Differences and Similarities between the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Lhasa Apso Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel. 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 Sussex Spaniel.

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 Sussex Spaniel.

Lhasa Apso versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Lhasa Apso versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel

Factor Lhasa Apso Sussex Spaniel
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
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 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1780 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $1996 No Data
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 171

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 Sussex Spaniel. 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 Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

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

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 Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel

Below is a list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
  • Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
  • Lhasa Apsos are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
  • Lhasa Apsos have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel.

    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, Sussex Spaniels weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Sussex Spaniels are 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Lhasa Apsos live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Sussex Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    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 Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. 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 Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 63 162
    2014 67 175
    2015 65 173
    2016 71 172
    2017 77 161
    2018 71 180
    2019 78 176
    2020 78 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Sussex Spaniel

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Sussex Spaniel?

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

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    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.

    Sussex Spaniels 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 Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

    Sussex Spaniels 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 Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lhasa Apso or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Sussex Spaniel 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 Sussex Spaniel:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Mudi     Lhasa Apso versus American Water Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Cairn Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Lhasa Apso versus Yorkshire Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Carolina Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lhasa Apso versus Havanese     Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund     Lhasa Apso versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Lhasa Apso versus Toy Fox Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Boerboel     Lhasa Apso versus Great Dane     Lhasa Apso versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Lhasa Apso versus Cockalier     Lhasa Apso versus Brittany     Lhasa Apso versus Chow Chow     Lhasa Apso versus Norwich Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Belgian Sheepdog     Lhasa Apso versus Silky Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Italian Greyhound     Lhasa Apso versus Schipperke     Lhasa Apso versus Irish Setter     Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog     Sussex Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     Sussex Spaniel versus Vizsla     Sussex Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Kishu Ken     Sussex Spaniel versus Shihpoo     Sussex Spaniel versus English Cocker Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Cavapoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Sussex Spaniel versus Labradoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound     Sussex Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Vizsla     Sussex Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     Sussex Spaniel versus Shichon     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Pekingese     Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     

    Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Sussex Spaniel. 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 Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.