Post by charmingnancy on Aug 11, 2009 13:08:03 GMT -5
Sealyham Terrier
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Wales
Purpose: Hunting vermin and rats
Description:
The Sealyham Terrier was originally developed in the region of Haverfordwest in South Wales for the purpose of digging out badger and fox, and later was used in otter hunting also. His short legs were ideal for “going to earth”, and his rough coat protected him from attack by his prey.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour: Coat weather-resisting, comprised of a soft dense undercoat and hard, straight, wiry topcoat. Colour: All white or with lemon, tan, badger, or blue badger markings on head and ears. Heavy body markings and excessive undercoat ticking are to be discouraged.
Head: Long, broad, and powerful without coarseness. It should be in perfect balance with the body, joining the neck smoothly. Length of head roughly three-quarters height at withers. Breadth of skull a little less than half the length of head. Skull: very slightly domed and broad, with a shallow indentation running down between the brows, and joining the muzzle with a moderate stop. The planes of the skull from brow to occiput and the dorsal aspect of the muzzle should approximate a parallel rather than an angled aspect. Cheeks smoothly formed and flat without heavy jowls. Muzzle: Full and well-boned, of approximate equal length to the skull. Jaws and Teeth: Jaws powerful and square. Teeth strong and white; very large for size of dog and canines fitting closely together. Scissor bite preferred; level accepted. Nose: Black with large nostrils. Eyes: Dark, deeply set and fairly wide apart, of medium size and oval in shape with a keen terrier expression. The mature Sealyham should have some degree of eyelid pigmentation. Ears: Folded level with the top of the head, with the inner edge close to the cheek. Well rounded at tip, of length to reach the outer corner of the eye. Thin, not leathery, and of sufficient thickness to avoid vertical creases.
Neck: Length slightly less than two-thirds of height at withers. Muscular without coarseness, with good reach, refinement at throat, set firmly on shoulders at the withers with a smooth curve.
Forequarters: Shoulders well laid back and powerful but not over-muscled. Sufficiently wide to permit freedom of action. Forelegs should be short, strong with good bone, and as straight as is consistent with the chest being well let down between them. Elbows close to the body and forefeet straight ahead or slightly turned out. Forefeet large and round, yet compact with deep pads, arched toes and strong nails. Faults: Upright or straight shoulder placement. Out at elbow. Down on pasterns, knuckled over. Thin, spread or flat feet. Poor bone in forelegs.
Body: Strong and substantial with well sprung ribs. Not too barrel-shaped, the ribs should be well rounded as they leave the spine and then flatten gradually to a deep chest. Topline level, neither roached nor swayed. Length from withers to set-on of tail should approximate height at withers or 10-1/2 inches (26 cm). Brisket deep and well let down between forelegs. Loin, croup and abdomen strong, short-coupled and substantial with great flexibility.
Hindquarters: Hind legs longer than forelegs and not so heavily boned. Hip bone protruding behind the set-on of tail to give a well-defined buttocks. Upper and lower thighs strong and powerful with stifles well bent. Hocks well let down and parallel to each other. Rear feet compact with deep pads, arched toes and strong nails but smaller and more oval than the forefeet.
Tail: Docked and carried upright. Set on far enough forward so that the spine does not slope down to it.
Gait: Action sound, strong, quick, free, true and level.
Faults: Silky or curly coat. Heavy body markings. Undershot or overshot bite. White, cherry or butterfly nose. Light, large or protruding eyes. Prick, tulip, rose or hound ears. Roached or sway back. Back too long or too short. Shallow chest. Weak hindquarters. Straight in stifle. Cow hocks. Low tail set. Lack of drive in gait.
The foregoing description is that of the Sealyham Terrier. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation, keeping in mind the original purpose of the breed.
Size:
Height at withers about 10-1/2 inches (26 cm). Weight 23-25 lb. (10-11 kg) for dogs, bitches slightly less. Size is more important than weight. General conformation, overall balance, type and substance are the main criteria. Faults: Much oversized or undersized.
