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Lets go hunting with a pack of Sealyham Terriers these happy little dogs make great country
companions we join Harry Parsons as he hunts his dogs along the river taw in search of
the allusive brown rat In the 1920s and 30s these jolly little characters
were one of the most popular dogs in Great Britain now they are in serve decline in the
20st century we must do everything we can to prevent this important traditional breed
from disappearing
Harry and his two whippers-in Mark and Nigel work the terriers in the same way as a world
class pack of foxhounds. The dogs are kept in tight formation as they head of down to
the riverbank
The pack draws the small river downstream and the terriers hunt the exposed tangle of tree
routes trying to pick up the scent of their quarry. Its not long before they show a lot
of interest in a fallen log, but despite the Sealyham best efforts the rats remain safe
in there wooden sanctuary
Harry and his partner Gail have worked tirelessly over the past few years to highlight the plight
of the working Sealyham terrier they currently own ten kennel club registered dogs
As we hunted further down the riverbank we came to an area that had been reinforced with
concrete and the winter flood water had deposited a mass of broken trees and pieces of junk
metal which should of be a haven for the brown rat the Sealyham with its broad intelligent
head and short strong legs had no trouble rooting around the debris looking for its
elusive quarry
The picturesque river taw was the perfect location to experience this old fashioned
way of hunting with a pack of Sealyham terriers Harry Mark and Nigel always wear waistcoats
shirts and ties when working the dogs
Despite the dogs showing further interest in a couple of tree stumps no rats were caught
Harry explain that the catching and killing of a rat was not the most important aspect
of the day many of the followers had travelled from all over the country to watch a rare
and vulnerable breed work in a traditional manner and had hopefully learnt a bit more
about the Sealyham terrier and why it should not be allowed to be consigned to the history
books
The end... Lets hope not!