| Sealyham Terriers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Sealyham Terrier personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Sealyham Terrier, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "The Sealyham Terrier should be the embodiment of power and determination, ever keen and alert, of extraordinary substance."
Though not as boisterous as some terriers, the Sealyham is more independent and more self-willed.
One of the few terriers who is calm, relaxed, and undemanding indoors (though he can play the entertaining clown), the Sealyham Terrier does need his walks and an occasional romp -- but only in a safe, enclosed area, for he has strong hunting instincts and will pursue whatever runs.
He is devoted to his family, aloof with strangers, and can be scrappy with other animals.
His great stubbornness calls for early obedience training, but use food and praise methods and don't jerk this proud breed around. Physical punishment doesn't work with terriers, only leading to greater obstinacy and/or retaliation. Teasing will produce the same results. Demonstrating consistent leadership so that a Sealy respects your decisions is more important than advanced obedience exercises.
Possessiveness of food and toys is a potential behavioral trait that must be nipped in the bud. Sealys are powerful diggers with a surprisingly deep bark."
History
Developed in Wales, this hunter of fox, badger, and otter was named after his founder's Sealyham mansion near the Sealy River. The Sealyham was most popular during the 1920s and 30s, with famous owners including Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Richard Burton, and Alfred Hitchcock, whose own Sealyham Terriers appeared in his films!
Size
10-11 inches and 22-26 lbs |
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Sealyham Terriers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Sealyhams, and placid Sealyhams.
- Hard-headed Sealyhams, and sweet-natured Sealyhams.
- Serious Sealyhams, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Sealyhams, and Sealyhams who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Sealyham Terrier puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is a "big dog with short legs" i.e. built low to the ground, but with a robust body, heavy bone, and a strong temperament
- Is calmer and more dignified than most terriers
- Needs only moderate exercise
- Makes a determined watchdog with a surprisingly deep bark
- Doesn't shed that much
A Sealyham Terrier may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- One of the most self-willed and independent of the terriers
- Aggression toward other animals -- chasing instincts
- Regular clipping/trimming of the coat
- Waiting lists and a high price tag
A Sealyham Terrier may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Sealyham Terrier... |
My major concerns would be:
- Strong mind of their own. Sealyham Terriers are not Golden Retrievers. They must be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. Terriers are stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Defensive reactions. If you need to physically chastise a terrier, and you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, terriers (as a group) are more likely than other breeds to growl or snap. It may be because they were bred to become more fierce when their prey fought back, i.e. terriers are apt to "return pain" if they "receive pain." As an obedience instructor, I'm always extra careful when putting my hands on any terrier for a correction.
| I do NOT recommend terriers for small children. Many terriers will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. Many terriers are quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw). Many terriers are possessive of their food and toys and will defend these from all comers, including children. |
- Animal aggression. Like all terriers, Sealyham Terriers can be scrappy with other dogs of the same sex. They are a determined force to reckon with if they decide to initiate or accept a challenge to fight. And because of their hunting background, most terriers have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures. This can make for conflict if you own a cat. It may be much worse than that if you own a pet rabbit or hamster!
| Terriers cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that runs. |
- Grooming. Sealyham Terriers require clipping and trimming every few months, to keep their coat short and free of mats. But don't expect your pet Sealyham Terrier to look like the show dogs you've seen in books or on TV. That particular look takes hours of work by experienced show groomers.
- Finding one and paying the price. In the United States, fewer than 75 new Sealyham Terrier puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies.) And many breeders are charging $1000 and up.
| If you're considering an adult Sealyham Terrier... |
There are plenty of adult Sealyhams who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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