Post a Pup Sundays! What is a Sealyham Terrier? Can Best in Show Stache Revive the Breed? Post Photos, Memes, Videos and Pup Stuff.

The dapper Sealyham Terrier Stache strutted his stuff and took home the crown at the 2023 National Dog Show! This little guy, with the big personality, showed those judges what he's made of, outshining the competition with his spunk and style. Handled by the talented Margery Good, Stache wowed the crowd and made history as the first Sealyham Terrier to claim the Best in Show title. With a registered name like GCHP Goodspice Efbe Money Stache, had to win. He is so adorable I decided to write about the rare terrier and find out more about this breed that barely anyone knows about. 

The Sealyham Terrier originated in Wales and was developed between 1850 and 1891 by Captain John Edwardes at Sealyham House, near Wolfscastle in Pembrokeshire. Edwardes wanted to create a small white terrier with a strong jaw and wiry coat that could be used to hunt small game and eliminate vermin-like badgers. 

The exact ancestry of the Sealyham is unknown since Edwardes did not keep detailed breeding records. It's believed that the Welsh Corgi, Fox Terrier, and the now-extinct English White Terrier contributed to the breed's early development. Edwardes only bred the strongest dogs. The Sealyham made its first show ring appearance in 1903 in Wales, and in 1908, The Sealyham Terrier Club was formed to promote the breed, which was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1911. The breed grew popular after World War I, associated with Hollywood stars and British royalty, which makes sense because of its nature and abilities as a hunting dog.  

Unfortunately, Sealyham numbers have dropped significantly since their peak popularity. Only 43 puppies were registered in the UK in 2008, leading the Kennel Club to classify them as a Vulnerable Native Breed. The decline has been attributed to an influx of foreign and designer breeds and a reduced need for hunting dogs. I hope Stache turns this around because they seem like a breed that would suit a lot of personalities. If any of you hors get one, please send them to me ASAP. Thank you. 

The sturdy, outgoing Sealyham Terrier remains suitable as a family pet or working terrier with proper training. Health issues are limited in the breed, with lens luxation and degenerative myelopathy being the most prevalent conditions. The breed continues its rich legacy as a plucky small terrier originating in Wales.