Breed Comparison: Sealyham Terrier Versus Spinone Italiano

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Sealyham Terrier Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano.

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 Spinone Italiano.

Sealyham Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Sealyham Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog.

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 Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Sealyham Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Sealyham Terrier to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano

Factor Sealyham Terrier Spinone Italiano
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Height Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $1000
Average Price No Data $1180
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 157 112

    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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Sealyham Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

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

    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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Sealyham Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

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

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.

    Sealyham Terriers live longer than Spinone Italianos.

    Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Sealyham Terrier

    The Sealyham Terrier has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sealyham Terrier is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 100.0 percent, the Sealyham Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 1 Sealyham Terriers and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    The Popularity of Sealyham Terrier versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Spinone Italiano is more popular with dog owners than the Sealyham Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 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 Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Year Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank
    2013 158 117
    2014 169 118
    2015 158 112
    2016 155 105
    2017 150 111
    2018 164 109
    2019 154 116
    2020 148 110

    Health Problems of Sealyham Terrier versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano is prone to more genetic health problems than the Sealyham Terrier.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Sealyham Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.

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

    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.

    Spinone Italiano Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Sealyham Terriers and Spinone Italianos

    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 Spinone Italiano Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Spinone Italiano ranks 5 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Spinone Italianos, 2 of them had Shoulder problems.

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

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 5 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 16 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 20 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 61 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 77 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 164 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Sealyham Terrier and in Spinone Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Sealyham Terrier and the Spinone Italiano:

    Disease Sealyham Terrier Rank Spinone Italiano Rank
    Primary Lens Luxation problems 4 out of 17 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems Not Common 5 out of 22 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 16 out of 115 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 20 out of 159 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 61 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 77 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 164 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 Spinone Italiano

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Sealyham Terriers shed more than Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Sealyham Terrier or the Spinone Italiano

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Sealyham Terrier or the Spinone Italiano?

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

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

    Does the Sealyham Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    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.

    Spinone Italianos 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.

    Do Sealyham Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Sealyham Terrier vs. Spinone Italiano

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

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

    Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano?

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Sealyham Terriers good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Sealyham Terriers and Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Sealyham Terrier Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Sealyham Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Shichon     Sealyham Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Mal Shi     Sealyham Terrier versus Goldador     Sealyham Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Sealyham Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Sealyham Terrier versus French Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Sealyham Terrier versus Bulldog     Sealyham Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Sealyham Terrier versus Lowchen     Sealyham Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Sealyham Terrier versus Sloughi     Sealyham Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Sealyham Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Affenhuahua     Sealyham Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Sealyham Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Sealyham Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Sealyham Terrier versus Border Collie     Sealyham Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Sealyham Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Mastiff     Spinone Italiano versus Catahoula Bulldog     Spinone Italiano versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Kai Ken     Spinone Italiano versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus Mountain Cur     Spinone Italiano versus Chi-Poo     Spinone Italiano versus American Foxhound     Spinone Italiano versus American Hairless Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus American Hairless Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Affenhuahua     Spinone Italiano versus Ibizan Hound     Spinone Italiano versus Silky Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Rottweiler     Spinone Italiano versus Affenhuahua     Spinone Italiano versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Finnish Lapphund     Spinone Italiano versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Lakeland Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Goldendoodle     Spinone Italiano versus Bernedoodle     Spinone Italiano versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Spinone Italiano versus Swedish Vallhund     Spinone Italiano versus Pomeranian     Spinone Italiano versus Karelian Bear Dog     

    Conclusion: Sealyham Terrier versus Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.