Which is Better between the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso? A Very Detailed Review.

Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso

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Dachshund Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dachshund 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 Dachshund or the Lhasa Apso

Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso

Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso: Overview

Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are similar in size. The Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Dachshund belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dachshund 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.

Factor Dachshund Lhasa Apso
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 16 to 32 pounds 12 to 15 pounds
General Health 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Height 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1730 $1780
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $1500 – $1996
Temperament Score 69.4 percent 70.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 11 71
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 49 68

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dachshund 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 a Dachshund is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Dachshund. So, you should get the Lhasa Apso!

    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 Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso

    Below is a list of where the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are most different:

  • Dachshunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Lhasa Apsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso

    The Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are most similar:

  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso 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 Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are very playful.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso.

    Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 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.

    Temperament of the Dachshund Versus the Lhasa Apso

    The Lhasa Apso has a better temperament than the Dachshund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 percent while the temperament score for the Dachshund is 69.4 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 they 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 69.4 percent, the Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 49 Dachshunds and 27 Lhasa Apsos.

    Price of Dachshund versus Price of Lhasa Apso

    The average price of the Dachshund puppy is $1730. The price of the Dachshund typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Dachshund can be as low as $200 and as high as $24000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 698 Dachshund 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 a 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 Dachshund.

    Dachshund Lhasa Apso
    Average Price $1730 $1780
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $1500 to $1996

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dachshund and Lhasa Apso. For different price points, the charts show how many Dachshund puppies or how many Lhasa Apso puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dachshund 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso

    Adopting the Dachshund versus Adopting the Lhasa Apso

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dachshunds 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 Dachshund named Max that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dachshunds like Max on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dachshunds, Lhasa Apsos are also available for adoption. For example, Oreo is a Male Lhasa Apso that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lhasa Apsos like Oreo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Mason is the name of another Dachshund (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Rowdy Murphy, an adorable Male Lhasa Apso on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Dachshunds and Lhasa Apsos are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Dachshunds and Lhasa Apsos that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso

    Dachshund Lhasa Apso
    Intelligence Rank 49 out of 130 dog breeds 68 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Dachshund has an obedience intelligence rank of 49 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dachshund belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Dachshunds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Dachshund 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.

    Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso

    The Popularity of Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dachshund is more popular with dog owners than the Lhasa Apso. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dachshund is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dachshund

    Popularity of Dachshund

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Year Dachshund Popularity Rank Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank
    2013 10 63
    2014 11 67
    2015 13 65
    2016 13 71
    2017 13 77
    2018 12 71
    2019 11 78
    2020 10 78

    Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Lhasa Apso

    Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?

    Dachshunds are not easy to train.

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso

    Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dachshunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dachshund or the Lhasa Apso?

    Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Dachshunds shed more than Lhasa Apsos?

    Dachshunds shed moderately.

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dachshund or the Lhasa Apso?

    Dachshunds are moderately easy to groom.

    Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dachshund or the Lhasa Apso?

    Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

    Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?

    Dachshunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Dachshund Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?

    Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Lhasa Apsos?

    Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?

    Dachshunds 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 Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?

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

    Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Lhasa Apso

    Dachshunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Manchester Terrier (75 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Miniature Pinscher (72 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • 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:

  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Dachshund vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Dachshund vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dachshund and how the Lhasa Apso compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dachshund and of the Lhasa Apso to other breeds:

    Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dachshund versus Akita     Dachshund versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Dachshund versus Redbone Coonhound     Dachshund versus Saint Bernard     Dachshund versus Whoodle     Dachshund versus Bluetick Coonhound     Dachshund versus Maltipoo     Dachshund versus Australian Cattle Dog     Dachshund versus Gordon Setter     Dachshund versus Australian Shepherd     

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Gordon Setter     Lhasa Apso versus Azawakh     Lhasa Apso versus Bullmastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Carolina Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Saint Berdoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Kai Ken     Lhasa Apso versus Pharaoh Hound     Lhasa Apso versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lhasa Apso versus Belgian Sheepdog     Lhasa Apso versus Valley Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Lhasa Apso better suits you and your family.