The Sealyham Terrier: Hitchcock’s Favorite Companion

Bred in Wales in the 19th century by Captain John Edwardes to hunt badgers, the Sealyham Terrier is a small but mighty dog. Eventually, they traded the muddy hunting fields for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. By the mid-20th century, they were highly fashionable, serving as the chosen companions of celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and the legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock.

In 1938, the UK Kennel Club registered over 1,000 Sealyham puppies, marking the peak of their popularity. However, pet fashion is notoriously fickle. By 2004, annual registrations had collapsed to around 60 dogs. This massive drop prompted public campaigns, including a front-cover feature by Country Life magazine pleading to save the breed,. Today, they are still fighting for survival, offering brave, comical personalities to the few owners willing to seek them out.