Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Terrier Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction
- Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview
- Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier
- Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier
- Temperament of the Sealyham Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Sealyham Terrier
- The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Sealyham Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier
- Do Irish Terriers shed more than Sealyham Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier?
- Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sealyham Terrier?
- Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Sealyham Terrier
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier?
- Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Sealyham Terriers?
- Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sealyham Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Terrier Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier.
Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Sealyham Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier 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.
Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier
| Factor | Irish Terrier | Sealyham Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 27 pounds | 22 to 24 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 80.0 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 157 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 53 | 56 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sealyham Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sealyham Terrier is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier
Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier
The Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier.
Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 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.
Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Sealyham Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sealyham Terriers is 13.0 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than Sealyham Terriers.
Temperament of the Sealyham Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
The Sealyham Terrier has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Sealyham Terrier is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 1 Sealyham Terriers.
The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Sealyham Terrier
| Irish Terrier | Sealyham Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 53 out of 130 dog breeds | 56 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Sealyham Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 56 out of 130 dog breeds. The Sealyham Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Sealyham Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Irish Terrier is more intelligent than the Sealyham Terrier.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sealyham Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sealyham Terrier is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Terrier
Popularity of Sealyham Terrier
| Year | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank | Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 123 | 158 |
| 2014 | 125 | 169 |
| 2015 | 113 | 158 |
| 2016 | 115 | 155 |
| 2017 | 114 | 150 |
| 2018 | 116 | 164 |
| 2019 | 119 | 154 |
| 2020 | 120 | 148 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Terriers shed more than Sealyham Terriers?
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Sealyham Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sealyham Terrier?
Irish 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.
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 Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Sealyham Terrier
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier?
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers and Sealyham Terriers?
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sealyham Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sealyham Terrier?
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier?
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish 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 Irish 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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Terrier and how the Sealyham Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the Sealyham Terrier to other breeds:
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound Irish Terrier versus Yorkipoo Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Valley Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Berger Picard Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier Irish Terrier versus Papillon Irish Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren Irish Terrier versus Akbash Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier Irish Terrier versus Cockalier Irish Terrier versus Silky Terrier Irish Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Shih Tzu Irish Terrier versus Mal Shi Irish Terrier versus Silky Terrier Irish Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli Irish Terrier versus Shiranian Irish Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund Irish Terrier versus Komondor Irish Terrier versus Bullmastiff Irish Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Irish Terrier versus Bearded Collie
Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Sealyham Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Sealyham Terrier versus Greyhound Sealyham Terrier versus Bordoodle Sealyham Terrier versus Beagle Sealyham Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler Sealyham Terrier versus Japanese Spitz Sealyham Terrier versus Puggle Sealyham Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Sealyham Terrier versus Cesky Terrier Sealyham Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher Sealyham Terrier versus Australian Terrier Sealyham Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Sealyham Terrier versus Canaan Dog Sealyham Terrier versus Cairn Terrier Sealyham Terrier versus Lowchen Sealyham Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog Sealyham Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Sealyham Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Sealyham Terrier versus Rottweiler Sealyham Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Sealyham Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier Sealyham Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Sealyham Terrier versus Coton de Tulear Sealyham Terrier versus Lowchen Sealyham Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier
Conclusion: Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier better suits you and your family.