(AKC Terrier Group)
Although small, the Sealyham Terrier is the embodiment of power and determination – a true terrier! The Sealyham’s wiry, weather-resistant double coat should be all white. Lemon, tan or badger-colored markings are allowed on the head and ears. Very keen and alert, the breed was used as a hunter in the past, although today they excel as a family pet and participant in Earthdog competitions.
General Appearance
The Sealyham Terrier is a strong, sturdily built, active working Terrier that is oblong in general outline. It has as much substance as possible for a dog that is quick and capable of digging and battling its quarry underground.
Height
At withers about 10½ inches.
Weight
23-24 pounds for dogs; bitches slightly less. It should be borne in mind that size is more important than weight.
Head
Long, broad and powerful, without coarseness. It should, however, be in perfect balance with the body, joining neck smoothly. Length of head roughly, three-quarters height at withers, or about an inch longer than neck. Breadth between ears a little less than one-half length of head. Skull - Very slightly domed, with a shallow indentation running down between the brows, and joining the muzzle with a moderate stop. Cheeks - Smoothly formed and flat, without heavy jowls. Jaws - Powerful and square. Bite level or scissors. Overshot or undershot bad faults. Teeth - Sound, strong and white, with canines fitting closely together. Nose - Black, with large nostrils. White, cherry or butterfly bad faults. Eyes - Very dark, deeply set and fairly wide apart, of medium size, oval in shape with keen terrier expression. Light, large or protruding eye bad faults. Lack of eye rim pigmentation not a fault. Ears - Folded level with top of head, with forward edge close to cheek. Well rounded at tip, and of length to reach outer corner of eye. Thin, not leathery, and of sufficient thickness to avoid creases. Prick, tulip, rose or hound ears bad faults.
Neck
Length slightly less than two-thirds of height of dog at withers. Muscular without coarseness, with good reach, refinement at throat, and set firmly on shoulders.
Shoulders
Well laid back and powerful, but not over-muscled. Sufficiently wide to permit freedom of action. Upright or straight shoulder placement highly undesirable.
Legs
Forelegs strong, with good bone; and as straight as is consistent with chest being well let down between them. Down on pasterns, knuckled over, bowed, and out at elbow, bad faults. Hind legs longer than forelegs and not so heavily boned. Feet - Large but compact, round with thick pads, strong nails. Toes well arched and pointing straight ahead. Forefeet larger, though not quite so long as hind feet. Thin, spread or flat feet bad faults.
Body
Strong, short-coupled and substantial, so as to permit great flexibility. Brisket deep and well let down between forelegs. Ribs well sprung.
Back
Length from withers to set-on of tail should approximate height at withers, or l0½ inches. Topline level, neither roached nor swayed. Any deviations from these measurements undesirable. Hindquarters - Very powerful, and protruding well behind the set-on of tail. Strong second thighs, stifles well bent, and hocks well let down. Cowhocks bad fault.
Tail
Docked and carried upright. Set on far enough forward so that spine does not slope down to it.
Coat
Weather-resisting, comprised of soft, dense undercoat and hard, wiry top coat. Silky or curly coat bad fault.
Color
All white, or with lemon, tan or badger markings on head and ears. Heavy body markings and excessive ticking should be discouraged.
Action
Sound, strong, quick, free, true and level.
Scale of Points
Disqualifications
Approved February 9, 1974
This is a hardy breed with few breed specific health issues. The two main hereditary issues highlighted by the American Sealyham Terrier Club are canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM) and an eye condition called lens luxation, for which there are DNA tests. CDM is a degeneration of the spinal cord in older dogs which can lead to the dog being parplegic and losing the use of their hind legs. Lens luxation is a condition in which the lens slips out of position in the eyeball due to the weakening of the fibers that holds it in place. This in turn blocks the flow of fluids in the eye, leading to glaucoma and often irreparable optic nerve damage.[24]
As of November 2011, the Kennel Club has not highlighted any specific concerns regarding the breed's health to conformation show judges. Due to the low numbers of the breed, two of the most prevalent issues facing the breed today is the popular sire effect and the general issue of genetic diversity within the breed
Although happy in the company of others, they are fine if left alone. Sealyham Terriers are suited for both the town and country. They can be stubborn, vocal, and boisterous but also full of personality. While they are a loyal family dog, they can be trained to be working dogs, making them excellent mousers or ratters. They can also be taught as a puppy to get along with other animals, including cats and birds. Harry Parsons, described his Sealyhams, "They make great companions, and the way they bond with their owners is almost magical. I keep six indoors, and if someone rings about an infestation and asks us to go ratting, they will know and are out of the door in a millisecond. If you train them, they'll retrieve. They'll do anything to please you
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.
Sealyham Terrier AKC Breed Standards
General Appearance
The Sealyham Terrier is a strong, sturdily built, active working Terrier that is oblong in general outline. It has as much substance as possible for a dog that is quick and capable of digging and battling its quarry underground.Height
At withers about 10½ inches.
Weight
23-24 pounds for dogs; bitches slightly less. It should be borne in mind that size is more important than weight.
