Is the Dogo Argentino Better than the Sealyham Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Dogo Argentino Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino or the Sealyham Terrier

Dogo Argentino versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Sealyham Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Dogo Argentino belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Dogo Argentino versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogo Argentino 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.

Factor Dogo Argentino Sealyham Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Life Span 9 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2510 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 93 157

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dogo Argentino 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 a Dogo Argentino is 67 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Sealyham Terrier is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sealyham Terrier is a better pet than the Dogo Argentino. 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier are most different:

  • Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sealyham Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sealyham Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Sealyham Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom. However, Sealyham Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Dogo Argentinos have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sealyham Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Sealyham Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier.

    Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 inches 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.

    The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Sealyham Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dogo Argentino is 93 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sealyham Terrier is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Year Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank
    2020 93.0 148
    2013 no data 158
    2014 no data 169
    2015 no data 158
    2016 no data 155
    2017 no data 150
    2018 no data 164
    2019 no data 154

    Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Sealyham Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Dogo Argentino is prone to more genetic health problems than the Sealyham Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Dogo Argentino than for the Sealyham Terrier.

    3 health tests are recommended for Dogo Argentino while 2 tests are recommended for the Sealyham Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dogo Argentinos and in Sealyham Terriers.

    Dogo Argentino Health Problems

    Dogo Argentinos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dogo Argentino puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Dogo Argentino puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dogo Argentino breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dogo Argentinos for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogo Argentinos here.

    Sealyham Terrier Health Problems

    Sealyham Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Sealyham Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Sealyham Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Sealyham Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Sealyham Terriers for:

  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Sealyham Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dogo Argentinos and Sealyham Terriers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Dogo Argentino Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Dogo Argentino ranks 3 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 105 Dogo Argentinos, 3 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dogo Argentinos, and how common these diseases are in Dogo Argentinos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 3 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 16 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 85 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Sealyham Terrier Breed is Primary Lens Luxation problems.

    This is because the Sealyham Terrier ranks 4 out of 17 dog breeds for Primary Lens Luxation problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 542 Sealyham Terriers, 10 of them had Primary Lens Luxation problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Sealyham Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Sealyham Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 4 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dogo Argentino and in Sealyham Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier:

    Disease Dogo Argentino Rank Sealyham Terrier Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 3 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 16 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 85 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 4 out of 17 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Better for Apartment Owners than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogo Argentino or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Sealyham Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Sealyham Terrier

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Sealyham Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Sealyham Terrier

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Sealyham Terrier

    Dogo Argentinos 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.

    Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dogo Argentino that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dogo Argentino:

  • American Bulldog (78 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs American Bulldog.
  • Fila Brasileiro (80 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sealyham Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Sealyham Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Sealyham Terrier:

  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dogo Argentino and how the Sealyham Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dogo Argentino and of the Sealyham Terrier to other breeds:

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Pomapoo     Dogo Argentino versus Bullmastiff     Dogo Argentino versus Dutch Shepherd     Dogo Argentino versus Greyhound     Dogo Argentino versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Dogo Argentino versus Collie     Dogo Argentino versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Dogo Argentino versus Chinook     Dogo Argentino versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Dogo Argentino versus Harrier     

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Sealyham Terrier versus French Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Sealyham Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Maltese     Sealyham Terrier versus Cane Corso     Sealyham Terrier versus Vizsla     Sealyham Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     

    Conclusion: Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Sealyham Terrier better suits you and your family.