Breed Comparison: Leonberger Versus Lhasa Apso

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Leonberger Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Leonberger and for the Lhasa Apso. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Leonberger or the Lhasa Apso.

Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso

Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso: Overview

A very important difference between the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Leonberger is a giant-sized dog while the Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Leonberger 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.

On the other hand, the Lhasa Apso belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Leonberger to the Lhasa Apso based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso

Factor Leonberger Lhasa Apso
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
General Health 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 120 to 170 pounds 12 to 15 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Height 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $870 $1780
Price Range $300 – $1150 $1500 – $1996
Temperament Score 96.0 percent 70.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 97 71

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Leonberger in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Lhasa Apso. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Leonberger is 63 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Leonberger. So, you should get the Lhasa Apso!

    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 Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso

    Below is a list of where the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are most different:

  • Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Lhasa Apsos adapt well to apartment living.
  • Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Lhasa Apsos are good for new dog owners.
  • Leonbergers are very easy to groom. However, Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso

    The Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are most similar:

  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are not easy to train.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are very playful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso.

    Leonbergers weigh 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. Leonbergers are 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Lhasa Apsos weigh 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lhasa Apsos are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso

    The lifespan of Leonbergers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Leonbergers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is 13.5 years.

    Lhasa Apsos live longer than Leonbergers.

    Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso

    Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Lhasa Apso

    The Leonberger has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 percent while the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 96.0 percent, the Leonberger has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 25 Leonbergers and 27 Lhasa Apsos.

    Price of Leonberger versus Price of Lhasa Apso

    The average price of the Leonberger puppy is $870. The price of the Leonberger typically ranges from $300 – $1150. However, the price of a Leonberger can be as low as $300 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Leonberger puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lhasa Apso puppy is $1780. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1500 – $1996. However, the price of the Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lhasa Apso is more expensive than the Leonberger.

    Leonberger Lhasa Apso
    Average Price $870 $1780
    Price Range $300 to $1150 $1500 to $1996

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Leonberger and Lhasa Apso. For different price points, the charts show how many Leonberger puppies or how many Lhasa Apso puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Leonberger puppy or the Lhasa Apso 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.

    Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso

    The Popularity of Leonberger versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Leonberger. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Leonberger is 97 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Year Leonberger Popularity Rank Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank
    2013 98 63
    2014 104 67
    2015 93 65
    2016 95 71
    2017 100 77
    2018 93 71
    2019 95 78
    2020 98 78

    Tolerates Being Alone: Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso

    Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.

    Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Leonbergers shed more than Lhasa Apsos?

    Leonbergers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Leonberger or the Lhasa Apso

    Leonbergers drool moderately.

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Leonberger or the Lhasa Apso?

    Leonbergers are very easy to groom.

    Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Leonberger Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?

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

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

    Do Leonbergers Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?

    Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Leonberger vs. Lhasa Apso

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

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

    Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Leonberger or the Lhasa Apso?

    Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Leonbergers good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?

    Leonbergers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Leonbergers and Lhasa Apsos?

    Leonbergers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Leonberger Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?

    Leonbergers are not easy to train.

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Leonberger Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?

    Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Leonberger or the Lhasa Apso?

    Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger

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

  • Bernese Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Bernese Mountain Dog.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Mastiff (73 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Mastiff.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso

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

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

  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Leonberger vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Leonberger vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Leonberger and how the Lhasa Apso compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Leonberger and of the Lhasa Apso to other breeds:

    Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Leonberger versus Great Dane     Leonberger versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Leonberger versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Leonberger versus Cocker Spaniel     Leonberger versus Portuguese Water Dog     Leonberger versus Samoyed     Leonberger versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Leonberger versus Sealyham Terrier     Leonberger versus Papillon     Leonberger versus Mudi     Leonberger versus Belgian Malinois     Leonberger versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Leonberger versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Leonberger versus Basset Hound     Leonberger versus Cairn Terrier     Leonberger versus Gordon Setter     Leonberger versus Beagle     Leonberger versus American Water Spaniel     Leonberger versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Leonberger versus English Setter     Leonberger versus Weimaraner     Leonberger versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Leonberger versus Shiba Inu     Leonberger versus Newfoundland     Leonberger versus German Wirehaired Pointer     

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Whoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Whoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Goldendoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Peek A Poo     Lhasa Apso versus Bedlington Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Valley Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Bullmastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Bich Poo     Lhasa Apso versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Papipoo     Lhasa Apso versus Miniature Pinscher     Lhasa Apso versus Afghan Hound     Lhasa Apso versus Lhasapoo     Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu     Lhasa Apso versus Basenji     Lhasa Apso versus English Toy Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Lhasa Apso versus Kishu Ken     Lhasa Apso versus King Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus American Hairless Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Australian Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Samoyed     

    Conclusion: Leonberger versus Lhasa Apso. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Leonberger and the Lhasa Apso better suits you and your family.