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

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Sealyham Terrier Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu 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 Sealyham Terrier and for the Shiba Inu. 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 Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Sealyham Terrier or the Shiba Inu.

Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Shiba Inu 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.

Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Sealyham Terrier to the Shiba Inu 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 Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu

Factor Sealyham Terrier Shiba Inu
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 16 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 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
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Height Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 14.0 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2130
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 67.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 157 44

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Sealyham 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 Shiba Inu. 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 Sealyham Terrier is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu

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

  • Sealyham Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
  • Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu

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

  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu 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 Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu

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

    Sealyham Terriers weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Sealyham Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shiba Inus weigh 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. Shiba Inus are 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu

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

    The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.

    Shiba Inus live longer than Sealyham Terriers.

    Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Sealyham Terrier

    The Sealyham Terrier has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sealyham Terrier is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shiba Inu is 67.9 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 100.0 percent, the Sealyham Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 67.9 percent, the Shiba Inu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 1 Sealyham Terriers and 28 Shiba Inus.

    The Popularity of Sealyham Terrier versus Popularity of Shiba Inu

    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 Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shiba Inu is more popular with dog owners than the Sealyham Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shiba Inu is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sealyham Terrier is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Year Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank Shiba Inu Popularity Rank
    2013 158 46
    2014 169 47
    2015 158 45
    2016 155 44
    2017 150 45
    2018 164 44
    2019 154 45
    2020 148 43

    Health Problems of Sealyham Terrier versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu

    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 Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu is prone to more genetic health problems than the Sealyham Terrier.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Sealyham Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.

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

    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.

    Shiba Inu Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiba Inus here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Sealyham Terriers and Shiba Inus

    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
  • 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 Shiba Inu Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Shiba Inu ranks 22 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 200 Shiba Inus, 12 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 22 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 31 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 53 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 91 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 141 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 170 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Sealyham Terrier and in Shiba Inu and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu:

    Disease Sealyham Terrier Rank Shiba Inu Rank
    Primary Lens Luxation problems 4 out of 17 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 22 out of 49 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 31 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 53 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 91 out of 115 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 141 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 170 out of 182 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: Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Sealyham Terriers shed more than Shiba Inus?

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

    Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Sealyham Terrier or the Shiba Inu

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Sealyham Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

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

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Does the Sealyham Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    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.

    Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Sealyham Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

    Sealyham Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Sealyham Terrier vs. Shiba Inu

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

    Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Sealyham Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Sealyham Terriers good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    Sealyham Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Sealyham Terriers and Shiba Inus?

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

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Sealyham Terrier Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Is the Sealyham Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    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 Shiba Inu vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Sealyham Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu

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

  • Manchester Terrier (72 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Sealyham Terrier versus Whippet     Sealyham Terrier versus Whoodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Affenhuahua     Sealyham Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Sealyham Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Sealyham Terrier versus Weimaraner     Sealyham Terrier versus Havanese     Sealyham Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Sealyham Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Sealyham Terrier versus Cavachon     Sealyham Terrier versus French Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus Saluki     Sealyham Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Sealyham Terrier versus Boerboel     Sealyham Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Sealyham Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Sealyham Terrier versus Maltipoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Sealyham Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Sealyham Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Redbone Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus Morkie     Shiba Inu versus Airedale Terrier     Shiba Inu versus English Setter     Shiba Inu versus German Pinscher     Shiba Inu versus Affenpinscher     Shiba Inu versus Labradoodle     Shiba Inu versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Shiba Inu versus German Shepherd Dog     Shiba Inu versus Lhasapoo     Shiba Inu versus Bolognese     Shiba Inu versus Akita     Shiba Inu versus Peek A Poo     Shiba Inu versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Australian Kelpie     Shiba Inu versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Shiba Inu versus Norwich Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Maltese     Shiba Inu versus King Shepherd     Shiba Inu versus Papipoo     Shiba Inu versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Silky Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Schnoodle     Shiba Inu versus Pyrenean Shepherd     

    Conclusion: Sealyham Terrier versus Shiba Inu. 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 Sealyham Terrier and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.