Breed Comparison: Lhasa Apso Versus Swedish Vallhund

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Lhasa Apso Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.

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 Swedish Vallhund.

Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund

Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund is a medium-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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

Factor Lhasa Apso Swedish Vallhund
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1780 $2500
Price Range $1500 – $1996 $2500 – $2500
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 155

    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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund

    Below is a list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:

  • Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.
  • Lhasa Apsos are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Lhasa Apsos are good for new dog owners. However, Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund

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

  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund.

    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, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    The lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Swedish Vallhund Versus the Lhasa Apso

    The Swedish Vallhund has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Swedish Vallhund by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 4 Swedish Vallhunds.

    Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Swedish Vallhund puppy is $2500. The price of the Swedish Vallhund typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of the Swedish Vallhund can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Swedish Vallhund puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Swedish Vallhund is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Lhasa Apso Swedish Vallhund
    Average Price $1780 $2500
    Price Range $1500 to $1996 $2500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lhasa Apso and Swedish Vallhund. For different price points, the charts show how many Lhasa Apso puppies or how many Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhunds

    A breakdown of the prices of Swedish Vallhunds

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

    The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Swedish Vallhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 155 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank
    2013 63 147
    2014 67 158
    2015 65 155
    2016 71 163
    2017 77 149
    2018 71 169
    2019 78 159
    2020 78 147

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Swedish Vallhund

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Swedish Vallhund?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?

    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.

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Swedish Vallhund

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

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhund?

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lhasa Apso or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund:

  • Dalmatian (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Dalmatian.
  • German Longhaired Pointer (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs German Longhaired Pointer.
  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Border Collie (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Border Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Lhasa Apso versus Korean Jindo Dog     Lhasa Apso versus German Longhaired Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano     Lhasa Apso versus Shiloh Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Lancashire Heeler     Lhasa Apso versus Harrier     Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Cairn Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Afador     Lhasa Apso versus Cesky Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Beaglier     Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Bernedoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Boykin Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Alaskan Malamute     Lhasa Apso versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Aussiedoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Whoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Cairn Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Morkie     Lhasa Apso versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus English Toy Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     

    Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Swedish Vallhund versus Brussels Griffon     Swedish Vallhund versus Lowchen     Swedish Vallhund versus Shiba Inu     Swedish Vallhund versus Akbash     Swedish Vallhund versus Whippet     Swedish Vallhund versus Pekingese     Swedish Vallhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Swedish Vallhund versus Bordoodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Swedish Vallhund versus Skye Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Saluki     Swedish Vallhund versus Rottweiler     Swedish Vallhund versus Shetland Sheepdog     Swedish Vallhund versus Lakeland Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Swedish Vallhund versus Bedlington Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Standard Poodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Newfoundland     Swedish Vallhund versus Norwegian Lundehund     Swedish Vallhund versus Siberian Husky     Swedish Vallhund versus Whoodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Chihuahua     Swedish Vallhund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Swedish Vallhund versus Harrier     

    Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.