Sealyham Terrier

In the mid-1800s, Captain John Tucker Edwardes began developing the dog that would eventually become known as the Sealyham Terrier. The Sealyham was a mixture of the Bull Terrier, Basset Hound, West Highland White Terrier, Welsh Corgi, the Fox Terrier, Cheshire Terrier, and Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Captain Edwardes began breeding the dog for hunting tough but small game such as badgers, otters, and foxes. Edwardes kept crossing breeds until he found offspring that excelled in hunting ability. The Sealyham’s name comes from Captain John Tucker Edwardes’ estate, Sealyham. Edwardes was responsible for crossbreeding a number of dogs in order to produce the perfect hunting and gaming breed. Edwardes was rumored to have given neighboring farmers puppies; if, at eleven months, the puppies showed promise in hunting and gaming, Edwardes paid the farmer an extra fee to get the puppy back. The dogs became popular across England, and in 1903, the breed was first included in a dog show. England’s Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1910. The early 1900s saw great popularity in the little dog; they were often entered in dog shows throughout England. The American Kennel Club began recognizing the breed in 1911. A Sealyham Terrier has won “Best in Show” four times at the Westminster Dog Show. While the Sealyham is an excellent companion dog, they have never had the popularity with the American public that they had in England during the early 1900s. It remains a rare breed in the United States.