An early name for the breed was the Welsh Black and Tan Rough Coated Terrier – and that is a very accurate description, now compressed into its present title. The broken coated black and tan terriers of the 18th Century were influential behind many terrier breeds and the huntsmen of Wales stayed true to this colour, adding Irish Terrier and Airedale and later the Lakeland to reduce size and add some refinement in the development of breed type.
The breed was used on fox, otter and badger and was often used by hunts, running alongside hounds.
The first breed club was formed in 1885 in Pwllheli when the first breed show was held.