Temperament:
A keen, reliable working terrier, making an ideal companion and pet.
Health:
Health issues include eye problems, skin allergies, and deafness.
Average Lifespan:
12 - 14 years.
History:
The Sealyham Terrier has a rather abusive past. Developed in the late nineteenth century, a man named Captain Edwardes who lived at his estate of Sealyham in Pembrokeshire set out to create "the perfect terrier". He wanted a plucky, tenacious, game dog who would hunt badgers, skunks and otters by sight and scent. He started out with the Welsh Corgi, and added Dandie Dinmont Terrier. He then crossed the Cheshire Terrier, the Fox Terrier and The West Highland White Terrier. It is said that Edwardes let tenant farmers raise his Sealyham pups. Edwardes would make the puppies pass two tests in order to live and continue the breed he was looking for. After a while of the puppies hunting vermin and rats on the farms, Edwardes would show up with a shotgun and two of the most antagonistic dogs, and if the young pup did not stand up to these dogs Edwardes would end their life there. If the pups did pass the test and did stand their ground, Edwardes let them go back to their previous work for a few more months until they were about a year old.
When he returned to them at 10 to 12 months, he would leave an angry skunk in the yard for the dogs to find. If they eagerly went after the skunk underground, they were kept. If they were faint of heart, Edwardes once again brought his shotgun. It is also said that if they could face down a badger or fox, the farmers would earn extra pay from Edwardes. Needless to say, the breed turned into a very game, tenacious and aggressive breed. After Edwardes' death and supposed success of "the perfect terrier", another man took over development of the breed and is credited with being the "father of the breed", even though Edwardes began the event.
Fred Lewis promoted the Sealyham Terrier and developed it further, as well as began the first Sealyham Terrier Club in 1908. In 1911 the breed was recognized by both the American and British Kennel Clubs. Today the breed's popularity has been overtaken by its very similar cousin, the West Highland White Terrier. It is still seen in shows around the world, however.
Sources:
CKC (Breed Standards)
Puppy Dog Web
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Wales
Purpose: Hunting vermin and rats
Description:
The Sealyham Terrier was originally developed in the region of Haverfordwest in South Wales for the purpose of digging out badger and fox, and later was used in otter hunting also. His short legs were ideal for “going to earth”, and his rough coat protected him from attack by his prey.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour: Coat weather-resisting, comprised of a soft dense undercoat and hard, straight, wiry topcoat. Colour: All white or with lemon, tan, badger, or blue badger markings on head and ears. Heavy body markings and excessive undercoat ticking are to be discouraged.
Head: Long, broad, and powerful without coarseness. It should be in perfect balance with the body, joining the neck smoothly. Length of head roughly three-quarters height at withers. Breadth of skull a little less than half the length of head. Skull: very slightly domed and broad, with a shallow indentation running down between the brows, and joining the muzzle with a moderate stop. The planes of the skull from brow to occiput and the dorsal aspect of the muzzle should approximate a parallel rather than an angled aspect. Cheeks smoothly formed and flat without heavy jowls. Muzzle: Full and well-boned, of approximate equal length to the skull. Jaws and Teeth: Jaws powerful and square. Teeth strong and white; very large for size of dog and canines fitting closely together. Scissor bite preferred; level accepted. Nose: Black with large nostrils. Eyes: Dark, deeply set and fairly wide apart, of medium size and oval in shape with a keen terrier expression. The mature Sealyham should have some degree of eyelid pigmentation. Ears: Folded level with the top of the head, with the inner edge close to the cheek. Well rounded at tip, of length to reach the outer corner of the eye. Thin, not leathery, and of sufficient thickness to avoid vertical creases.
Neck: Length slightly less than two-thirds of height at withers. Muscular without coarseness, with good reach, refinement at throat, set firmly on shoulders at the withers with a smooth curve.
