Sealyham Terrier - 110 photos, pros, cons, characteristics and nuances of raising the breed

History of the breed

The breed originates from Wales, UK. In this place, the main industry was hunting and maritime trade, since the territory had access to the sea and was all covered with reservoirs. Commoners could not afford to keep large dogs, which is why dogs like terriers gradually began to appear. They were intended to protect homes and food from small pests such as rats. However, the characteristics of dogs were not limited to this. Their main purpose was to hunt burrowing animals.

The Sealyham Terrier was born in the 50s of the 19th century thanks to the efforts of Captain D. Edwards. He had several Otterhound and terrier dogs at his disposal, but Edwards was not satisfied with the hunting qualities of his pets. He needed to breed a dog with great courage and the ability to show aggression towards prey. Moreover, the physique of such a hunter should have been small, but strong and muscular.

Several dog breeds were used to breed Sealyham Terriers. From the Welsh Corgs they inherited the skill of tracking, from the Fox Terriers - hunting passion and courage, from the Dandie Dinmont Terrier - hard hair that protects them from bad weather.

It was not possible to bring the idea to life right away. The breed gained recognition only at the beginning of the 20th century, and the breed standard, which contains a complete description, appeared in 1912.

Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier is a small dog that thinks it is very big. This amazing animal, even when mature, rarely exceeds 102 inches. Her usual height and weight averages no more than 101.5 inches and 24 pounds. But, despite their small size, Sealyham Terriers are considered formidable dogs - many representatives of their breed are very often aggressive towards their relatives.

The dog has beautiful thick fur. It must certainly be white, only small marks on the face and ears are allowed. In rare cases, the coat may have a slight yellowish tint, but this is only in exceptional cases.

Sealyham Terriers have a double coat: the outer layer is very long, it consists of hard, wire-like hairs, and the inner, undercoat, on the contrary, is very short and soft. It is thanks to such a wonderful coat that the dog can easily tolerate sudden temperature changes. Sealyham Terriers have small, dark eyes with a wet shine. Menacing thick eyebrows loom over them - they give the look seriousness and even authority. The dog has a fairly large nose and is black. Thick whiskers grow on the dog's face.

Despite the fact that Sealyham Terriers have short legs, they are excellent runners. You will long wonder where such a small dog has so much strength and energy, agility, agility and, one might even say, fussiness.

The dog has a strong body, powerful bones and well-developed muscles. The tail is short, directed vertically upward, and set high on the croup. Usually, it is stopped immediately after birth.

Description of wool

Sealyham Terriers have a double coat: the outer layer is very long, it consists of hard, wire-like hairs, and the inner, undercoat, on the contrary, is very short and soft. It is thanks to such a wonderful coat that the dog can easily tolerate sudden temperature changes.

Color. White or white with lemon, brown or badger markings on the head and ears. Strong blackening or abundant variegation is undesirable.

History of the breed

The targeted breeding of Sealyham Terriers in the 50s of the 19th century was started by retired captain John Tooker Edwards, owner of the family estate Sealy Ham, located in the most remote part of Pembrokeshire.

After retiring, John T. Edwards devoted all his free time to local sports and hunting. He had his own pack of Otterhounds and local terriers, however, the hunting qualities of these dogs did not fully satisfy Edwards, and he decided to breed a small and strong, short, but very active and energetic white terrier.

The local terriers were of approximately this type, and Edwards soon enough received Sealyhams similar to modern ones. They had a hard and rough shirt, a rather large head with powerful jaws. However, John T. Edwards sought to obtain tough, vicious enough dogs that would not be afraid to fight the badger, one of the largest representatives of the mustelids, and were fearless in the dark, confined space of the burrow. Rare representatives of local breeds possessed such qualities, and Captain Edwards began a careful, strict selection of young animals for the required qualities.

