Sealyham Terrier

Sealyhams like to be around people and have a charming sense of humour. They are able performers in obedience training, often putting their own "spin" on tricks. Sealyhams are quiet and relaxed in the house, though they do need daily walks and romps. Sealyhams also are reliable watch dogs.

Sealyham Terrier breed facts

The Sealyham Terrier was originally bred in Wales.

Information you should know before owning a Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier loves people. They enjoy being house dogs and companions. The Sealy may have independent tendencies, but will always be devoted and loyal to his family.

The Sealyham Terrier is a hard worker, powerful and determined, full of true terrier spirit.

The Sealyham Terrier derives its name from Sealyham, Haverfordwest, Wales, the estate of Captain John Edwardes who, between 1850 and 1891, developed from obscure ancestry a strain of dogs noted for prowess in quarrying badger, otter, and fox. The requisite qualities were extreme gameness and endurance with as much substance as could be encompassed in a dog small and quick enough to dig and battle underground.

As the working ability of Sealyham Terriers drew public interest, they began to take their places with other terrier breeds in prominent homes and on the show bench. Their first recorded appearance at a dog show was at Haverfordwest, Wales, in October 1903. In January 1908, a group of Welsh fanciers founded the Sealyham Terrier Club of Haverfordwest and at their first meeting drew up the original standard for the breed. The first championship show at which Sealyhams appeared was at the English Kennel Show in October 1910.The breed was recognized on March 8, 1911, by The Kennel Club, which offered the first Challenge Certificates for Sealyham Terriers at the Great Joint Terrier Show, London, June 10, 1911.

The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1911, shortly after its original importation into the United States. Since its American show debut at San Mateo, California, in September 1911, its popularity as a show dog has remained fairly constant. Among many honors, the breed has won Best in Show at Westminster four times.

The American Sealyham Terrier Club was founded on May 15, 1913, to promote the interests of the breed in the United States and to encourage exhibition and working trials.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	Yes
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Long
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Every day
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does not shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Free-moving, active, balanced and of great substance in small compass. General outline oblong, not square.
	Characteristics Sturdy, game and workmanlike.
	Temperament Alert and fearless but of friendly disposition.
	Eyes Dark, well set, round, of medium size. Dark, pigmented eye rims preferred but unpigmented tolerated.
	Mouth Teeth level and strong with canines fitting well into each other and long for size of dog. Jaws strong with regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Fairly long, thick and muscular on well laid shoulders.
	Forequarters Forelegs short, strong and as straight as possible consistent with chest being well let down. Point of shoulder in line with point of elbow which should be close to side of chest.
	Body Medium in length, level and flexible with ribs well sprung. Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.
	Hindquarters Notably powerful for size of dog. Thighs deep and muscular with well bent stifle. Hocks strong, well bent and parallel to each other.
	Feet Round and cat-like with thick pads. Feet pointing directly forward.
	Tail Customarily docked. Docked: Medium length. Thick with a rounded tip. Set in line with back and carried erect. Quarters should protrude beyond set of tail. Undocked: Medium length of tail to give a general balance to the dog. Thick at root and tapering towards tip. Ideally carried erect, but not excessively over the back, and with no curl or twist. Quarters should protrude beyond set of tail.
	Gait / Movement Free-moving, active, balanced and of great substance in small compass. General outline oblong, not square.
	Coat Long, hard and wiry topcoat with weather-resistant undercoat.
	Colour All white or white with lemon, brown, blue or badger pied markings on head and ears. Much black and heavy ticking undesirable.
	Size Height should not exceed 31 cms (12 ins) at shoulder. Ideal weight: dogs approximately 9 kgs (20 lbs); bitches approximately 8 kgs (18 lbs). General conformation, overall balance, type and substance are main criteria.