Which is Better between the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso?

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso? 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 Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso 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 Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso 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 Pomeranian and for the Lhasa Apso. 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 Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso.

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

Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso

Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso: Overview

Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are similar in size. The Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso 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.

Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Lhasa Apso 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 Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso

FactorPomeranianLhasa Apso
Tolerates Being Alone1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/54/5
Life Span12 to 16 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/51/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
General Health3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Potential For Playfulness3/55/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds12 to 15 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Good For Novice Owners4/55/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$2150$1560
Price Range$1500 – $2500$1200 – $1850
Temperament Score77.8 percent70.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds2272
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2368

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pomeranian 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 Lhasa Apso. 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 Pomeranian is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.

    Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso, we still think that the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because Pomeranians are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Pomeranian will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Pomeranian :-). We are for the Pomeranian. So get a Pomeranian!

    Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso

    Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are most different:

  • Pomeranians do not like to be left alone. However, Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso

    The Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are most similar:

  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso 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.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso.

    The Pomeranian weighs 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. The Pomeranian is 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Lhasa Apso weighs 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. The Lhasa Apso is 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of Lhasa Apso

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso

    Pomeranian Colors

    The Pomeranian comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Pomeranian comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brindle
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Apricot / Beige

    Lhasa Apso Colors

    The Lhasa Apso comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)

    The Lhasa Apso comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Bicolor
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso

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

    The lifespan of the Lhasa Apso is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Lhasa Apso is 13.5 years.

    The Pomeranian live longer than the Lhasa Apso.

    Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Pomeranian

    The Pomeranian has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 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 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 27 Lhasa Apsos.

    Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Lhasa Apso

    The average price of the Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lhasa Apso puppy is $1560. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1200 – $1850. However, the price of the Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 191 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Pomeranian Lhasa Apso
    Average Price $2150 $1560
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1200 to $1850

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Lhasa Apso. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Lhasa Apso puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Lhasa Apso 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.

    Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso

    Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Lhasa Apso

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Lhasa Apsos 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 Pomeranian named Buddy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Buddy on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Pomeranians, Lhasa Apsos are also available for adoption. For example, Benny is a Male Lhasa Apso that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lhasa Apsos like Benny that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Maddox is an adorable Male Lhasa Apso on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Pomeranians and Lhasa Apsos are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Pomeranians and Lhasa Apsos that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso

    Pomeranian Lhasa Apso
    Intelligence Rank 23 out of 130 dog breeds 68 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Pomeranian has an obedience intelligence rank of 23 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pomeranian belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Pomeranians tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Lhasa Apso has an obedience intelligence rank of 68 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lhasa Apsos tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Pomeranian is more intelligent than the Lhasa Apso.

    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 Pomeranian versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    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 Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Lhasa Apso. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pomeranian is 22 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 72 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Year Pomeranian Popularity Rank Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank
    2013 19 63
    2014 20 67
    2015 21 65
    2016 22 71
    2017 22 77
    2018 23 71
    2019 24 78
    2020 23 78
    2021 24 84

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Pomeranians shed more than Lhasa Apsos?

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

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Lhasa Apso?

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

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Lhasa Apso?

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?

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

    Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Lhasa Apso

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Lhasa Apsos?

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

    Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?

    Pomeranians have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Lhasa Apsos 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 Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?

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

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

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Lhasa Apso

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

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

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Lhasa Apso?

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

    Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Pomeranian compares to other breeds aside from the Lhasa Apso. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

    Pomeranian versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pomeranian versus Affenhuahua     Pomeranian versus Boxer     Pomeranian versus King Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Sheepadoodle     Pomeranian versus Lowchen     Pomeranian versus Australian Cattle Dog     Pomeranian versus Brittany     Pomeranian versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pomeranian versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Border Collie     Pomeranian versus Pyredoodle     Pomeranian versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Pomeranian versus Afador     Pomeranian versus Havanese     

    Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso. 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 Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso better suits you and your family.