Sealyham Terrier

Full of character, the Sealyham is a ‘gentleman’ (in the personable yet slightly disreputable sense), game and fearless but loving and friendly towards those they know. Alert and quick witted, they will bark to attract attention, and are unlikely to hold back should another dog pick a quarrel! They make an excellent companion for those who understand terriers and how to get the best out of them! 

The Sealyham Terrier with their characterful appearance, is a working terrier, bred to go after otter, fox and badger and to quote a breed enthusiast ‘give as good as he got, or even better’!Quite a recent breed, the Sealyham Terrier takes their name from Sealy Ham Mansion, in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. There in the 19th Century, Captain John Tucker-Edwardes decided to perfect his own line of working terrier. It is thought that the Captain used a variety of existing breeds including the Corgi, West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dandie Dinmont and the Cheshire Terrier in order to get the courageous, assertive and fearless dog he wanted. 

Small dog breeds, such as the Sealyham Terrier, have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide.

A Sealyham will enjoy at least an hour of dog exercise per day and will especially enjoy being provided a variety of scents via different walking routes. Pay attention to keeping their mind occupied and satisfied via exercise and training, as they are an independent thinker who will make decisions for themselves if it looks like you are not up to the job or if they are bored!

Health and common issues

The Sealyham Terrier is generally a healthy and robust breed. Like many breeds they can suffer some inherited eye conditions and so eye testing recommended.

Space requirements

A small dog, the Sealyham does not need a vast space to live in, however their coat is a mud-magnet and you’ll want somewhere suitable to let them dry off properly after a walk and space to keep on top of grooming. A secure garden is a must, as is access to a variety of interesting and secure walks.

Training sealyham terriers

Early dog socialisation to cats and other animals is vital but shouldn’t be relied upon. The Sealyham is fearless and willing to tackle anything they believe is a threat or that looks like fair game so you must work hard to ensure they do not find themselves in such situations. This terriers is easily trained if you understand the terrier mind and know how to motivate and engage them using food, and the opportunity to engage in inherently rewarding activities such as scent work, digging and ‘killing’ suitable toys. Pay attention to teaching a solid recall and work hard on teaching a ‘quiet’ cue as they are inclined to bark!

Best family dog breeds

A fun dog for the outdoor, active family with robust older children. The Sealyham is not given to tolerating manhandling or challenging treatment however and this may rule out smaller children who are too young to understand dogs or even older boisterous ones. While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

Did you know?

• Whilst many terriers can claim to exist due to the whims and desires of the noble classes, the Sealyham Terrier can lay claim to some very interesting human ancestry indeed! Their founder, Captain John Tucker-Edwardes was descended from the 16th century Admiral Thomas Tucker R.
• N., who it is claimed killed the famous Pirate Blackbeard. Whether that is true or not, he did go on to capture various Spanish ships laden with rich cargoes, meaning either he was a privateer (legal pirate) or simply a pirate himself! Subsequently, the Sealyham has been owned by a very long line of royals and film-stars, including the Queen Mother, and Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock and two of his Sealyham’s had a cameo role in his 1963 film ‘The Birds’.