Differences and Similarities between the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog.

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Lakeland Terrier Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lakeland Terrier and for the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Lakeland Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog.

Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog

Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lakeland Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Lakeland Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Portuguese Water 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.

Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lakeland Terrier to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Lakeland Terrier Portuguese Water Dog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Height 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Weight 15 to 17 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1810 $2860
Price Range $1600 – $2325 $2500 – $3300
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 77.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 142 50

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lakeland Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Lakeland Terrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Lakeland Terrier. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!

    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 Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog

    Below is a list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:

  • Lakeland Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog

    The Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Lakeland Terriers weigh 15 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Lakeland Terriers are 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Lakeland Terriers live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Lakeland Terrier

    The Portuguese Water Dog has a better temperament than the Lakeland Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 percent while the temperament score for the Lakeland Terrier is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lakeland Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 8 Lakeland Terriers and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Price of Lakeland Terrier versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    The average price of the Lakeland Terrier puppy is $1810. The price of the Lakeland Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2325. However, the price of a Lakeland Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 Lakeland Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Lakeland Terrier.

    Lakeland Terrier Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $1810 $2860
    Price Range $1600 to $2325 $2500 to $3300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lakeland Terrier and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Lakeland Terrier puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lakeland Terrier puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lakeland Terrier versus Adopting the Portuguese Water Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lakeland Terriers and many Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Lakeland Terrier named Cash that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lakeland Terriers like Cash on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lakeland Terriers, Portuguese Water Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Ziggy is a Male Portuguese Water Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Portuguese Water Dogs like Ziggy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Boo And Bean is the name of another Lakeland Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Lakeland Terriers and Portuguese Water Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Lakeland Terrier versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Lakeland Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lakeland Terrier is 142 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Year Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 134 49
    2014 149 52
    2015 141 52
    2016 145 51
    2017 138 54
    2018 147 50
    2019 148 49
    2020 136 49

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lakeland Terriers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Lakeland Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lakeland Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lakeland Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lakeland Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lakeland Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lakeland Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Lakeland Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lakeland Terrier vs. Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lakeland Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lakeland Terriers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Lakeland Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lakeland Terriers and Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Lakeland Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lakeland Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lakeland Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lakeland Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lakeland Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lakeland Terrier:

  • Irish Terrier (79 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Barbet.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water 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 Portuguese Water Dog:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Lakeland Terrier and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lakeland Terrier and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Basset Hound     Lakeland Terrier versus French Bulldog     Lakeland Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Lakeland Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Basenji     Lakeland Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Beaglier     Lakeland Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Lakeland Terrier versus Norwich Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Lakeland Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Lakeland Terrier versus Cane Corso     Lakeland Terrier versus Beagle     Lakeland Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Chinese Crested     Lakeland Terrier versus Chow Chow     Lakeland Terrier versus Great Dane     Lakeland Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Maltipoo     Lakeland Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lakeland Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lakeland Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     Lakeland Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Portuguese Water Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pharaoh Hound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Berger Picard     Portuguese Water Dog versus Field Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Morkie     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomchi     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Water Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Bulldog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Maltese     Portuguese Water Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pug     Portuguese Water Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Portuguese Water Dog versus Belgian Malinois     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bull Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pharaoh Hound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bulldog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Field Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chow Chow     Portuguese Water Dog versus Standard Poodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     

    Conclusion: Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.