John Edwards began breeding dogs on a fairly large base, and used local farmers to raise young animals (the feudal right of the master). Edwards always conducted inspections of young dogs himself and personally decided the fate of each dog. The dogs were first baited with rats, then with a ferret, taught to work on the scent, fearlessly enter a hole and engage in battle with the enemy. Dogs that did not pass at least part of the test were rejected. As a result, severe selection led to the fact that already at the age of one, Sealyham was distinguished by courage and ardor in hunting otter and badger. Despite the strictest selection, sometimes peasants who raised and became attached to a puppy that failed the test managed to beg a dog from Edwards, and these terriers quickly spread throughout Pembrokeshire. Due to their excellent working qualities, white terriers were very popular in Wales. D. Edwards himself organized the “Of Sealy” kennel, which produced dogs of outstanding quality. After the death of Captain Edwards, his daughter, Mrs. Victoria Higgon, took up the breeding of Sealyhams.

When creating the Sealyham Terrier breed, Edwards, and after him his daughter, used other bloods, for example: the Welsh Corgi - to improve tracking qualities and consolidate the squat build, the West Highland White Terrier - to obtain an optimal build and a spectacular pearl-white color, the Bull Terrier and the fox terrier - to strengthen the hunting passion, anger and fearlessness, the dandy dinmont terrier - to form a coat of the required quality.

Sir Jocelyn Lucas, who bred Sealyhams for many years, noted in this breed, in addition to its remarkable hunting qualities, the ability to exist without conflict in a pack. He did not use pugnacious dogs for breeding.

The Sealyham Terrier was first shown at a hunting exhibition in Wales in 1891, where Captain John T. Edwards exhibited a dog named Tip. The dog's entry into the ring was commented on as follows: “The origin has been known for over 100 years. Guaranteed work for fox, badger and otter underground,” i.e. the Tooker-Edwards family was breeding this breed of dogs even before the birth of the official creator of the breed, John T. Edwards, as evidenced by eyewitnesses.

At the turn of the century, Captain Edwards' friend Fred Lewis founded the Bach Kennel and began modernizing the breed.

The first Sealyham classrooms were installed at the Haverfordwest Exhibition in 1903. The dogs presented at this exhibition were still very different types, and it took considerable time to arrange them.

As the years passed, the breed became more and more popular.

1908 Sealyham Terrier Club formed. Subsequently, the Breed Club began to pay close attention to the exterior of the Sealyham. The Sealyham show career begins and the first president of the Sealyham Terrier Club is the daughter of D. Edwards, Mrs. Higgon.

In 1910, Lewis with two Sealyhams made a splash at the Crystal Palace exhibition in England. The popularity of the breed quickly increased, the conformation improved, and the breed was brought to a single type.

1911 – The Sealyham Terrier breed is officially recognized by the Kennel Club.

On June 10, 1911, the title CC (Challenge Certificate) of the Quesnel Club at the Great Terrier Show was awarded to the Sealyham Terrier. The first winner of this title in Sealyham is Fred Lewis's breed Chawston Bess Bach.

In 1912, the Sealyham Terrier Breeders and Badger Hunters Association was created and a breed standard was adopted. The Association's goal was to maintain and develop working qualities in the breed. Owners who were not involved in field work were not accepted into the Association.

At one of the exhibitions in the 10s of the 20th century, 600 Sealyhams were exhibited. About this exhibition, held in 1914, F. Lewis wrote: “The number of Sealyham terriers recorded is amazing; nothing like it has ever been seen. There was an incredible number of 71 dogs in the open class, and all of them, located in a huge circle, presented a spectacle unprecedented at dog shows.”

Sealyhams are becoming extremely popular, and the commercialization of breeding immediately affects the quality of the young breed.

By the mid-20s, the breed was spreading throughout the UK in the 20th century. The peak of popularity is in the 20s and mid-30s. In those years, 20-30 outstanding Sealyham Terrier kennels were reported. The most famous of them at that time were Brash, Ilmer, Brazen, Hamptonia, Delf, Homestall, Redlands, Nutfield, Gunside, St. Margaret. [block:block=8] Gradually, the hunting purpose of the breed became a thing of the past, and the pursuit of profit affected the appearance of the terrier. Often, too much growth, an overly stretched body format, and deterioration in the quality of the coat began to be noted. Sealyham's popularity began to decline. During the 2nd World War, many kennels ceased to exist, and the breed began a long decline, which was reflected in the popularity of the breed.

