Is the Lhasa Apso Better than the Welsh Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Lhasa Apso Versus Welsh Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Lhasa Apso versus Welsh Terrier

Lhasa Apso versus Welsh Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Welsh Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the Welsh Terrier 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 Welsh Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Lhasa Apso versus Welsh Terrier: Comparison Table

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

Factor Lhasa Apso Welsh Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds Up to 20 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1780 $2510
Price Range $1500 – $1996 $1350 – $3834
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 76.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 108
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 68 53

    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 Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Welsh Terrier. 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 Welsh Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Welsh Terrier

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lhasa Apso and the Welsh 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, Welsh Terriers weigh Up to 20 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Terriers are 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Welsh 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 Welsh Terriers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Lhasa Apsos live longer than Welsh Terriers.

    Temperament of the Welsh Terrier Versus the Lhasa Apso

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Welsh Terrier is 76.3 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 76.3 percent, the Welsh Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Welsh Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 38 Welsh Terriers.

    Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier puppy is $2510. The price of the Welsh Terrier typically ranges from $1350 – $3834. However, the price of the Welsh Terrier can be as low as $1200 and as high as $3834. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 Welsh Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Welsh Terrier is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Lhasa Apso Welsh Terrier
    Average Price $1780 $2510
    Price Range $1500 to $1996 $1350 to $3834

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Welsh Terriers

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

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

    Lhasa Apso Welsh Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 68 out of 130 dog breeds 53 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Welsh Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Welsh Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Welsh Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Welsh 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 Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier is 108 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Welsh Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 63 104
    2014 67 106
    2015 65 108
    2016 71 111
    2017 77 109
    2018 71 107
    2019 78 110
    2020 78 112

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Welsh Terrier

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

    Welsh Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Welsh Terriers?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

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

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

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Welsh Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Welsh Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh 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.

    Welsh 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 Welsh Terriers?

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

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

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

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Welsh 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.

    Welsh Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

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

    Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Welsh Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Welsh Terriers?

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

    Welsh Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Welsh Terriers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Welsh Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Jack Russell Terrier (79 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Stabyhoun (76 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Stabyhoun.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu     Lhasa Apso versus Morkie     Lhasa Apso versus Cockalier     Lhasa Apso versus Chorkie     Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Bracco Italiano     Lhasa Apso versus Border Collie     Lhasa Apso versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Labradoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Bedlington Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Cane Corso     Lhasa Apso versus English Cocker Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Swedish Vallhund     Lhasa Apso versus Cavapoo     Lhasa Apso versus Dachshund     Lhasa Apso versus Affenhuahua     Lhasa Apso versus Mountain Cur     Lhasa Apso versus Borzoi     Lhasa Apso versus Afador     Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu     Lhasa Apso versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Lhasa Apso versus Coton de Tulear     Lhasa Apso versus Karelian Bear Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Lhasa Apso versus Doberman Pinscher     

    Welsh Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Welsh Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Welsh Terrier versus Cockapoo     Welsh Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Welsh Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Welsh Terrier versus Affenhuahua     Welsh Terrier versus Keeshond     Welsh Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Welsh Terrier versus Afghan Hound     Welsh Terrier versus Bich Poo     Welsh Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Welsh Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Welsh Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Welsh Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Welsh Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Welsh Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Welsh Terrier versus Whippet     Welsh Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Welsh Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Welsh Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Welsh Terrier versus Irish Setter     Welsh Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     

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