This history is derived from the writings of Mr. Fred Lewis circa 1936. Mr. Lewis played a major part in the development and establishment of the breed.
The Sealyham comes from a strain of white rough-haired terriers of Flemish origination bred principally for running and working by Captain John Owen Tucker-Edwardes at his mansion named "Sealyham" in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Unfortunately no records were kept in the development of the breed, but it is believed that Edwardes used the Pembroke Welsh Corgi for size and shape, the Cheshire Terrier (a Bull Terrier type) for gameness and color, the Dandie Dinmont for its tremendous courage, strength of jaw, lowness and gameness, Wire Fox Terrier for weather resisting coat, and the West Highland White Terrier to reduce size and tighten color scheme. The terriers he developed were largely used for driving otters from their lairs in the river banks.
Edwardes paid a maintenance fee of about 10 dollars if the puppy proved satisfactory when returned to his kennels. The young terrier was brought back when he was 10-12 months old, and if he would face down a rather nasty "polecat", the puppy was kept by Edwardes and the fee was paid.
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