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Where
to begin? It’s impossible to discuss Plummer terriers
without mentioning DB Plummer schoolteacher, writer and avid
rat hunter. It is he who began the creation of the breed and
from whom they take their name. A controversial figure he
has his devoted supporters and those who are less keen. Plummer
began his terrier career with a hard strain of JRT from his
home in Wales and over the years added beagle, fell terrier,
bull terrier, further JRT blood and fox terrier into the mix
to create what is now called the Plummer terrier. Originally
these dogs were viewed as a strain of JRT but as their distinctive
look became more established they were classified as a breed
apart from JRT and took the name Plummer terrier.
Plummer wrote about his terriers and their
exploits extensively and for anyone who wants a detailed explanation
of these early years they would be advised to seek out his
books. However, it’s best to take some of his tales with
a pinch of salt.
Other people then became involved in the
breed; if you discuss Plummers it’s not long before Curtis
Price and his dog Rocky is mentioned, a foundation stone in
the modern Plummer and he figures in many contemporary dogs’
pedigrees. For many years it was people such as he that took
the breed forward, whilst DBP wrote and lived in Caithness.
And during this period the first breed club was founded: The
Plummer Terrier association [http://www.plummerterrierassociation.org/].
In the mid-nineties DBP reasoned that in order for several
defects within the breed to be eradicated a fresh introduction
of bull blood was required, the PTA refused to accept this
and so DBP and several others broke away and the second breed
club was founded, the Plummer Terrier Club of Great Britain.
Last year saw the PTA push for acceptance by the Kennel club,
which was rejected, and resulted in the formation of a third
breed club [yes that’s right another one] the European
Plummer Terrier Society. Yes, it’s very complicated
being a Plummer owner and we have not even mentioned the way
other terrier owners view the breed. Venturing into Plummer
land opens a real can of worms. The creation of the three
clubs, but primarily the initial two has led to a divergence
of breeding programmes: the PTCoGB’s kennels, often labelled
the outcross; and the PTA's kennels, labelled "pure".
Sadly this issue has become incredibly divisive, but steps
have been taken through the creation of a new forum and website
allowing owners to mix try and ignore the politics and just
talk dogs. I said I would avoid Plummer politics but it’s
pretty difficult if I am to give an honest account of how
the breed stands. Dry administrative stuff…lets talk
dogs.
Once the strain became
established and defined as an individual type they were initially
known as the Huddlesford Rat Pack. And it is these dogs Plummer
documents in his books, those familiar with them will recognise
the names Vampire, Omega, Warlock et al. One thing you can’t
fault Plummer on is his choice of names, dramatic as ever.
These dogs are the foundations of the breed and through Plummer's
writings are easily recognisable. However, once we leave the
books behind other dogs equally as important but perhaps less
well known play a significant role in the development of the
breed. Along with individual dogs there are certain kennel
prefixes which occur in many pedigrees and are and indication
of there role in the development of the dog.
In selecting specific
dogs there is always an element of subjectivity; and, also
recognising my own frailties in the knowledge department I
have been guided by the library section in the Working Plummer
Terrier Forum. This is not an exhaustive list, nor can it
be considered definitive, any inaccuracies I apologise for
in advance. It is merely a handful of dogs, why studs get
the plaudits I have no idea…there appears to be little
equality in the terrier world, that are commonly viewed as
important within Plummer circles. As always people have their
favourites and some other dogs may have been included in this
list it is by no means exhaustive but just a sample.
• Vandal: a dog
worked hard to lots of quarry and found in many dogs pedigree.
• Welsh Viper: a classy looking dog and also found in
many pedigrees.
• Inglebrae Ben: similar to Viper in looks, and also
found in many pedigrees.
• Rocky: a powerful looking dog he is scattered throughout
Plummer pedigrees
• Stanhill Billy: an equally important stud dog, that
is in many pedigrees.
Other names that often crop up in pedigrees
from years gone by are: Firebird, San, Kotian, Magog, Troll,
Maggot, Barad, Salem, Damien, Rip, Pagan, Rollo, Rupert and
many other. All played a role in shaping the dogs that exist
today and are found in most dogs’ pedigrees. I mention
them as notable and that they are generally viewed as important
dogs within the breed.
