Sealyham Terrier puppies

About the Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier was created in Wales for badger and otter work, wanted short, powerful and white so that they could be seen clearly and never mistaken for quarry. They weigh 10.4 to 10.9 kg and stand about 27 cm, low slung and heavily built for their height, with a weatherproof double jacket and profuse leg and body furnishings. They are calmer and more equable than most terriers, though the stubbornness and the enthusiasm for digging are entirely intact.

Moderate exercise suits them: a safely enclosed area to run in and enough activity to tire them without exhausting them, taken in the early morning or evening because they overheat in hot, humid weather. The coat mats easily and needs combing every two or three days, plus hand stripping or clipping on a schedule. They are rated four out of five for barking and three with children, so supervision and socialisation apply. Owners often let the grooming slide, then face a badly matted dog.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Sealyham Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Primary lens luxation, detectable by DNA test on both parents
• Retinal dysplasia and other inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
• Skin allergies, which are fairly common in the breed and diagnosed by veterinary work up
• Eye irritation and tearing caused by the long eyebrow fall, reduced by keeping it trimmed shorter on pet dogs
• Ear infections from the weight and set of the ears, prevented by regular cleaning
• Congenital deafness, detectable by BAER testing

Your Sealyham Terrier puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Sealyham Terrier.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 10.4 to 10.9 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 10.9 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other small breeds

More on the Sealyham Terrier

Previous: Scottish Terrier · Next: Segugio Italiano

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Sealyham Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sealyham-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Dr. Sabine Schumann, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.