Which is Better between the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel? A Very Detailed Review.

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Pekingese Versus Tibetan Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pekingese and the Tibetan 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 Pekingese and the Tibetan 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 Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese and the Tibetan 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 Pekingese and for the Tibetan 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 Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel.

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

Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel

Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel: Overview

Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are similar in size. The Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel 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.

Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese to the Tibetan 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 Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel

Factor Pekingese Tibetan Spaniel
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder From 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 9 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1930 $1650
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $1200 – $2000
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 86 117
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 73 46

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese 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 Tibetan 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Tibetan Spaniel is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Tibetan Spaniel is a better pet than the Pekingese. So, you should get the Tibetan Spaniel!

    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 Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are most different:

  • Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to groom.
  • Pekingeses are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Tibetan Spaniels 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.
  • Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Tibetan Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Pekingeses have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Tibetan Spaniels are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Pekingeses can tolerate cold weather. However, Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel

    The Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel.

    Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Tibetan Spaniels weigh 9 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Spaniels are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel

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

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

    Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel

    Temperament of the Tibetan Spaniel Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Tibetan Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Tibetan Spaniel is 91.7 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Tibetan Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 12 Tibetan Spaniels.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Tibetan Spaniel

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Tibetan Spaniel puppy is $1650. The price of the Tibetan Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Tibetan Spaniel can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 Tibetan Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pekingese is more expensive than the Tibetan Spaniel.

    Pekingese Tibetan Spaniel
    Average Price $1930 $1650
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $1200 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pekingese and Tibetan Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Pekingese puppies or how many Tibetan Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pekingese puppy or the Tibetan Spaniel 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.

    Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel

    Adopting the Pekingese versus Adopting the Tibetan Spaniel

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pekingeses and many Tibetan Spaniels 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 Pekingese named Billy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pekingeses like Billy on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Pekingeses, Tibetan Spaniels are also available for adoption. For example, Dan The Man is a Male Tibetan Spaniel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Tibetan Spaniels like Dan The Man that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Dasher is the name of another Pekingese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Pekingeses and Tibetan Spaniels that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Tibetan Spaniel

    Pekingese Tibetan Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 73 out of 130 dog breeds 46 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Tibetan Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The Tibetan Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Tibetan Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Tibetan Spaniel is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Pekingese versus Popularity of Tibetan 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 Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Tibetan Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Tibetan Spaniel is 117 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel

    Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Tibetan Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 77 106
    2014 82 122
    2015 80 115
    2016 93 118
    2017 88 121
    2018 92 119
    2019 83 117
    2020 95 118

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Tibetan Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Tibetan Spaniels?

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Tibetan Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Tibetan Spaniel

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Tibetan Spaniel?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Pekingeses 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.

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

    Do Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Spaniels?

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

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

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Tibetan Spaniel

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

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

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Tibetan Spaniels?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Tibetan Spaniels?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pekingese or the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Tibetan Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Spaniel vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Spaniel vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Spaniel vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Spaniel vs Pomsky.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Tibetan Spaniel

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Lowchen (78 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Lowchen.
  • Cockalier (80 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus American Eskimo Dog     Pekingese versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Pekingese versus Doberman Pinscher     Pekingese versus Bich Poo     Pekingese versus Keeshond     Pekingese versus Bull Terrier     Pekingese versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Pekingese versus Japanese Chin     Pekingese versus Pomsky     Pekingese versus Field Spaniel     Pekingese versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Pekingese versus Shih Tzu     Pekingese versus Chinese Crested     Pekingese versus Bulldog     Pekingese versus Borzoi     Pekingese versus Maremma Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Bouvier des Flandres     Pekingese versus Norwich Terrier     Pekingese versus Giant Schnauzer     Pekingese versus Finnish Spitz     Pekingese versus Briard     Pekingese versus Norwegian Buhund     Pekingese versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pekingese versus Spanish Mastiff     Pekingese versus Karelian Bear Dog     

    Tibetan Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     Tibetan Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Tibetan Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Tibetan Spaniel versus Cane Corso     Tibetan Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Tibetan Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     Tibetan Spaniel versus Pointer     Tibetan Spaniel versus Puggle     Tibetan Spaniel versus Chinook     Tibetan Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     Tibetan Spaniel versus Pyredoodle     Tibetan Spaniel versus American Foxhound     Tibetan Spaniel versus Pointer     Tibetan Spaniel versus Peek A Poo     Tibetan Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Tibetan Spaniel versus Kai Ken     Tibetan Spaniel versus Greyhound     Tibetan Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Tibetan Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Tibetan Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Tibetan Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound     Tibetan Spaniel versus Akita Chow     Tibetan Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Tibetan Spaniel versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Tibetan Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres     

    Conclusion: Pekingese versus Tibetan 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 Pekingese and the Tibetan Spaniel better suits you and your family.