THE SEALYHAM: Breed Q&A DESI MURPHY
JT: Although we had some excellent dogs in the breed in the past, I think the dogs we are seeing now are a bit more uniform and doing a good job at maintaining adherence to the standard. 5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? DM: It is very hard for new judges to understand the breed when they never get to judge the breed when there is some depth of quality. I have had a lot of new judges ask if there is any difference between a Sealy and a Scottie— other than color, ears and tail. JT: A lot of the misunderstanding about the Sealyham is that they are not a common sight in the show ring. New judges expect them to be a longer backed dog as they appear to be longer in outline; however, they should be the same in measurement from the withers to the set on of tail as from the withers to the ground. Also they should have a nice harsh jacket without fuzz or curl. 6. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate. DM: When I was growing up in the northeast, we had several large kennels breeding Sealyhams, plus quite a few smaller breeders. Like so many breeds, people do not know how or do not want to learn how to properly condition one. They are one of the most difficult breeds to keep in top condition. Throughout the entire country we have so few real breeders today and it will prob- ably become less and less. At a show this past weekend, the entire Terrier entry was 5. We now have 31 Terrier breeds, but I would guess that the average show today only gets about 50 Terriers. JT: Sealyhams have been refined since their origin, but should not have lost the build to perform the task they were originally designed to carry out. In judging this breed it is essential to bear in mind what he was bred for and to keep to the standard in all matters of type, balance and conformation. Terrier spirit is a wonderful asset in the show ring and in my opinion something the Sealyham should embody. They have a charming personality that can be both loving and trying. 7. And, for a bit of humor: what’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? JT: My most terrifying, and in retrospect the funniest, was the first experience with showing a Sealyham Brace at the Great Western Terrier Show. The judge asked me to pick up two Sealyham boys together and place them on the exam table. I questioned the judge as to whether she was really serious (which she was), so I hoisted the two 24-pound Sealy boys, one under each arm, and set them on the table at the same time. It was with a great sigh from me and a lot of laughter from the audience the job was completed.
I live in Monroe, New York and I am retired. I showed my first dog, a Lakeland, in 1957. I have been judging since 1976, around 30 years. Most of my life revolves around dog activities. JUDY THILL I live in Dubuque Iowa. I retired from the Inter- state Power Company where I was employed as the Director of Stockholder Services. I have been actively showing and breeding dogs since 1964. My first breed was Wire Fox Terriers and in 1989 I was able to get my first Sealyham. I continue to breed and show Sealyhams and will do so as long as I am able. It is a breed that is easy to fall in love with, because they are so intelligent and funny. Besides being active in breeding and showing, I love to judge dogs, which I began to do in 2003; I am currently working on getting approved for the Non-Sport- ing group. I also enjoy doing oil painting, traveling and work- ing in my yard. 1. Describe the breed in three words. DM: Powerful, keen and substantial. JT: Sealyhams are sturdy and have strong movement. They are extremely intelligent with a sense of humor. 2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? DM: A very powerful dog with good bone and substance. A powerful mover. Proper balance and a wonderful coat. JT: Proper harsh coat, good fore chest with the sturdy body to complement the structure, and solid movement with good reach and drive. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? DM: I do not see any traits that are becoming too exaggerated. JT: There are times that the grooming can become exag- gerated with too much coat and furnishings. Overall the breed has been maintained pretty close to standard. We do at times have a variance in size. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? DM: When I first started to judge the breed there was much more depth of quality. That was because we had more breeders. At most shows there is not even one Sealy. There are very few shows other than the Montgomery County weekend that get a sizeable entry. The two most important shows in America, Westminster and the AKC Eukanuba, only had an entry of two Sealies. So even at our most prestigious shows, people do not get a chance to study the breed.
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