Differences and Similarities between the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Sealyham Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel. 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 Sussex Spaniel.

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 Sussex Spaniel.

Sealyham Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are similar in size. The Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Sealyham Terrier to the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel

Factor Sealyham Terrier Sussex Spaniel
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Weight 22 to 24 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
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 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Height Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 157 171

    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 Sussex Spaniel. 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 Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

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

    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 Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel

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

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

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

  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Sealyham Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    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, Sussex Spaniels weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Sussex Spaniels are 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Sealyham Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Sealyham Terriers live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Sealyham Terrier Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sealyham Terrier has the same temperament score as the Sussex Spaniel.

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

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Sealyham Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 1 Sealyham Terriers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Sealyham Terrier versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    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 Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Sealyham Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Sealyham Terrier is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Sealyham Terrier

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Sealyham Terrier Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 158 162
    2014 169 175
    2015 158 173
    2016 155 172
    2017 150 161
    2018 164 180
    2019 154 176
    2020 148 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Sealyham Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Sealyham Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Sealyham Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Sealyham Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel

    Sealyham Terriers drool moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Sealyham Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

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

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Sealyham Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    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.

    Sussex Spaniels 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 Sealyham Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Sealyham Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Sealyham Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Sealyham Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

    Sussex Spaniels 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 Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Sealyham Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Sealyham Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Sealyham Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Sealyham Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Sealyham Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Sealyham Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Sealyham Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Sealyham Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Sealyham Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Sealyham Terrier vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Sealyham Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sealyham Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Sealyham Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Sealyham Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Harrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Sealyham Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Sealyham Terrier versus Schnoodle     Sealyham Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Sealyham Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Sealyham Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Sealyham Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Sealyham Terrier versus Harrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Sealyham Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Sealyham Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Sealyham Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Sealyham Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Sealyham Terrier versus Chihuahua     Sealyham Terrier versus Labradoodle     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Sussex Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Schipperke     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     Sussex Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Dachshund     Sussex Spaniel versus Japanese Chin     Sussex Spaniel versus Afador     Sussex Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Border Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Afador     Sussex Spaniel versus Pug     Sussex Spaniel versus Pug     Sussex Spaniel versus Toy Poodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Cockalier     Sussex Spaniel versus Labradoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Sussex Spaniel versus Basenji     Sussex Spaniel versus Weimaraner     Sussex Spaniel versus Cockalier     Sussex Spaniel versus Kai Ken     

    Conclusion: Sealyham Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel. 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 Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.