Is the Finnish Lapphund Better than the Sealyham Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Finnish Lapphund Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund or the Sealyham Terrier

Finnish Lapphund versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Finnish Lapphund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Finnish Lapphund versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund Sealyham Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Weight 33 to 53 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 157

    *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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Sealyham Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are most different:

  • Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom. However, Sealyham Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Finnish Lapphunds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Sealyham Terriers do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Sealyham Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier.

    Finnish Lapphunds weigh 33 to 53 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Lapphunds are 17 to 20 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.

    The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Sealyham Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Sealyham Terrier is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Year Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 171 158
    2014 173 169
    2015 169 158
    2016 173 155
    2017 173 150
    2018 161 164
    2019 165 154
    2020 165 148

    Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Sealyham Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the Sealyham Terrier.

    6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 2 tests are recommended for the Sealyham Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Finnish Lapphunds and in Sealyham Terriers.

    Finnish Lapphund Health Problems

    Finnish Lapphunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphunds for:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphund Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Finnish Lapphund ranks 74 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 Finnish Lapphunds, 3 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 74 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 86 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 90 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 119 out of 198 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 Finnish Lapphund and in Sealyham Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier:

    Disease Finnish Lapphund Rank Sealyham Terrier Rank
    Patella problems 74 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 86 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 90 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 119 out of 198 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.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Sealyham Terrier

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Sealyham Terrier

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Sealyham Terriers?

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

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

    Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Sealyham Terrier

    Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds and Sealyham Terriers?

    Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund:

  • American Eskimo Dog (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs American Eskimo Dog.
  • Bearded Collie (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Bearded Collie.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • 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 Finnish Lapphund vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Saluki     Finnish Lapphund versus Spanish Mastiff     Finnish Lapphund versus Tibetan Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Bolognese     Finnish Lapphund versus Leonberger     Finnish Lapphund versus Collie     Finnish Lapphund versus Lowchen     Finnish Lapphund versus Standard Poodle     Finnish Lapphund versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Finnish Lapphund versus Maremma Sheepdog     

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Goldador     Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Sealyham Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Sealyham Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Sealyham Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Shiranian     Sealyham Terrier versus French Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     

    Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Sealyham Terrier better suits you and your family.