Frequently Asked Questions

Do Sealyhams get along with other dogs ?

The Sealyham was bred to work along other Sealyhams in hunting packs. The instinct of working and coexisting together is well intact in the Sealyham. A whole group of Sealyhams can live peacefully together. Being a dog of smaller size, it can become physically impossible for the Sealyham to stand abuse from more aggressive dogs & therefore some breed combinations in households may not be considered appropriate.

Are Sealyham barking dogs?

Sealys as a rule are fairly quiet, but they will bark to announce animal and human visitors. Sealyhams are keen listeners and will alert you to foreign noises and strangers.
What colors do Sealyhams come in ?

The body of the Sealyham is white. The head and ears may be colored. Colors range from lemon to tan and badger combinations.

Do Sealyhams shed?

Sealyhams don't shed very much fur at all, perhaps are much as you or I do. Essentially, the breed is a non-shedding dog, and the fur is removed by the owner either by stripping or by monthly clippering.

Does a Sealyham smell ?

The Sealyham is not a smelly dog. It produces a very low amount of dander, and there is very little oil in the coat. It has a very low level of doggie odor, and never smells ripe and gamey.

Are Sealyhams Hypoallergenic ?

No dogs are 100% hypoallergenic. All dogs produce dander and this is what people are allergic to. Sealyhams also produce dander, although they happen to produce it in very very tiny amounts. Therefore, this breed is a wise choice for an allergic person. Before deciding to buy any dog, it is wise to spend alot of time with them to ensure that you have no allergic reaction to them.

Grooming a Sealyham

The Sealyham is a double-coated breed & it requires regular coat maintenance.

The Sealyham "show coat" is routinely hand stripped; the long and dead hairs are plucked out by hand. The owner can learn to prepare the Sealyham coat for show, but it is complicated and requires study and time to learn to tricks of the trade. The stripping process is time-consuming and tedious, and is possibly best left to the professional groomers if the owner doesn't have the time or inclination to try.

The Sealyham "street coat" can be clipped for everyday, around the house purposes. The Sealyham can be kept looking smart and resembling his show-coated cousins with monthly clipping of the head, and topcoat, and scissoring of the legs and face.

No matter which style of coat you decide to maintain, the long & luxurious furnishings on the head, legs and chest require regular brushing to eliminate knots and tangles.

Are Sealyhams good with Children ?

Sealyhams are very good with Children. Given the Sealyham's playful attitude and outgoing personality, they are a natural companion for Children. Being a smaller dog, it is physically difficult for them to withstand an abusive child and they will protect themselves if pushed too hard. For that reason, families should wait to own a Sealyham until the child is old enough to respect the dog.

Do Sealyhams really have a sense of humor ?

Sealyhams are masters of making fun. The breed has a tremendous sense of humor and are always willing to play at the drop of a hat.

This particular scene captures the true Sealyham spirit that Sealy owners know and expect from their pets. Sealys popularized the word 'Yahoo' before anyone ever knew about the Internet.

How much exercise does a Sealyham need ?

The Sealyham is one of the few classic coach potatoes in the Terrier World. The breed needs a small amount of exercise; say a short walk or a romp in the garden. to satisfy its daily exercise and play requirements. The Sealyham is not recommended as a good marathon jogging partner, it prefers walks and hiking instead..

Health Problems

Sealyhams have few inheritable health problems. There are some tests for a few of these problems. Responsible breeders do try to reduce or eliminate problems from their breeding stock, but even with the most diligent of breeding programs, sometimes unknown genes creep into the breeding stock or combine in unexpected ways.

Flea Allergies and Skin Sensitivities

Sometimes Sealyhams are allergic to flea bites. In addition, the white coat is an attractive beacon to fleas, so extra care is required in fighting fleas. Some Sealyhams show no flea bite reaction at all, while others can be significantly more sensitive. Sensible flea control management is necessary in the home and surrounding premises to keep your Sealyham pest free. Sealyhams can be successfully treated with non-toxic prescription products such as "Advantage" and "Frontline" which eliminate the flea problem completely.

Those few Sealyhams sensitive to flea bites can suffer from other allergies to pollens and foods. Sensitive dogs are managed with removal of offending products (changing diets, for example), with anti-histamines and shampooing to remove plant allergens.

Females or Males. Which is the better sex?

There is a general opinion that female dogs in any breed are better suited for the family household than males. In the old days, that may have been quite true. These days though, the responsible pet owner who does not plan to breed or show his dogs should plan on spaying or neutering of the both the males and the females after the dog is reasonably mature, and at least one year old. With that accomplished, the males and females can get on with the job of becoming your companion and forget about the other worries in life. Over time, I have found that Sealyham males can be the more gregarious and outgoing of the sexes, and make delightful and loyal pets.

Long-Life

Sealyhams are known to live a fairly long life. With exercise, adequate nutrition, and love, it is not uncommon for the Sealyham to live 12-14 years.

 

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