Sealyham Terrier Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Sealyham Terrier is a purebred dog that originated on the Sealy Ham estate in Wales in the mid-19th century to hunt otters, foxes, and badgers. These sturdy terriers are alert and adaptable dogs that have a bit of a stubborn streak.

Breed Overview

They are considered one of the largest small dogs and have long bodies and short, little legs. Sealys have weatherproof, double coats with a lot of fur covering their foreheads and are white with tan, badger, or lemon markings. Their ears are small, triangular, and floppy, and they have a copious amount of fur that covers their underside.

Sealyham Terrier Characteristics

Sealyham Terrier Puppies

Finding a Sealyham puppy in North America is a bit of a challenge as they are slightly more rare in this part of the world. You should be absolutely sure to avoid puppy mills and only deal with a reputable and responsible breeder. A quality breeder will let you visit their facilities before asking for any payments. They should also share the puppy's health information with you and let you meet the puppy's parents or siblings.

The Sealyham is an energetic dog that is very healthy and has a long lifespan. They are friendly, social dogs with other animals but might be wary of strangers. They are relatively easy to train as long as the owner is firm but gentle.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Sealyham Terrier 🧠

The Sealyham is a calm yet active dog that will enjoy chasing anything that moves. They are terriers and will enjoy digging and exploring, plus they make great watchdogs.

The Sealy is highly intelligent but can be independent in nature, so patience is essential with this breed. They are very devoted and loving dogs that bond with their families and they can be wary of strangers.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Sealys make excellent family dogs but would do best with older children who know how to be gentle with dogs. They have outgoing and funny personalities, which will make them great playmates and companions for the entire family. There should always be supervision with younger children, and all children need to be taught to respect dogs.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Sealyham does get along with other pets, but only if they are socialized at a young age and have been raised with these pets. Their socialization should include being introduced to as many other dogs as possible.

Things to Know When Owning a Sealyham Terrier:

Food & Diet Requirements

Your Sealy should be fed a high-quality dog kibble (like this one), but how much and how often you feed them will depend on your dog’s age, activity level, and size. Once you’ve settled on a dog food, you can consult the guidelines on the back of the food bag to help you determine the amount you should be feeding her every day.

Try not to give your dog too many treats and double-check with your vet regarding what kinds of people food are okay for your dog to eat. If you’re ever concerned about your dog’s health or weight, always consult your vet.

Exercise 🐕

The Sealy is an active dog and does require lots of exercise. However, this can be accomplished by allowing her to run around in an enclosed space. Bear in mind that the Sealy does not do well in hot weather, so be sure to only exercise her in the early mornings and evenings. Don’t exercise your Sealy to the point of exhaustion, just until she’s reasonably tired. If she’s tired, she’ll be calmer inside the house.

Training 🦮

The Sealy has an independent streak, so training should be accomplished with firm but gentle patience. They have a tendency to be food guarders, and they must be trained against this immediately. Again, socialization is absolutely key with this breed.

Grooming ✂️

Sealys have weather-resistant double coats with long fur on their legs, undersides, and heads. They need to be groomed 2 or 3 times a week in order to prevent mats. The Sealyham does not shed, but they need to be hand-stripped (the process of pulling hair out by the roots, which allows a new coat to grow. This does not hurt the dog if done properly) or clipped down regularly. Only give your Sealy a bath about once a month with a good dog shampoo.

You should clean your Sealy's ears about once a month, and trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks. Their teeth should be brushed about 2 or 3 times a week.

Health Conditions ❤️

Male vs Female

The Sealyham is generally no larger than 10.5 inches in height and weighs about 23 to 24 pounds. Females tend to be smaller and lighter than males and could be closer to 20 to 24 pounds.

The most obvious difference is in the biology of the dog. If you decide to have surgery for your Sealy, spaying the female is a more complex operation than neutering the male, so expect a longer recovery time and to pay a little more. One of the most significant advantages of spaying or neutering your dog is it helps to give her a longer life as it prevents future health conditions. It can also make your dog less likely to run away and lessens most aggression.

Another difference between males and females is in temperament, but there are debates about this. It is generally believed that females are easier to train and more affectionate than males, but there will always be exceptions to the rule. The main determinate for personality and behavior will always be how the puppy was socialized and trained and how the adult dog has been treated throughout her life.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Sealyham Terrier

1. Their friendly natures make them perfect for helpful work.

The Sealy has been known to be used for helping people in nursing homes, as therapy dogs, and in children’s hospitals.

2. They love to chase.

Sealys will chase almost anything small that moves. This can include the usual squirrels as well as birds, rabbits, cats, and even other dogs.

3. The Sealy was bred with a white coat for a specific purpose.

Because the Sealy was bred to hunt smaller animals in Wales, hunters bred them specifically with white coats in order to identify them in the field and tell the difference between their terrier and prey.

Conclusion

The Sealy is an adorable and sturdy terrier that is both hard-working and independent and enjoys spending time with their family.

There aren’t many Sealyhams in North America but finding a breeder can be as easy as doing a quick Internet search; however, you should expect to pay extra for shipping. If you opt to use a dog rescue, there are breed-specific rescues like Sealyham Terriers Forever Foundation. Otherwise, speak to your local or national dog club, attend dog shows, and post your interest in finding a Sealy on social media.

This energetic, clever, and loving dog will make a fantastic companion for the right family if you’re lucky enough to find one.

• See Also: 12 Types of Terrier Dog Breeds & Their Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock