Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Jack Russell Terrier Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Jack Russell 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.

Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier

Factor Jack Russell Terrier Sealyham Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 13 to 17 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1100 No Data
Price Range $700 – $1250 No Data
Temperament Score 85.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
    		•
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 46 56

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell Terrier is 77 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 Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Jack Russell Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sealyham Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier

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

    Jack Russell Terriers weigh 13 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Jack Russell Terriers are 10 to 15 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 Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier

    The lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is 12.5 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 Jack Russell Terriers.

    Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier Versus the Sealyham Terrier

    The Sealyham Terrier has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sealyham Terrier is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Jack Russell Terrier has an above-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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 69 Jack Russell Terriers and 1 Sealyham Terriers.

    The Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Sealyham Terrier

    Jack Russell Terrier Sealyham Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 46 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    • 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 Jack Russell Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Jack Russell Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier

    Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Jack Russell Terriers shed more than Sealyham Terriers?

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier

    Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Jack Russell Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Jack Russell Terrier vs. Sealyham Terrier

    Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Jack Russell Terriers good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell Terriers and Sealyham Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Jack Russell Terrier Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Jack Russell Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Jack Russell 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 Jack Russell Terrier:

  • Airedale Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Welsh 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 Jack Russell Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Jack Russell Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Chorkie     Jack Russell Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Boerboel     Jack Russell Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Jack Russell Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Jack Russell Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Jack Russell Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Jack Russell Terrier versus Great Dane     Jack Russell Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Jack Russell Terrier versus Plott     Jack Russell Terrier versus Pomchi     Jack Russell Terrier versus Basset Hound     Jack Russell Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Jack Russell Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Afador     Sealyham Terrier versus Harrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Maltipoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     Sealyham Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Sealyham Terrier versus Pomeranian     Sealyham Terrier versus Sloughi     Sealyham Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Sealyham Terrier versus Chinese Crested     Sealyham Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Sealyham Terrier versus Keeshond     Sealyham Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Sealyham Terrier versus Beaglier     Sealyham Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Sealyham Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Sealyham Terrier versus Pug     Sealyham Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Sealyham Terrier versus Komondor     Sealyham Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Pomapoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Sealyham Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Sealyham Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Sealyham Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     

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