Is the Lakeland Terrier Better than the Spinone Italiano as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Lakeland Terrier Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano.

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 Spinone Italiano.

Lakeland Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lakeland Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-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 Spinone Italiano 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.

Lakeland Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lakeland Terrier to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano

Factor Lakeland Terrier Spinone Italiano
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Height 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Weight 15 to 17 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
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 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1810 $1180
Price Range $1600 – $2325 $1000 – $1000
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 142 112

    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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are most different:

  • Lakeland Terriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano

    The Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:

  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very playful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano.

    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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lakeland Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

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

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.

    Lakeland Terriers live longer than Spinone Italianos.

    Temperament of the Lakeland Terrier Versus the Spinone Italiano

    The Lakeland Terrier has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lakeland Terrier is 75.0 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lakeland Terrier and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 8 Lakeland Terriers and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    Price of Lakeland Terrier versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lakeland Terrier is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.

    Lakeland Terrier Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $1810 $1180
    Price Range $1600 to $2325 $1000 to $1000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lakeland Terrier and Spinone Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Lakeland Terrier puppies or how many Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italianos

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lakeland Terrier puppy or the Spinone Italiano 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.

    The Popularity of Lakeland Terrier versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Spinone Italiano is more popular with dog owners than the Lakeland Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 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 Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Year Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank
    2013 134 117
    2014 149 118
    2015 141 112
    2016 145 105
    2017 138 111
    2018 147 109
    2019 148 116
    2020 136 110

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lakeland Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lakeland Terriers shed more than Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lakeland Terrier or the Spinone Italiano

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lakeland Terrier or the Spinone Italiano?

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

    Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lakeland Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    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.

    Spinone Italianos 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 Lakeland Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lakeland Terrier vs. Spinone Italiano

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

    Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano?

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lakeland Terriers good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lakeland Terriers and Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lakeland Terrier or the Spinone Italiano?

    Lakeland Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Spinone Italianos are very good 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 Spinone Italiano vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Barbet.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano:

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lakeland Terrier versus Maltese     Lakeland Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lakeland Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Lakeland Terrier versus Plott     Lakeland Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Lakeland Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Lakeland Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Lakeland Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Lakeland Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Lakeland Terrier versus Mal Shi     Lakeland Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Lakeland Terrier versus Akita Chow     Lakeland Terrier versus Sloughi     Lakeland Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Lakeland Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Lakeland Terrier versus Pug     Lakeland Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Lakeland Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Afador     Spinone Italiano versus Spanish Mastiff     Spinone Italiano versus Cocker Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus Bearded Collie     Spinone Italiano versus Weimaraner     Spinone Italiano versus Pomapoo     Spinone Italiano versus Shih Tzu     Spinone Italiano versus Akita     Spinone Italiano versus Bichon Frise     Spinone Italiano versus English Springer Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus German Shepherd Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Redbone Coonhound     Spinone Italiano versus Puli     Spinone Italiano versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Great Pyrenees     Spinone Italiano versus Golden Retriever     Spinone Italiano versus Standard Schnauzer     Spinone Italiano versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Spinone Italiano versus Dogo Argentino     Spinone Italiano versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Spinone Italiano versus Saint Bernard     Spinone Italiano versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Karelian Bear Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Shih Tzu     

    Conclusion: Lakeland Terrier versus Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.