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Most breeds of dog have a modicum of mystery about their beginnings and any discussions on these breeds will begin with comments such as "It is believed.........." or "It is generally accepted.......". The Lucas terrier, being a relatively modern breed has no such mystique, the fact that the breed began by mating Norfolk terriers and Sealyham terriers together is well documented. However, the fact that the make-up of this breed is known does not make it's history any less interesting.
The breed has been described as 'merely a crossbred', the strong inference being that it is of no consequence in the world of dogs, and terriers in particular, however, it is amazing how many of those who purport to dismiss the breed have the most to say on the subject! There is also a curiosity amongst those who have somehow stumbled across the breed as to why fanciers of the Lucas have never pursued Kennel Club recognition.
The Lucas terrier can be described as a 'pleasant' dog. However, this gives an impression of blandness that is far from accurate. The Lucas not a quarrelsome dog, he mixes well with other animals, and is in his element when in the company of people, particularly children (if the children are well behaved in the company of a dog, of course). However, he is possessed of the typical courageous terrier temperament and will defend himself if the need arises. The Lucas is of average intelligence, alert and eager to please. He is easily taught to be obedient and will learn party tricks with alacrity. He responds well to positive motivational training (most like their grub, so food reward is a stress free way of modifying and reinforcing behaviour) and do not react well to the heavy hand. This breed is not as vocal as some terriers, tending only to bark for a reason, a visitor coming to the door, for example.
Other points in favour of the Lucas is his absence of 'doggy' smell so long as he is kept well groomed, and, he does not cast his coat - a definite boon in these days of central heating which encourages some breeds to lose hair the entire year round.
"An unexaggerated sporting terrier" is a phrase used by Sir Jocelyn Lucas to describe the breed he named after himself, and this explains what he was attempting to produce. It was his belief that Sealyham breeders had been breeding for exaggerations in size, bone and coat to produce a more flashy show dog at the expense of working abilities and instincts, and this was the main reason why he wanted to keep the Lucas unregistered and out of the show ring. The Lucas Terrier Club has abided by his wishes and we have not pursued recognition.
The exact origins of the Lucas terrier are well documented and not a matter of conjecture. 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) with Sealyham bitches (but it has to be said at this point, not just any Sealyhams). There is some question regarding whether this was a deliberate act on their part or a fortunate mistake, but the answer is of little consequence. We do not know which Ilmer Sealyham bitch was used to produce the first litter Sir Jocelyn named after himself, but we do know the first Norfolk dog he used. This was a dog belonging to Miss M. S. S. Macfie and his name was Colonsay Cuffer.
We can now trace some Lucas pedigrees back to C. Cuffer through infusions of modern Norfolk terriers who descend from him, closing the circle.
Sir Jocelyn was involved the in the breeding of the Lucas for many years, however, he gave up his kennels at Watford in the late 1950s and left it to his Kennel Partner Enid Plummer to breed the Ilmer Sealyhams and Lucas terriers.
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 and add Nofolk to Lucas lines. 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. Another breeder, Mrs Pitt, used Ravenswing Fore Royal but this line has died out. Enid was producing a type, and when I studied many old pedigrees (all Lucas terriers were sold with four or five generation pedigree) it became clear that the aim was to have more Sealyham in the Lucas pedigrees than Norfolk terrier whilst type was being fixed. When Norfolk terrier outweighs Sealyham terrier there is a speedy degeneration in type and the desirable attributes passed on from the Sealyham are lost, producing a terrier which lacks depth and strength of muzzle, width between the ears, is light in bone and has little body. The only advantage the Lucas which favours the Norfolk has is that it tends to carry a hard coat, which is not always the case in examples which are more Sealyham biased.
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.
From that time until today Lucas terrier owners have continued to breed litters that are unchanged from those Sir Jocelyn and Enid Plummer did, using the same recipe, based on Sir Jocelyn's description of the dog he wanted to produce, and striving at all times to retain the same characteristics that have made the Lucas so popular with so many for 60 years.