The Sealyham Terrier is named for the country estate of the breed's founder,
Captain John Edwardes, in Pembrokeshire, Wales. During the mid-1800s, Captain
Edwardes needed a dog that could rid his acreage of the foxes, badgers,
otters, rats, polecats, and rabbits that infested it. He did not care for
the other terriers in the region so he decided to create his own breed.
It is not known what breeds he used but there is speculation that they include
the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the West Highland White Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont
Terrier, and the Bull Terrier. The Sealyham was recognized as its own breed
by the Kennel Club of Great Britain in 1911 and the American Kennel Club
in 1913, long after Captain Edwardes had passed away.
The Sealyham Terrier is an affectionate companion with plenty of terrier
spunk. He is playful, eager to please, and sociable. He also makes an excellent
guard dog.
The head of the Sealyham Terrier is long, broad and powerful. It is in perfect
balance to the body. The length of head is approximately three-quarters
the height at the withers and one inch longer than the neck. Breadth between
the ears is less than half the length of the head. The skull is slightly
domed. The eyes are dark, deep set, medium in size and oval. The ears are
folded level with the top of the head. The forward edge of the ear is held
close to the cheek. They are well rounded at the tip. The drop off between
skull and muzzle (stop) is moderate. The jaws are powerful and square with
a level bite. The nose is large and black. The neck is muscular without
being coarse. The legs are strong and straight with good bone. The feet
are large, round and compact. The body is strong and short-coupled. The
brisket is deep. The length from withers to tail set should equal the height
at the withers. The top line is level. The tail is docked and carried upright.
The coat is a weather-resistant double coat. There is a soft, dense undercoat
and a hard, wiry top coat. The hair around the eyes and muzzle is exceeding
long. Coat color is white with lemon, tan or badger markings on the head
and ears. Average height is ten-and one-half inches. Average weight is between
twenty and twenty-two pounds.