A Detailed Comparison of the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier.

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Mudi Versus Sealyham Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Mudi versus Sealyham Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Mudi 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.

Mudi versus Sealyham Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier

Factor Mudi Sealyham Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Height 14 to 20 inches Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 18 to 29 pounds 22 to 24 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 40.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mudi 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 Mudi is 76 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 Mudi. 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 Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Mudis are very easy to groom. However, Sealyham Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier

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

  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mudi versus Sealyham Terrier

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

    Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 inches 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 Mudi versus Sealyham Terrier

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

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

    Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Sealyham Terrier

    The Sealyham Terrier has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sealyham Terrier is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Mudi is 40.0 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 40.0 percent, the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 5 Mudis and 1 Sealyham Terriers.

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

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

    10 health tests are recommended for Mudi while 2 tests are recommended for the Sealyham Terrier.

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

    Mudi Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mudis 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 Mudis 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 Mudi Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Mudi ranks 38 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 87 Mudis, 4 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 38 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 99 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 145 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 Mudi and in Sealyham Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Mudi and the Sealyham Terrier:

    Disease Mudi Rank Sealyham Terrier Rank
    Patella problems 38 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 99 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 145 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: Mudi versus Sealyham Terrier

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mudis shed more than Sealyham Terriers?

    Mudis shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Sealyham Terrier

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

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

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Mudis 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 Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Sealyham Terriers?

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

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Sealyham Terrier

    Mudis 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 Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mudis 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 Mudi or the Sealyham Terrier?

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Sealyham Terriers?

    Mudis 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 Mudis and Sealyham Terriers?

    Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Sealyham Terrier?

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mudi

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

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs German Pinscher.
  • 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 Mudi vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Bull Terrier     Mudi versus Japanese Spitz     Mudi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Mudi versus Norfolk Terrier     Mudi versus Maremma Sheepdog     Mudi versus American Foxhound     Mudi versus Canaan Dog     Mudi versus Cockapoo     Mudi versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Mudi versus Norwegian Buhund     Mudi versus Toy Fox Terrier     Mudi versus Labrador Retriever     Mudi versus Basset Hound     Mudi versus Gordon Setter     Mudi versus Redbone Coonhound     Mudi versus Newfoundland     Mudi versus Toy Fox Terrier     Mudi versus Miniature Poodle     Mudi versus Xoloitzcuintli     Mudi versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Mudi versus Cesky Terrier     Mudi versus American Water Spaniel     Mudi versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Mudi versus Pharaoh Hound     Mudi versus Frenchton     

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Sealyham Terrier versus French Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Chow Chow     Sealyham Terrier versus Greyhound     Sealyham Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sealyham Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Sealyham Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Sealyham Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Sealyham Terrier versus Keeshond     Sealyham Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Sealyham Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Sealyham Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Sealyham Terrier versus Bolognese     Sealyham Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Sealyham Terrier versus Cavapoo     Sealyham Terrier versus German Pinscher     Sealyham Terrier versus Chow Chow     Sealyham Terrier versus Bich Poo     Sealyham Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Sealyham Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Sealyham Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sealyham Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus American Bulldog     

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