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Sealyham Terrier

alert / outgoing / sense of humor
Terrier Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

10.5 inches

Weight

23-24 pounds (male)

slightly less (females)

Life Expectancy

12-14 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    70% 70%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    70% 70%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Sealyham Terrier is a courageous and lively dog, but it lacks the spiky appearance of lesser terriers. The ‘fall,’ the mass of hair covering the forehead, distinguishes these tough, extroverted companions. Sealy admirers appreciate their dog’s witty sense of humor. Sealys are not large enough to be termed medium-sized dogs, standing less than 11 inches at the shoulder and weighing approximately 24 pounds, but they are among the strongest and most substantial of what we consider little dogs. A typical Sealy is muscular, built low to the earth, and moves quickly with long, deliberate steps. A long, broad head is adorned with profuse facial hair, and the waterproof coat is mostly white. Despite their reputation as short-legged terrier bruisers, Sealys are charming, humorous, friendly, outgoing, and trainable, albeit a little stubborn. Sealys are ideal watchdogs due to their attentiveness and big-dog bark. Sealys have a versatile disposition that allows them to live in either the city or the country.

What To Expect When Caring For a Sealyham Terrier

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

Allergies are fairly common in the breed, but they are rarely significant. Before breeding, possible sires and dams should be examined for a number of genetic eye illnesses. The American Sealyham Terrier Club provides thorough breed health information. Because of the breed's lengthy brows, non-genetic eye disorders like tears and infections might occur. A shorter brow fall is recommended if the dog is a pet. Ear infections can occur as a result of the weight and location of the ears, although keeping the ears clean is usually enough to avoid and maintain them.  
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Primary Lens Luxation(PLL)
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation
 

Grooming

Because Sealy coats mat rapidly, the breed's weather-resistant, double 'jacket' and profuse leg and body furnishings must be combed and brushed every two or three days. The coat does not shed but must be regularly hand-stripped or clipped. Pet Sealyhams can be kept short and with little furniture, making their care easy. Bathing once every three to four weeks is recommended. Washing at least the furnishings on a regular basis is required for Sealyhams in display coat. During grooming appointments, the nails should be cut on a regular basis, and the eyes and ears should be checked.

Exercise

Sealys enjoy running in a safe confined environment and getting plenty of exercises. They can overheat in hot, humid weather, therefore exercise should be done early in the morning and late in the evening. Grass stains are prevalent, and it may be required to wash and condition furnishings on a regular basis. Encourage Sealys to exercise so that they are tired but not fatigued, and they will be more peaceful around the house. Sealys can be highly energetic, and physical activity helps them to be better house dogs.  

Training

Sealys, like most terriers, require strict but not brutal training. The Sealy puppy should be socialized early on, being carefully introduced to a variety of dogs, people, and environments, which will assist to minimize dog aggression later on. Sealys can be food guarders, which needs to be addressed immediately. Never, ever let the dog get away with it.

Nutrition

The Sealyham Terrier should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or cooked at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Avoid feeding extra dyed food to a Sealy who competes in dog shows, as the dye tends to stain beards and may also color the urine, leaving hair yellowish. Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

History

The Sealyham Terrier was named after the Sealy Ham estate on the Seal River in southwestern Wales, where this strong and confident terrier was initially developed. The breed’s father was an army captain named John Edwardes, who retired at the age of 40 in the mid-1800s and spent the remainder of his life developing his ideal dog.

 

The Sealy’s primary mission was to assist the captain’s Otterhound pack. Otters were often thought to be pests that destroyed the fish population on huge estates like Sealy Ham. Edwardes bred his terrier to be hardy enough to dig razor-clawed otters out of their burrows. Edwardes left no written records of his breedings, and current experts debate on the exact genealogy of the captain’s original Sealys. The Bull, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White terriers are among the breed names included in their hypotheses. Whatever the actual breed combination was, the captain did an excellent job of producing a courageous, industrious hunter who was also a great company by the fire.

 

The years between the two wars were the breed’s heyday in America. In this era, Sealys won Westminster’s Best in Show prize three times, including the most renowned show dog of the Prohibition era, a Sealy dubbed Bootlegger. Their celebrity was bolstered further by A-list Hollywood owners such as Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, and Cary Grant.

 

Sealy popularity among pet owners has diminished since those heady days, which is perplexing given the breed’s numerous great traits. “They could be one of the best-kept secrets in dogs,” one Sealy fan speculates. Today’s terriers are larger and friendlier than Captain Edwardes’ original angry terriers. As therapy workers in nursing homes and children’s hospitals, their warmth comes in handy.