Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso
- Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Lhasa Apso
- The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Lhasa Apsos?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Lhasa Apso
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Lhasa Apsos?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Lhasa Apso |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 12 to 15 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1500 – $1996 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1780 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 70.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 71 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 24 | 68 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Lhasa Apso. So, you should get the Irish Water Spaniel!
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 Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso.
Irish Water Spaniels weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Irish Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet 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 Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso
The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 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 Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Lhasa Apso
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 27 Lhasa Apsos.
The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso
| Irish Water Spaniel | Lhasa Apso | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 24 out of 130 dog breeds | 68 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Irish Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 24 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel. 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 Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
Popularity of Lhasa Apso
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 63 |
| 2014 | 152 | 67 |
| 2015 | 144 | 65 |
| 2016 | 150 | 71 |
| 2017 | 164 | 77 |
| 2018 | 159 | 71 |
| 2019 | 170 | 78 |
| 2020 | 174 | 78 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Lhasa Apsos?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Lhasa Apso
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels and Lhasa Apsos?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lhasa Apso?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Irish Water Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lhasa Apso that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lhasa Apso:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Lhasa Apso compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Lhasa Apso to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Hovawart Irish Water Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog Irish Water Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Briard Irish Water Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Irish Water Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur Irish Water Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Great Dane Irish Water Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Afador Irish Water Spaniel versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Stabyhoun Irish Water Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter Irish Water Spaniel versus Akita Irish Water Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund Irish Water Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Irish Water Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Kishu Ken
Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lhasa Apso versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Lhasa Apso versus Maltese Lhasa Apso versus Irish Setter Lhasa Apso versus Rottweiler Lhasa Apso versus Cesky Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Toy Poodle Lhasa Apso versus Lancashire Heeler Lhasa Apso versus Great Pyrenees Lhasa Apso versus Rottweiler Lhasa Apso versus Cairn Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Whippet Lhasa Apso versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Lhasa Apso versus American Staffordshire Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Kooikerhondje Lhasa Apso versus Miniature Poodle Lhasa Apso versus Plott Lhasa Apso versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Lhasa Apso versus Afador Lhasa Apso versus Great Dane Lhasa Apso versus Field Spaniel Lhasa Apso versus Norwegian Buhund Lhasa Apso versus Azawakh Lhasa Apso versus Dogue de Bordeaux Lhasa Apso versus Shiranian
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso better suits you and your family.