Sealyham Terrier

Sealyham Terrier
Sealyham Terrier pictures
Sealyham Terrier suitability

In my own words

I’m a Sealyham terrier but you can call me ‘Sealy’. I am proud to be a Sealy: we are a bold and charming type of terrier. I was the prized pet of the Hollywood golden age with cameo roles in Hitchcock films. That’s not why I’m loved today. My family love me for my constant displays affection. I just love being part of the family and being with them all the time. Unlike a lot of terriers I’m not so rambunctious, you will often find me lazed on the couch or fondly snuggled in my owners lap.  

My ideal owner(s)

Families

Live best with older considerate children

City dwellers

Countryside homes

What they say about me

Couch potato

Lively

Compact

Charming

Please read on, to find out more about me, and whether I will be someone you can be happy with for the next 12 years, or even longer!

Is this Sealyham Terrier for you?

Test your knowledge about the Sealyham Terrier

Information essential about the Sealyham Terrier

Kennel Club Group

Terrier

 

This rare breed of dog is currently listed on the KC’s list of vulnerable native breeds as registrations of pups are consistently less than 300 per year, with a meagre 48 being registered being registered in 2008.

Category:-

Size:

Weight: Male: 23-24; Female: 18-22 lbs Average height to withers: Males and females both up to 10 inches.

Popularity:

During the 1930’s the Sealyham terrier soared in popularity within the US elite of Hollywood. The Sealyham terrier features in a number of films at the time, including the Hitchcock thriller ‘the Birds’. A number of British Royalty, were also fans of this breed, most notably Princess Margaret.

Breed History:

The Sealyham terrier originated in Wales in the middle of the 19th century. Sealyham terriers were developed through crosses with the now-extinct small white Cheshire Terrier. Moreover, West Highland Whites, Fox Terriers and Corgis are all thought to have contributed to the development of this breed.

Captain John Edwardes developed the breed but unfortunately did not keep records of the breeding lineage. His aim was to produce a distinct, white haired Terrier, which he could see easily in the field while hunting. By 1908 a club dedicated to this dog was opened and 3 years later the UK Kennel Club recognised the breed. Over the years, Sealyham Terriers have been used to hunt otters, badgers, foxes, vermin and stoats. They were bred to be a very tough dog, and to do this, breeders used to cull the weaker pups and just keep the stronger ones for breeding purposes to establish a well-defined set of physical and behavioural traits.

At one time they were one of the most popular Terrier breeds. Today, however, they're uncommon and are considered by Great Britain's Kennel Club to be one of that country's most endangered native breeds.

Character:

The Sealyham terrier is a hardy and muscular breed. They are proud, compact, and charming. They are lively, bold, vigorous, and exhibit a robust nature. The Sealyham is a jaunty and jovial companion that has a deep depth of devotion to their owner and family. The Sealyham terrier is highly intelligent and affectionate. They are extremely loyal, independent, and spirited. They are not rambunctious as is usually a trait of the terrier breed. The Sealyham terrier is very vocal and makes a good watchdog. They thrive on being an integral part of the family. He will want to be with you wherever you go, and enjoys snuggling up to you on the sofa. He is friendly, calm, and relaxed, and does wonderfully with respectful children.

Temperament:

The Sealyham's nature and temperament enchants people. While it is less active than the most Terrier’s, this breed has the adopted name of the ‘couch potato of terriers’. At the same time though, this breed has a wonderful sense of adventure and fun and is always ready to play! Due to its hunting heritage, it typically gets along well with other dogs in the home, as well as people, although it can be reserved toward strangers until it knows and trusts them. He is playful well into his elderly years. He can be quite wilful, but he wants to please his owner and once trained, is quite obedient. He is an intelligent dog and needs something to keep his active mind occupied. Although they are intelligent and very charming, Sealies can sometimes exhibit the stubbornness that most Terriers are well known for. To maintain your position as leader of the pack, you must display a firm and consistent hand and the ability not to laugh at their comic antics as you reprimand them! As a pet and companion, you won't be disappointed. They are real people pleasers and like to be around children and this little dog adapts well to modern lifestyles and is comfortable in both city and country. Inquisitive, self assured, loyal and happy, this dog always delights.

Conformation:

Sealyham Terriers aren't big dogs, but they have long, broad and powerful heads coupled with well-muscled bodies. Their eyes are dark, deep set and sparkle with intelligence. The ears are folded level with the top of the head and the forward edge lies close to the cheek. The white coat is dense, wiry on top, with a downy undercoat providing a warm and quite weather resistant layer.. Being quite low-slung dogs with long hair, they are typically found with a line of mud around their midriffs where the hair can trail along the ground – unless groomed and cut.

