The Sealyham Terrier of Wales is beauty and elegance personified because of its entirely white body and fluffy appearance. One of its identifying features that adds to its grace is the streaks of hair falling on its forehead, almost reaching its eyes.
Small in size with a sturdy built, its oval-shaped eyes, slightly folded ears, and bushy beard makes it look all the more adorable.
It is said to be an outcome of crossing several purebreds like the Dandie Dinmont, Corgi, Wirehaired Fox Terrier and West Highland White Terrier.
Like most other terriers, the Sealy was developed to hunt small games and control the vermin population. However, it eventually showed versatility and excelled as loyal companions, bonding intimately with their masters. Their alert nature and deep, loud bark at the sight of any intruder raised them to the stature of efficient guard dogs.
Sealyham Terriers, being in the list of the Kennel Club’s Vulnerable Native Breeds, is rare at present. However, if you have managed to acquire one, get prepared for a fantastic experience with an affectionate dog that would always be on the lookout to keep you of harm’s way. They would turn into your kid’s fabulous playmate, too. However, keep the smaller ones out of their reach as the Sealy has a reputation for being boisterous.
Besides the mass, they have also been popular among the class, mostly the British Royal Family and Hollywood celebrities like Deborah Kerr and Humphrey Bogart. The likes of Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock also owned the Sealyham Terrier. Charmin, a pride of the Sealy clan has many titles to its credit as it won several competitions, including the Eukanuba National Championship (2007) and World Dog Show (2008).
Captain John Edwardes went on to develop this breed at the Sealyham House in Pembrokeshire
It was exhibited for the first time at a show ring in England
The Kennel Club (UK) recognized it officially
The American Sealyham Terrier Club developed
The breed featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s film Suspicion
There was a fall in the registration of new puppies in the Kennel Club (UK) to as low as 43
Ranked 150th out of AKC’s 190 breeds
They are adaptable and can live both in spacious homes and apartments. All you need to do is give them sufficient exercise no matter wherever you keep them so that your little dogs remain their cheerful and happy self. A brisk walk with enough scope to run around in a fenced yard or even indoors would help the Sealy stay active.
During the hotter months, take them out early in the morning or evening to avoid overheating.
They have a double weatherproof coat, hard and wiry on the top, and soft and dense within. So, you need to work hard to keep its coat in good condition. Brush it at least two to three times a week as its hairs get tangled quickly.
Take extra care in combing the hair on its legs and forehead, as well as its mustache and beard. Its wiry coat should be hand stripped to make room for new hair to grow. You could do it at home or even go to a professional groomer in case you face difficulties.
Trimming its hair, particularly those on its forehead, on a routine basis would prevent them from getting into its eyes, lessening the chances of infections. This breed is more prone to eye and ear infections, so checking them from time to time would eliminate chances of the same.
Bathe it once in 4-6 weeks, and wash its furnishings frequently if your dog has a show coat.
High-quality dry dog food with balanced nutrients would help to keep the Sealy healthy. If planning to take your dog to shows, then refrain from giving it foods with excess dyes as it could stain its beard and turn its hair yellow. When giving your dog store-bought food Royal Canin and Pedigree are among the better options.
They respond well to training but need firm handling because of the terrier-like stubbornness they sometimes display. Training the Sealys to be obedient by teaching them basic commands right from the start would help them behave in a disciplined way.
Though amicable and outgoing, they could get aggressive with other dogs, and sometimes strangers too. This can be corrected with proper socialization training.
