Sealyham Terrier
Other names: 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.
Key facts about the Sealyham Terrier
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...
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 breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 3 - Terriers
Section
Section 2 : Small sized Terriers
Physical characteristics of the Sealyham Terrier
Adult size
Female : Between 12 and 12 in
Male : Between 12 and 12 in
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.
Type of coat
Mid-length to long, double, weather-resistant, hard and wiry.
Eye colour
Dark brown/black.
Description
While the Sealy is classed as a small dog, he’s definitely on the bigger side of the small breeds. His body is quite long and muscular, sturdy but set fairly low on the ground. His legs are short but robust, and his tail is medium in length. The head of the Sealyham Terrier is long and wide, with dark deep-set eyes, black noses, and big ears that are rounded at the tips.
Good to know
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.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Sealyham Terrier
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...

Is the Sealyham Terrier right for you?
take the testLifestyle
Compatibility
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.
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.
Shedding
This is a low-shedding breed.
Nutrition of the Sealyham Terrier
The Sealy will do fine on a high-quality dog food formula which is appropriate for its age (puppy, adult or senior).
Health of the Sealyham Terrier
Life expectancy
The Sealy is prone to some minor eye conditions but is generally a healthy breed, which lives on average for 13 years.
Strong / robust
Despite his small size, the Sealyham Terrier is a fairly strong and robust pooch.
Withstand heat
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.
Withstand cold
The Sealy copes well in colder temperatures but should still be kept indoors - this isn’t an outdoor-living dog.
Tendency to put on weight
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.
Common illnesses
-
Retinal dysplasia
-
Lens luxations
-
Chondrodysplasia
-
Luxating patella
-
Intervertebral disk disease
-
Deafness