Sealyham Terrier

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Need to Know

  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Extra training required
  • Generally healthy breed
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Small dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires frequent grooming
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual
  • Could have issues with unknown dogs but gets along with known dogs
  • May need additional training to live with other pets
  • May need additional supervision to live with children
  • Needs a small yard or can happily live in the city
  • Can be left alone occasionally with training
  • AKC Registered Breed
Sealyham Terrier dog breed standing on the grass with eyes covered by fur

Personality

Calmer and more adaptable than other Terrier breeds, the Sealyham is outgoing, friendly, and cheerful. They can be aloof with strangers but are devoted to their families. Independent and often stubborn, they are prone to digging when bored. Funny with a good sense of humor, they are playful and engaging dogs that do well in both city and country life. 

The Sealyham Terrier dog, originally bred in Wales, was created by Captain John Edwardes in the mid-1800s. They are likely a mix of the Wire Fox TerrierPembroke Welsh Corgi, and other breeds. They came to America in the late 1800s and they became status symbols, although they aren’t as popular of a breed now. 

The Sealyham Terrier is active and clever and appreciates those characteristics in an owner. They are powerful and quick on their feet, and ideal owners will understand Terrier behavior. Well-mannered at home with proper training and socialization, they do best with homes with older children or no children.

Lots of sniffing, walking, and off-leash running will satisfy a Sealyham Terrier. They enjoy training and games but can be independent thinkers, and need owner engagement.

Small and compact, the Sealyham Terrier breed doesn’t need a lot of space to thrive and can do well with city living. However, their coats do pick up and hold mud, making a space to dry them off and clean them up a good idea. A fenced-in yard or access to lots of walks is ideal.

Mats can develop in the Sealyham Terrier’s coat easily, so it’s important to keep them tangle-free by brushing. Groom their beards and mustaches well. They are considered hypoallergenic dogs.

Early and ongoing socialization, especially around other animals, is ideal. Sealyham Terriers can be fearless dogs and ready to jump into action, so it’s important to socialize them to make them confident around other animals. They train easily if you can motivate them correctly; they can be food-motivated. Scentwork and digging are two pastimes they enjoy. A solid recall and “quiet” command are also good to have

Families that are outdoorsy and looking for a dog with spunk will enjoy having a Sealyham Terrier dog. They do best with older children who can respect their boundaries.

The cost of a Sealyham Terrier from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.

puppies and kittens

Learn more about feeding and caring for your Sealyham Terrier on Purina.

Did You Know?

  • The founder of the Sealyham Terrier, Captain John Edwardes, was a descendant of Admiral Thomas Tucker, famed for killing the pirate Blackbeard.
  • The Queen Mother owned a Sealyham Terrier dog, as did Alfred Hitchcock, who put two of his dogs in the 1963 film The Birds.