Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Labrador Retriever Versus Pekingese: Introduction
- Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese: Overview
- Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese
- The Similarities Between the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese
- Lifespan of Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese
- Temperament of the Labrador Retriever Versus the Pekingese
- Price of Labrador Retriever versus Price of Pekingese
- Adopting the Labrador Retriever versus Adopting the Pekingese
- The Intelligence of the Labrador Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
- The Popularity of Labrador Retriever versus Popularity of Pekingese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese
- Do Labrador Retrievers shed more than Pekingeses?
- Which one drools more, the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese?
- Does the Labrador Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?
- Do Labrador Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?
- Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Labrador Retriever vs. Pekingese
- Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese?
- Are Labrador Retrievers good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
- How Kid-friendly are Labrador Retrievers and Pekingeses?
- Is the Labrador Retriever Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Labrador Retriever Versus Pekingese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese? 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 Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese 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 Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese 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 Labrador Retriever and for the Pekingese. 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 Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese.
Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese: Overview
A very important difference between the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Labrador Retriever is a large-sized dog while the Pekingese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Labrador Retriever 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 Pekingese 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.
Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Labrador Retriever to the Pekingese 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 Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese
| Factor | Labrador Retriever | Pekingese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder | 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 80 pounds | 7 to 14 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1290 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $850 – $1500 | $1288 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 92.2 percent | 93.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 1 | 86 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 7 | 73 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Labrador Retriever 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 Pekingese. 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 Labrador Retriever is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pekingese is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pekingese is a better pet than the Labrador Retriever. So, you should get the Pekingese!
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 Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese
Below is a list of where the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese
The Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese.
Labrador Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Labrador Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese
The lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.
Pekingeses live longer than Labrador Retrievers.
Temperament of the Labrador Retriever Versus the Pekingese
The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Labrador Retriever.
This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Labrador Retriever is 92.2 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 92.2 percent, the Labrador Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 842 Labrador Retrievers and 15 Pekingeses.
Price of Labrador Retriever versus Price of Pekingese
The average price of the Labrador Retriever puppy is $1290. The price of the Labrador Retriever typically ranges from $850 – $1500. However, the price of a Labrador Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1413 Labrador Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of the Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pekingese is more expensive than the Labrador Retriever.
| Labrador Retriever | Pekingese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1290 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $850 to $1500 | $1288 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Labrador Retriever and Pekingese. For different price points, the charts show how many Labrador Retriever puppies or how many Pekingese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Labrador Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Labrador Retriever puppy or the Pekingese 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 Labrador Retriever versus Adopting the Pekingese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Labrador Retrievers and many Pekingeses 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 Labrador Retriever named Bourbon that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Labrador Retrievers like Bourbon on pefinder.com.
Also, like Labrador Retrievers, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Rufio is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Rufio that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Ernest is the name of another Labrador Retriever (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Johnny is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Labrador Retrievers and Pekingeses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Labrador Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
| Labrador Retriever | Pekingese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 7 out of 130 dog breeds | 73 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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 Labrador Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 7 out of 130 dog breeds. The Labrador Retriever belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Labrador Retrievers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Labrador Retriever is more intelligent than the Pekingese.
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 Labrador Retriever versus Popularity of Pekingese
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 Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Labrador Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Labrador Retriever is 1 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Labrador Retriever
Popularity of Pekingese
| Year | Labrador Retriever Popularity Rank | Pekingese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 77 |
| 2014 | 1 | 82 |
| 2015 | 1 | 80 |
| 2016 | 1 | 93 |
| 2017 | 1 | 88 |
| 2018 | 1 | 92 |
| 2019 | 1 | 83 |
| 2020 | 1 | 95 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese
Labrador Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Labrador Retrievers shed more than Pekingeses?
Labrador Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese
Labrador Retrievers drool moderately.
Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese?
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Labrador Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?
Labrador Retrievers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Pekingeses 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 Labrador Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?
Labrador Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Labrador Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Labrador Retriever vs. Pekingese
Labrador Retrievers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Pekingeses have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Labrador Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese?
Labrador Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Labrador Retrievers good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
Labrador Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Labrador Retrievers and Pekingeses?
Labrador Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the Labrador Retriever Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train.
Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.
Is the Labrador Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?
Labrador Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Labrador Retriever or the Pekingese?
Labrador Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.
Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Labrador Retriever and how the Pekingese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Labrador Retriever and of the Pekingese to other breeds:
Labrador Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Labrador Retriever versus Australian Cattle Dog Labrador Retriever versus Bernedoodle Labrador Retriever versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Labrador Retriever versus Puli Labrador Retriever versus Basset Hound Labrador Retriever versus Bernedoodle Labrador Retriever versus Irish Setter Labrador Retriever versus Miniature Schnauzer Labrador Retriever versus Bolognese Labrador Retriever versus Great Dane Labrador Retriever versus Aussiedoodle Labrador Retriever versus Airedale Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Australian Cattle Dog Labrador Retriever versus Akbash Labrador Retriever versus Finnish Spitz Labrador Retriever versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Labrador Retriever versus Frenchton Labrador Retriever versus Great Dane Labrador Retriever versus Shihpoo Labrador Retriever versus Bedlington Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Keeshond Labrador Retriever versus English Springer Spaniel Labrador Retriever versus Scottish Terrier Labrador Retriever versus American Hairless Terrier
Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pekingese versus Rottweiler Pekingese versus Cesky Terrier Pekingese versus Toy Fox Terrier Pekingese versus Xoloitzcuintli Pekingese versus Beagle Pekingese versus Black and Tan Coonhound Pekingese versus Toy Fox Terrier Pekingese versus Irish Wolfhound Pekingese versus Keeshond Pekingese versus English Setter Pekingese versus Siberian Husky Pekingese versus Dogo Argentino Pekingese versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pekingese versus German Longhaired Pointer Pekingese versus Shiranian Pekingese versus Bulldog Pekingese versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Pekingese versus Bordoodle Pekingese versus Carolina Dog Pekingese versus Pug Pekingese versus Tibetan Terrier Pekingese versus Kai Ken Pekingese versus Norwegian Buhund Pekingese versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Pekingese versus Border Terrier
Conclusion: Labrador Retriever versus Pekingese. 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 Labrador Retriever and the Pekingese better suits you and your family.