The Early Shows

The first class of the breed was shown at a dog show in Haverfordwest in 1903. After that the interest grew bigger and 1908 the Sealyham Terrier Club was formed. At one dog show in Pembrokeshire there were 600 entries with seventy-one in Open Dog (photo below). Anyone that owned a bitch in Wales mated it to the dog next door and sent the puppies off to England where there was great demand for them.

This photo was taken May, 1914 at Slade, near Haverfordwest and 19 classes were included in the schedule. The show was called " Pembrokeshire Hunt Hound Puppy and Sealyham Terrier Show". There was no entry fee. The judges were Mr H.Ridley and Major Harry Jones. The entry was astounding, and has never been equalled either before or since. The Open dog Class contained the large number of 71 entries. First prize was given to Ivo Challenger. In open class bitches, entries 64, Gessima got the first prize. Best Stud dog with a working certificate was given to Roger Bach.

Duck ,the mother of Ivo Challanger.

It it interesting to see the earlier examples of the breed and to compare them with the modern type.....or what do you think?

The breed grew bigger and bigger and spread around the world. In the USA the breed club - The American Sealyham Terrier Club was founded in 1913 two years after the first Sealyham was imported and registered by the American Kennel Club.

Folly was one of the first champions in the USA 1914. Pedigree unknown.

The famous Sid Bowler , the Bowhit prefix is judging Sealyhams in the USA.

Ch Pinegrade Perfection won Best in Show at Westminster in the USA 1927.

Americans quickly became fascinated of the Sealyham, and before the War several very notable dogs were imported into that country. Probably the most famous of these was Ch Ivo Caradoc, for which £ 850 was paid by Mr Ross Proctor of New York.