Sealyham terrier

Sealyham Terrier

Country of origin	Wales
Traits
Classification & standards FCI Group 3, Terriers Section 2 Small Terriers #074 standard AKC Terrier standard ANKC Group 2 (Terriers) standard CKC Group 4 - Terrier standard KC (UK) Terrier standard NZKC Terrier standard UKC Terriers standard

The Sealyham Terrier is a dog breed, of the terrier type. The Sealyham Terrier was originally developed in Wales.

History

The Sealyham Terrier derives its name from Sealyham, Haverfordwest, Wales, the estate of Captain John Edwardes, who developed a strain of dogs noted for their prowess in quarrying small game. He crossed Basset Hounds, Bull Terriers, the Fox Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and tested the offspring for hunting ability, culling those who did not prove game.^[1]

With the advent of dog shows, the Sealyham became a popular showdog. Today it is primarily a companion dog, and not used for hunting.^[2]

Sealyham Terrier circa 1915

The first Sealyham Terrier club was created in 1908 and the breed was officially recognised in 1910. The Sealyham Terrier now is recognised by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world. The Sealyham was once one of the more popular terriers and one of the best known Welsh breeds. Today, however, The Kennel Club (UK) lists the Sealyham as amongst the most endangered native breeds.^[3].

A Sealyham Terrier, Am/Can/Su Efbe's Hidalgo at Goodspice, won Best In Show at Crufts in 2009.

Appearance

Sealyhams should not be over 31cms (12ins) in height, measured at the withers, and should weigh around 9kgs (20 lbs). Coat colours include white, white with lemon, brown, and blue. A great deal of black is undesirable, as is ticking (speckled).Some Sealyhams look like miny goats but,without the horns.

Temperament

Sealyham terriers have been described as couch potatoes, "displaying an even temper and a calm and relaxed attitude".^[4] The breed standard calls for them to be friendly but alert.

Grooming

Sealyham coats are groomed by stripping, in order to keep the coat from becoming too soft.^[5]

Famous Sealyham Terriers

• Hidalgo At Goodspice (Charmin) became World Champion (Best in Show) at the Fédération Cynologique Internationale 2008 Stockholm, Sweden World Dog Show. Charmin also won the 2008 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best of Show and 2009 Best in Show at Crufts. Charmin has featured in Eukanuba advertisements.
• Jennie, pet of Maurice Sendak featured in his book Higglety Pigglety Pop.
• At the beginning of the Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds, Hitchcock (in his cameo appearance for the film) is walking his two Sealyham Terriers - Geoffrey and Stanley - out of a shop as Tippi Hedren walks in. Hitchcock also owned a third Sealyham named Mr. Jenkins.
• At the end of the movie The Departed when Matt Damon exits the elevator, a Sealyham Terrier makes a short appearance as it is walked by an old lady to the same elevator.

See also

• Welsh Terrier
• Welsh Corgi

References

1. ^ A Dogs Tale, Radio 4, 18th March 2007
2. ^ The Sealyham Dog in Sport
3. ^ Vulnerable Native Breeds, The Kennel Club, retrieved 01 October 2008
4. ^ Sealyham Personality, breed club website
5. ^ Sealyham, UK dogs website