When the words, “powerful” and “strong” appear with some frequency in a breed standard, one would think the standard is for a large, formidable breed. In fact, both words appear no fewer than ten times in the standard of the Sealyham Terrier. Indeed, the opening paragraph of the AKC standard reads, “The Sealyham should be the embodiment of power and determination, ever keen and alert, of extraordinary substance, yet free from clumsiness.” To do it’s job, the Sealyham Terrier would need all the strength it could muster given that among the animals it was expected to hunt was the badger, a critter commonly considered one of the fiercest animals on the planet.

John Tucker-Edwardes, who developed the Sealyham Terrier, didn’t keep breeding records, but experts believe he used the now extinct English White Terrier, the Wire Fox Terrier, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terrier, to create his new breed, push-overs, none of them.

These days, most of us think of Sealyhams as we see them at dog shows: White and beautiful, pleasing dogs to be around. Make no mistake, however. Hunters still use Sealys to hunt small game, such as pheasants and rabbits. Sealyhams are also very good at controlling pests like rats. Don’t pass on watching the video below to show how rats were once hunted by Sealyham Terriers – and it’s safe to watch for the tender-hearted, no rats are caught.

Image: Sealyham Terrier by John Daniels is available as a mug, tote, towel, poster and more – find them here.