The Sealyham Terrier is a robust, rectangular built dog, slightly longer than they are tall with a long, harsh wire coat. The ears are attractively dropped forwards and when stripped and tidy, they feature an appealing beard and eyebrow combination that gives them a workmanlike appearance.
The Sealyham Terrier breed can be prone to:
- Primary lens luxation which is a condition where the lens moves from it's normal position in the eye which will result in vision loss and can cause pain.
- Total retinal dysplasia which is a condition where the back of the eye does not develop properly, which can lead to complete blindness.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- DNA test for primary lens luxation which tests whether or not a dog has the potential to be affected by this condition.
- Eye screening scheme
Full of character, the Sealyham is a ‘gentleman’ (in the personable yet slightly disreputable sense), game and fearless but loving and friendly towards those they know. Alert and quick witted, they will bark to attract attention, and are unlikely to hold back should another dog pick a quarrel! They make an excellent companion for those who understand terriers and how to get the best out of them!
| Family-friendly: | 4/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 4/5 |
| Easy to train: | 3/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 4/5 |
The Sealyham Terrier with their characterful appearance, is a working terrier, bred to go after otter, fox and badger and to quote a breed enthusiast ‘give as good as he got, or even better’!
Quite a recent breed, the Sealyham Terrier takes their name from Sealy Ham Mansion, in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. There in the 19th Century, Captain John Tucker-Edwardes decided to perfect his own line of working terrier. It is thought that the Captain used a variety of existing breeds including the Corgi, West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dandie Dinmont and the Cheshire Terrier in order to get the courageous, assertive and fearless dog he wanted.
Unfortunately, the Captain kept no records but it seems he only kept those dogs who worked well alongside his Otterhound pack, and culled those who didn’t come up to his demanding standards. After his death in 1891, their numbers declined until in 1908 a group of terrier enthusiasts (including members of the Tucker-Edwardes family) laid the foundations for the breed club - which was followed by The Sealyham Terrier and Badger Digging Association which was founded in 1912.
Since this time the breed has changed so much that it’s unlikely Captain John would recognise his breed today. The Sealyham Terrier has become both heavier and more docile and is one of the friendliest of the terrier dog breeds.
This rather retro terrier breed requires quick thinking and active owners as old fashioned the Sealyham may be, but they’re also a powerful and fast-acting terrier. Ideal owners will understand terriers, be capable of grooming a Sealyham regularly, and have sufficient training skills to ensure the Sealyham is the well mannered canine they ought to be. Suited to homes who can provide lots of exercise, and plenty of games to recreate traditional terrier activities. Not suitable for homes with very small children, or children who can’t respect a dog’s space.
A Sealyham will enjoy at least an hour of dog exercise per day and will especially enjoy being provided a variety of scents via different walking routes. Pay attention to keeping their mind occupied and satisfied via exercise and training, as they are an independent thinker who will make decisions for themselves if it looks like you are not up to the job or if they are bored!
A small dog, the Sealyham does not need a vast space to live in, however their coat is a mud-magnet and you’ll want somewhere suitable to let them dry off properly after a walk and space to keep on top of grooming. A secure garden is a must, as is access to a variety of interesting and secure walks.
Small dog breeds, such as the Sealyham Terrier, have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide.
Daily dog grooming will keep the non-shedding coat of the Sealyham Terrier tangle-free. Mats will otherwise develop, with the long, hard top coat and thick undercoat tangling together. Pay attention to beard/moustache as this area can easily mat with food/water/saliva. The coat is trimmed expertly for the show ring – a labour-intensive, skilled process that will take some practice to get right! Your breeder will help to advise you. Many pets are clipped uniformly all over.
Early dog socialisation to cats and other animals is vital but shouldn’t be relied upon. The Sealyham is fearless and willing to tackle anything they believe is a threat or that looks like fair game so you must work hard to ensure they do not find themselves in such situations. This terriers is easily trained if you understand the terrier mind and know how to motivate and engage them using food, and the opportunity to engage in inherently rewarding activities such as scent work, digging and ‘killing’ suitable toys.
Pay attention to teaching a solid recall and work hard on teaching a ‘quiet’ cue as they are inclined to bark!
A fun dog for the outdoor, active family with robust older children. The Sealyham is not given to tolerating manhandling or challenging treatment however and this may rule out smaller children who are too young to understand dogs or even older boisterous ones.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
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