Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Pekingese Versus Welsh Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese and the Welsh 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 Pekingese and for the Welsh 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 Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier.

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 Welsh Terrier.

Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier

Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pekingese is a tiny-sized dog while the Welsh Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Pekingese 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 Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese to the Welsh 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 Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier

Factor Pekingese Welsh Terrier
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 7 to 14 pounds Up to 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1930 $2510
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $1350 – $3834
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 76.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 86 108
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 73 53

    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 Welsh 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Welsh Terrier is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Welsh Terrier is not better or worse than the Pekingese. So, you can get the Welsh Terrier or the Pekingese!

    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 Welsh Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier are most different:

  • Pekingeses do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Welsh Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Welsh Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs. However, Welsh Terriers get along well with other dogs.
  • Pekingeses have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Welsh Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Pekingeses have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Welsh Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Pekingeses have low exercise needs. However, Welsh Terriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier

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

  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier 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.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier.

    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, Welsh Terriers weigh Up to 20 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Terriers are 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Welsh Terriers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Pekingeses live longer than Welsh Terriers.

    Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Welsh Terrier

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Welsh Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Welsh Terrier is 76.3 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 76.3 percent, the Welsh Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 38 Welsh Terriers.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Welsh Terrier

    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 Welsh Terrier puppy is $2510. The price of the Welsh Terrier typically ranges from $1350 – $3834. However, the price of the Welsh Terrier can be as low as $1200 and as high as $3834. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 Welsh Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Welsh Terrier is more expensive than the Pekingese.

    Pekingese Welsh Terrier
    Average Price $1930 $2510
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $1350 to $3834

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pekingese and Welsh Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Pekingese puppies or how many Welsh Terrier 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 Welsh Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Welsh Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pekingese puppy or the Welsh 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 Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Terrier

    Pekingese Welsh Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 73 out of 130 dog breeds 53 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 Welsh Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Welsh Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Welsh Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Welsh Terrier 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 Welsh 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 Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Welsh Terrier. 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 Welsh Terrier is 108 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Welsh Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 77 104
    2014 82 106
    2015 80 108
    2016 93 111
    2017 88 109
    2018 92 107
    2019 83 110
    2020 95 112

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Welsh Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Welsh Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Welsh Terrier

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Welsh Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Welsh Terrier?

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

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

    Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Terrier?

    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.

    Welsh 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 Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Terriers?

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

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

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Welsh Terrier

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

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

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Welsh Terrier?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Welsh Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Welsh Terriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Welsh Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Welsh Terrier?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Welsh Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Terrier?

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Welsh Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pekingese or the Welsh Terrier?

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Jack Russell Terrier (79 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Stabyhoun (76 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Stabyhoun.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Pekingese versus Boxerdoodle     Pekingese versus Pointer     Pekingese versus Miniature Poodle     Pekingese versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pekingese versus Skye Terrier     Pekingese versus Stabyhoun     Pekingese versus Gordon Setter     Pekingese versus Sheepadoodle     Pekingese versus Mal Shi     Pekingese versus Weimaraner     Pekingese versus Afghan Hound     Pekingese versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Pekingese versus German Shepherd Dog     Pekingese versus Korean Jindo Dog     Pekingese versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Pekingese versus Saint Berdoodle     Pekingese versus Black Russian Terrier     Pekingese versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pekingese versus Kooikerhondje     Pekingese versus Bedlington Terrier     Pekingese versus Pointer     Pekingese versus Skye Terrier     Pekingese versus Miniature Pinscher     Pekingese versus Kooikerhondje     

    Welsh Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Welsh Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Welsh Terrier versus Whoodle     Welsh Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Welsh Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Welsh Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Welsh Terrier versus English Setter     Welsh Terrier versus Pug     Welsh Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Welsh Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Welsh Terrier versus Puli     Welsh Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Welsh Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Welsh Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Welsh Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Welsh Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Mastiff     Welsh Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Welsh Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Welsh Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Welsh Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Welsh Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Azawakh     

    Conclusion: Pekingese versus Welsh 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 Pekingese and the Welsh Terrier better suits you and your family.