At a glance the quick version
FCI gives approximate weights: about 9 kg for dogs and 8.2 kg for bitches.
Royal Kennel Club: over 10 years. Wikipedia gives an average of 13.1 years.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, hard, wiry double coat
A low, sturdy terrier with a lot of substance for its size and an oblong outline. It wears a long, hard, wiry topcoat over a weatherproof undercoat, with a 'fall' of hair over the forehead.14
Personality what they are like
Alert and fearless like any terrier, but friendly and a little more laid-back than many small terriers, with a playful, mischievous streak.14
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Up to an hour of exercise a day.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs daily grooming; the coat hardly sheds, is combed through regularly and is hand-stripped for showing or clipped for pets.23
Home where they are happiest
Suits a small house or larger with a small to medium garden; adapts to town or country.23
Company who they like around
An outgoing, affectionate companion that enjoys family life.41
The story where it all began
Captain John Edwardes developed the breed between 1850 and 1891 at Sealyham House in Pembrokeshire, to work alongside Otterhounds against otter, badger and fox. It was first shown in 1903, gained Kennel Club recognition in 1911 and was a fashionable show and companion dog in the 1930s and 1940s.23
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Alfred Hitchcock had Sealyhams and is seen walking two of them in his film The Birds (1963).3
- 2
Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant all owned the breed.3
- 3
Maurice Sendak based the heroine of his 1967 book on his Sealyham, Jennie.3
- 4
The breed takes its name from Sealyham House in Pembrokeshire, where it was created.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 74, Group 3 Terriers, Section 2 Small-sized terriers, without working trial.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Terrier group, recognised 1911; listed as a vulnerable native breed.2
- AKC
- Recognised breed; American Sealyham Terrier Club founded 1913.3
Popularity Ranked 168th of 202 AKC breeds in 2024; UK registrations fell to 43 puppies in 2008 and were 49 in 2011.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Sealyham Terrier. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 74 Sealyham Terrier fci.beused for origin, classification, size, coat, colours, temperament
- The Royal Kennel Club: Sealyham Terrier royalkennelclub.comused for lifespan, exercise, grooming, home size, vulnerable status, history
- Wikipedia: Sealyham Terrier en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, lifespan, history, fun facts, popularity
- AKC: Sealyham Terrier akc.orgused for temperament, fall of hair
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.