Sealyham Terrier

Infobox Dogbreed


akcgroup = Terrier
akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/sealyham_terrier/index.cfm
ankcgroup = Group 2 (Terriers)
ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/sealyham.html
ckcgroup = Group 4 - Terrier
ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=SAT
country = United Kingdom (Wales)
fcigroup = 3, Terriers
fcinum = 074
fcisection = 2 Small Terriers
fcistd = http://www.dogdomain.com/FCI/fcistandards/fci-074.htm
kcukgroup = Terrier
kcukstd = http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/discoverdogs/terrier/t896.htm
name = Sealyham Terrier
nzkcgroup = Terrier
nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br272.html
ukcgroup = Terriers
ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/3216626f120739338525704d00632918?OpenDocument

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 Edwards, 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. [A Dogs Tale, Radio 4, 18th March 2007]

With the advent of dog shows, the Sealyham became a popular showdog. Today it is primarily a companion dog, and not used for hunting. [ [http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2007/08/sealyham-dog-in-sport.html The Sealyham Dog in Sport] ]

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. [ [http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/808 Vulnerable Native Breeds, The Kennel Club, retrieved 01 Oct 2008] ]

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).

Temperament

Sealyham terriers have been described as couch potatoes, "displaying an even temper and a calm and relaxed attitude". [ [http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/5906/Club_Personality.htm Sealyham Personality, breed club website] ] 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. [ [http://www.ukdogs.org/terrier/sealyham/Sealyham.html Sealyham, UK dogs website] ]

Famous Sealyham Terriers

*Hidalgo At Goodspice became "World Champion" (Best in Show) at the Fédération Cynologique Internationale 2008 Stockholm, Sweden World Dog Show. Hidalgo at Goodspice also won the 2008 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best of Show.
*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.

ee also

* Welsh Terrier
* Welsh Corgi

References