In the 70s of the twentieth century, the size of the Sealyhams began to approach the standard, and excellent shirts appeared, which had been absent from the breed for many years. Dogs acquire a pedigree appearance. Sealyhams are trimmed according to a pattern to give special elegance. Thus began the return of popularity to the wonderful Sealyham Terrier breed.

Despite all the vicissitudes in the development of the breed, the Sealyham was loved, loved and will be loved for its extraordinary appearance, cheerful disposition, excellent hunting qualities that remained in the breed, regardless of the fact that in the last 50-60 years special attention was paid to the dog’s exterior.

Many famous people have owned Sealyham. Sir Alfred Hitchcock loved to appear in scenes of his films with his Sealyham terriers. Such famous American actors as Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, the writer Dorothy Parker, and Princess Margaret of the British Royal Family had Sealyhams.

The Sealyham Terrier is popular not only in its homeland, but throughout the world. In the USA, a breed club appeared 3 years after the organization of a breed club in the UK. These terriers are also imported to Australia. The breed is popular in many European countries, for example, Sealyhams appeared in Holland shortly before the 2nd World War, then in Italy and France. Czechoslovakia has developed its own national hunting breed, based on representatives of the Sealyham Terriers. Also, white settlers in Africa bred the Sealydale Terrier by crossing the Sealyham and Airedale.

Sealyham appeared in Russia in the mid-90s. The first dog was brought by Berezina (Nereida Alba Avis). The first Russian kennel of Sealyham terriers “from Alenushka’s fairy tale” (owner Sharapova E.B.). For the first time in Russia, Sealyham terriers were exhibited in 2000 at the 1st exhibition of the Terrier Union (female Freckle Trimpa from Alenushkina's tale and male Pacific Concept). In 2006, the National Sealyham Terrier Breed Club was created, single-breed exhibitions were held, Russian-bred Sealyhams took part in international exhibitions. Currently in Russia there are kennels engaged in breeding this wonderful breed in the Far Eastern and Central, in the Volga and Southern districts, only in Moscow there are two large kennels of Sealyham terriers - “from Alenushkina’s tale” and “Seventy Seven” (full list of kennels with their geographical location can be seen on the Nurseries page of our website). The geography of distribution of ordinary breed lovers is much wider. [block:block=9] Character

He is ideal for keeping in a small apartment, as he behaves very calmly at home.

He gets along easily with any dog ​​because he was bred to hunt in a pack.

This dog is smart, adapts easily to any environment and will be an excellent partner for both young and old.

Like any other terrier, he loves walks, but don't worry if he sees another dog on the street or smells something interesting, your dog won't wriggle out of his collar and run away from you because the Sealyham is extremely resilient.

One of the great things about Sealyham is that they absolutely adore children.

Care

There are no problems with this dog's fur in an apartment, especially if it is regularly combed and trimmed. And white, well, dogs of any color in the city get equally dirty, soot and soot are equally harmful to the skin of any dog, so if the owner is careful with himself, then his dogs will look their best.

The most famous admirers of this breed include Alfred Hitchcock, who even depicted his own Sealyhams in short episodes of his films, as well as the English Princess Margaret.

Activity

The Sealyham Terrier is one of the dogs that is very suitable for agility training. He has all the physical characteristics and character necessary for this. In our country and abroad, Sealyhams are very often involved in this sport.

Habitat

The Sealyham Terrier is a dog that simply needs to be kept in an apartment. It doesn’t matter whether the apartment is large or small - the main thing is that the dog does not live on the street. If you train your pet correctly, he will become an excellent defender of your property; he will not be afraid of any robbers. The fact that the Sealyham Terrier needs a living space does not mean that it is time to forget about walks. On the contrary!!! The more often you walk your pet, the more often you play with it in the fresh air, the more happiness you will see in the eyes of your devoted friend! The only thing you need to remember is that Sealyham Terriers are very energetic dogs, sociable and sometimes cocky, so you need to constantly monitor your pet while walking so that it does not run away from you in search of adventure.

