Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Better than the Lhasa Apso as a Pet? Answer…

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Lhasa Apso.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso: Overview

A very important difference between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso

Factor Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Lhasa Apso
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 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
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Life Span 7 to 9 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 85 to 140 pounds 12 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2390 $1780
Price Range $1750 – $3000 $1500 – $1996
Temperament Score 82.8 percent 70.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (Effective 7/1/15 the minimum eye exam age to qualify for CHIC is 18 months)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Shoulders
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 76 71

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso

    Below is a list of where the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso are most different:

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Lhasa Apsos adapt well to apartment living.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Lhasa Apsos are good for new dog owners.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso are most similar:

  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs weigh 85 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso

    The lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is between 7 to 9 years. The average lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is 8.0 years.

    The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is 13.5 years.

    Lhasa Apsos live longer than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 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 82.8 percent, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and 27 Lhasa Apsos.

    Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Price of Lhasa Apso

    The average price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy is $2390. The price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1750 – $3000. However, the price of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 110 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Lhasa Apso
    Average Price $2390 $1780
    Price Range $1750 to $3000 $1500 to $1996

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Adopting the Lhasa Apso

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Bastion Bane that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs like Bastion Bane on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Lhasa Apsos are also available for adoption. For example, Angel is a Male Lhasa Apso that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lhasa Apsos like Angel that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Rudi is an adorable Male Lhasa Apso on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Lhasa Apsos that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Year Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank
    2013 74 63
    2014 80 67
    2015 78 65
    2016 78 71
    2017 75 77
    2018 74 71
    2019 73 78
    2020 76 78

    Tolerates Being Alone: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Lhasa Apso

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed more than Lhasa Apsos?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Lhasa Apso

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Lhasa Apso?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs. Lhasa Apso

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Lhasa Apso?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Lhasa Apsos?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Lhasa Apso?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:

  • Bracco Italiano (75 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (78 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
  • 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Doberman Pinscher     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Saint Bernard     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Briard     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bull Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Irish Setter     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Akita Chow     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Portuguese Pointer     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pug     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Cockalier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Bulldog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Belgian Malinois     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Labradoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Shihpoo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Spinone Italiano     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Hovawart     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bich Poo     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus English Setter     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Lhasa Apso versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Lhasa Apso versus Puli     Lhasa Apso versus Shiranian     Lhasa Apso versus Shihpoo     Lhasa Apso versus Maltese     Lhasa Apso versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lhasa Apso versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Japanese Spitz     Lhasa Apso versus Komondor     Lhasa Apso versus Stabyhoun     Lhasa Apso versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Black Russian Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Norwegian Lundehund     Lhasa Apso versus Bullmastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Kuvasz     Lhasa Apso versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Lowchen     Lhasa Apso versus Lancashire Heeler     Lhasa Apso versus Cairn Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lhasa Apso versus Jack Russell Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier     

    Conclusion: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Lhasa Apso better suits you and your family.