Breed standards

Sealyham Terrier

Breed standards are the official guidelines that describe the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential.

Last Updated: 05 Aug 2009

Kennel Club, London 1994

FCI Standard No 74

Group:
Group 2 (Terriers)
History:
General:

Free moving, active, balanced and of great substance in small compass. General outline oblong, not square.

Characteristics:

Sturdy, game and workmanlike.

Temperament:

Alert and fearless but of friendly disposition.

Head And Skull:

Skull slightly domed and wide between ears. Cheek bones not prominent. Punishing square jaw, powerful and long. Nose black.

Eyes:

Dark, well set, round, of medium size. Dark, pigmented eyerims preferred but unpigmented tolerated.

Ear:

Medium sized, slightly rounded at tip and carried at side of cheek.

Mouth:

Teeth level and strong with canines fitting well into each other and long for size of dog. Jaws strong with regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:

Fairly long, thick and muscular on well laid shoulders.

Forequarters:

Forelegs short, strong and as straight as possible consistent with chest being well let down. Point of shoulder in line with point of elbow which should be close to side of chest.

Body:

Medium in length, level and flexible with ribs well sprung. Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.

Hindquarters:

Notably powerful for size of dog. Thighs deep and muscular with well bent stifle. Hocks strong, well bent and parallel to each other.

Feet:

Round and catlike with thick pads. Feet pointing directly forward.

Tail:

Docked: Medium length. Thick with a rounded tip. Set in line with back and carried erect. Quarters should protrude beyond set of tail.
Undocked: Medium length of tail to give a general balance to the dog. Thick at root and tapering towards tip. Ideally carried erect, but not excessively over the back, with no curl or twist. Quarters should protrude beyond set of tail.

Gait/Movement:

Brisk and vigorous with plenty of drive.

Coat:

Long, hard and wiry topcoat with weather-resistant undercoat.

Colour:

All white or white with lemon, brown, blue or badger pied markings on head and ears. Much black and heavy ticking undesirable.

Sizes:

Ideal weight Dogs approx. 9 kgs (20 lbs)

Bitches approx. 8 kgs (18 lbs)

Height: should not exceed 31 cms (12 ins) at shoulder.

General conformation, overall balance, type and substance are main criteria.

Faults:

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Notes:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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