Health
This is a hardy breed with few breed specific health problems. The two main hereditary problems highlighted by the American Sealyham Terrier Club are canine degenerative myelopathy (CDM) and an eye condition called lens luxation, for which there are DNA tests. CDM is a degeneration of the spinal cord in older dogs which can lead to the dog being paraplegic and losing the use of their hind legs. Lens luxation is a condition in which the lens slips out of position in the eyeball due to the weakening of the fibers that holds it in place. This in turn blocks the flow of fluids in the eye, leading to a painful increase in intra-ocular pressure glaucoma and often irreparable optic nerve damage, leading to visual field loss and eventual blindness.
As of November 2011, the Kennel Club has not highlighted any specific concerns regarding the breed's health to conformation show judges. Due to the low numbers of the breed, two of the most prevalent problems facing the breed today is the popular sire effect and the general problem of genetic diversity within the breed.
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