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

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Harrier Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Sealyham Terrier.

Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Harrier 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.

Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Sealyham Terrier

Factor Harrier Sealyham Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 157

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sealyham Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sealyham Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Harriers are very easy to groom. However, Sealyham Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Sealyham Terrier

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

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

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

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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 Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 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 Harriers.

    The Popularity of Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 173 158
    2014 181 169
    2015 183 158
    2016 186 155
    2017 183 150
    2018 189 164
    2019 186 154
    2020 190 148

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Sealyham Terrier

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

    Both the Harrier 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 Sealyham Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Harrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 2 tests are recommended for the Sealyham Terrier.

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

    Harrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers 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 Harriers 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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 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 Harrier and in Sealyham Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Sealyham Terrier:

    Disease Harrier Rank Sealyham Terrier Rank
    Hips problems 76 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Sealyham Terriers?

    Harriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Sealyham Terrier

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Harriers 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 Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Sealyham Terrier

    Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers 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 Harrier or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Harriers 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 Harriers and Sealyham Terriers?

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

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

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • 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 Harrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Chinese Crested     Harrier versus Labradoodle     Harrier versus Vizsla     Harrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Harrier versus Peek A Poo     Harrier versus Puggle     Harrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Harrier versus Hovawart     Harrier versus Border Terrier     Harrier versus Australian Terrier     Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Harrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Harrier versus Goldador     Harrier versus Akita Chow     Harrier versus Biewer Terrier     Harrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Harrier versus French Bulldog     Harrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Harrier versus Chinese Crested     Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Harrier versus Barbet     Harrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Harrier versus Great Dane     Harrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Komondor     Sealyham Terrier versus Cavapoo     Sealyham Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Sealyham Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sealyham Terrier versus Bolognese     Sealyham Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren     Sealyham Terrier versus Newfoundland     Sealyham Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Sealyham Terrier versus Great Dane     Sealyham Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Sealyham Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Sealyham Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Sealyham Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Sealyham Terrier versus Cockalier     Sealyham Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Sealyham Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Sealyham Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Sealyham Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Sealyham Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Sealyham Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Sealyham Terrier versus Sloughi     

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