POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR A PUPPY

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In 2023 the Royal Kennel Club ran a Be Puppywise Campaign and their research found  almost half of owners said that social media influenced their puppy buying decision, with four in ten admitting they bought their puppy ‘because it was cute’.​

• 46% said that they bought a puppy because of the way they looked.​

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Getting a dog is a long-term commitment and any decision should not be without proper research.

 

Bringing a Sealyham Terrier puppy (or indeed adult) into your home is a huge commitment. With excellent care many Sealyhams reach old age and a lifespan of 12-16 years is not uncommon. Please take plenty of time to carefully consider whether you can put your Sealyham's needs first throughout his/her life before continuing your search.

If you are new to Sealyhams you will want to spend time learning about the breed, perhaps by attending one of STC events this is a great way of meeting owners, breeders, exhibitors and their dogs. It is also worth stressing that, though small in stature, the Sealyham is definitely a big dog in a small package. They are family oriented, intelligent, loyal and playful. This brilliant little Welsh dog responds best to kind, consistent, clear guidance from their owners. If this guidance is missing, or inconsistent, you will find your Sealyham is firmly in charge of you in no time at all.

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The Sealyham Terrier Club aims to support responsible dog ownership and dog breeding. To find that perfect puppy you need to find the right breeder for you. There are many types of breeder out there and often the reasons for breeding will determine the quality of puppy you are going to get. Unscrupulous breeders and sellers can be difficult to identify and will go to great lengths to convince you they care about their dogs and the puppies they breed. In England these laws include:

 

Laws to Prohibit

• The sale of puppies under the age of eight weeks.

• The sale of puppies, of under 6 months of age, by anyone other than the puppy’s breeder.

• The sale of puppies, of under 6 months of age, except from the premises where it was born.

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Laws to Require

• Puppies to be micro-chipped before they go to their new homes and before they are 8 weeks old. The breeder should be the first registered keeper of the puppy.

• Puppies must be seen with their Dam.  

• Any breeder to have a licence if they breed more than 3 or more litters a year.

• Any breeder to have a licence if they run a business that breeds and sells dogs for profit.  A copy of the licence must be clearly and prominently displayed on any premises used for the licensed activity. This includes breeders who have fewer than three litters a year and sell the puppies at a profit. 

• Breeders that breed a small number of puppies and sell them without making a profit do not require a licence.​

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDER

Once a litter is born the breeder will want to meet your whole household, including any children, to learn more about you and see how you all interact with the dogs. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the breed and looking after a puppy. A reputable breeder will have many questions for you as you have for them. They will want to place each puppy in the most suitable, permanent home possible for that puppy and each puppy in a litter is different.
If the puppy is to be a companion only try to be open minded in terms of the colour and gender you will consider. 
 

You should expect to visit at least once before collecting a puppy. These visits are an opportunity to assess the overall health and well-being of the litter. Satisfy yourself that the puppies look robust and well-reared, with clean bright eyes, good bone, solid bodies and good coats. Are they playful and outgoing... eager to greet new people? You should be able to meet the puppies’ Dam and any relatives, will give a good indication of how the puppies will turn out, both physically and in temperament. Be aware it may not be possible to see their Sire as he may well be owned by another breeder. Ensure the environment is clean, with comfortable bedding, food and clean water, and that all the breeders dogs look healthy, clean and well. The breeder will not allow any puppy leave home before they are at least 8 weeks old.  Do not make any decisions until you have had time to consider everything you have learnt about the puppies and the breeder.  The breeder should be happy to give you time, within reason, to make up your mind about buying the puppy. They will commit to the return or help with the re-homing of the dog if it becomes necessary at any time throughout his lifetime.