Which is Better between the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff? A Very Detailed Review.

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Lhasa Apso Versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff? 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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Lhasa Apso and for the Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

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

Lhasa Apso versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Neapolitan Mastiff 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.

Lhasa Apso versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff

FactorLhasa ApsoNeapolitan Mastiff
Does NOT Drool5/51/5
Easy To Groom1/53/5
Weight12 to 15 pounds120 to 200 pounds
Life Span12 to 15 years8 to 10 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/51/5
Dog Friendly3/52/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
General Health3/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/51/5
Easy To Train3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone4/51/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Kid-Friendly4/54/5
Intelligence4/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/55/5
NOT Rambunctious2/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Good For Novice Owners5/51/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Height9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years9.0 years
Average Price$1780$2870
Price Range$1500 – $1996$1800 – $3700
Temperament Score70.4 percent66.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds71104

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lhasa Apso 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 Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 71 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff

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

  • Lhasa Apsos do not have the tendency to drool. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.
  • Lhasa Apsos have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Lhasa Apsos adapt well to apartment living. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Lhasa Apsos are good for new dog owners. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff

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

  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Neapolitan Mastiff

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

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

    On the other hand, Neapolitan Mastiffs weigh 120 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Neapolitan Mastiffs are 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Neapolitan Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is 9.0 years.

    Lhasa Apsos live longer than Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Neapolitan Mastiff Versus the Lhasa Apso

    The Lhasa Apso has a better temperament than the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 percent while the temperament score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 66.7 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 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 66.7 percent, the Neapolitan Mastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 15 Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Neapolitan Mastiff

    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 a Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy is $2870. The price of the Neapolitan Mastiff typically ranges from $1800 – $3700. However, the price of the Neapolitan Mastiff can be as low as $500 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 83 Neapolitan Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Neapolitan Mastiff is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

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    Lhasa Apso Neapolitan Mastiff
    Average Price $1780 $2870
    Price Range $1500 to $1996 $1800 to $3700

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Neapolitan Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Neapolitan Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lhasa Apso puppy or the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Lhasa Apso versus Adopting the Neapolitan Mastiff

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lhasa Apsos and many Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Lhasa Apso named Deeohhgee that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lhasa Apsos like Deeohhgee on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lhasa Apsos, Neapolitan Mastiffs are also available for adoption. For example, Harry is a Male Neapolitan Mastiff that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Neapolitan Mastiffs like Harry that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Simba is the name of another Lhasa Apso (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Fausto (New Intake) is an adorable Male Neapolitan Mastiff on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Lhasa Apsos and Neapolitan Mastiffs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Lhasa Apsos and Neapolitan Mastiffs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff

    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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is 104 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff

    Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff

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    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Neapolitan Mastiff Popularity Rank
    2013 63 111
    2014 67 114
    2015 65 106
    2016 71 99
    2017 77 107
    2018 71 102
    2019 78 100
    2020 78 100

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Neapolitan Mastiff

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    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.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Neapolitan Mastiff

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

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

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Neapolitan Mastiffs?

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

    Neapolitan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Neapolitan Mastiff vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff

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

  • Doberman Pinscher (67 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Doberman Pinscher.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Mastiff.
  • Spanish Mastiff (69 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Spanish Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Portuguese Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Whoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Schnoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Dogo Argentino     Lhasa Apso versus Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Shetland Sheepdog     Lhasa Apso versus Jack Russell Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Chinook     Lhasa Apso versus Greyhound     Lhasa Apso versus Pomapoo     Lhasa Apso versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Basset Hound     Lhasa Apso versus Norwegian Lundehund     Lhasa Apso versus Weimaraner     Lhasa Apso versus Shihpoo     Lhasa Apso versus Scottish Deerhound     Lhasa Apso versus Maltese     Lhasa Apso versus Black Mouth Cur     Lhasa Apso versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Lowchen     Lhasa Apso versus Keeshond     Lhasa Apso versus Afador     Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Miniature Poodle     

    Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Neapolitan Mastiff versus Black Mouth Cur     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Norwich Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Boxer     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Berger Picard     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Harrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Canaan Dog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Yorkipoo     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Belgian Tervuren     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shichon     Neapolitan Mastiff versus English Toy Spaniel     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Finnish Lapphund     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Field Spaniel     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Neapolitan Mastiff versus King Shepherd     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Aussiedoodle     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Pomeranian     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Leonberger     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Japanese Spitz     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Belgian Tervuren     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Ibizan Hound     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Beagle     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shiranian     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Samoyed     

    Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Lhasa Apso and the Neapolitan Mastiff better suits you and your family.