Sealyham Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier is a long, low, powerful terrier with a big head, a broad skull, and a squared, bearded muzzle. It stands no more than about 10.5 inches tall but is heavily built. The coat is long, hard, and mostly white, and some dogs have lemon, tan, or badger markings on the head and ears. The look is dignified and a little stern.

The breed was developed in Wales to hunt badgers, otters, and foxes, and it needed a body strong enough to take on tough quarry. Today the Sealyham is a rare breed, kept by people who value its rugged, level-headed character and its unusual appearance.

Temperament and family life

Sealyhams are known for a calm, steady disposition that surprises people who expect a typical busy terrier. They are friendly, attached to their families, and moderately playful. With children they are generally tolerant, though they do not enjoy being manhandled.

They are watchful with strangers and bark when something happens, but they are not nonstop barkers. Many tolerate other dogs but can be firm and quarrelsome with those that challenge them. As with all terriers, the chasing instinct remains, so small animals are at risk. A Sealyham likes to be near its people and may become mournful or destructive if left alone too long.

Exercise and training

The breed has moderate exercise needs: a daily walk or two and some play. Sealyhams enjoy sniffing, digging, and exploring a garden. They are less demanding than many terriers but should not be allowed to become overweight.

Training takes patience. The Sealyham is intelligent, but it can be stubborn and slow to respond when it does not see the point. Short sessions with food rewards and a good-humored, firm approach work best. Early socialization teaches manners. Housebreaking may be slow, and the dog needs a secure fence since it will dig.

Grooming and shedding

The long, hard coat sheds little but requires considerable grooming. Brush and comb two or three times a week, paying attention to the beard, skirt, and legs, which mat and collect debris. The coat is traditionally hand-stripped, and pet dogs are often clipped by a professional every couple of months.

White coats show dirt and stain around the mouth and eyes, so the beard needs frequent washing. Clean the ears, trim nails, and brush teeth.

Health

The Sealyham has some known health issues. Primary lens luxation, retinal dysplasia, and other eye conditions affect the breed, and deafness is reported in white dogs. The long back and short legs predispose some dogs to intervertebral disc disease, so weight control and avoiding hard jumps are sensible. Skin allergies occur. Because the breed is rare, a small gene pool makes careful breeding choices important, and reputable breeders screen eyes, hearing, and hips.

These notes are general information, and a veterinarian can advise on the health of a specific Sealyham Terrier.

History

The Sealyham is generally traced to Captain John Edwardes, who developed the type in the nineteenth century at his Sealyham estate in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He is said to have selected for courage in the field and a white coat that was easy to see. The breed was widely fashionable in the early twentieth century, particularly among celebrities, but numbers have since dropped sharply, and it is now considered a vulnerable breed in its homeland.

Is the Sealyham Terrier right for you?

A Sealyham suits people who want a rare, characterful, moderate-energy terrier and who can manage grooming costs and a stubborn streak. It adapts to a house or an apartment with regular walks. It is less suitable for those who want an eager-to-please dog or who have small pets.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Skye Terrier are similarly long and low, and the West Highland White Terrier is a lighter white terrier. The Cesky Terrier has part of its ancestry in the Sealyham.