A Detailed Comparison of the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet.

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Lhasa Apso Versus Whippet: Introduction

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

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

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 Whippet.

Lhasa Apso versus Whippet

Lhasa Apso versus Whippet: Overview

A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the Whippet 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 Whippet belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Lhasa Apso versus Whippet: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Whippet 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 Whippet

Factor Lhasa Apso Whippet
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds 18 to 48 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1780 $2120
Price Range $1500 – $1996 $1600 – $2600
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 86.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 58
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 68 51

    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 Whippet. 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 Whippet is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Whippet so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Lhasa Apso versus Whippet

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet

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

  • Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Whippets are very easy to groom.
  • Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Whippets are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet

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

  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet 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 Whippet are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Whippet

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

    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, Whippets weigh 18 to 48 pounds when fully grown. Whippets are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Whippet

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

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

    Lhasa Apso versus Whippet

    Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Lhasa Apso

    The Whippet has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 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 86.2 percent, the Whippet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 203 Whippets.

    Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Whippet

    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 Whippet puppy is $2120. The price of the Whippet typically ranges from $1600 – $2600. However, the price of the Whippet can be as low as $400 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 121 Whippet puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Whippet is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Lhasa Apso Whippet
    Average Price $1780 $2120
    Price Range $1500 to $1996 $1600 to $2600

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Whippets

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

    Lhasa Apso versus Whippet

    The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the Whippet

    Lhasa Apso Whippet
    Intelligence Rank 68 out of 130 dog breeds 51 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 Whippet has an obedience intelligence rank of 51 out of 130 dog breeds. The Whippet belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Whippets tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Whippet 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 Whippet

    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 Whippet over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Whippet is more popular with dog owners than the Lhasa Apso. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 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 Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Whippet

    Popularity of Whippet

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Whippet Popularity Rank
    2013 63 59
    2014 67 56
    2015 65 57
    2016 71 60
    2017 77 61
    2018 71 61
    2019 78 57
    2020 78 59

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Whippet

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

    Whippets do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Whippets?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Whippet

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Whippet?

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

    Whippets are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?

    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.

    Whippets 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 Whippets?

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

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

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Whippet

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

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

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Whippets can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Whippets get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Whippets?

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

    Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Whippets?

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

    Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Whippet?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Whippets are very easy to train.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Ibizan Hound (86 percent match with Whippet). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Italian Greyhound (78 percent match with Whippet). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Italian Greyhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Saluki     Lhasa Apso versus Boerboel     Lhasa Apso versus Newfoundland     Lhasa Apso versus Chi-Poo     Lhasa Apso versus Chihuahua     Lhasa Apso versus Labrador Retriever     Lhasa Apso versus Mountain Cur     Lhasa Apso versus Collie     Lhasa Apso versus Kishu Ken     Lhasa Apso versus Berger Picard     Lhasa Apso versus Vizsla     Lhasa Apso versus Dachshund     Lhasa Apso versus French Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard     Lhasa Apso versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Lhasa Apso versus Schipperke     Lhasa Apso versus Maltese     Lhasa Apso versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Akbash     Lhasa Apso versus Border Collie     Lhasa Apso versus Whippet     Lhasa Apso versus Field Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Cavachon     Lhasa Apso versus Fila Brasileiro     Lhasa Apso versus Icelandic Sheepdog     

    Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Whippet versus Labradoodle     Whippet versus Akita Chow     Whippet versus Labradoodle     Whippet versus Dachshund     Whippet versus Schnoodle     Whippet versus Giant Schnauzer     Whippet versus Mal Shi     Whippet versus Valley Bulldog     Whippet versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Whippet versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Whippet versus Whoodle     Whippet versus Maltipoo     Whippet versus King Shepherd     Whippet versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Whippet versus Biewer Terrier     Whippet versus Valley Bulldog     Whippet versus Brittany     Whippet versus Australian Kelpie     Whippet versus Xoloitzcuintli     Whippet versus Mal Shi     Whippet versus Australian Terrier     Whippet versus Catahoula Bulldog     Whippet versus American Bulldog     Whippet versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Whippet versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     

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