The dogs themselves,
the older dogs written about in Plummers books, were smaller
and had less leg than those currently produced. They were
worked hard to rat, as Plummer indicates in his books and
also to other legal quarry. Many entered hunt service, some
with great success. As the dogs grew more popular [although
popular is a relative term here] there became established
heartlands of Plummer breeders: parts of Wales, South Yorkshire,
the North East and the Fylde coast. Established kennel prefixes
also began to figure prominently in dogs pedigrees, for example:
Remlap, Coalville, Wyremead, Stonyford, and Legion. All very
familiar to Plummer owners, and they feature heavily the pedigrees
of many dogs.
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Brian Plummer and his Terriers
Currently the breed
clubs are petitioning for Kennel Club status, this is an ongoing
process and the KC has stipulated that various conditions
must be met within a stated time-frame for this to proceed.
However, many owners have little interest in this aspect of
the breed, they accept that it is taking place but do not
engage with the process preferring to work their dogs as they
have always done and let the primary breeders concern themselves
with the Kennel Club.
The Plummer terrier
is a striking dog to look at, its fiery red coat should conform
to two distinct patterns collared [a white band around the
neck] and caped [a full red cape only showing white on the
throat]. They should be heavily coloured and preferably be
no more than 14” at the shoulder. Terriers that do not
posses collared or caped markings and have more white on them
are labelled shattered, they are perfectly fine as workers,
companions but are not classed as good examples of the breed.
The same can be said for tri-colours, dogs which carry black
in their colouring, and there are some stunning examples of
tri-coloured dogs but due to the breed standard these dogs
would fail to win in a registered show. The dogs are athletic
and carry few faults although Patella luxation and Perthes
disease have been known and breeders are taking steps to eradicate
these.
There are few finer
sights than a well marshalled pack of Plummers taking a line
or in a thrashing melee working their quarry.
As a working dog the
Plummer is a versatile dog, which has many uses. They are
keen retrievers, most generally take to water freely, intelligent,
have excellent noses, are biddable and have many uses in the
field. They’re often found ferreting, some are found
in the beating line on local shoots, some are used to ground
[used legally in conjunction with the gun to protect game
birds] but if it’s a pure earth dog you are interested
in its probably best to look elsewhere; but undoubtedly they
are most commonly used in a pack hunting rats. There is a
famous pack that once hunted mink on the River Wyre. The dogs
pack well and watching a field of six-seven or more Plummers
hunting is a real thrill. There are many people working their
dogs this way on farms, beaches, shoots etc and taking incredible
hauls. One such pack of six dogs [five Plummers and an aging
JRT] took 110, 130 and 86 rats on three consecutive Sundays
on a local shoot. However, many people have just a single
dog and enjoy bushing the odd rabbit or taking a few rodents.
The dogs can give a lot of pleasure in the field and can be
used in a variety of ways.
Dogs sometimes go to
homes as pets; however like all dogs from a working background
they require plenty of stimulation both mental and physical.
Plenty of exercise and a firm discipline; despite their small
stature they are most definitely not lap dogs. Allow them
to burn off their boundless energy, engage their brain and
you have a wonderful pet; despite this there are certain lines
that are renowned for their feistiness and as with all dogs
its best to read up a little to ensure the dogs are suitable
before purchasing. I recently heard of somebody interested
in using his Plummer in agility classes. Stimulation can come
in many forms.
During the summer there
are an expanding number of shows you can take you dog too:
Weston Park (The Midland) Carlton Towers at Selby, this years
newest large show the Great Yorkshire, is opening classes
for plummers, ithe PTA has many shows, and just last year
saw another show at Wolsinghham, in Weardale. Shows are generally
relaxed affairs giving the chance to meet old friends and
new; view the dogs, some you may never have seen but only
read about via the internet; and generally enjoying the friendly
banter. Terrier shows have often been a staple of country
shows and as the breed grows in popularity the Plummer is
beginning to feature more in these events. Breed classes are
now beginning to feature in many of the working terrier shows
and this can only benefit the development of the dog.
This is in no way a
definitive piece of writing concerned with the Plummer terrier,
it merely gives an insight into the development of a relatively
new working breed. In the flesh these fiery red and white
dogs are striking. Internet forums have played a role in the
growing acceptance of Plummer terriers amongst the working
terrier community, some of whom still harbour doubts but many
are willing to recognise the sporting qualities of these dogs.
Through the writings and photographs of people on the www
it has been possible to show the dogs are capable of putting
in a good days graft whatever form it may take.
Well, this has been
a brief peek into Plummer land, it is full of controversy,
hearsay, misconceptions etc just like any other dog world.
But in the end it all pales into insignificance because the
sight of a dozen fiery red and whites, a level pack as DBP
himself always craved, stirs the heart of any genuine dog
man.
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