Lowchen versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Lowchen Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel? 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.

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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Lowchen versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

Lowchen versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lowchen is a tiny-sized dog while the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Lowchen 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 Springer Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Lowchen versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lowchen to the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel

Factor Lowchen Welsh Springer Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 13 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 9 to 18 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2870 No Data
Price Range $1642 – $4500 No Data
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 100.0 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
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination by the age of 2, then at ages 5 and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 163 128

    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 Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is 79 out of 125.

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

    The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    The Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most similar:

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

    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, Welsh Springer Spaniels weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Springer Spaniels are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lowchen versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

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

    The lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Lowchens live longer than Welsh Springer Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 100.0 percent, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 12 Lowchens and 6 Welsh Springer Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Lowchen versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel

    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 Welsh Springer Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 128 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Year Lowchen Popularity Rank Welsh Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 154 124
    2014 165 133
    2015 161 128
    2016 171 123
    2017 169 133
    2018 168 128
    2019 158 130
    2020 161 128

    Health Problems of Lowchen versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer Spaniel

    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 Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lowchen.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Welsh Springer Spaniel than for the Lowchen.

    3 health tests are recommended for Lowchen while 4 tests are recommended for the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lowchens and in Welsh Springer Spaniels.

    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.

    Welsh Springer Spaniel Health Problems

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniels for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination by the age of 2, then at ages 5 and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Welsh Springer Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Lowchens and Welsh Springer Spaniels

    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 Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Welsh Springer Spaniel ranks 12 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1309 Welsh Springer Spaniels, 125 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 12 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 81 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 111 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 118 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Lowchen and in Welsh Springer Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lowchen and the Welsh Springer Spaniel:

    Disease Lowchen Rank Welsh Springer Spaniel Rank
    Patella problems 19 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 42 out of 182 dog breeds 81 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 163 out of 198 dog breeds 111 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 12 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 118 out of 144 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lowchens shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lowchen or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lowchen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    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.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

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

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel

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

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

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lowchen or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lowchens and Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

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

    Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Lowchen Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lowchen or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (78 percent match with Welsh Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Finnish Lapphund (78 percent match with Welsh Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Akbash     Lowchen versus Cavachon     Lowchen versus Great Dane     Lowchen versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Lowchen versus Frenchton     Lowchen versus Peek A Poo     Lowchen versus Borzoi     Lowchen versus Boerboel     Lowchen versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lowchen versus Coton de Tulear     Lowchen versus Biewer Terrier     Lowchen versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lowchen versus Australian Shepherd     Lowchen versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Brussels Griffon     Lowchen versus Siberian Husky     Lowchen versus Toy Fox Terrier     Lowchen versus Manchester Terrier     Lowchen versus English Setter     Lowchen versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Lowchen versus Maltipoo     Lowchen versus Harrier     Lowchen versus Weimaraner     Lowchen versus Patterdale Terrier     Lowchen versus Lancashire Heeler     

    Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Cairn Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus German Pinscher     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pomeranian     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Papipoo     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Labradoodle     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Sloughi     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Barbet     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Bich Poo     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Airedale Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Conclusion: Lowchen versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel better suits you and your family.