Is the Lowchen Better than the Silky Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Lowchen Versus Silky Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lowchen and the Silky 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 Lowchen and for the Silky 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 Lowchen and the Silky Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Lowchen or the Silky Terrier.

Lowchen versus Silky Terrier

Lowchen versus Silky Terrier: Overview

Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are similar in size. The Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are Companion Dogs. This means both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier 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.

Lowchen versus Silky Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lowchen to the Silky 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 Lowchen and the Silky Terrier

Factor Lowchen Silky Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 13 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 9 to 18 pounds 8 to 10 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2870 $1890
Price Range $1642 – $4500 $1425 – $2075
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 73.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 163 103

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lowchen 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 Silky 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Silky Terrier is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Silky Terrier. So, you should get the Lowchen!

    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 Lowchen and the Silky Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier

    The Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Silky Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier.

    Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lowchen versus Silky Terrier

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

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

    Lowchens live longer than Silky Terriers.

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Silky Terrier

    The Lowchen has a better temperament than the Silky Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 percent while the temperament score for the Silky Terrier is 73.7 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 73.7 percent, the Silky Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 12 Lowchens and 19 Silky Terriers.

    Price of Lowchen versus Price of Silky Terrier

    The average price of the Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of a Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Silky Terrier puppy is $1890. The price of the Silky Terrier typically ranges from $1425 – $2075. However, the price of the Silky Terrier can be as low as $350 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 42 Silky Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Silky Terrier.

    Lowchen Silky Terrier
    Average Price $2870 $1890
    Price Range $1642 to $4500 $1425 to $2075

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lowchen and Silky Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Lowchen puppies or how many Silky Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Silky Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Silky Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lowchen puppy or the Silky 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 Popularity of Lowchen versus Popularity of Silky 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 Lowchen and the Silky Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Silky Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Silky Terrier is 103 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Year Lowchen Popularity Rank Silky Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 154 92
    2014 165 101
    2015 161 102
    2016 171 100
    2017 169 106
    2018 168 112
    2019 158 109
    2020 161 108

    Health Problems of Lowchen versus Health Problems of Silky Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Lowchen is prone to more genetic health problems than the Silky Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Lowchen than for the Silky Terrier.

    3 health tests are recommended for Lowchen while 2 tests are recommended for the Silky Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lowchens and in Silky Terriers.

    Lowchen Health Problems

    Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lowchens for:

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    Silky Terrier Health Problems

    Silky Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Silky Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Silky Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Silky Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Silky Terriers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Silky Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Lowchens and Silky Terriers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Silky Terrier Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Silky Terrier ranks 22 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 109 Silky Terriers, 0 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Silky Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Silky Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 22 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 50 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 61 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Lowchen and in Silky Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lowchen and the Silky Terrier:

    Disease Lowchen Rank Silky Terrier Rank
    Patella problems 19 out of 145 dog breeds 50 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 42 out of 182 dog breeds 61 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 163 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 22 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lowchen versus Silky Terrier

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Lowchens shed more than Silky Terriers?

    Lowchens shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Silky Terrier

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lowchen or the Silky Terrier?

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lowchen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Silky Terrier?

    Lowchens 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.

    Silky 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 Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Silky Terriers?

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

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

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lowchen or the Silky Terrier?

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Silky Terriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Lowchens and Silky Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Silky Terrier?

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Lowchen Better for Apartment Owners than the Silky Terrier?

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lowchen or the Silky Terrier?

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Silky Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Silky Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Silky Terrier vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Silky Terrier

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (81 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Australian Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Basset Hound     Lowchen versus Norwegian Lundehund     Lowchen versus Labradoodle     Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound     Lowchen versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Lowchen versus Schnoodle     Lowchen versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Lowchen versus Border Terrier     Lowchen versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Lowchen versus Papillon     Lowchen versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lowchen versus Chow Chow     Lowchen versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Lowchen versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Lowchen versus Border Terrier     Lowchen versus Cavapoo     Lowchen versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Lowchen versus Fila Brasileiro     Lowchen versus Greyhound     Lowchen versus German Shepherd Dog     Lowchen versus Goldendoodle     Lowchen versus Cairn Terrier     Lowchen versus English Cocker Spaniel     Lowchen versus Saluki     Lowchen versus Giant Schnauzer     

    Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Silky Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Newfoundland     Silky Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Silky Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Silky Terrier versus Berger Picard     Silky Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Silky Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Silky Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     Silky Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Pomeranian     Silky Terrier versus Border Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Papillon     Silky Terrier versus Frenchton     Silky Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Akbash     Silky Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Silky Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Silky Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Silky Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     Silky Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Silky Terrier versus Mal Shi     Silky Terrier versus Bull Terrier     

    Conclusion: Lowchen versus Silky 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 Lowchen and the Silky Terrier better suits you and your family.