Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Lhasa Apso Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction
- Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard: Overview
- Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard
- The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard
- Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard
- Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard
- Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Saint Bernard
- Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Saint Bernard
- Adopting the Lhasa Apso versus Adopting the Saint Bernard
- The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard
- The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Saint Bernard
- Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard
- Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Saint Bernards?
- Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Saint Bernard
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Saint Bernard?
- Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?
- Do Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?
- Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Saint Bernard
- Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the Saint Bernard?
- Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?
- How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Saint Bernards?
- Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard. Which One is a Better Pet?
Lhasa Apso Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard? 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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard.
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 Saint Bernard.
Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard: Overview
A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard
| Factor | Lhasa Apso | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 12 to 15 pounds | 120 to 180 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 8 to 10 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 9.0 years |
| Average Price | $1780 | $1320 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $1996 | $875 – $1525 |
| Temperament Score | 70.4 percent | 84.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 71 | 49 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 68 | 65 |
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 Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Saint Bernard is a better pet than the Lhasa Apso. So, you should get the Saint Bernard!
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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard
Below is a list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard are most different:
The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard
The Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard.
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, Saint Bernards weigh 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Saint Bernards are 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard
The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Saint Bernards is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Saint Bernards is 9.0 years.
Lhasa Apsos live longer than Saint Bernards.
Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.
This is because the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 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 84.9 percent, the Saint Bernard has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Saint Bernard by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 53 Saint Bernards.
Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Saint Bernard
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 Saint Bernard puppy is $1320. The price of the Saint Bernard typically ranges from $875 – $1525. However, the price of the Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $3550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Lhasa Apso is more expensive than the Saint Bernard.
| Lhasa Apso | Saint Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1780 | $1320 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $1996 | $875 to $1525 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Lhasa Apso and Saint Bernard. For different price points, the charts show how many Lhasa Apso puppies or how many Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernards
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lhasa Apso puppy or the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lhasa Apsos and many Saint Bernards 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 Max that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lhasa Apsos like Max on pefinder.com.
Also, like Lhasa Apsos, Saint Bernards are also available for adoption. For example, Beethoven is a Male Saint Bernard that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Saint Bernards like Beethoven that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Tramp is the name of another Lhasa Apso (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Zeus is an adorable Male Saint Bernard on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Lhasa Apsos and Saint Bernards that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard
| Lhasa Apso | Saint Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 68 out of 130 dog breeds | 65 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Lhasa Apso has an obedience intelligence rank of 68 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lhasa Apsos tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Saint Bernard has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saint Bernard belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Saint Bernards tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Saint Bernard is more intelligent than the Lhasa Apso.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Saint Bernard
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 Saint Bernard over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saint Bernard is more popular with dog owners than the Lhasa Apso. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Saint Bernard is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Lhasa Apso
Popularity of Saint Bernard
| Year | Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank | Saint Bernard Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 63 | 47 |
| 2014 | 67 | 51 |
| 2015 | 65 | 50 |
| 2016 | 71 | 49 |
| 2017 | 77 | 48 |
| 2018 | 71 | 48 |
| 2019 | 78 | 48 |
| 2020 | 78 | 52 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard
Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.
Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Saint Bernards?
Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.
Saint Bernards shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Saint Bernard
Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.
Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Saint Bernard?
Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?
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.
Saint Bernards 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 Saint Bernards?
Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Saint Bernards are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?
Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Saint Bernard
Lhasa Apsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Saint Bernards 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 Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?
Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the Saint Bernard?
Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.
Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.
Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?
Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Saint Bernards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Saint Bernards?
Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Saint Bernards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?
Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.
Saint Bernards are not easy to train.
Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?
Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.
Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lhasa Apso or the Saint Bernard?
Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.
Saint Bernards 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Lhasa Apso and how the Saint Bernard compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lhasa Apso and of the Saint Bernard to other breeds:
Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lhasa Apso versus Chinese Crested Lhasa Apso versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Lhasa Apso versus Rottweiler Lhasa Apso versus Bordoodle Lhasa Apso versus Labrador Retriever Lhasa Apso versus Shiba Inu Lhasa Apso versus Belgian Malinois Lhasa Apso versus Dogo Argentino Lhasa Apso versus Coton de Tulear Lhasa Apso versus Saint Berdoodle Lhasa Apso versus Norwegian Lundehund Lhasa Apso versus French Bulldog Lhasa Apso versus Redbone Coonhound Lhasa Apso versus Saluki Lhasa Apso versus Irish Setter Lhasa Apso versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Lhasa Apso versus Briard Lhasa Apso versus Pomchi Lhasa Apso versus Bracco Italiano Lhasa Apso versus Kerry Blue Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Norwich Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Neapolitan Mastiff Lhasa Apso versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Dutch Shepherd Lhasa Apso versus Dutch Shepherd
Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds
Saint Bernard versus Irish Terrier Saint Bernard versus Ibizan Hound Saint Bernard versus Leonberger Saint Bernard versus Collie Saint Bernard versus Ibizan Hound Saint Bernard versus Dachshund Saint Bernard versus Bolognese Saint Bernard versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Saint Bernard versus Sealyham Terrier Saint Bernard versus Black and Tan Coonhound Saint Bernard versus Puggle Saint Bernard versus Alaskan Malamute Saint Bernard versus Irish Setter Saint Bernard versus Harrier Saint Bernard versus Berger Picard Saint Bernard versus Boston Terrier Saint Bernard versus Valley Bulldog Saint Bernard versus Scottish Deerhound Saint Bernard versus Australian Terrier Saint Bernard versus Barbet Saint Bernard versus American Bulldog Saint Bernard versus Siberian Husky Saint Bernard versus Stabyhoun Saint Bernard versus Vizsla Saint Bernard versus Irish Water Spaniel
Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.