Hi kelly,
Yes, it will use the sphere.
Your object has a high density. However, in some areas, I’m not sure that you need that. Have you checked how far you can improve that with the ReMesh function?
Either way, you could use the Bake function in Sculpt, the Current State To Object command, or the Remesh generator to get the mesh you like to continue to work with.
In Hair, you can set the number of Guides as well as the Hairs. In addition, in the Hair Material, you will find an option to define the Density.
Is that what you are looking for?
Could Fur perhaps be a way to go?
All the best