Which is Better Between the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier?

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American Foxhound Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Foxhound and for the Sealyham Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Foxhound or the Sealyham Terrier.

American Foxhound versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Foxhound is a medium-sized dog while the Sealyham Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Foxhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Sealyham Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

American Foxhound versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Foxhound to the Sealyham Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier

FactorAmerican FoxhoundSealyham Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Life Span12 to 13 years12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners2/54/5
Easygoing4/52/5
Easy To Train2/53/5
Height21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulderUp to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Affectionate With Family4/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/54/5
Weight40 to 60 pounds22 to 24 pounds
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
General Health5/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight1/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan12.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$460No Data
Price Range$400 – $500No Data
Temperament Score100.0 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4656

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Foxhound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Sealyham Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the American Foxhound is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sealyham Terrier is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sealyham Terrier is a better pet than the American Foxhound. So, you should get the Sealyham Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier

    Below is a list of where the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are most different:

    • American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sealyham Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
    • American Foxhounds are very easy to groom. However, Sealyham Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier

    The American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are most similar:

    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are not easy to train.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Foxhound versus Sealyham Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier.

    American Foxhounds weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Foxhounds are 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Sealyham Terriers weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Sealyham Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Foxhound versus Sealyham Terrier

    The lifespan of American Foxhounds is between 12 to 13 years. The average lifespan of American Foxhounds is 12.5 years.

    The lifespan of Sealyham Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sealyham Terriers is 13.0 years.

    Sealyham Terriers live longer than American Foxhounds.

    Temperament of the American Foxhound Versus the Sealyham Terrier

    The American Foxhound has the same temperament score as the Sealyham Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Foxhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Sealyham Terrier is 100.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the American Foxhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Sealyham Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 2 American Foxhounds and 1 Sealyham Terriers.

    The Intelligence of the American Foxhound versus the Intelligence of the Sealyham Terrier

    `
    American Foxhound Sealyham Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 46 out of 130 dog breeds 56 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the American Foxhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Foxhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Foxhounds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Sealyham Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 56 out of 130 dog breeds. The Sealyham Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Sealyham Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The American Foxhound is more intelligent than the Sealyham Terrier.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Foxhound versus Sealyham Terrier

    American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Foxhounds shed more than Sealyham Terriers?

    American Foxhounds shed moderately.

    Sealyham Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Foxhound or the Sealyham Terrier

    American Foxhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Foxhound or the Sealyham Terrier?

    American Foxhounds are very easy to groom.

    Sealyham Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Foxhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sealyham Terrier?

    American Foxhounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Sealyham Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do American Foxhounds Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    American Foxhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Sealyham Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Foxhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Foxhound vs. Sealyham Terrier

    American Foxhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Sealyham Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Foxhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Sealyham Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Foxhound or the Sealyham Terrier?

    American Foxhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Foxhounds good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    American Foxhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Sealyham Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Foxhounds and Sealyham Terriers?

    American Foxhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Sealyham Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Foxhound Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?

    American Foxhounds are not easy to train.

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the American Foxhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Sealyham Terrier?

    American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Foxhound or the Sealyham Terrier?

    American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Foxhound versus Sealyham Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Foxhound and the Sealyham Terrier better suits you and your family.