Sealyham Terrier

Grooming Tips

The Sealy has a long, weather-resistant double coat that doesn’t shed much but requires stripping or clipping in addition to regular brushing or combing with a slicker brush, pin brush, or stainless steel Greyhound comb (that’s a brand name, not a type of comb used on Greyhounds). Be sure you brush or comb all the way down to the skin. The beard requires daily combing to keep it clean.The breed’s weather-resistant, double “jacket” and profuse leg and body furnishings must be combed and brushed every two or three days, as Sealy coats tend to mat easily. The coat does not shed but must be hand-stripped or clipped on a regular basis. Pet Sealyhams can be kept trimmed short with minimal furnishings, which makes their care easier. Bathing every three to four weeks is a good idea. For Sealyhams in show coat, washing at least the furnishings frequently is a must.Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease. Small dogs are prone to dental problems as they age, so brushing more frequently is encouraged. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear the toenails down naturally.

Exercise Tips

Sealys love to run in a safely enclosed area and enjoy plenty ofexercise. They can overheat in hot, humid weather, so exercise is best in the early morning and in the evening. Grass stains are common, and it may be necessary to wash furnishings and condition often. Encourage Sealys to exercise so they get moderately tired, but not exhausted, and they will be calmer in the house. Sealys can be very active, and exercise helps them be better to house pets.With this said, Sealy puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing. This includes not letting a dog jump up and down from furniture or going up or down the stairs. Too much pressure placed on their joints and spines at an early age could result in a dog developing serious problems later in their lives.

Feeding Tips

Because the Sealy is small but active, he needs a diet of high-quality, dry food. Feeding dry kibble can help to prevent oral hygiene problems such as bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Be sure to feed the Sealyham Terrier the proper amount of food as indicated on the bag as Sea lies have a tendency to overeat and become overweight.If you get a Sealy puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.Older dogs are not known to be fussy eaters, but this does not mean they can be given a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

The average life span of a Sealyham Terrier is 12 to 15 years. Sealies are pretty healthy dogs however; they do have some health issues that are common within the breed. Progressive retinal apathy, lens luxation, cataracts, glaucoma and lacrimal punctual aplasia seem to be problematic for this breed. Sealyham Terriers are also prone to having back problems which can be very debilitating.

Trainability

Sealyham Terriers are not for softies who are prone to bend the rules. Training should begin early and should be conducted with excited praise and lots of treats in order to keep him interested. Harsh discipline will cause a Sealyham to simply disregard you and your rules. Absolute consistency is a must in order to raise a well behaved Sealyham Terrier, as they see rule-bending as an open invitation to take over.Sealies were bred to hunt small animals so they do remarkably well at Earthdog competitions. Being the mellowest of the terriers, this breed can be wonderful therapy dogs as well as family companions. Of course, with a lot of hard work, the Sealy can do well in obedience trials as well as in the breed ring.

The name Sealyham Terrier honors the Sealy Ham estate on the Seal River, in southwestern Wales, where this sturdy and confident terrier was first bred. The father of the breed was an army captain named John Edwardes, who in the mid-1800s retired at age 40 and spent the rest of his life developing his dream dog.The breeds Edwardes used in his quest were probably Corgis, Cheshire Terriers (a now-extinct type of Bull Terrier), Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Fox Terriers, and West Highland White Terriers. The resulting small white dogs became known as Sealyhams, after Edwardes’ estate.Today’s Sealyhams are active in conformation shows as well as in agility, obedience, tracking and other working and performance events. They also are wonderful therapy dogs and entertaining family pets. For a fairly small dog, Sealyhams have a big bark and are good watchdogs. This is not a common breed, but despite its rarity, it does extremely well in the show ring. It has become less aggressive and much friendlier with its introduction to the companion dog world.