Description of the breed

The Sealyham Terrier is powerfully built and has a long body. The breed description is as follows:

1. The skull is somewhat elongated and has a convex shape. The jaws have a powerful bite and are shaped like a square.
2. Nose color is black. The eyes are deep-set and round in shape. The color of the iris is usually brown.
3. The ears are triangular, hanging, and small in size. The neck is elongated and thick.
4. The forelimbs are short and straight. The hind legs are strong, designed for powerful pushing.
5. The back is of medium length, mobile. Your posture is always straight.
6. The tail is small and usually raised.

The characteristics of the breed practically do not separate animals by gender when assessing size. Thus, the weight of a male is 8-9 kg, and his height reaches up to 31-32 cm. Females have a smaller weight - no more than 8.3 kg, and their height varies from 30 to 31 cm. Dogs have two layers of fur. On top there is a long and hard hair coat, and below there is a soft undercoat.

Sealyham Terriers practically do not shed and are considered hypoallergenic.

The Sealyham Terrier's color is usually exclusively white. However, sometimes there are dogs with black spots located mainly on the ears.

Character

Initially, the breed was intended for hunting; aggression and menacingness were valued in it, but despite this, the pet can be gentle and friendly with people. The dog is very loyal to its owners, ready to openly express its feelings, and it also gets along well with children. She is not aggressive towards strangers unless they pose a threat. The dog greets guests with a friendly greeting, but prefers to refrain from close contacts.

Despite its small size, the dog feels large and very important. Therefore, in relation to other animals, it can occupy a dominant position. However, with proper upbringing, the pet will behave calmly. Sealyham Terriers are extremely inquisitive and have great intelligence. They remember commands easily, making training easy. However, they also have an extremely mischievous and willful nature, which is why the pet can get carried away with something extraneous and sabotage the training.

Care and maintenance

The pet can be kept both in a private house and in a city apartment. Due to its small size, it is easy to maintain and does not take up much space. However, it is important to remember that a dog can bark often and for a long time, which can cause problems with neighbors. Therefore, the best option would be a private house. At the same time, the animal cannot be kept in an enclosure; it must live only next to its owners.

Dogs love to walk often and for long periods of time. If the owner cannot provide a full walk for 1-1.5 hours in the morning, be sure to compensate for this in the evening and walk the pet for at least 2 hours. During a walk, it is important not just to leave the dog to its own devices, but to play with it, train it or run. This will allow her to throw out the energy accumulated during the day and satisfy the need for physical activity.

In the summer, walks should be reduced to a minimum, since due to the characteristics of the Sealyham Terrier breed, they do not tolerate heat well. At this time, they quickly get tired, and their playfulness decreases sharply.

The dog also needs regular care, which includes the following parameters:

1. Wool. Despite the lack of shedding, its fur also needs to be combed using a special brush. You should bathe your pet once a month so as not to further irritate sensitive skin. However, this can be done more often if the wool is very dirty.
2. Teeth. Cleaning should be done 1 or 2 times a week. At the same time, the dog should be taught this from a young age.
3. Claws. Usually the pet grinds them off on its own in natural conditions. However, sometimes the owner still needs to adjust the length. To do this, you need to use a special nail clipper.
4. Trimming. The procedure should be carried out 1-2 times a week. This will help prevent the formation of tangles and give the dog an aesthetic appearance. If the owner has not plucked hair before, the removal should be entrusted to a specialist.

It is highly undesirable to cut your dog's hair. This can lead to changes in the structure of the coat, causing it to become too soft and brittle.

It is also important not to forget about timely vaccination, preventive examinations and deworming.

