Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Leonberger Versus Papillon: Introduction
- Leonberger versus Papillon: Overview
- Leonberger versus Papillon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Leonberger and the Papillon
- The Similarities Between the Leonberger and the Papillon
- Size (Weight and Height) of Leonberger versus Papillon
- Lifespan of Leonberger versus Papillon
- Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Papillon
- Price of Leonberger versus Price of Papillon
- The Popularity of Leonberger versus Popularity of Papillon
- Health Problems of Leonberger versus Health Problems of Papillon
- Tolerates Being Alone: Leonberger versus Papillon
- Do Leonbergers shed more than Papillons?
- Which one drools more, the Leonberger or the Papillon
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Leonberger or the Papillon?
- Does the Leonberger Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
- Do Leonbergers Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
- Can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Leonberger vs. Papillon
- Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Leonberger or the Papillon?
- Are Leonbergers good family dogs? What about Papillons?
- How Kid-friendly are Leonbergers and Papillons?
- Is the Leonberger Easier to Train than the Papillon?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Leonberger versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?
Leonberger Versus Papillon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Leonberger and the Papillon? 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 Papillon 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 Papillon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Leonberger and the Papillon 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 Papillon. 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 Papillon.
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 Papillon.
Leonberger versus Papillon: Overview
A very important difference between the Leonberger and the Papillon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Leonberger is a giant-sized dog while the Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Leonberger to the Papillon 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 Papillon
| Factor | Leonberger | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Weight | 120 to 170 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $870 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $300 – $1150 | $1400 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 96.0 percent | 82.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 97 | 49 |
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 Papillon. 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 Papillon is 89 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Leonberger. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 Papillon so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Leonberger and the Papillon
Below is a list of where the Leonberger and the Papillon are most different:
The Similarities Between the Leonberger and the Papillon
The Leonberger and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Leonberger and the Papillon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Leonberger versus Papillon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Leonberger and the Papillon.
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, Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Leonberger versus Papillon
The lifespan of Leonbergers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Leonbergers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons is 14.0 years.
Papillons live longer than Leonbergers.
Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Papillon
The Leonberger has a better temperament than the Papillon.
This is because the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 percent while the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 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 82.3 percent, the Papillon has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Leonberger and the Papillon by measuring the temperaments of 25 Leonbergers and 96 Papillons.
Price of Leonberger versus Price of Papillon
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 Papillon puppy is $1800. The price of the Papillon typically ranges from $1400 – $2000. However, the price of the Papillon can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 108 Papillon puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Papillon is more expensive than the Leonberger.
| Leonberger | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $870 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $300 to $1150 | $1400 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Leonberger and Papillon. For different price points, the charts show how many Leonberger puppies or how many Papillon 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 Papillons
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Leonberger puppy or the Papillon 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 Leonberger versus Popularity of Papillon
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 Papillon over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Papillon is more popular with dog owners than the Leonberger. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Papillon is 49 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 Papillon
| Year | Leonberger Popularity Rank | Papillon Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 98 | 38 |
| 2014 | 104 | 43 |
| 2015 | 93 | 48 |
| 2016 | 95 | 53 |
| 2017 | 100 | 53 |
| 2018 | 93 | 54 |
| 2019 | 95 | 53 |
| 2020 | 98 | 53 |
Health Problems of Leonberger versus Health Problems of Papillon
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Leonberger and the Papillon are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Leonberger is prone to more genetic health problems than the Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Leonberger than for the Papillon.
10 health tests are recommended for Leonberger while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Leonbergers and in Papillons.
Leonberger Health Problems
Leonbergers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Leonberger puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Leonberger puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Leonberger breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Leonbergers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Leonbergers here.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Leonbergers and Papillons
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Leonberger Breed is Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
This is because the Leonberger ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1600 Leonbergers, 22 of them had Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Leonbergers, and how common these diseases are in Leonbergers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Leonberger and in Papillon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Leonberger and the Papillon:
| Disease | Leonberger Rank | Papillon Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2 problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Leukoencephalomyelopathy problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 20 out of 182 dog breeds | 148 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 34 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 38 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 41 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 74 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 83 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 55 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 67 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Leonberger versus Papillon
Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Do Leonbergers shed more than Papillons?
Leonbergers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Leonberger or the Papillon
Leonbergers drool moderately.
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Leonberger or the Papillon?
Leonbergers are very easy to groom.
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Leonberger Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
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.
Papillons 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 Papillons?
Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Leonberger vs. Papillon
Leonbergers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Papillons 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 Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Leonberger or the Papillon?
Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Are Leonbergers good family dogs? What about Papillons?
Leonbergers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Papillons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Leonbergers and Papillons?
Leonbergers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Leonberger Easier to Train than the Papillon?
Leonbergers are not easy to train.
Papillons are very easy to train.
Is the Leonberger Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?
Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Leonberger or the Papillon?
Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Papillons 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Leonberger and how the Papillon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Leonberger and of the Papillon to other breeds:
Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds
Leonberger versus Norwich Terrier Leonberger versus Ibizan Hound Leonberger versus English Springer Spaniel Leonberger versus Carolina Dog Leonberger versus Pyredoodle Leonberger versus Black Mouth Cur Leonberger versus Goldador Leonberger versus Dogo Argentino Leonberger versus Korean Jindo Dog Leonberger versus Tibetan Mastiff Leonberger versus Boykin Spaniel Leonberger versus Lhasapoo Leonberger versus Borzoi Leonberger versus German Shorthaired Pointer Leonberger versus Great Pyrenees Leonberger versus Afghan Hound Leonberger versus Cockapoo Leonberger versus Silky Terrier Leonberger versus Shihpoo Leonberger versus Finnish Lapphund Leonberger versus Pug Leonberger versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Leonberger versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Leonberger versus Italian Greyhound Leonberger versus Papillon
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Saluki Papillon versus Coton de Tulear Papillon versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Papillon versus Bichon Frise Papillon versus Shichon Papillon versus American Water Spaniel Papillon versus Vizsla Papillon versus Lhasa Apso Papillon versus Black Mouth Cur Papillon versus Cocker Spaniel Papillon versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Papillon versus Belgian Sheepdog Papillon versus Chinese Shar-Pei Papillon versus Dachshund Papillon versus Black Russian Terrier Papillon versus Sheepadoodle Papillon versus Black Russian Terrier Papillon versus Pekingese Papillon versus Portuguese Pointer Papillon versus German Shorthaired Pointer Papillon versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Papillon versus Bernedoodle Papillon versus English Springer Spaniel Papillon versus Belgian Sheepdog Papillon versus Dogue de Bordeaux
Conclusion: Leonberger versus Papillon. 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 Papillon better suits you and your family.