Characteristics, History, Care Tips and Helpful Information for Pet Owners
The Sealyham Terrier, while once exceedingly popular, is now one of the rarest of all the terrier breeds. Originating from Wales in the United Kingdom, they are not as high energy as a lot of other terriers. They are known for having fun-loving personalities, but they can also be stubborn and prone to guarding.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Terrier
HEIGHT: 10.5 inches
WEIGHT: 23 to 24 pounds
COAT: Wiry, medium-length double coat with a soft undercoat
COAT COLOR: White; sometimes includes lemon, tan, chocolate, blue, or badger markings
LIFE SPAN: 12 to 14 years
TEMPERAMENT: Alert, friendly, courageous, outgoing, calm
HYPOALLERGENIC: Yes
ORIGIN: Wales
Characteristics of the Sealyham Terrier
| Affection Level | Medium |
| Friendliness | Medium |
| Kid-Friendly | Medium |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Trainability | Medium |
| Intelligence | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | High |
| Amount of Shedding | Low |
History of the Sealyham Terrier
Originating from Wales in the United Kingdom, the breed was once one of the most popular of the terrier types. Their numbers have increasingly dwindled, however, and they are now considered an endangered breed.
The breed was created in the mid-1800s by an army captain named John Edwardes.He was looking for a small, robust and brave dog that could support his Otterhound pack in flushing the animals out of their lairs. Otters were considered pests that drastically decreased the fish stocks in his estate rivers.
It is thought he may have crossed breeds like the Bull Terrier, West Highland Terrier, and possibly even Dandie Dinmonts and Corgis to create the Sealyham. There are, however, no official records to confirm this.
The breed got its name from the Sealy Ham estate which was owned by Edwardes. The original breed was thought to be slightly smaller and more feisty than its modern-day counterparts. The English Kennel Club firstly recognized them in 1910.
By the early to mid 20th century, the breed was extremely popular in the United States too. They were regular winners of high-profile dog shows and were favorites amongst famous movie star owners. Some well known Saley owners included Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Hitchcock, Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart and even the Royal Family.
It is not really clear why their popularity waned, but they are now considered an endangered breed, despite often making good family pets.
Sealyham Terrier Care
Given the Sealyhams hunting background, it is no surprise that they are known for being brave, adaptable, spunky and full of character. They were also known for being good companions to their hunter owners, and this loyalty and affectionate remains present today too.
While they do enjoy the company of their people, they could be reserved, and sometimes even guarded with strangers. They often make excellent small guard dogs, although care should be taken not to let this characteristic get out of control. They could be noisy alert barkers and have even been known to guard prized possessions and food.
To prevent resource guarding or other problem behaviors surfacing, you should make sure that they have received appropriate socialization and training from an early age.
More Dog Breeds and Further Research
If you are a fan of terrier breeds, then why not also consider one of the following types of dogs:
- Wheaten Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
By doing your research on the different types of dog breeds out there, you will increase the chances of finding one that will enjoy being part of your home and lifestyle. This means they can have a propensity towards easily putting on too many pounds. At home, Sealies enjoy the affection of their owners, but they are quite an independent breed too, and they can have a typical terrier stubbornness about them.
Sealies are intelligent and respond very well to gentle, positive reinforcement training techniques. You may need to put additional training work in for the likes of recall, digging and minimizing their noisy barking.
Sealies are also often known as being the clowns of the terrier world. They love to play, and can be very goofy and endearingly humorous. This is among the traits that enthusiasts of the breed fall in love with.
Sealies have a thick double coat with water-resistant qualities. They do not shed much, but the coat can become matted and tangled if it is not brushed out regularly. Regular hand-stripping or clipping is also recommended.
They are known for the large quantities of hair that falls forward from their forehead, and it can impede their eyesight if this is not trimmed. A Sealyham Terriers coat is either completely white or mostly white but with lemon, tan or badger markings over their ears and face.
Common Health Problems
The Sealy, like many others from the Terrier Group, is generally considered a healthy breed. They do have a few inheritable conditions that they are predisposed to which include:
Allergies: The breed is known for having skin atopy allergies, although these are usually relatively mild and may be well managed.
Eye Problems: Good breeders will perform ophthalmic screening tests on potential parents, as Sealyham Terriers are prone to a number of eye conditions. These include Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eye and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Intervertebral Disc Disease: This condition, which involves discs pressing on the spinal cord, can be quite debilitating. Some dogs may show reluctance to exercise as much, jump up to their favorite spot on the sofa or go out to potty. In severe cases, they may start to drag their back legs, and paralysis can occur. It is important that, if you see any signs of discomfort, that you findk veterinary advice.
Diet and Nutrition
Sealies, are known to be foody dogs; they like their grub. Their hunting background means they can have a high prey drive.
You should always measure out your dog’s food portions, and don’t encourage free feeding. This is where the food is left out and always topped up. Make sure you use healthy training treats in moderation and keep your Sealy on a regular exercise regime.
Obesity can lead to a decrease in your dog’s quality of life and a host of other associated health problems.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Sealyham Terrier
Because the breed is rare, it could mean that you have to go on a waiting list or travel further to secure a puppy from a reputable breeder.
The American Sealyham Terrier Club could be a good place to start your research.
While Sealies will be rare in rescue, adopting a dog is an extremely rewarding experience. The Club has a rescue branch called the Sealyham Terriers Forever Foundation who would be worth reaching out to in the event that you want to offer a Sealy a forever home. Care should also be taken if you are introducing them to other small animals.
