Sealyham Terrier
Other name: Sealy
Are you a lover of terriers but wish they were a little calmer and more docile? The Sealyham Terrier might just be your perfect match! This quirky dog was originally used to hunt small game, but has since become popular as a loving companion dog. While the Sealy (as he’s often known) still loves a good walk and enjoys exploring, he’s far less active and calmer within the home than most other terriers. Known for his clownish personality and great sense of humour, this breed makes for a wonderful pet and/or working companion - though it’s worth noting that this breed is extremely hard to come by nowadays.
Life expectancy |
The Sealyham Terrier has a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years |
Temperament |
|
Size |
Small
|
Adult size |
Female
Between 12 and 12 in
Male
Between 12 and 12 in
|
Adult weight |
Female
Between 18 and 20 lb
Male
Between 18 and 20 lb
|
Coat colour
Mostly all white, but sometimes with lemon, tan, brown, blue or badger marks. |
White |
Type of coat
Mid-length to long, double, weather-resistant, hard and wiry. |
Long Hard |
Eye colour
Dark brown/black. |
Brown
|
Purchase price |
The Sealyham Terrier costs between £500 and £1100 |
Sadly, the Sealy is an extremely rare breed and is scarily close to extinction. To find one, you’ll need to get in touch with a breeder and be prepared to wait.
More details about the Sealyham Terrier
Sealyham Terrier: Origins and history
Captain John Tucker developed the Sealyham Terrier in the 1800s on his estate, Sealyham (hence the breed name) in Haverfordwest, Wales. He was looking for a dog who could hunt for small but hardy wildlife such as foxes and badgers. The breed quickly gained popularity over in England and was especially loved by the rich and famous, including the British royals. Although the breed was popular in the early 1900’s, it’s now an extremely rare breed.
FCI classification of the Sealyham Terrier
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Group 3 - Terriers
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Section 2 : Small sized Terriers
Sealyham Terrier: Characteristics
Sealyham Terrier: Behaviour
Training a Sealyham Terrier
This breed, like most terries, is known to be a bit troublesome in the training department. Due to his independent nature, the Sealy requires firm and consistent leadership - otherwise, he’ll quickly try to get the upper hand. Positive reinforcement is the best method, so use plenty of healthy treats and praise.
Sealyham Terrier: Lifestyle
Breed compatibility Sealyham Terrier
Sealyham Terrier: Purchase price
Expect to pay between £500 for Non-KC Registered dogs, and £1100 for KC-Registered dogs. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £50 to £80 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Sealyham Terrier: Shedding
Light
This is a low-shedding breed.
Sealyham Terrier: Grooming
The Sealy’s beautiful, wiry coat needs brushing 2-3 times per week - otherwise, you’ll be faced with an endless mine of knots! Many owners of this breed choose to have their dog regularly clipped to make the coat more manageable. Remember to brush the Sealy’s teeth and check and clip its nails every 2-3 weeks, as well.
Sealyham Terrier: Health
The Sealy is prone to some minor eye conditions but is generally a healthy breed, which lives on average for 13 years.
Despite his small size, the Sealyham Terrier is a fairly strong and robust pooch.
The Sealy has a thick double coat, meaning he can overheat in the sunshine. Provide access to fresh, cold water and shade. Most Sealy’s would simply prefer to retreat indoors in hot weather.
The Sealy copes well in colder temperatures but should still be kept indoors - this isn’t an outdoor-living dog.
This breed can be prone to gaining weight if under-exercised. He’s often known as the ‘couch potato of terriers’ and needs encouragement to remain active, especially in his elder years. If the Sealy becomes overweight, he’ll be highly prone to back problems.
- Retinal dysplasia
- Lens luxations
- Glaucoma
- Chondrodysplasia
- Luxating patella
- Intervertebral disk disease
- Deafness