A Detailed Comparison of the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso.

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Irish Setter Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter or the Lhasa Apso.

Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso

Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Setter is a large-sized dog while the Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Irish Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso

Factor Irish Setter Lhasa Apso
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Height 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 12 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1680 $1780
Price Range $1200 – $2200 $1500 – $1996
Temperament Score 90.9 percent 70.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 74 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter is 73 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 Irish Setter. 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 Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso

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

  • Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Lhasa Apsos adapt well to apartment living.
  • Irish Setters are very friendly towards strangers. However, Lhasa Apsos are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso

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

  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso are very easy to train.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso

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

    Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho 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 Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso

    The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 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 Irish Setters.

    Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Irish Setter

    The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 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 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-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 Irish Setter and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 154 Irish Setters and 27 Lhasa Apsos.

    Price of Irish Setter versus Price of Lhasa Apso

    The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of a Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter.

    Irish Setter Lhasa Apso
    Average Price $1680 $1780
    Price Range $1200 to $2200 $1500 to $1996

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters. 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 Irish Setter 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.

    Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso

    Adopting the Irish Setter versus Adopting the Lhasa Apso

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter named Oliver & Maggie Together Only that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Setters like Oliver & Maggie Together Only on pefinder.com.

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

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

    Gordon – 831 is the name of another Irish Setter (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.

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Irish Setter versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso

    Irish Setter 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:

  • 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 Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter. 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 Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Year Irish Setter Popularity Rank Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank
    2013 72 63
    2014 73 67
    2015 72 65
    2016 76 71
    2017 72 77
    2018 77 71
    2019 79 78
    2020 75 78

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso

    Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Irish Setters shed more than Lhasa Apsos?

    Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Setter or the Lhasa Apso

    Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Setter or the Lhasa Apso?

    Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Irish Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Setter vs. Lhasa Apso

    Irish Setters 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.

    Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter or the Lhasa Apso?

    Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Setters good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters and Lhasa Apsos?

    Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Irish Setter Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?

    Irish Setters are very easy to train.

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Irish Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?

    Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter

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

  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Setter (83 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs English Setter.
  • 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 Irish Setter vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Setter versus English Setter     Irish Setter versus Mudi     Irish Setter versus Azawakh     Irish Setter versus Finnish Spitz     Irish Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier     Irish Setter versus Briard     Irish Setter versus Border Terrier     Irish Setter versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Irish Setter versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Irish Setter versus Bedlington Terrier     Irish Setter versus Bedlington Terrier     Irish Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier     Irish Setter versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Irish Setter versus Manchester Terrier     Irish Setter versus Xoloitzcuintli     Irish Setter versus Belgian Sheepdog     Irish Setter versus American Water Spaniel     Irish Setter versus Irish Terrier     Irish Setter versus Finnish Lapphund     Irish Setter versus Australian Shepherd     Irish Setter versus Miniature Schnauzer     Irish Setter versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Irish Setter versus Saint Berdoodle     Irish Setter versus American Water Spaniel     Irish Setter versus Italian Greyhound     

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Lhasa Apso versus American Water Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Mal Shi     Lhasa Apso versus American Hairless Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Schipperke     Lhasa Apso versus Australian Kelpie     Lhasa Apso versus Goldendoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Irish Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Newfoundland     Lhasa Apso versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Skye Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Akbash     Lhasa Apso versus Leonberger     Lhasa Apso versus Scottish Deerhound     Lhasa Apso versus Maltipoo     Lhasa Apso versus Greyhound     Lhasa Apso versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Lhasa Apso versus Dalmatian     Lhasa Apso versus Afador     Lhasa Apso versus Standard Poodle     Lhasa Apso versus Dachshund     Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano     Lhasa Apso versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Norwich Terrier     

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