Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Papillon Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog? 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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Papillon and for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Papillon or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Papillon is a tiny-sized dog while the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Papillon 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Papillon to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Factor Papillon Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Weight 4 to 9 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1800 No Data
Price Range $1400 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 82.3 percent 54.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- recommend screening every 2 years
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 49 169

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Papillon 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Papillon is 89 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. So, you should get the Papillon!

    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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Papillons are good for new dog owners. However, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    The Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is 11.0 years.

    Papillons live longer than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Papillon

    The Papillon has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 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 82.3 percent, the Papillon has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 96 Papillons and 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Papillon versus Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Papillon is more popular with dog owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Papillon is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Papillon

    Popularity of Papillon

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Year Papillon Popularity Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 38 157
    2014 43 170
    2015 48 164
    2016 53 169
    2017 53 176
    2018 54 170
    2019 53 173
    2020 53 175

    Health Problems of Papillon versus Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Papillon.

    2 health tests are recommended for Papillon while 2 tests are recommended for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Papillons and in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    Papillon Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- recommend screening every 2 years
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Health Problems

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Papillons and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

    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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 55 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 67 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 148 out of 182 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Breed is Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Polish Lowland Sheepdog ranks 1 out of 8 dog breeds for Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 341 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, 60 of them had Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 60 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 106 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 116 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Papillon and in Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

    Disease Papillon Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Rank
    Patella problems 55 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 67 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 148 out of 182 dog breeds 106 out of 182 dog breeds
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 1 out of 8 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 60 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 116 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: Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Papillons do not like to be left alone.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Papillons shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Papillon or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Papillon or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Papillons are moderately easy to groom.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Papillon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Papillons 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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Papillons Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Papillon vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Papillons can tolerate hot weather.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Papillon or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Papillons get along very well with other dogs.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Papillons good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Papillons and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Papillon Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Papillons are very easy to train.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Papillon Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Papillon or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Papillons are very good for new dog owners.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon

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

  • Bichon Frise (78 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Cavachon.
  • Havanese (79 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Havanese.
  • Papipoo (86 percent match with Papillon). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Papipoo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

  • Barbet (83 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Papillon vs Barbet.
  • Bernedoodle (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Papillon vs Bernedoodle.
  • Miniature Schnauzer (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Papillon vs Miniature Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Papillon and how the Polish Lowland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Papillon and of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Papillon versus Toy Poodle     Papillon versus Borzoi     Papillon versus Canaan Dog     Papillon versus Greyhound     Papillon versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Papillon versus Cane Corso     Papillon versus Saint Bernard     Papillon versus Maltipoo     Papillon versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Papillon versus Labrador Retriever     Papillon versus Havanese     Papillon versus Norwegian Buhund     Papillon versus Sealyham Terrier     Papillon versus Belgian Malinois     Papillon versus Kishu Ken     Papillon versus Chow Chow     Papillon versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Papillon versus Japanese Chin     Papillon versus Catahoula Bulldog     Papillon versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Papillon versus Redbone Coonhound     Papillon versus Coton de Tulear     Papillon versus Saint Berdoodle     Papillon versus Rottweiler     Papillon versus Airedale Terrier     

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Goldador     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Labradoodle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Biewer Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pyredoodle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Field Spaniel     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sloughi     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus American Eskimo Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Saint Bernard     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Papillon     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Komondor     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Mal Shi     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shiba Inu     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bull Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sealyham Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Saint Bernard     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Chorkie     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Canaan Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Komondor     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     

    Conclusion: Papillon versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Papillon and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.