Lucas Terrier

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The exact origins of the Lucas terrier are not a matter of conjecture, as is the case with many breeds of dog. Simply, the Lucas terrier was produced by Sir Jocelyn Lucas and his kennel manageress/business partner, the Honourable Mrs Enid Plummer, by crossing a Norfolk dog (at that time known as the drop eared Norwich as the two breeds had not been separated) called Colonsay Cuffer with a small variety of Sealyham from Sir Jocelyn's Ilmer Kennel. There is some question regarding whether this was a deliberate act on their part or a mistake.

Sir Jocelyn was involved in the breeding of the Lucas for many years, however, he gave up his kennels at Watford in the late 1950s and left the task of breeding both the Lucas terriers and the Ilmer Sealyhams to his Kennel Partner Enid Plummer.

According to the Ilmer Kennel advertisement in the 1961 Christmas Number Supplement of Our Dogs few of the Ilmer Sealyhams exceeded the standard weight of between 13 and 16 lbs and some were definite miniatures. The late Mr A. Croxton Smith, Chairman of the Kennel Club, wrote in 'Country Life' magazine, "Indeed I think that the Ilmer Sealyhams are more entitled to immortality than the Fox Terriers which belonged to the Devon clergyman (Parson Jack Russell)" In this same advert. is mention of the Lucas terrier, 'Little sporting Lucas terriers, weighing about 10 - 14 lbs are very popular and attractive, and wonderful with children. One Lucas terrier puppy realised £100 at an auction.' Auctioning dogs is, of course, frowned upon nowadays but was acceptable at that time.

As well as carrying out Lucas/Lucas matings Enid also continued to breed hybrids. In the 1960s she used a Norfolk by the name of Gotoground Brock, in the 1970s she used Rossut Montelimar Royal Red, her own Norfolk dog Osmor Trevor and Gethuon Juggler.

Enid Plummer died in 1986 and her death could very well have sounded the death knell for the Lucas too. Some breeders and owners felt that without Enid at the helm the Lucas should be just quietly fade away. Thankfully, Mrs Jane Irwin, Mrs Irwin's uncle, Mr Basil Wallwork, and Miss Jumbo Frost, all Lucas owners, were not of this opinion and, therefore, they joined forces to set up the Lucas Terrier Society. The aim of this informal group was to aid owners to find a suitable mate should they wish to breed from their terrier and to generally promote the breed.

Later the Lucas Terrier Society was renamed the Lucas Terrier Club and this organisation continues to promote and protect these dogs.

In 1990 it was discovered that some dogs that had been registered as Lucas terriers were not only Norfolk and Sealyham mixes, these dogs were all removed from the Breed Register and led to the development of the Sporting Lucas terrier.

The Lucas Terrier Club website can be found at www.lucasterrier.co.uk