Sealyham Terrier Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

It’s true that dogs can make a family feel complete, but that’s only if you have a dog that fits in well with all the members of the household and your overall lifestyle. The Sealyham Terrier is a dog that will almost definitely get along with everybody in the house.

Breed Overview

They are a type of one-size-fits-all because they don’t necessarily need a lot of space to be happy. It doesn’t matter if you have a 50-acre farm or are currently in a small city apartment. The Sealyham Terrier is going to make the perfect pet for almost any person or family who wants one. Of course, no dog is completely perfect, but this breed is definitely one that comes pretty close.

Sealyham Terrier Characteristics

Sealyham Puppies

New dogs owners spend a lot of time worrying about how a specific breed is going to adapt to their lifestyle. While each dog is different and you truly never know what could happen, most breeds tend to act similar to one another. Sealyham puppies are energetic dogs and do require exercise, but it’s not nearly as much as many other breeds you could have chosen from.

Despite their energy, Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train and socialize well with almost anyone so long as they’ve been exposed to them from a young age. While their overall health isn’t the greatest, they tend to live for a long time, with most aging between 11 and 15 years.

Even though no dog is perfect, we think that Sealyham Terriers are beautiful and friendly dogs that make the perfect pet for either singles, couples, or small families.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Sealyham Terrier

Not every new dog owner is going to be well-suited to specific breeds. That isn’t the case for the Sealyham Terrier. These dogs are excellent for new pet owners because they are overall very friendly yet still alert enough to be a good watchdog. These terriers are a bit stubborn, but they overcome that fault with their bold personalities and bravery.

The Sealyham Terrier is a bit more mellow compared to other Terrier breeds. They do tend to be a little nervous around strangers until they get to know them, yet they are still gentle and affectionate with their family and close friends. The key to keeping this breed happy is to give them daily exercise and keep their minds stimulated. When you burn off their excess energy during the day, they are more than happy to snuggle in your lap at night. Overall, they are friendly, outgoing, and a little bit sassy to keep things interesting.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Sealy are probably one of the best-kept secrets regarding the best breeds for families. These Terriers are playful and affectionate with both adults and children. Of course, they are better with older children who tend to be a bit more considerate of their boundaries and can play more nicely compared to other children. This is why socialization from a young age is important. You should also prioritize teaching your kids how to properly play and handle a dog from an early age.

The one thing that people tend to notice is that Sealyham Terriers are a bit possessive of food and toys, and they might get a little snappy if they aren’t trained well. Again, early socialization is key if you want them to fit into a family with very young children.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Most Terrier breeds are known for being aggressive towards other dogs. Sealy are probably the least dog-aggressive terriers in the world, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t ever snap. They also don’t let their size bother them and will pick fights with larger dogs if they feel they need to protect themselves or their family members. Again, this is often avoidable with proper training and socialization with other dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Sealyham Terrier:

Owning a dog is a privilege but also a major responsibility. They depend on us to give them the appropriate amount of food, nutrition, exercise, training, and medical attention. Without it, they tend to live short and unhealthy lives.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Most Sealyham Terriers do best when put on a diet of high-quality dog food. Whether you are purchasing a commercially manufactured brand or making their food at home, make sure to speak with your vet about a diet that works for them.

The diet of your dog should be appropriate to both their age and size. Dogs competing in dog shows should avoid foods with extra dyes that could stain their beards and other spots on their coat. This breed can also easily get overweight, so keep a close eye on their calorie consumption and use treats rarely or as an aid in training.

Exercise 🐕

Sealyhams don’t need to most exercise of all dog breeds, yet they do still enjoy as much as they can get. Take them for regular walks or allow them to run around inside a safely enclosed area. Be careful that they don’t overheat when out in hot and humid weather. If you spend a lot of time outside, be prepared to deal with a few grass stains on their bright white fur. You should, ideally, make them tired without being exhausted to make them calmer while inside the house.

Training 🎾

Almost all Terriers, Sealyhams included, require a firm but not harsh training experience. These dogs tend to be a little stubborn when it comes to learning new commands. Make sure to reward them with treats whenever performing well. Do not yell or hit your dogs at any point during the training because it may make them more aggressive in the future. Try to expose them to a wide range of animals, places, and people for their best chance at a healthy social life.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming standards are high with this breed because of their double-layered coat that requires brushing about once every two or three days. Their long hair mats very easily, and prevention is key to a healthy coat. They do not shed, but they will have to be clipped on a regular basis. Try bathing them once every three or four weeks and keep their nails trimmed when necessary. The groomer should keep excess hair from growing around the eyes and ears as well.

Health and Conditions 🏥

3 Little-Known Facts About the Sealyham Terrier

1. The first Sealyham Terriers were bred on the Sealy Ham estate in southwestern Wales.

The Sealyham Terrier didn’t make its appearance in the world until the mid-1800s. On the Seal River in Wales, an army captain named John Edwardes bred this dog after retiring at the age of 40. From then on, he spent his life developing his dream dog. Many believe that these Terriers have DNA from Corgis, Dandi Dinmonts, Fox Terriers, Bull Terriers, and some hounds.

2. The dog’s primary purpose was to hunt pests.

The real reason that this dog was bred was to hunt down otter packs that were depleting the fish populations in the area. Edwardes bred the terriers to be tough and strong. Eventually, they were used for hunting other animals like foxes and badgers.

3. They were first recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1910.

Sealyham Terriers weren’t officially recognized by the English Kennel Club until 1910, when they were first shown in a dog show sponsored by the Kennel Club.

Conclusion

You’ve been missing out if you’ve only recently heard about this amazing dog breed. Sealyham Terriers are the calmest of all terrier breeds. They are loving, affectionate, and feisty enough to keep the whole family entertained. Even with their few flaws, they make up for it with their loyalty and friendliness. While you should always take lots of time to consider if a specific breed is going to do well in your life, the Sealyham Terrier seems to adapt well to nearly all situations they’re put in.

Featured Image Credit: Ricantimages, Shutterstock