Sealyham Terrier

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-14 years
The Sealyham Terrier is a very healthy dog breed with no major health problems. As with any dog, this breed may be susceptible to some of the more common health concerns below.

Back problems may develop if the Sealyham Terrier becomes overweight, so you must be sure he is receiving plenty of exercise and is not overfed.

The Sealyham Terrier may experience some eye issues such as retinal dysplasia or lens luxation. Retinal dysplasia is the result of a malformed retina at birth, but symptoms are generally mild with no loss of vision. Lens luxation occurs when the ligament holding the lens in place deteriorates, resulting in the lens becoming dislocated. This condition is treatable with medications or surgery, and the eye may need to be removed in severe cases.

The average Sealyham Terrier has a lifespan of 12-14 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Sealyham Terrier is friendly, observant, and humorous. Although he shares many similarities with his fellow terriers, he is calmer than most and tends to be more well-mannered.

If he receives daily walks, the Sealyham Terrier can live contentedly in an apartment. He also enjoys playing games and spending time outdoors. Although his exercise needs are moderate, they are important to ensure that he does not become bored, depressed, or destructive. When you take your Sealyham Terrier for walks, a secure leash is essential. If your Sealyham Terrier spends time alone in a yard, a secure fence is also a must. Bred to hunt game such as foxes, otters, and badgers, the Sealyham Terrier is passionate about chasing other animals, even his fellow dogs. Sealyham Terriers do not like hot temperatures and should be kept indoors in extremely warm weather with access to air conditioning or fans. He also enjoys digging, so either designate a digging area in your yard or supervise him when he is outdoors. Training may also help with this behavior, but digging can be a difficult habit to break for the Sealyham Terrier.

The Sealyham Terrier is highly loyal to his family and loves their companionship. He is particularly good with older children who know how to behave appropriately with a dog. He is extremely possessive of his toys and belongings, so children must be taught not to take his toys or food. He can live with younger children but should be supervised, as he may nip or growl if mishandled. His occasionally goofy sense of humor does make him a good playmate. If raised with other animals, the Sealie can coexist with them peacefully, although he does have a tendency to be dog aggressive, particularly with unfamiliar dogs of the same sex. He tends to be reserved with strangers and can make a good watchdog. The Sealyham Terrier has a loud, deep bark, and like most terriers, he may voice it frequently. However, he can be taught a “Quiet” command to address this behavior.

Socialize the Sealyham Terrier early and often by exposing him to a wide variety of people, places, sights, sounds, and pets. This will help minimize inappropriate behavior in many social situations and experiences.

Training the Sealyham Terrier can be a challenging endeavor due to his independent and stubborn nature. Demonstrate that you are the dominant leader of the household through firm, consistent enforcement of your rules and expectations. At the same time, do not treat the Sealyham Terrier harshly, because he is a proud dog who will not respond well to this tactic. Use positive reinforcement such as favorite treats, extra games or playtime, and encouraging praise when earned. The Sealyham Terrier can be particularly stubborn when it comes to house training, and crate training is recommended for this breed.

Grooming

The Sealyham Terrier’s medium-long double coat should be brushed at least three times weekly to avoid tangling. The coat will need to either be hand-stripped or clipped every few months. Although hand-stripping can be a long and tedious process, clipping leads to increased shedding. In general, the Sealyham Terrier sheds minimally. Do not expect your Sealyham Terrier to look like the show dogs on television; that look is the result of hours of work by professional groomers.

Bathe the Sealyham Terrier as needed, and trim his nails regularly to prevent overgrowth and cracking. Check his ears each week for signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, and odor. Brush his teeth at least 2-3 times weekly to prevent bad breath and maintain good health.

Diet

The average Sealyham Terrier should consume 1 1/8- 1 3/8 cups of high-quality dry dog food daily, preferably divided into at least two smaller meals. Remember that the ideal type and amount of food for your own Sealyham Terrier will depend on factors such as age, weight, metabolism, activity level, and build. Be sure to monitor food consumption to prevent excessive weight gain or other related health issues.

Ensure that your Sealyham Terrier has access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times, especially in hot weather.
 

Find A Sealyham Terrier Breeder

Sealyham Terrier Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Sealyham Terrier

Cost

The Sealyham Terrier is extremely rare and difficult to find, with fewer than 75 puppies registered in the United States annually. If you do manage to track down a reputable breeder and reach the top of the waiting list, expect to pay an average of $1,000-$2,000 for your puppy. Price may vary according to breeder location and reputation, gender, quality of the puppy, and pedigree.

If you locate a Sealyham Terrier to adopt, expect adoption fees to cost up to $175, depending on your location.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Sealyham Terrier ranks a 2.5. There are many benefits to selecting this dog breed: he is very healthy, has low to moderate exercise needs, and is calmer and more well-mannered than most terriers. However, he can be aggressive with other dogs and loves to chase smaller animals, his coat requires some extra maintenance, and he is strong-willed and potentially difficult to train.

 

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