Let's talk Sealyham Terriers
The word ‘terrier’ brings to mind a lively, spry dog and the Sealyham Terrier, while an extremely rare variety, does not disappoint. Hailing from Pembrokeshire County in southwestern Wales, they are sparky, plucky dogs, originally bred for pest control and to hunt small game. Sealyham Terriers were popular with the Hollywood set after the first World War, but are now rather endangered as a breed. With their near-ideal temperaments – content when with others, can be left alone a bit – and smarts, the world would do well to ensure this exceptional canine continues on.
Official name: Sealyham Terrier
Other names: Welsh Border Terrier, Cowley Terrier, Daeargi Sealyham
Origins: WALES (UK)
| Drooling tendencies |  |
Warm weather? |  |
| Shedding level |  |
Suited to apartment living? | |
| *Energy Level | low to moderate | *Friendly pet? |
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| Compatibility with other pets | |
*Can stay alone? |  |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behavior. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs).
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
Male
31 cm
Height
8 - 9 kg
Weight
Female
31 cm
Height
8 - 9 kg
Weight
| Baby age | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age | 2 to 10 months |
| Adult age | 10 months to 8 years |
| Mature age | 8 to 12 years |
| Senior age | From 12 years |
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Get to know the Sealyham Terrier
All you need to know about the breed
A rare breed these days, what the Sealyham Terrier is missing in size, they sure do make up for in oomph and verve. Low to the ground, muscled, and full of beans, they have tails that bring to mind an old-time shaving brush and hair around the face and mouth that is somehow longer than the hair found elsewhere on their long bodies. Invest in a good brush if you are lucky enough to get your hands on a Sealyham Terrier; their lavish, weatherproof coats – and yes, that long facial hair – need regular brushing to stay looking their best. And untangled!
The big draw? That canine clownish character. Sealyham Terriers manage to have lot of personality while also pulling off an elegant calmness about them. They can keep up with active children (once trained, of course) and endless play. But they are also equally easy-going, snuggly members of the household during downtime. They have been called “the couch potato of terriers”.
The only downside to this once plenteous breed is how hard it is to find a Sealyham Terrier these days. They are on the UK Kennel Club’s endangered breed list. Interest in these wonderful dogs can only help boost their numbers. And add Sealyham Terrier joy to any lucky owner’s life.
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2 facts about Sealyham Terriers
1. I dig therefore I am
Terriers are known as hole diggers, whether during a chase or just because they can. The Sealyham Terrier’s name goes a long way to explaining this trait: the word “terre” in French (from terra in Latin) means earth or soil. The dogs were actually named for being ‘soil dogs’. Perhaps the digging is inherent! Be sure that, if your dog spends time in a fenced in garden, the fencing goes deep into the ground lest they handily dig themselves an escape route.
2. A star is born!
After the first World War, Sealyham Terriers had their Hollywood heyday, that’s for sure. Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, Agatha Christie…all were Sealyham Terrier owners. Alfred Hitchcock owned 4 in his life, one of whom made a guest appearance in Mr. Hitchcock’s film, Suspicion, in 1941. Cary Grant was a Sealyham Terrier devotee too, and had the good humour to name his dog Archie Leach, the actor’s given name.
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History of the breed
Hailing from south-west Wales, the Sealyham Terrier was developed in the mid-1800s in order to quarry smaller, hard-to-track-down game. They were bred by one Captain John Tucker Edwardes, and named for the captain’s home - you guessed it, Sealyham.
The plucky, little white terriers found a following quite quickly, with the first of the breed appearing in a show ring in 1903, and the first Sealyham Terrier Club formed in 1908. The breed was first recognised by the UK Kennel Club in 1910 with the American Kennel Club (AKC) following suit in 1911. The Sealyham Terrier went far, fast!
At one point, there were hundreds of Sealyham Terriers entered in dog shows, with the breed winning Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show four times. Sadly, while those in the know knew, the general public never took to the breed with the same gusto. While a superb companion dog with an even-keeled, self-assured character, Sealyham Terriers numbers remain low around the world. Hopefully, that will change.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Sealyham Terriers
1. Body
Compact, well-muscled body with a long, broad powerful head.
2. Eyes
Dark, deep set eyes.
3. Coat
White double coat consisting of a dense undercoat, with wiry and weather resistant outer coat.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Sealyham Terrier
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Caring for your Sealyham Terrier
Grooming, training and exercise tips
With their thick, white double coats and tufts of long hair here and there, Sealyham Terriers should be brushed three times a week to keep tangles at bay. Attention, this is a shedding breed! Hand-stripping, the practice of removing dead hairs to aid the natural shedding process, keeps the Sealyham Terrier’s coat in good form though some owners let a professional groomer take care of this time- and labour-intensive task. Bathing should happen only when they get muddy (that low belly does pick up a lot of dirt on walks). Trim nails regularly to prevent splits, and brush teeth often, ideally daily, for optimal dental health. When it comes to exercise, Sealyham Terriers aren’t as full-on as other terriers; two good walks per day will do it. Watch that your Sealyham Terrier doesn’t need to jump to get up or down stairs (or couches) so their long backs don’t get strained. They’ll always be up for an outing with their humans though their still-strong prey drive means keeping them on leash. As a former working breed, training a Sealyham Terrier should go smoothly. Highly intelligent and sensible, they respond best to firm yet kind commands but will shut down if discipline is too tough. Using food rewards? They’ll definitely trade a task for a treat, taken from their daily kibble portion, of course.
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All about Sealyham Terriers
A generally steady dog, Sealyham Terriers can growl with dogs they don’t know, even when much bigger in size. (Big dog attitude!) Although, is it a form of aggression or just a natural wariness? Once they feel things out, it will usually be smooth sailing from there. Sealyham Terriers are great with children once trained, and make for a devoted, affectionate companion.
That’s a yes. Sealyham Terriers do shed quite a bit. While regular grooming will help keep those beautiful white locks in check, this might not be the ideal pet for the extremely vacuum-phobic.
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Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/