Forequarters: Shoulders well laid back and powerful but not over-muscled. Sufficiently wide to permit freedom of action. Forelegs should be short, strong with good bone, and as straight as is consistent with the chest being well let down between them. Elbows close to the body and forefeet straight ahead or slightly turned out. Forefeet large and round, yet compact with deep pads, arched toes and strong nails. Faults: Upright or straight shoulder placement. Out at elbow. Down on pasterns, knuckled over. Thin, spread or flat feet. Poor bone in forelegs.
Body: Strong and substantial with well sprung ribs. Not too barrel-shaped, the ribs should be well rounded as they leave the spine and then flatten gradually to a deep chest. Topline level, neither roached nor swayed. Length from withers to set-on of tail should approximate height at withers or 10-1/2 inches (26 cm). Brisket deep and well let down between forelegs. Loin, croup and abdomen strong, short-coupled and substantial with great flexibility.
Hindquarters: Hind legs longer than forelegs and not so heavily boned. Hip bone protruding behind the set-on of tail to give a well-defined buttocks. Upper and lower thighs strong and powerful with stifles well bent. Hocks well let down and parallel to each other. Rear feet compact with deep pads, arched toes and strong nails but smaller and more oval than the forefeet.
Tail: Docked and carried upright. Set on far enough forward so that the spine does not slope down to it.
Gait: Action sound, strong, quick, free, true and level.
Faults: Silky or curly coat. Heavy body markings. Undershot or overshot bite. White, cherry or butterfly nose. Light, large or protruding eyes. Prick, tulip, rose or hound ears. Roached or sway back. Back too long or too short. Shallow chest. Weak hindquarters. Straight in stifle. Cow hocks. Low tail set. Lack of drive in gait.
The foregoing description is that of the Sealyham Terrier. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation, keeping in mind the original purpose of the breed.
Size:
Height at withers about 10-1/2 inches (26 cm). Weight 23-25 lb. (10-11 kg) for dogs, bitches slightly less. Size is more important than weight. General conformation, overall balance, type and substance are the main criteria. Faults: Much oversized or undersized.
Temperament:
A keen, reliable working terrier, making an ideal companion and pet.
Health:
Health issues include eye problems, skin allergies, and deafness.
Average Lifespan:
12 - 14 years.
History:
The Sealyham Terrier has a rather abusive past. Developed in the late nineteenth century, a man named Captain Edwardes who lived at his estate of Sealyham in Pembrokeshire set out to create "the perfect terrier". He wanted a plucky, tenacious, game dog who would hunt badgers, skunks and otters by sight and scent. He started out with the Welsh Corgi, and added Dandie Dinmont Terrier. He then crossed the Cheshire Terrier, the Fox Terrier and The West Highland White Terrier. It is said that Edwardes let tenant farmers raise his Sealyham pups. Edwardes would make the puppies pass two tests in order to live and continue the breed he was looking for. After a while of the puppies hunting vermin and rats on the farms, Edwardes would show up with a shotgun and two of the most antagonistic dogs, and if the young pup did not stand up to these dogs Edwardes would end their life there. If the pups did pass the test and did stand their ground, Edwardes let them go back to their previous work for a few more months until they were about a year old.
When he returned to them at 10 to 12 months, he would leave an angry skunk in the yard for the dogs to find. If they eagerly went after the skunk underground, they were kept. If they were faint of heart, Edwardes once again brought his shotgun. It is also said that if they could face down a badger or fox, the farmers would earn extra pay from Edwardes. Needless to say, the breed turned into a very game, tenacious and aggressive breed. After Edwardes' death and supposed success of "the perfect terrier", another man took over development of the breed and is credited with being the "father of the breed", even though Edwardes began the event.
Fred Lewis promoted the Sealyham Terrier and developed it further, as well as began the first Sealyham Terrier Club in 1908. In 1911 the breed was recognized by both the American and British Kennel Clubs. Today the breed's popularity has been overtaken by its very similar cousin, the West Highland White Terrier. It is still seen in shows around the world, however.
Sources:
CKC (Breed Standards)
Puppy Dog Web
Pictures:
Photobucket