Nutrition

The key to good health and absence of disease is proper, balanced nutrition. This rule especially applies to owners who decide to feed their pet natural products. In this case, it is necessary to completely eliminate consumption:

1. Sweets. Confectionery products can negatively affect the condition of your pet’s teeth. They become weak, deteriorate and may fall out. In addition, sweets can lead to the development of diabetes.
2. Yeast dough. It is very dangerous as it can damage the intestinal walls and lead to stomach rupture.
3. Milk. Contrary to popular belief, milk is harmful to both dogs and cats. It can lead to gastrointestinal upset and also cause allergies.
4. Bones. The Sealyham Terrier has a digestive system that is unable to fully digest bones, resulting in their deposition as kidney stones.

The pet must be given meat (any kind except pork), cereals, vegetables, and cottage cheese. You need to feed in small portions 2 times a day. This is due to the fact that Sealyham Terriers are prone to gaining excess weight, which can lead to obesity in the future.

You cannot feed your pet food from the owner's table. Dog food should be prepared separately.

Character and training

One of the most controversial issues in the description of the breed is the character of Sealyham Terriers. As practice shows, successful owners are either very satisfied with the pet’s disposition, because they are dissatisfied in many respects. As you may have guessed, it’s not about the dog, but about the quality of socialization and methods of education.

To be fair, we note that Sealyham Terriers are highly trainable, but are prone to sudden disobedience. The causes of such attacks are extremely difficult to establish; as the owners describe, “the reins fell under the tail and it started.” You need to understand that even for morally strong owners, such dog behavior causes irritation. In the eyes of the dog, an irritated, screaming and stamping owner sharply loses authority, and the consequences of such an action are unpredictable... right up to escape.

An excellent alternative to walking and preventing disobedience is agility or hunting. Since the second option is far from most residents of megacities, dog sports are the best option. On an area equipped for training, the Sealyham Terrier turns into a versatile and tireless soldier who is ready to go into battle again and again. In training, only the incentive method is encouraged, but it is better to use emotional levers as a reward, rather than treats.

Note! According to unofficial statistics, Sealyham Terriers gravitate towards rubber toys, especially balls. Dogs are happy to carry a thrown ball or play on their own. Consider playing with your dog as a method of reward and exercise.

When it comes to family and small children, Sealyham Terriers are loving, loyal and tolerant. It is worth being careful when spending time together between a dog and very young children, since the little one may unintentionally hurt the pet and get hit back. Sealyham Terriers respond patiently and even positively to increased attention from younger family members. The breed gets along quite successfully with cats, but not with rodents and mustelids (ferrets, ferrets).

Health

The breed has good health and strong immunity, so the likelihood of developing diseases is low. However, Sealyham Terriers have some diseases to which they are predisposed:

• congenital deafness;
• food allergies;
• diseases of the organs of vision;
• obesity.

With proper care for your pet's health, its life expectancy can be 13-15 years, which is considered a respectable age by dog ​​standards.

Owner reviews

The vast majority of successful owners of these charming pets believe that they made the right choice by owning a Sealyham Terrier. Reviews confirm the advantages of this breed, which were discussed a lot in the article: compactness, friendliness and accommodating behavior, surprisingly gentle attitude towards children.

Representatives of this breed have practically no disadvantages if the owner has been raising him since puppyhood, although some consider the need for trimming to be a disadvantage.

Pros and cons of the breed

Dogs have a set of specific characteristics inherent to their species. The main pros and cons of the breed are presented below in the table:

Where can I buy

Today there are different kennels raising Sealyham Terriers. Dogs can be found both abroad and in Russia, which reduces transportation costs for potential owners.

Among the nurseries we can highlight:

• Bambino Di Sole (Krasnodar, Russia);
• Dartan Company (Moscow, Russia);
• Of Taita's Ushabti (Kalbach, Germany);
• Riziki (Orimattila, Finland).

Puppies can cost from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles, depending on the pedigree.

Sealyham Terriers are a relatively new breed for Russia. However, dogs have already established themselves as reliable companions, loyal friends and fearless hunters. They are perfect for an active family, as they have irrepressible energy and cheerfulness.