Description

The Sealyham terrier is a small dog that thinks it is a big dog. On average, the Sealyham terrier stands about 101/2 inches at the shoulder and normally weighs approximately 24 pounds at maturity.

Other than markings on the head, the Sealyham should be all white but in some cases it is yellowish-white. The healthy coat is a double coat with a soft and dense undercoat and an outer coat that is hard, wiry and weather-resistant.

The breed has small dark eyes that should be bright and alert. The Sealyham terrier has thick brows, and thick whiskers that give the face a look of distinction and power. The nose is big and black.

It has been said that everything about the Sealyham indicates strength and power, even though the breed is small in stature. Its short legs are furnished with a high degree of strength in both bone and muscle. The back is level, and the short tail will most often stand up straight. The breed is exceptionally fast as a runner and can surprise owners with its agility and speed. The animal is usually very keen and alert to its surroundings.

Coat Description

The Sealyham terrier has a harsh, coarse, and straight double coat that is water resistant. The outer coat is hard and wiry, while the under coat is soft and dense. The Sealyham is a very minimal shedder.

History

This breed has an interesting history. The Sealyham terrier derives its name from Sealy Ham, Haverfordwest, Wales. Captain John Edwards developed this breed around 1848 as a hunting dog for vermin and fox.

Captain Edwards did not keep any records of his endeavors but later students surmised that the original terriers were probably descendents of white-haired terriers which Edwards' Flemish ancestors brought to Wales at the time of the Norman Conquest. It is also assumed he used a small white terrier resembling a bull terrier which is now extinct to begin the breeding.

The Sealyham's first recorded show appearance was in 1903 at a local affair in Wales and the breed was first imported to the U.S. in 1911.

Grooming

For non-show dogs, the Sealyham terrier requires clipping and trimming every few months to keep its coat short and free of mats.

When it comes to trimming and stripping, the Sealyham terrier requires professional trimming and stripping of the coat. Owners may wish to learn this task from a professional, but most owners prefer to have the work done by others.

On a general basis, they need to be brushed twice weekly to prevent mats from forming in their hair.

The teeth need to be kept clean as well. If the owner is not able to perform this grooming task, a pet salon should be used. Proper dental care is extremely important as it helps your pet to keep its teeth for as long as possible.

Special care should be taken when cleaning your Sealy's ears. For general cleaning, you can use baby oil and a cotton ball. Take special care to not go too far into the ear as you could damage the ear drum. It is best to gently wipe around the outer ear and remove any debris that you may find.

While grooming your Sealy, always take a moment to examine its eyes for any signs of problems or infections.

You should also trim your pet's nails once a week or so to prevent overgrowth. This is very easy to do. You will need a pair of animal nail clippers that can be found in most pet stores. Only trim the top portion of the nail and do not over cut into the nail.

The hair between the pads of the feet should be trimmed when it becomes long.

Baths should be given only when needed and you should use a mild shampoo. You may, however, use a dry shampoo as needed.

New dog owners can take a class on how to properly perform these tasks at most pet grooming salons. The tools and brushes needed for grooming the Sealy are readily available and affordable at most pet stores.

Exercise

The Sealyham terrier requires moderate exercise. They enjoy walks but they must be securely leashed or they will run off or get into fights with other animals. They thrive on family activities and play sessions.

The Sealy can be a very energetic animal when it is playing. Indoors it is usually rather calm and relaxed. Once it knows the family, it will play safely with children.

For exercise purposes, it is considered a Medium Level breed. It will enjoy hearty workouts but they should not be overly taxing to the animal. In general, a healthy animal will enjoy about 20 to 40 minutes of fun exercise before it tires out or loses interest. It is important to always remember that it will run after just about anything that it sees. For this reason a sturdy leash or fenced yard is all but mandatory.

Training

This breed can be a challenge. The Sealyham terrier has a tendency to be difficult to train. They are quick to learn, but they have also been known to try to undermine their master's authority. For the most part, they do well with early socialization and obedience training.

Sealyham terriers respond best to firm, fair, and consistent direction. They enjoy agility exercises and are enthusiastic participants in activities but they will run off if they decide to chase something.

Owners can use food and praise methods as forms of training but do not be surprised if these methods do not work all the time.

Physical punishment will not work with terriers and will only make them more difficult to train. Teasing will produce the same results. Demonstrating consistent leadership so that a Sealy respects your decisions is more important than advanced obedience exercises.

Because of their inbred temperament, it is often best to have the breed trained early on in life and this training may need to be performed by a professional who is knowledgeable about this particular breed. It should never be expected that the animal will be completely docile or lose its hunter instincts, but you can teach it to behave within certain boundaries if that training is conducted early on and performed correctly.

Life :: between 12 and 15 years

Litter Size :: up to 3 pups.

Group :: Terrier Group, AKC Terrier Group

Color :: The coat is all white, or may have lemon, tan, or badger markings on the head and ears. Coat may be more a yellowish-white than a pure white color.

Hair :: Long

Size :: Toy/Small

Shedding :: Lite Shed

Male Height :: 9 inches - 11 inches

Male Weight :: 22 lbs - 25 lbs

Female Height :: 9 inches - 11 inches

Female Weight :: 19 lbs - 24 lbs

Living :: The Sealyham terrier is best suited as an indoor pet but it loves to be outside for play and exercise. The breed does not make a good kennel dog that is left caged. It should not be left in an unfenced yard or unchained as it will almost certainly run off or get into a fight with other animals should the opportunity present itself. Because of its size and temperament it makes a good pet for apartment dwellings. With early training it can be housebroken. It should be noted, however, that Sealys are powerful diggers and will happily dig under a fence to get out of the yard. They will also dig in gardens if the mood hits them. The Sealyham is well suited for apartment and condominium living, but is equally at home in the country setting. They are not by nature a barking dog, but they do have a surprisingly deep bark. They will bark when strangers approach, but they will also bark if other animals approach the home or yard. Care should be taken if they are brought into a home with small children. This breed will snap and growl if provoked, which children will do to any animal. They are also happy to chase any other pets that you may have in the home. If you have a cat, rabbit, or hamster as additional pets you may want to reconsider adding the Sealy to the home.