A Detailed Comparison of the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund.

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Lakeland Terrier Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.

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 Swedish Vallhund.

Lakeland Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund

Lakeland Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lakeland Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Lakeland Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lakeland Terrier to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

Factor Lakeland Terrier Swedish Vallhund
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
Weight 15 to 17 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
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 13.5 years
Average Price $1810 $2500
Price Range $1600 – $2325 $2500 – $2500
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 142 155

    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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

    Below is a list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:

  • Lakeland Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.
  • Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.
  • Lakeland Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund

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

  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are very playful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund.

    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, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lakeland Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    The lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Lakeland Terrier Versus the Swedish Vallhund

    The Swedish Vallhund has a better temperament than the Lakeland Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Swedish Vallhund is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Swedish Vallhund has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lakeland Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund by measuring the temperaments of 8 Lakeland Terriers and 4 Swedish Vallhunds.

    Price of Lakeland Terrier versus Price of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Swedish Vallhund puppy is $2500. The price of the Swedish Vallhund typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of the Swedish Vallhund can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Swedish Vallhund puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Swedish Vallhund is more expensive than the Lakeland Terrier.

    Lakeland Terrier Swedish Vallhund
    Average Price $1810 $2500
    Price Range $1600 to $2325 $2500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lakeland Terrier and Swedish Vallhund. For different price points, the charts show how many Lakeland Terrier puppies or how many Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhunds

    A breakdown of the prices of Swedish Vallhunds

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

    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 Swedish Vallhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lakeland Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Swedish Vallhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lakeland Terrier is 142 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Swedish Vallhund is 155 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Year Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank
    2013 134 147
    2014 149 158
    2015 141 155
    2016 145 163
    2017 138 149
    2018 147 169
    2019 148 159
    2020 136 147

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lakeland Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Lakeland Terriers shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lakeland Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lakeland Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lakeland Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?

    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.

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lakeland Terrier vs. Swedish Vallhund

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

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhund?

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Lakeland Terriers good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lakeland Terriers and Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lakeland Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Lakeland Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs 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 Swedish Vallhund vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Swedish Vallhund vs Barbet.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Swedish Vallhund

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund:

  • Dalmatian (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Dalmatian.
  • German Longhaired Pointer (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs German Longhaired Pointer.
  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Border Collie (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Border Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Lakeland Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Lakeland Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Lakeland Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Lakeland Terrier versus Maltese     Lakeland Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lakeland Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Lakeland Terrier versus English Setter     Lakeland Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Mastiff     Lakeland Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Basenji     Lakeland Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Lakeland Terrier versus Shiranian     Lakeland Terrier versus Greyhound     Lakeland Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Lakeland Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Westiepoo     Lakeland Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Lakeland Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Lakeland Terrier versus Basset Hound     Lakeland Terrier versus Pomeranian     Lakeland Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Lakeland Terrier versus Beaglier     

    Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Swedish Vallhund versus Bulldog     Swedish Vallhund versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Swedish Vallhund versus English Cocker Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Swedish Vallhund versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Maremma Sheepdog     Swedish Vallhund versus Miniature Pinscher     Swedish Vallhund versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Swedish Vallhund versus English Cocker Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus Toy Poodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Bich Poo     Swedish Vallhund versus English Cocker Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus Norfolk Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus American Hairless Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus King Shepherd     Swedish Vallhund versus Mastiff     Swedish Vallhund versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Swedish Vallhund versus American Foxhound     Swedish Vallhund versus Biewer Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus American Eskimo Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Belgian Malinois     Swedish Vallhund versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Swedish Vallhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Swedish Vallhund versus American Hairless Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     

    Conclusion: Lakeland Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.