Head
Long, broad and powerful, without coarseness. It should, however, be in perfect balance with the body, joining neck smoothly. Length of head roughly, three-quarters height at withers, or about an inch longer than neck. Breadth between ears a little less than one-half length of head. Skull - Very slightly domed, with a shallow indentation running down between the brows, and joining the muzzle with a moderate stop. Cheeks - Smoothly formed and flat, without heavy jowls. Jaws - Powerful and square. Bite level or scissors. Overshot or undershot bad faults. Teeth - Sound, strong and white, with canines fitting closely together. Nose - Black, with large nostrils. White, cherry or butterfly bad faults. Eyes - Very dark, deeply set and fairly wide apart, of medium size, oval in shape with keen terrier expression. Light, large or protruding eye bad faults. Lack of eye rim pigmentation not a fault. Ears - Folded level with top of head, with forward edge close to cheek. Well rounded at tip, and of length to reach outer corner of eye. Thin, not leathery, and of sufficient thickness to avoid creases. Prick, tulip, rose or hound ears bad faults.
Neck
Length slightly less than two-thirds of height of dog at withers. Muscular without coarseness, with good reach, refinement at throat, and set firmly on shoulders.
Shoulders
Well laid back and powerful, but not over-muscled. Sufficiently wide to permit freedom of action. Upright or straight shoulder placement highly undesirable.
Legs
Forelegs strong, with good bone; and as straight as is consistent with chest being well let down between them. Down on pasterns, knuckled over, bowed, and out at elbow, bad faults. Hind legs longer than forelegs and not so heavily boned. Feet - Large but compact, round with thick pads, strong nails. Toes well arched and pointing straight ahead. Forefeet larger, though not quite so long as hind feet. Thin, spread or flat feet bad faults.
Body
Strong, short-coupled and substantial, so as to permit great flexibility. Brisket deep and well let down between forelegs. Ribs well sprung.
Back
Length from withers to set-on of tail should approximate height at withers, or l0½ inches. Topline level, neither roached nor swayed. Any deviations from these measurements undesirable. Hindquarters - Very powerful, and protruding well behind the set-on of tail. Strong second thighs, stifles well bent, and hocks well let down. Cowhocks bad fault.
Tail
Docked and carried upright. Set on far enough forward so that spine does not slope down to it.
Coat Weather-resisting, comprised of soft, dense undercoat and hard, wiry top coat. Silky or curly coat bad fault.
Color
All white, or with lemon, tan or badger markings on head and ears. Heavy body markings and excessive ticking should be discouraged.
Action
Sound, strong, quick, free, true and level.
Scale of Points
| General character, balance and size |
15
| |
| Head |
5
| |
| Eyes |
5
| |
| Mouth |
5
| |
| Ears |
5
| |
| Neck |
5
|
25
|
| Shoulders and brisket |
10
| |
| Body, ribs and loin |
10
| |
| Hindquarters |
10
| |
| Legs and Feet |
10
| |
| Coat |
10
|
50
|
| Tail |
5
| |
| Color (body marking and ticking) |
5
|
10
|
| Total |
100
|
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.
Approved February 9, 1974
 |
| Spinal Cord |
Sealyham Terrier Health Issues
This is a hardy breed with few breed specific health issues. The two main hereditary issues highlighted by the American Sealyham Terrier Club are canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM) and an eye condition called lens luxation, for which there are DNA tests. CDM is a degeneration of the spinal cord in older dogs which can lead to the dog being parplegic and losing the use of their hind legs. Lens luxation is a condition in which the lens slips out of position in the eyeball due to the weakening of the fibers that holds it in place. This in turn blocks the flow of fluids in the eye, leading to glaucoma and often irreparable optic nerve damage.[24]
As of November 2011, the Kennel Club has not highlighted any specific concerns regarding the breed's health to conformation show judges. Due to the low numbers of the breed, two of the most prevalent issues facing the breed today is the popular sire effect and the general issue of genetic diversity within the breed
Sealyham Terrier Temperament
Did You Know?
- The Sealyham Terrier was originally bred in Wales.
- The English Kennel Club first recognized the Sealyham breed in 1910 when Sealyhams were first shown in a Kennel Club sponsored Championship dog Show.
- The Sealyham Terrier was recognized by the AKC in 1911.
- The Sealyham Terrier derives its name from Sealy Ham, Haverfordwest, Wales, the estate of Captain John Edwards, who developed from obscure ancestry a strain of dogs noted for their prowess in quarrying badger, fox and otter.
- Sources believe the Sealyham was produced from crosses between the Corgi, Dandie Dinmont, West Highland White, Wire-Haired Fox Terriers, the Bull Terrier and perhaps even some hounds.
- The Sealyham's first recorded show appearance was in 1903 at a local affair in Wales and the breed was first imported to the U.S. in 1911.
Sealyham Terrier History
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.
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.
Sealyham Terrier Pics
AKC Registered Breeders
Sealyham TerrierParent Club: American Sealyham Terrier Club
Breeder Referral: On Parent Club Website
Breeder Referral: On Parent Club Website
No comments:
Post a Comment