The Sealyham was developed in Wales in the middle of the 19th century by Captain John Edwards.

This breed was crossed the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Corgi, Wirehaired Fox Terrier and the Bull Terrier to produce the Sealyham we know today.

The dogs were developed to go to ground after badger, fox and otter. The white coat helped the hunters distinguish the dog from the pray.

This breed has an interesting history......
The Sealyham terrier derives its name from Sealy Ham, Haverfordwest, Wales. Captain John Edwards developed this breed around 1848 as a hunting dog for vermin and fox.

Captain Edwards did not keep any records of his endeavors but later students surmised that the original terriers were probably descendents of white-haired terriers which Edwards' Flemish ancestors brought to Wales at the time of the Norman Conquest. It is also assumed he used a small white terrier resembling a bull terrier which is now extinct to begin the breeding.

The Sealyham's first recorded show appearance was in 1903 at a local affair in Wales and the breed was first imported to the U.S. in 1911.
• Professional grooming is needed with this breed. They have a medium-long coat that require care.
• They shed very little or no hair.
• Hypo-Allergenic.
• Affectionate, loving, loyal and independent.
• Spirited and brave.
• Often described as "The Most Beautiful Union between Cheerfulness and Courage".
• Not as fiesty as most other terrier breeds.
• Can be reserved with strangers.
• Generally good with other pets.
• Need good socialization.
• Establish pack leadership with this otherwise 'alpha' dog personality.
• Not good left for long stretches of time. Can develop separation anxiety, dog aggression and obsessive barking.

• A strong, low to the ground dog.
• Can be more difficult to train, therefore, require strong, calm, patient training.
• Needs a good owner with dog training skills, to prevent a dominant personality developing.
• Love to hunt, track and are good watchdogs.
• Good at catching small rodents, mice and rats, so do not leave alone with a family pet mouse, hamster or smaller
pet.
• Not great with young children but do well with older kids.
• Sealyhams are 'pack' dogs. They appreciate being a key part of the family and love companionship with other dogs.

Temperament

The Sealyham terrier is a strong-willed breed and it often has a mind of its own. Because of this, they should be trained early in life to obey commands and to learn that you are the master, not they. As you may know, this breed was once used to kill vermin and this aggressiveness has not been lost to the breed over the ages.

As with most terriers, the Sealyham terrier can be very stubborn and dominant in a willful way. This type of inbred attitude makes them unsuitable for some owners. Owners who are looking for a pet that will do tricks and be entertaining in that type of way may do better to look at other breeds as the Sealyham terrier may prove to be disappointing in this regard.

It should be noted that the Sealyham terrier will growl or snap if it feels provoked or if it simply does not want to do something. This should be kept in mind if the home has small children in it. This behavior, while annoying to the owner, should be regarded as an inner trait of the breed. This is one reason why the Sealyham terrier was so well adapted at hunting. The animal will fight back if it feels it is being threatened.

The Sealyham terrier can be scrappy with other dogs of the same sex. They will happily get into a fight with other dogs if provoked, and sometimes will be the aggressors. It is important to understand that because of their hunting background, most Sealyham terriers have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures, and this includes the family cat or other pets.

While all of the above is true, it is also true that the Sealyham terrier can be very loyal and faithful to the family that owns it. They are usually somewhat aloof with strangers but this fades as they get to know the people.

The stubbornness that this breed has requires early obedience training. You should not tease this animal. Possessiveness of food and toys is a common behavioral trait that should be corrected early on.

Health Problems

One of the most important Health issues for the Sealyham Terrier is the potential for getting an eye disease that is known as lens luxation. All Sealy owners should stay alert to the possible symptoms of the onset of lens luxation. The disease tends to appear most frequently in dogs 3-4 years old and older. If you suspect lens luxation, you may only have a matter of a few days to get a diagnosis and treatment to save the eye.

If you notice any of the following symptoms you should call your vet immediately:
Excessive pus-like matter in the corner of the eye
Indications of pain or discomfort in the eye
Changes in the inside appearance of the eye

Other than the above, the Sealy is a healthy, hardy animal and does not contract illness or disease as some breeds tend to do. When properly cared for the breed will remain healthy for years.

Exercise

The Sealyham terrier requires moderate exercise. They enjoy walks but they must be securely leashed or they will run off or get into fights with other animals. They thrive on family activities and play sessions.

The Sealy can be a very energetic animal when it is playing. Indoors it is usually rather calm and relaxed. Once it knows the family, it will play safely with children.

For exercise purposes, it is considered a Medium Level breed. It will enjoy hearty workouts but they should not be overly taxing to the animal. In general, a healthy animal will enjoy about 20 to 40 minutes of fun exercise before it tires out or loses interest. It is important to always remember that it will run after just about anything that it sees. For this reason a sturdy leash or fenced yard is all but mandatory.

Training

This breed can be a challenge. The Sealyham terrier has a tendency to be difficult to train. They are quick to learn, but they have also been known to try to undermine their master's authority. For the most part, they do well with early socialization and obedience training.

Sealyham terriers respond best to firm, fair, and consistent direction. They enjoy agility exercises and are enthusiastic participants in activities but they will run off if they decide to chase something.

Owners can use food and praise methods as forms of training but do not be surprised if these methods do not work all the time.

Physical punishment will not work with terriers and will only make them more difficult to train. Teasing will produce the same results. Demonstrating consistent leadership so that a Sealy respects your decisions is more important than advanced obedience exercises.

Because of their inbred temperament, it is often best to have the breed trained early on in life and this training may need to be performed by a professional who is knowledgeable about this particular breed. It should never be expected that the animal will be completely docile or lose its hunter instincts, but you can teach it to behave within certain boundaries if that training is conducted early on and performed correctly.