Sealyham Terrier

Captain John Edwards, a huntsman during the nineteenth century, bred a dog in the hopes of developing a canine with impeccable hunter skills. After forty years of development, the Sealyham terrier emerged and was first introduced to the Sealyham Estate. It was strategically bred with white coat feature, so the hounds would not confuse it for their prey as it hunts under the quarry. The Sealyham terrier proved to be a successful breed as it is extremely good at hunting badgers, otters, and foxes.

Unfortunately, no record of its exact breeding programme could be found. Its specific breed origin is unidentifiable, but it could be classified with the Terrier family. The Sealyham terrier was documented by the Kennel Club UK in 1911. However, there is no rise in its number since then. It was not until the 1920s when the breed found its popularity in the UK.

Sadly, over the years, the breed numbers registered with the Kennel Club fell. As a result, the Sealyham terrier is considered a vulnerable native breed.

The Sealyham terrier has strong features with short legs and boasts noticeable presence. The average height of both male and female could range up to 30 cm with an average weight of 8–9kg.

For such a small dog breed, it has sturdy hindquarters, strong front legs, and muscular back legs with well-developed thighs.

The Sealyham terrier possesses a long and hard top coat with a much softer undercoat texture. The Kennel Club has registered its breed colour as white, white and badger markings, white and blue markings, white and tan markings, and white with black markings.

The Sealyham is not as fierce as compared to the other terrier breeds, but instead it is calmer by nature. However, bear in mind that even with its laid-back attitude, it still needs constant exercise and activities. This breed loves to hunt and would protect its territory.

It is known to be an independent dog, but loyal to its family. Inheriting from the terriers, it has a pretty high prey drive. It is smart, a fast learner, independent, and often stubborn that requires training lessons. For that reason, it is not the best choice for first-time owners.

Just like any other dogs, the Sealyham terrier needs socialisation, so it will grow up to be an outgoing mature dog. Gradual exposure to noises, people, and other animals are recommended after it has been fully vaccinated. Keep your eye on your dog during public walks because it is naturally curious and could wander alone.

The Sealyham terrier’s food should be balanced and rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to help him grow healthy and strong. Proteins are needed for the development of your Sealy’s tissues, organs, and muscles. Proteins also help to prevent illnesses. The proteins must be of high quality and should compose of more than 25 per cent of his daily food requirement.

Glucids make a vital contribution to your Sealyham terrier’s healthy growth. Glucids are generally found in cereals and a good source of energy. Essential fatty acids are also important for the development of your Sealy’s nervous and immune system. Essential fatty acids should be preferred as a source of energy rather than carbohydrates. They are easily digestible and provide vitamin for your Sealy. Calcium is also needed for healthy bones.

The Sealyham is quite athletic, so opt for an excellent-quality dog food that will replenish his energy. Choose one that is specifically created for his age, breed, energy levels, and size. If you are having difficulties in deciding, ask the vet for help.

Do not go for commercial dog food. Whilst it is a cheap option, it contains insufficient amounts of calories and nutritional content. It can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies in your dog. Other commercial dog food brands also contain dubious ingredients such as preservatives, which can harm him. Fresh water should be available throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

Follow a set mealtime consistently, and feed the same food that your Sealyham terrier is used to in order to avoid stomach upsets. A Sealyham puppy must be fed three to four times a day, whilst an adult Sealyham terrier can be fed twice a day.

For a two- to six-month-old Sealyham puppy, feed 125–173 g of food daily, depending also on its size and activity level. For a seven- to ten-month-old Sealyham, feed 121–132 g of food daily. When it turns eleven months and beyond, it can be given adult dog food.

The adult Sealyham weighing 8 kg should be fed about 115–134 g of food daily, also taking into consideration its activity level. For a Sealyham terrier that weighs 9 kg and above, the daily recommended portion ranges from 126 to 146 g.

The average Sealyham’s lifespan is between twelve and fourteen years. Although a sturdy canine, this breed is known to be affected by the following health conditions:

• Primary lens luxation (PLL)
• Congenital deafness

As a dog created to hunt, the Sealyham terrier should be exercised for at least forty to sixty minutes every day. The more tired this pooch is, the happier it will be, so going beyond the minimum time is a welcome treat.

If you are interested in purchasing a Sealyham Terrier, you would need to go on a waiting list as this breed is rare in the UK. The price for a well-bred Kennel Club-registered pedigree puppy is at least £600. To ensure it stays healthy at whatever age, you will need to feed your dog high quality dog food and treats, which can set you back £20-£30 a month. You would also need to spend on dog accessories such as leads, collars, eating bowls, crates, beds, and toys. The combined initial cost for these things is estimated at £200.

Moreover, you need to consider paying for pet insurance to offset veterinary bills in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. Depending on where you live and your dog’s health and age, a time-limited cover can cost £24 a month while a lifetime one can cost up to £44 a month. Generally, insurance companies do not cover routine veterinary consultations, initial vaccinations, boosters, and neutering or spaying, so you may also have to spend an additional £800 annually for these services.

On average, the minimum cost to care for a Sealyham Terrier is £50-£80 per month depending on your pet insurance premium. This estimate does not include the rates for other services such as walking and grooming.