Colour:

Any solid colour including sable. Markings on the face can be in a variety of colours including lemon, black, brown, blue, and badger, which is a mix of brown and black

Training:

The Sealyham terrier has a tendency to be difficult to train. They are quick to learn, but may try to undermine their master's authority. They do well with early socialization and obedience training. Sealyham Terriers respond best to firm, fair, and consistent direction. They enjoy agility exercises and are enthusiastic participants. However, you will need to be extra patient when Training him.

Care:

The Sealyham terrier requires professional trimming and stripping of the coat. They need to be brushed twice weekly to prevent mats from forming. Bathing should only be done when necessary using a mild shampoo. Dry shampoo as needed. This breed does best in cooler climates. The Sealyham terrier sheds practically no hair at all. You'll virtually never find a hair in your house. The Sealyham terrier also enjoys its food, so the owner needs to keep a close eye on its weight! The Sealyham terrier requires moderate exercise. They enjoy securely leashed walks. They thrive on family activities and play sessions. The Sealyham is well suited for apartment and condominium living, but is equally at home in the country setting. He has moderate exercise needs and does fine with just a brisk daily walk. He also loves to play ball and enjoys earth dog competitions.

Health:

Sealyham Terriers have very few health problems. They are allergic to fleas, are prone to deafness, and may have skin sensitivities.

Overall the Sealyham is a robust dog, which suffers from few conditions or diseases. It can be prone to an eye condition called ‘lens luxation’. This is caused by a weakening in the fibres which hold the lens of the eye in place, causing it to slip out. It can cause permanent optic nerve damage if left untreated. In good health, it can live up to 15 years of age, sometime longer.

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Advice on choosing your breed »

Find an animal shelter or rescue home where a Sealyham Terrier is waiting for a new home »

The following grid gives a fast track review, which covers all breeds. You can apply it to help you decide if a Sealyham is suitable for you, the environment where you live, your personality and your lifestyle. On the grid, 1= strongly disagree, and 5= strongly agree. For example, if you are looking for a dog to make a good walking companion, look down the list under ‘Activities’, and you will see that Sealyham have lots of energy and are strong walkers, scoring 5. If you want a dog that is good for urban living, look under ‘Environment’ and you will see that Sealyham are suited to the city, scoring 5. You might like to save or print off this section and keep it for reference while you check some other breeds before making your final choice.

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Noahs Breed Rating | Community Breed Rating

Activities
Good jogging companion5/5
Good walking companion5/5
Likes water/swimming5/5
Likes learning new tricks4/5
Likes to hunt5/5
Likes to fetch5/5
Good gundog/retriever3/5
Behaviour
Barks a lot4/5
Gets easily jealous4/5
Protective3/5
Aggressive1/5
Timid2/5
Friendly with strangers5/5
Cost
Expensive to insure3/5
Expensive to feed4/5
Environment
Happy to sleep outside3/5
Prefers countryside5/5
Suits urban environment5/5
Prefers temperate climate5/5
Prefers hot climate3/5
Prefers cold climate5/5
Grooming
Moults a lot0/5
Hypoallergenic4/5
Requires lots of grooming3/5
Role and Suitability
Ideal for elderly4/5
Ideal for singles5/5
Ideal for couples with no children5/5
Ideal for family with children5/5
Good watch dog2/5
Good guard dog1/5
Sociability
Good with other pets4/5
Good with other dogs4/5
Time and Energy
Happy being left alone for 4hrs2/5
Happy being left alone for 2hrs0/5
Requires lots of exercise5/5
Training and Obedience
Good for first time owners4/5
Good for experienced owners5/5
Good recall3/5
Easy to train4/5
Activities
Good jogging companion0/5
Good walking companion0/5
Likes water/swimming0/5
Likes learning new tricks0/5
Likes to hunt0/5
Likes to fetch0/5
Good gundog/retriever0/5
Behaviour
Barks a lot0/5
Gets easily jealous0/5
Protective0/5
Aggressive0/5
Timid0/5
Friendly with strangers0/5
Cost
Expensive to insure0/5
Expensive to feed0/5
Environment
Happy to sleep outside0/5
Prefers countryside0/5
Suits urban environment0/5
Prefers temperate climate0/5
Prefers hot climate0/5
Prefers cold climate0/5
Grooming
Moults a lot0/5
Hypoallergenic0/5
Requires lots of grooming0/5
Role and Suitability
Ideal for elderly0/5
Ideal for singles0/5
Ideal for couples with no children0/5
Ideal for family with children0/5
Good watch dog0/5
Good guard dog0/5
Sociability
Good with other pets0/5
Good with other dogs0/5
Time and Energy
Happy being left alone for 4hrs0/5
Happy being left alone for 2hrs0/5
Requires lots of exercise0/5
Training and Obedience
Good for first time owners0/5
Good for experienced owners0/5
Good recall0/5
Easy to train0/5

*PLEASE NOTE: All our breed profiles are general, and all dogs are individuals. Always talk to the breeders and meet the owners you are buying from. Try to meet the dog and its parents if it is a puppy in their home environment.

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