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

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Havanese Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Havanese versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview

Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier are similar in size. The Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Havanese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Havanese versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier

Factor Havanese Sealyham Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 7 to 13 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2180 No Data
Price Range $1700 – $2750 No Data
Temperament Score 81.8 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 23 157

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Havanese 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sealyham Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Sealyham Terrier

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

    Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 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 Havanese versus Sealyham Terrier

    The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.

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

    Havaneses live longer than Sealyham Terriers.

    Temperament of the Sealyham Terrier Versus the Havanese

    The Sealyham Terrier has a better temperament than the Havanese.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sealyham Terrier is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-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 Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 1 Sealyham Terriers.

    The Popularity of Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Sealyham Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sealyham Terrier is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Year Havanese Popularity Rank Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 25 158
    2014 25 169
    2015 24 158
    2016 23 155
    2017 23 150
    2018 24 164
    2019 22 154
    2020 24 148

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

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Havanese while 2 tests are recommended for the Sealyham Terrier.

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

    Havanese Health Problems

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

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses 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 Havaneses 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 Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 3 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 18 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 20 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 38 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 55 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 59 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 70 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 111 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 123 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 Havanese and in Sealyham Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Havanese and the Sealyham Terrier:

    Disease Havanese Rank Sealyham Terrier Rank
    Dentition Database problems 3 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems 18 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 20 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 38 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 55 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 59 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 70 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 111 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 123 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: Havanese versus Sealyham Terrier

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Havaneses shed more than Sealyham Terriers?

    Havaneses 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.

    Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Sealyham Terrier

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

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

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

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

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

    Havaneses 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 Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Havaneses 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.

    Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Sealyham Terrier

    Havaneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Havaneses 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 Havanese or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Havaneses 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 Havaneses and Sealyham Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese

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

  • Bichon Frise (86 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Bich Poo.
  • 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 Havanese vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Australian Shepherd     Havanese versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Havanese versus Bolognese     Havanese versus Irish Terrier     Havanese versus Miniature Poodle     Havanese versus Bullmastiff     Havanese versus Belgian Malinois     Havanese versus American Hairless Terrier     Havanese versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Havanese versus Berger Picard     Havanese versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Havanese versus English Cocker Spaniel     Havanese versus Manchester Terrier     Havanese versus Bullmastiff     Havanese versus Fila Brasileiro     Havanese versus Jack Russell Terrier     Havanese versus Bolognese     Havanese versus German Longhaired Pointer     Havanese versus Westiepoo     Havanese versus Black Mouth Cur     Havanese versus Mountain Cur     Havanese versus Bluetick Coonhound     Havanese versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Havanese versus Whippet     Havanese versus Shichon     

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Pomeranian     Sealyham Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Chorkie     Sealyham Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Sealyham Terrier versus Norwich Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Cavapoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Sealyham Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Sealyham Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Sealyham Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Sealyham Terrier versus Akbash     Sealyham Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Sealyham Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Pomapoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Chihuahua     Sealyham Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     

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