Lhasa Apso versus Xoloitzcuintli. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Lhasa Apso Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction

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

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

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 Xoloitzcuintli.

Lhasa Apso versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview

A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Xoloitzcuintli is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the Xoloitzcuintli is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Lhasa Apso and the Xoloitzcuintli are Companion Dogs. This means both the Lhasa Apso and the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli

Factor Lhasa Apso Xoloitzcuintli
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds 10 to 50 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 14 to 20 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
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 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 17.0 years
Average Price $1780 $1890
Price Range $1500 – $1996 $1000 – $2500
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 87.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 138

    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 Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.
  • Lhasa Apsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Xoloitzcuintlis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.
  • Lhasa Apsos are good for new dog owners. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

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

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

    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, Xoloitzcuintlis weigh 10 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Xoloitzcuintlis are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    The lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is between 14 to 20 years. The average lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is 17.0 years.

    Xoloitzcuintlis live longer than Lhasa Apsos.

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Xoloitzcuintli

    The Xoloitzcuintli has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Xoloitzcuintli is 87.5 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 87.5 percent, the Xoloitzcuintli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Xoloitzcuintli by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 8 Xoloitzcuintlis.

    Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Xoloitzcuintli

    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 Xoloitzcuintli puppy is $1890. The price of the Xoloitzcuintli typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of the Xoloitzcuintli can be as low as $500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 33 Xoloitzcuintli puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Xoloitzcuintli is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Lhasa Apso Xoloitzcuintli
    Average Price $1780 $1890
    Price Range $1500 to $1996 $1000 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Xoloitzcuintlis

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

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lhasa Apsos and many Xoloitzcuintlis 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, Xoloitzcuintlis are also available for adoption. For example, Vlad – Sanctuary – Sponsor My Care is a Male Xoloitzcuintli that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Xoloitzcuintlis like Vlad – Sanctuary – Sponsor My Care that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lhasa Apso and the Xoloitzcuintli 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.

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

    The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    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 Xoloitzcuintli over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli is 138 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Xoloitzcuintli Popularity Rank
    2013 63 139
    2014 67 142
    2015 65 135
    2016 71 139
    2017 77 143
    2018 71 140
    2019 78 137
    2020 78 131

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Xoloitzcuintli

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

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

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Xoloitzcuintli

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

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

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintli?

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are fairly easy to train.

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

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Xoloitzcuintlis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Glen of Imaal Terrier (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Glen of Imaal Terrier.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Lhasapoo (71 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Lhasapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Boykin Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Sloughi     Lhasa Apso versus King Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Australian Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Doberman Pinscher     Lhasa Apso versus Beagle     Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lhasa Apso versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Lhasa Apso versus Schipperke     Lhasa Apso versus Briard     Lhasa Apso versus Komondor     Lhasa Apso versus Beagle     Lhasa Apso versus Chi-Poo     Lhasa Apso versus Boykin Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Saluki     Lhasa Apso versus Carolina Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Pomeranian     Lhasa Apso versus Siberian Husky     Lhasa Apso versus American Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Border Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Bich Poo     Lhasa Apso versus Bordoodle     

    Xoloitzcuintli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Xoloitzcuintli versus French Bulldog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Maltipoo     Xoloitzcuintli versus Spinone Italiano     Xoloitzcuintli versus Fila Brasileiro     Xoloitzcuintli versus Spanish Mastiff     Xoloitzcuintli versus Irish Water Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Cavachon     Xoloitzcuintli versus German Pinscher     Xoloitzcuintli versus Lhasa Apso     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pekingese     Xoloitzcuintli versus Standard Schnauzer     Xoloitzcuintli versus Maremma Sheepdog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Scottish Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Labrador Retriever     Xoloitzcuintli versus Fila Brasileiro     Xoloitzcuintli versus Shih Tzu     Xoloitzcuintli versus Golden Retriever     Xoloitzcuintli versus Bull Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus English Setter     Xoloitzcuintli versus West Highland White Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Xoloitzcuintli versus Spanish Mastiff     Xoloitzcuintli versus Affenpinscher     Xoloitzcuintli versus Peek A Poo     Xoloitzcuintli versus Swedish Vallhund     

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