Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Glen of Imaal Terrier Versus Lowchen: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen? 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and for the Lowchen. 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Lowchen.

Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen

Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen: Overview

Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are similar in size. The Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Glen of Imaal 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 Lowchen 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.

Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Glen of Imaal Terrier to the Lowchen 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen

Factor Glen of Imaal Terrier Lowchen
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Weight Up to 35 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Price Range No Data $1642 – $4500
Average Price No Data $2870
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • CONE ROD DYSTROPHY
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Must have an eye examination performed by an AVCO opthalmologist (or equivalent in foreign countries) beginning at 2 years of age and repeated every 2 years until age 8
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 163

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Glen of Imaal 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 Lowchen. 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Glen of Imaal Terrier. So, you should get the Lowchen!

    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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen

    The Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are most similar:

  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are very easy to train.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers weigh Up to 35 pounds when fully grown. Glen of Imaal Terriers are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen

    The lifespan of Glen of Imaal Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Glen of Imaal Terriers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

    Lowchens live longer than Glen of Imaal Terriers.

    Temperament of the Glen of Imaal Terrier Versus the Lowchen

    The Lowchen has a better temperament than the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 percent while the temperament score for the Glen of Imaal Terrier is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Glen of Imaal Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 3 Glen of Imaal Terriers and 12 Lowchens.

    The Popularity of Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Popularity of Lowchen

    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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lowchen is more popular with dog owners than the Glen of Imaal Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Glen of Imaal Terrier is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Popularity of Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year Glen of Imaal Terrier Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 167 154
    2014 162 165
    2015 168 161
    2016 180 171
    2017 158 169
    2018 174 168
    2019 168 158
    2020 169 161

    Health Problems of Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Health Problems of Lowchen

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Glen of Imaal Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lowchen.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Glen of Imaal Terrier than for the Lowchen.

    4 health tests are recommended for Glen of Imaal Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Glen of Imaal Terriers and in Lowchens.

    Glen of Imaal Terrier Health Problems

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Glen of Imaal Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Glen of Imaal Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Glen of Imaal Terriers for:

  • CONE ROD DYSTROPHY
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Must have an eye examination performed by an AVCO opthalmologist (or equivalent in foreign countries) beginning at 2 years of age and repeated every 2 years until age 8
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Glen of Imaal Terriers here.

    Lowchen Health Problems

    Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lowchens for:

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Glen of Imaal Terriers and Lowchens

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Glen of Imaal Terrier Breed is Cone Rod Dystrophy problems.

    This is because the Glen of Imaal Terrier ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Cone Rod Dystrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 356 Glen of Imaal Terriers, 7 of them had Cone Rod Dystrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Glen of Imaal Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Glen of Imaal Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cone Rod Dystrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 25 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 37 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 45 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Glen of Imaal Terrier and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen:

    Disease Glen of Imaal Terrier Rank Lowchen Rank
    Cone Rod Dystrophy problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 25 out of 198 dog breeds 163 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 37 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 45 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 19 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Do Glen of Imaal Terriers shed more than Lowchens?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Lowchen

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Lowchen?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Glen of Imaal Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?

    Glen of Imaal 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.

    Lowchens 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 Glen of Imaal Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Glen of Imaal Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Glen of Imaal Terrier vs. Lowchen

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

    Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Glen of Imaal Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Lowchen?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Glen of Imaal Terriers good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Glen of Imaal Terriers and Lowchens?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Glen of Imaal Terrier Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Is the Glen of Imaal Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Lowchen?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Glen of Imaal 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier:

  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Glen of Imaal Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Australian Terrier.
  • Silky Terrier (79 percent match with Glen of Imaal Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Silky Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Glen of Imaal Terrier and how the Lowchen compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier and of the Lowchen to other breeds:

    Glen of Imaal Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Brittany     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Shihpoo     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Berger Picard     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Samoyed     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Westiepoo     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Boxer     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus French Spaniel     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Irish Setter     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Vizsla     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Papillon     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lowchen versus Patterdale Terrier     Lowchen versus Mal Shi     Lowchen versus Goldendoodle     Lowchen versus Komondor     Lowchen versus Newfoundland     Lowchen versus Saint Bernard     Lowchen versus Maremma Sheepdog     Lowchen versus Saint Bernard     Lowchen versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Lowchen versus Welsh Terrier     Lowchen versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Lowchen versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Lowchen versus Chihuahua     Lowchen versus Gordon Setter     Lowchen versus Afghan Hound     Lowchen versus Great Dane     Lowchen versus Lhasapoo     Lowchen versus Finnish Spitz     Lowchen versus Bloodhound     Lowchen versus Cockapoo     Lowchen versus Afghan Hound     Lowchen versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Lowchen versus Bichon Frise     Lowchen versus Golden Cocker Retriever     

    Conclusion: Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Lowchen. 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Lowchen better suits you and your family.