A Detailed Comparison of the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

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Lhasa Apso Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd.

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 Pyrenean Shepherd.

Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd

Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview

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

Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd

Factor Lhasa Apso Pyrenean Shepherd
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds 25 to 30 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 15 to 17 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
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 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 16.0 years
Average Price $1780 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $1996 No Data
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 178

    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 Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd

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

  • Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
  • Lhasa Apsos are good for new dog owners. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd

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

  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd

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

    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, Pyrenean Shepherds weigh 25 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Shepherds are 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd

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

    The lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is between 15 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is 16.0 years.

    Pyrenean Shepherds live longer than Lhasa Apsos.

    Temperament of the Pyrenean Shepherd Versus the Lhasa Apso

    The Pyrenean Shepherd has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 75.0 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 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Pyrenean Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 4 Pyrenean Shepherds.

    Adopting the Lhasa Apso versus Adopting the Pyrenean Shepherd

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lhasa Apsos and many Pyrenean Shepherds 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 A706115 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lhasa Apsos like A706115 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lhasa Apsos, Pyrenean Shepherds are also available for adoption. For example, Boone is a Male Pyrenean Shepherd that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pyrenean Shepherds like Boone that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lhasa Apso and the Pyrenean Shepherd can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    You can find more Lhasa Apsos and Pyrenean Shepherds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    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 Pyrenean Shepherd over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd is 178 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank
    2013 63 169
    2014 67 178
    2015 65 176
    2016 71 176
    2017 77 180
    2018 71 181
    2019 78 182
    2020 78 182

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    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.

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Pyrenean Shepherd

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Cairn Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Cairn Terrier.
  • Lakeland Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Pomsky (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Korean Jindo Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Pekingese     Lhasa Apso versus Puggle     Lhasa Apso versus Airedale Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Lhasa Apso versus Japanese Chin     Lhasa Apso versus Samoyed     Lhasa Apso versus Standard Poodle     Lhasa Apso versus American Hairless Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Newfoundland     Lhasa Apso versus Bullmastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Biewer Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Lhasapoo     Lhasa Apso versus Australian Kelpie     Lhasa Apso versus Brittany     Lhasa Apso versus Akita     Lhasa Apso versus Boxerdoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Belgian Malinois     Lhasa Apso versus Boykin Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Dutch Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Basenji     Lhasa Apso versus Boxerdoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Scottish Terrier     

    Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pyrenean Shepherd versus German Shepherd Dog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Bich Poo     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Doberman Pinscher     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Goldendoodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Brittany     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Finnish Spitz     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Whoodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Pyrenean Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Borzoi     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Schipperke     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Kai Ken     Pyrenean Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel     Pyrenean Shepherd versus King Shepherd     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Greyhound     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Scottish Deerhound     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Australian Shepherd     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Vizsla     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Australian Shepherd     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Brussels Griffon     

    Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you and your family.