Sealyham Terrier
Sealyham Terrier Puppy
The Sealyham Terrier originated in Wales and is the only English breed of terrier specifically developed to hunt badgers. Because of this specialized purpose, he is a short legged terrier, his body shape being described as oblong. This thick set flexible body that extends between his short straight forelegs gives him this unique oblong outline which makes him distinct amongst the English terrier breeds.
History of the Sealyham Terrier
Jane with her Sealyham 1960
The early development of the Sealyham Terrier was undoubtedly from the old English Terrier (rough coat), together with an admixture of the cattle dog of that time, the 'Korgie' (known today as the Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)). That is why the occasional the wall eye was evident in Sealyhams well into the 1900's [1].
Around 1860, the great terrier man Captain Edwardes kept a distinct strain this terrier at his country estate, Sealyham in Wales. These short-legged terriers would go anywhere and do anything. These dogs were recognised as a pure breed by he Kennel Club in 1900 after repeated efforts by Captain Jack Howell M.F.H, of the Pembrokeshire Hunt.
Sealyham pups with badger markings
The Sealyham is basically a white dog often with head markings. His white colour was his protection from being accidentally shot. After all, white dog can never be mistaken for a fox or otter by either the huntsmen or their hounds! These small terriers were also used extensively to hunt polecats and other vermin that cohabited the badger setts.
"The skin of the badger is very hard and so are its bristles, and it is very difficult for a dog to get hold, except underneath the badger's body, so his job is to hold the fort, keeping on worrying the badger until his voice leads men with spades and tongs to the right spot".[4]
The Sealyham Terrier becomes a Pure Breed
Sealyham Terrier
Selection was made not only on character, but also on a perfectly sound construction. This enabled them to keep pace with the packs of Otterhounds which hunted otter and badger in the rocky environment which surrounded the River Sealy.
The breeding of Captain Edwardes' dogs was continued by his daughter and her husband. In the early part of the 1900's, Captain Jocelyn Lucas continued these original lines with his Ilmer packs of Sealyhams which became legendary. In his rare book written around 1925 Captain Lucas describes how Captain Edwardes used to take two adult terriers on walks, together with young pups. If a youngster ran away from the terriers who were working game, the Captain would shoot the pup. This way he selected puppies with unconditional gameness. It is this strength of character plus his strikingly good looks that lends itself to modern grooming that has endeared them to Sealyham enthusiasts worldwide to this day.
History of Sealyham Terriers in Australia
Sealyham Terrier
It was reported that "two Sealyham Terriers 'Blazer of Brundall' and 'Bevy of Brundall' with a litter of 6 fine puppies were imported into Victoria by Mr E Cockrill in 1916"[3]. Then a couple were imported into New South Wales 1929 followed by more into Victoria[2]. From these early bloodlines, Miss Coghlan imported St Margaret Stormer who became a Grand Champion and was a big influence on the breed, my Sealyham pictured above being from her bloodlines.
Jane with her Sealyham 1957
Sealyhams in the 1950's were quite popular in Australia, especially down the eastern States where I competed amidst entries at Melbourne Royal of 20 or so, the attached picture was taken on the bench
The Sealyham Today
Modern Sealyham Terrier
The Sealyham Terrier is a short legged terrier with a deep chest. Uniquely described as having an oblong overall shape, his body has great substance within a small compass. His temperament is always fearless. His is double coated long, hard wiry topcoat has a weather-resistant undercoat. His coat is white but usually has lemon, brown, blue or badger pied markings on head and ears. He should not exceed 12 inches (31 cm) high or weigh more than 20 pounds (9 kilograms).
Sealyham Terrier with Badger Markings
His head is extremely powerful without coarseness or prominence of cheeks. The skull is slightly domed and wide between the ears which allows the topline of the ears to be in line with the topmost part of the skull. The muzzle and jaws are particularly powerful with large teeth that are set square within the jaws in a scissors bite. The medium sized eyes are round, preferably surrounded by black eye rims. The ears are medium sized set on in line with the top of the skull, rounded at the tips with side carriage and a slight lift, but never dropped. The neck is fairly long, sloping into well laid shoulders with a level, flexible back ending in a tail set so high there is still some of dog behind it.
Jane judging a Sealyham
The body of the Sealyham is described as of medium length with well sprung ribs, with a level, flexible back. The Breed Standard asks for a chest well let down between the forelegs. But this depth of chest should not be exaggerated to such an extent that it compromises the shape of the forelegs which are positioned close to the chest wall. So, unless the chest ends just slightly below the elbow, the sturdy forelegs cannot have the required forward facing feet. These feet must be round and catlike with thick pads, the front feet being larger than the hind.
The tail set is high and his strong, muscular hindquarters forming a shelf behind them, completing the outline of this sturdy little dog.
BREAKING NEWS.
We have now published a unique Terrier book 'Terriers Unveiled' Available at our sister site: https://rangeairevision.com/terriers-unveiled/
References and Further Reading
[1] Captain Jocelyn Lucas, M.C. 'The Sealyham Terrier' Published by T.H. Crumbie., Halford Street, Leister UK 1922 Page 3
[2] Mrs Le Roy Nelson, "The British Terrier Club of NSW Diamond Jubilee Handbook 1907 - 1967" published by Hi-Line Press Pages 126 - 127
[3] 'The Leader' Sealyham Terriers Notable Importations by 'Hotspur' Saturday 2nd September 1th 1916 Page 14
[4] F.J.Chenuz "Sealyhams" Published by Ernest Benn Ltd Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London EC4 1956 Page 13
Jane Harvey, DVD "Terriers Then & Now" (Rangeaire Vision 2002, 2004) ISBN 978-0-9804296-4-0