Plummer Terrier Club Of Great Britain

Dr D B Plummer and his Plummer Terriers

Dr David Brian Plummer, with one of his Plummer Terriers

Dr D B Plummer and his Plummer Terriers, what are they?

A Plummer Terrier is simply a composite of a Jack Russell terrier, Bull terrier, Beagle, and Fell terrier. The breed was developed by Dr D.B. Plummer who was one of the countries leading field-sports writers, author of over 50 books including ‘Nathan’ a novel about a Victorian pit fighting dog.

Merle’ is a tale of how DB Plummer set out to breed his ideal Lurcher, this strain still continues today at Legion Kennels in the Hebrides, with bloodlines tracing back to Merle.

‘Lepus’ the story of a hare, ‘Cottage at the edge of the world', a book of adventures, his lifestyle and the people he met whilst living in Caithness after his heart attack in 1976.

DB Plummer has also featured in many television documentaries such as ‘The lone furrow’, ‘Tales of a rat hunting man’, 'Way out of Walsall' and is still featured regularly on many TV bloopers show’s along with Richard Whitely and the famous biting ferret.

Himself a teacher, frustrated at a system that alienated anyone who dared to be ‘different’, bred and worked these amazing little dogs, improving them with each generation, until his heart attack at the age of 40.

Brian with Merab

The Plummer Terrier, has now reached the final stage of D B Plummers 'strive for perfection' within the terrier he has so carefully created.

How did Plummer Terriers come into being?

When DB Plummer lived in Rotherham he owned a ratting team - The Huddlesford Rat Pack, and although he tells that they were probably the toughest terriers he had ever seen their scenting ability was not what he wanted.

Hence he mated some of his bitches to an American Beagle dog belonging to Philip Ainsty. The result of this mating produced ugly monstrous dogs with huge pendulous ears, although they turned out to be good workers and hunters they also had an excellent scenting ability, although on the down side had through this introduction, lost some of their toughness. Hence Pit dog blood was introduced, this in turn made the dogs too big.

What was introduced to reduce the size ?

Jack Russell and Fell terrier blood was introduced to reduce the height and chest size of the dogs and also to improve looks. After a few generations the terriers actually reproduced themselves. Breeding true, these dogs were the base for the New Generation of Plummer Terriers, and the reason behind 'The Plummer Terrier Club of Great Britain'. Today’s dogs are between 12”-14" approx 6 - 7kg and easily spannable.

What was the result of these matings ?

The ultimate adaptable terrier, that retrieved naturally made an excellent pet or worker, is stunningly beautiful, intelligent and quick to learn.

The future for the Plummer Terrier

Is the same for any other breed of dog that started life as a working animal, especially in this delicate time, which questions the future of all working dogs. Specialist dogs will be unable to adapt in a society that is anti-hunting. Dogs will have to be adaptable in order to survive the Governments ‘cull’. We know due to constant public demand that the Plummer Terrier and 'The Plummer Terrier Club of Great Britain', will not only survive but will flourish, taking this, as it has done everything else over the years within its stride. The Plummer Terrier is well established, having an intensive database and registration scheme, containing all details and relevant information on these stunning, intelligent little dogs. The Plummer Terrier club of Great Britain offers a service second to none, where breeders and prospective owners can openly enquire and gain sensible, logical and truthful answers and information.