A Detailed Comparison of the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier.

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Lhasa Apso Versus Silky Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier.

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 Silky Terrier.

Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier

Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier: Overview

Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are similar in size. The Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are Companion Dogs. This means both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier 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.

Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier

Factor Lhasa Apso Silky Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds 8 to 10 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1780 $1890
Price Range $1500 – $1996 $1425 – $2075
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 73.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 103
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 68 37

    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 Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier

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

  • Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier

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

  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier

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

    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, Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Silky Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Silky Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Silky Terrier

    The Silky Terrier has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Silky Terrier is 73.7 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 73.7 percent, the Silky Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 19 Silky Terriers.

    Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Silky Terrier

    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 Silky Terrier puppy is $1890. The price of the Silky Terrier typically ranges from $1425 – $2075. However, the price of the Silky Terrier can be as low as $350 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 42 Silky Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Silky Terrier is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Lhasa Apso Silky Terrier
    Average Price $1780 $1890
    Price Range $1500 to $1996 $1425 to $2075

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lhasa Apso and Silky Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Lhasa Apso puppies or how many Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Silky Terriers

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

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lhasa Apsos and many Silky Terriers 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, Silky Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Copper Penny is a Male Silky Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Silky Terriers like Copper Penny that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lhasa Apso and the Silky Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Jack Jack is an adorable Male Silky Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Lhasa Apsos and Silky Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Lhasa Apsos and Silky Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the Silky Terrier

    Lhasa Apso Silky Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 68 out of 130 dog breeds 37 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Silky Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Silky Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Silky Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier

    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 Silky Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier is 103 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Silky Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 63 92
    2014 67 101
    2015 65 102
    2016 71 100
    2017 77 106
    2018 71 112
    2019 78 109
    2020 78 108

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Silky Terriers?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Silky Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Silky Terrier

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Silky Terrier?

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

    Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Silky Terrier?

    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.

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Silky Terrier?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Silky Terrier?

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (81 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Australian Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Doberman Pinscher     Lhasa Apso versus Brittany     Lhasa Apso versus Aussiedoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Great Pyrenees     Lhasa Apso versus Great Pyrenees     Lhasa Apso versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Lhasa Apso versus American Eskimo Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Pomchi     Lhasa Apso versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Dalmatian     Lhasa Apso versus Pyredoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Chihuahua     Lhasa Apso versus Pug     Lhasa Apso versus Pug     Lhasa Apso versus Maltipoo     Lhasa Apso versus Belgian Malinois     Lhasa Apso versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Bordoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Finnish Lapphund     Lhasa Apso versus King Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Rottweiler     Lhasa Apso versus Skye Terrier     

    Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Silky Terrier versus Beaglier     Silky Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Silky Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Silky Terrier versus King Shepherd     Silky Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Silky Terrier versus Cavapoo     Silky Terrier versus Barbet     Silky Terrier versus Morkie     Silky Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Silky Terrier versus Cavapoo     Silky Terrier versus Afador     Silky Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Silky Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Silky Terrier versus Chihuahua     Silky Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Silky Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Silky Terrier versus Shihpoo     Silky Terrier versus Leonberger     Silky Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Shichon     Silky Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Silky Terrier versus American Water Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier better suits you and your family.