Sealyham Terrier vs Shihpoo: full comparison
| Trait | Sealyham Terrier | Shihpoo |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Small |
| Energy level | Low | Low |
| Trainability | Medium | Medium |
| Friendliness | High | High |
| Good with children | High | High |
| Grooming needs | Very High | High |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| Barking | Low | Medium |
| Protectiveness | Medium | Medium |
| Adaptability | High | High |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | 13 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | Yes |
Size and living space
The Sealyham Terrier is a compact little dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. By comparison, the Shihpoo is a compact little dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.
Exercise and energy needs
The Sealyham Terrier needs light but regular activity to stay content. The Shihpoo needs light but regular activity to stay content. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.
Grooming and shedding
The Sealyham Terrier is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and sheds only lightly. The Shihpoo needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and sheds only lightly. The Shihpoo is also considered hypoallergenic, an advantage for allergy sufferers. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.
Temperament, training and family life
The Sealyham Terrier is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, is generally quiet, barking only occasionally and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The Shihpoo is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. On guarding instinct, Sealyham Terrier will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas Shihpoo will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.
Which is better for…
- For apartment or apartment living, Sealyham Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
- For families with young children, Sealyham Terrier and Shihpoo are an even match — either can work well.
- For first-time dog owners, Sealyham Terrier and Shihpoo are an even match — either can work well.
- For being left alone during the workday, Sealyham Terrier has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
- For allergy sufferers, Shihpoo has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Sealyham Terrier if you prefer a quieter dog or you want a longer-lived breed.
Choose the Shihpoo if you need a hypoallergenic, low-dander coat or you prefer lower grooming upkeep.
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Sealyham Terrier or the Shihpoo better for families with children?
- Both the Sealyham Terrier and the Shihpoo are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Which sheds more, the Sealyham Terrier or the Shihpoo?
- The Sealyham Terrier and Shihpoo shed a similar amount (low).
- Which is easier to train, the Sealyham Terrier or the Shihpoo?
- Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
- Is Sealyham Terrier or Shihpoo bigger?
- Sealyham Terrier and Shihpoo are a similar size (Small).
- Which barks more, Sealyham Terrier or Shihpoo?
- Shihpoo tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Sealyham Terrier is the quieter choice.
- Which is better for apartment living, Sealyham Terrier or Shihpoo?
- For apartment or apartment living, Sealyham Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.