fore and aft when on the move, giving the abbreviated stride of the show ring Terrier breeds.