Eddie is an unofficial Sealyham Terrier ambassador.
The Welsh breed are considered a vulnerable breed due to their dwindling numbers.
Sealyham Terrier have earned a reputation for being energetic and fun dogs.
Their hypoallergenic coats is perhaps their most famous quality.
In a bid to learn more about these unique terriers, we spoke to Eddie (@sealyhameddie) to learn more about the breed.
Eddie spoke to us about the temperament of Sealyham Terriers, as well as whether they shed a lot.
Follow our dogs Copper and Skye on Instagram here (@lifewithkleekai).
1) How did your first hear about the Sealyham Terrier?
Eddie the Sealyham Terrier (Photo: @sealyhameddie / Instagram)
As a small child, my Mr had a Sealyham Terrier called Pippin as a family pet but my Mrs had never even heard of them until they met! She saw a pack of working Sealyhams on TV a few years ago and was smitten! The breed has been very famous in the past and was owned by numerous Hollywood film stars, such as Gary Cooper, Cary Grant and Elizabeth Taylor; famous people like Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock and Sealyhams were even part of the royal family as Princess Margaret had some!
2) What attracted you to the breed?
My humans never thought they’d acquire a Sealyham as we are a ‘vulnerable native breed’. After months of researching, they finally ended up at a Sealyham show, and just knew that Sealyhams were the breed for them. They said Sealyhams seemed much calmer, quieter and friendlier than many of the other dogs they’d met! Although we’re quite strong and robust, they wanted a dog they could pick up and that wouldn’t overpower Mrs E as she’s not very big! Plus we are a very handsome breed, with huge black noses, alert, expressive eyes and smiley faces – they just couldn’t resist.
3) Did you find it difficult to find a Sealyham Terrier breeder?
It wasn’t too difficult here in the UK. There are often new Sealy pups available if you are willing to look around, travel and sometimes wait. It’s good to contact clubs and other Sealyham owners as they will help you out. Social media has been great for this.
4) Can you give us an insight into Eddie’s personality?
I think I’m a typical Sealyham Terrier – bursting with personality! I am charming, funny, affectionate, adventurous, entertaining, inquisitive, loyal, brave and obviously very, very modest!
5) Are Sealyham Terriers difficult to train?
Eddie the Sealyham Terrier (Photo: @sealyhameddie / Instagram)
I’ve heard a rumour that we are stubborn but we are also intelligent, eager to please and of course, like to show off! We’ll do anything for a treat! Sealyhams can also be used as working dogs and take part in agility work too!
6) Do Sealyham Terriers get along with other dogs?
On the whole, yes. We are a pack animal and once we make friends, if we get on, we’re friends for life! That said, I do sometimes bark at other dogs, unless they are lovely ladies!
7) Do Sealyham Terriers shed?
Barely. We can be handstripped which produces a wiry coat or clipped like my good self and have a soft, fluffy and slightly curly coat. Show Sealyhams often have longer hair on the face and tummy, but I am kept shorter for ease of care. We are also hypoallergenic and don’t tend to smell too ‘doggy’!
8) Are Sealyham Terriers active dogs?
Eddie the Sealyham Terrier (Photo: @sealyhameddie / Instagram)
We certainly can be! We are very versatile and enjoy exercise, especially running around, tootling, snuffling and digging. However, once that’s done, we also love to sit on the sofa and have a cuddle or a snooze – because of this we have been called ‘The couch potato of the terriers’!
9) Do Sealyham Terriers like to swim?
Some do but I prefer to just have a paddle, get wet then dig about in the dirt!
10) How much do Sealyham Terriers cost?
Puppies can cost anything from £600 up to £1,500 depending on whether they are KC registered.
11) What questions do you get asked by people who meet Eddie out and about?
Most people ask if I am a Westie or a Scottie. That does seem to be a common question with many Sealyham owners. I also get asked if I’m a puppy, because of my jovial, gregarious nature!
12) What is your favourite story/memory Eddie?
Eddie the Sealyham Terrier (Photo: @sealyhameddie / Instagram)
There are so many and lots of these are captured on my social media pages. I love to live life to the full, try to advocate ‘being more dog’ and enjoy the simple things. I love travelling and having little adventures – especially in France where I have spent many weeks. However, my fondest memory is when we met up with my Mum, Snoop and three of my five siblings last year. It was lovely to see them all again, have a good sniff, the odd bark and meet their people. Hopefully, we’ll get to meet up again this year too!
13) Would you recommend a Sealyham Terrier to a first-time owner?
Yes. My humans are ‘first timers’ and seem to manage! I’ve taught them well! We make fabulous family members and companions. We are very loyal, gentle, fun and love children. I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t have at least one Sealyham!
14) Is there a tightknit Sealyham Terrier community?
The Sealyham community is friendly and helpful. Social media such as Facebook allows Sealy folk to ask and give advice, share funny stories and photographs and is a great support network.
15. What other Sealyham Terrier accounts would you recommend?
There are so many! We are very photogenic and full of character so we really suit having our own accounts! Here’s a few I’ve seen most recently…
• @albie_dumbledore
• @neddyandlola
• @sealyhamwhinnieanddoris
• @asealyhamforall
• @sealyhamadventurers
• @sealygram
• @sussexsealyhams
• @gailwescott_sealyham_terriers
• @clooneythesealyham
• @tedthesealy
• @sealyhamdylan
• @lilytheseal
• @harrywynston
• @sealyham_george
• @sealyinseattle
Sealyham Terriers pros and cons
Eddie the Sealyham Terrier (Photo: @sealyhameddie / Instagram)
Pros
• Sealyhams make wonderful family pets as we have an affectionate, charming and entertaining nature.
• We are hypoallergenic, barely shed fur and tend not to smell doggy – or maybe that’s just me!
• We are very versatile and adaptable – we enjoy joining in with whatever our people are doing.
• We’re not ‘yappy’ dogs (I only bark when its necessary!) and even though we think we’re massive units, we can be easily picked up (which is good for cuddles and being elevated onto and over walls!)
• Sealyhams can look different too – the show dogs tend to have longer coats with skirts and more facial hair, the working Sealyhams usually have shorter coats and no skirt. I tend to sport a shorter pet look.
Cons
• It has been said we can be stubborn and like our own way! Well, who doesn’t? We have quite a high prey drive which means I like to try and chase squirrels and birds, though I wouldn’t know what to do if I actually caught one!
• Our coats are naturally white but we tend to enjoy digging in the filth with our big paws and beardy faces…so we need grooming and cleaning fairly regularly!
