Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cairn Terrier Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction
- Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso: Overview
- Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso
- The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso
- Lifespan of Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso
- Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Lhasa Apso
- Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Lhasa Apso
- Adopting the Cairn Terrier versus Adopting the Lhasa Apso
- The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso
- The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso
- Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Lhasa Apsos?
- Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso?
- Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?
- Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Lhasa Apso
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso?
- Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?
- How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Lhasa Apsos?
- Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cairn Terrier Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso? 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 Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso 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 Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso 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 Cairn Terrier and for the Lhasa Apso. 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 Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso.
Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso: Overview
Both the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso are similar in size. The Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Cairn 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 Lhasa Apso 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.
Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cairn Terrier to the Lhasa Apso 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 Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso
| Factor | Cairn Terrier | Lhasa Apso |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 13 to 14 pounds | 12 to 15 pounds |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1600 | $1780 |
| Price Range | $1475 – $1750 | $1500 – $1996 |
| Temperament Score | 75.5 percent | 70.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 69 | 71 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 35 | 68 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cairn 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 Lhasa Apso. 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 Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the Lhasa Apso. So, you should get the Cairn Terrier!
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 Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso
Below is a list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso
The Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso.
Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Lhasa Apsos weigh 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lhasa Apsos are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso
The lifespan of Cairn Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cairn Terriers is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is 13.5 years.
Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Lhasa Apso
The Cairn Terrier has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.
This is because the temperament score for the Cairn Terrier is 75.5 percent while the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 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 75.5 percent, the Cairn Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 53 Cairn Terriers and 27 Lhasa Apsos.
Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Lhasa Apso
The average price of the Cairn Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the Cairn Terrier typically ranges from $1475 – $1750. However, the price of a Cairn Terrier can be as low as $650 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 132 Cairn Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Lhasa Apso puppy is $1780. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1500 – $1996. However, the price of the Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Lhasa Apso is more expensive than the Cairn Terrier.
| Cairn Terrier | Lhasa Apso | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1600 | $1780 |
| Price Range | $1475 to $1750 | $1500 to $1996 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cairn Terrier and Lhasa Apso. For different price points, the charts show how many Cairn Terrier puppies or how many Lhasa Apso puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cairn Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cairn Terrier puppy or the Lhasa Apso puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Cairn Terrier versus Adopting the Lhasa Apso
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cairn Terriers and many Lhasa Apsos are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Cairn Terrier named Riley Boy In Nv that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cairn Terriers like Riley Boy In Nv on pefinder.com.
Also, like Cairn Terriers, Lhasa Apsos are also available for adoption. For example, Winston is a Male Lhasa Apso that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lhasa Apsos like Winston that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Oliver is the name of another Cairn Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Tramp is an adorable Male Lhasa Apso on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Cairn Terriers and Lhasa Apsos that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso
| Cairn Terrier | Lhasa Apso | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 35 out of 130 dog breeds | 68 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Cairn Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Cairn Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Lhasa Apso has an obedience intelligence rank of 68 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lhasa Apsos tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Cairn Terrier is more intelligent than the Lhasa Apso.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso
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 Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Lhasa Apso. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cairn Terrier is 69 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cairn Terrier
Popularity of Lhasa Apso
| Year | Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank | Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 61 | 63 |
| 2014 | 69 | 67 |
| 2015 | 70 | 65 |
| 2016 | 70 | 71 |
| 2017 | 69 | 77 |
| 2018 | 69 | 71 |
| 2019 | 72 | 78 |
| 2020 | 73 | 78 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso
Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Lhasa Apsos?
Cairn Terriers shed moderately.
Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso
Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso?
Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.
Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?
Cairn Terriers 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.
Lhasa Apsos 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 Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?
Cairn Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Lhasa Apso
Cairn Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Lhasa Apsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso?
Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?
Cairn Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Lhasa Apsos?
Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?
Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.
Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.
Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?
Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the Lhasa Apso?
Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Lhasa Apso compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Lhasa Apso to other breeds:
Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Cairn Terrier versus Kooikerhondje Cairn Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Cairn Terrier versus Whippet Cairn Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cairn Terrier versus Shiba Inu Cairn Terrier versus Weimaraner Cairn Terrier versus Scottish Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Cairn Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer Cairn Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Cavapoo Cairn Terrier versus Sloughi Cairn Terrier versus Australian Kelpie Cairn Terrier versus Azawakh Cairn Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Cairn Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel Cairn Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd Cairn Terrier versus Bolognese Cairn Terrier versus Manchester Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Cairn Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle Cairn Terrier versus Cockapoo
Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lhasa Apso versus French Bulldog Lhasa Apso versus Pomsky Lhasa Apso versus Harrier Lhasa Apso versus Havanese Lhasa Apso versus Beaglier Lhasa Apso versus Greyhound Lhasa Apso versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Lhasa Apso versus Finnish Lapphund Lhasa Apso versus German Shorthaired Pointer Lhasa Apso versus Australian Shepherd Lhasa Apso versus Japanese Chin Lhasa Apso versus Mountain Cur Lhasa Apso versus Basset Hound Lhasa Apso versus Welsh Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd Lhasa Apso versus Hovawart Lhasa Apso versus Pyredoodle Lhasa Apso versus Border Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Chinese Crested Lhasa Apso versus Great Pyrenees Lhasa Apso versus Yorkshire Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Boston Terrier Lhasa Apso versus American Pit Bull Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Lancashire Heeler Lhasa Apso versus Chi-Poo
Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso. 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 Cairn Terrier and the Lhasa Apso better suits you and your family.