Lhasa Apso vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Lhasa Apso vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonLhasa Apso is originated from China but Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland. Lhasa Apso may grow 17 cm / 6 inches shorter than Icelandic Sheepdog. Lhasa Apso may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Icelandic Sheepdog. Both Lhasa Apso and Icelandic Sheepdog has same life span. Both Lhasa Apso and Icelandic Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Both Lhasa Apso and Icelandic Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

lhasa apso - historyThe Lhasa Apso is a non-sporting dog hailing from Tibet. He was a useful dog to the monks who would use him in the palaces as well as the monasteries to ward off intruders.

He actually takes his name from the holy city of Lhasa, with the history of the breed going back to 600BC.

Today he is a true companion dog, a family dog, known as as the Tibetan Apso, the Bearded Lion Dog, the Apso and Lhasa.

The dog has been recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935, in the Non-Sporting Group category.

icelandic sheepdog - historyThere are quite a few different dog breeds that fall under the name of Spitz-type dogs, and in fact they have a number of similar characteristics, one of which is that they have some wolf-like features. They typically have the thick coat with undercoat and the erect, pointed ears and slanted eyes.

There is definitely a strong link between the Spitz type dogs and wild wolves. The tail too is feathery and can curl over the back of the dog.

The Icelandic Sheepdog, a native dog to Iceland, is a Spitz type dog which originates from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. The dogs have always been used to herd sheep, and they resemble dogs found in graves in Sweden and Denmark.

The dog at one time was facing extinction in the late 20th century, but in 1969, the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association was established to restore and preserve the breed. The Icelandic Sheepdog gained AKC recognition in June 2010.

Basic Information

Group:
Non sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
China
Iceland
Height Male:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Height Female:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Lhasa, The Lion Dog, Tibetan Apso
Iceland Dog, Icelandic Spitz
Colors Available:
cream, black and white, white, Gold, tan
black, cream or chocolate., tan and white, Grey and white or tan and white
Coat:
Long and dense
Short or long, straight or wavy
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

lhasa apso puppy - descriptionLhasa Apsos are small dogs which stand at between 25 to 28cm in height and weigh in the region of 6 to 8kg.

The body length of the dog is longer than the height of the dog. He has brown eyes, a black nose and medium length, floppy ears. The long tail is carried over the dog's back.

Many people get used to seeing a sheared or clipped Lhaso, so when they see a dog where the coat has been left uncut they can’t believe the long, straight, dense coat.

Because the dog hails from Tibet where the weather can be extremely cold, he has a double coat – an under- and outer coat. While the coat looks fairly silky, it isn’t really and is in fact quite course to the touch.

Colors of the coat can be gold, tan, cream, white, black and white. Regular brushing will be needed for the coat because this is a dog with continual shedding. These dogs are regarded as being hypoallergenic as they hardly shed.

Temperament:

Looks can be quite deceiving when it comes to the Lhasa Apso as he is a dog who looks as though butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth and that he is essentially just a cuddly lapdog.

This small little dog is tough, robust, strong-willed and in his heart he believes he is a huge Tiger.

He’ll make his human family a loyal and loving pet but he is wary with strangers, distrusting anyone he meets for the first time. He is a dog that will need to be trained and socialized as he may take over your home in his ‘Tiger’ role.

Smart and dominant, this training will turn him into an obedient dog to have around which is important as he can become bossy if left to go his own way.

icelandic sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Icelandic Sheepdog is a smallish to medium sized dog standing at 40 to 45cm in height and he can weigh anything between 9 and 14kg.

His double coat can be short or long, straight or wavy and in a mix of colors such as grey and white or tan and white, black, tan and white, cream or chocolate. Even though they come in a number of predominant colors, these colors are always accompanied by white markings.

He has a longish muzzle, much like the wolf, giving him an alert, foxy appearance. He has a muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs with dewclaws on both the front and hind legs.

Temperament:

Your social, energetic dog will require socialization and training which does him the world of good, turning him into a well-adjusted, obedient dog.

He is an intelligent dog, and training him won't be difficult as he is eager to please. These are social dogs which love being part of the family and they don't like being left outside day after day with little human intervention. He is a lively, confident breed, gentle and not at all aggressive.

Characteristics

lhasa apso dog - characteristicsThe Lhasa Apso is a small dog full of surprises. That's because he can be manipulative, naughty and feisty one minute, and sweet and gentle the next. He happens to be a good watch dog too, and will alert you well in advance to intruders.

Because he is small and not a particularly energetic dog, he can slot into life in the city or the countryside with ease. However, exercise is good and necessary for every dog so be sure he joins you on your daily walks or you give him some games indoors.

The Lhasa can be a wonderful family companion and you’ll find that he can get on well with children who have been taught to treat animals with kindness and respect. He isn’t the kind of dog that you keep outdoors but is essentially an indoor dog, relishing the time he spends with his beloved human family and making a wonderful companion.

icelandic sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Icelandic Sheepdog is such a good all-round family pet. He is alert, intelligent, social, playful, loyal, loving and brave.

He is friendly too, getting on well with children and any pets you have in the home. He is essentially a working dog, so you shouldn’t think of owning him as a pet if your lifestyle is centered around the TV and the couch for the best part of the day.

This is an energetic dog who wants lots of action during the day. He is a dog that badly wants to be part of the family and in exchange for looking after him well, he’ll promise to be an exceptional pet.

Health Problems

lhasa apso puppies - health problemsEvery dog can develop genetic health problems, but it is highly unlikely that with good care, your Lhasa Apso is going to get sick.

He’s a healthy dog breed that can get to 14 years of age and even older. With Lhasas, health problems can include things like hip dysplasia, eye problems and intervertebral disc disease.

If you are buying a puppy, be careful from where you buy him from. You want careful breeders who screen their parent dogs for genetic diseases. Keeping your dog at the right weight and preventing obesity will also help to ensure he remains healthy.

icelandic sheepdog puppies - health problemsYour pet will reach 12 to 14 years of age with good care and is regarded as a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to a few health conditions, and these include hip dysplasia and diabetes.

Diabetes:

Mercifully for your pet, diabetes is considered a manageable disorder. When your pet doesn’t produce insulin or can’t utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels rise, resulting in hyperglycemia.

If left untreated, your pet can land up with a host of complicated health problems. Diabetes can be classified as either Type 1 or Type II, with the more common form in dogs being Type 1.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

lhasa apso dogs - caringThe Lhasa Apso is going to require regular brushing of his coat as it can get long and then it will matt and tangle easily.

There are owners of this dog breed who prefer to send their dog to their grooming parlor where the coat is trimmed short the way they prefer, minimizing the time spent grooming the dog. At the grooming parlour they also check the ears, the teeth of the dog and the nails, particularly if they don’t wear down naturally.

Diet:

The Lhasa was bred to be a watchdog, so even though he is a small dog, he does his best to guard and protect you. He is no pushover, and training him and socializing him makes him even more adorable to be around.

As man’s best friend, he needs a high-quality, nutritious diet because this helps to protect him from disease. You can feed him the best commercially manufactured foods, but study the packaging details on what the ingredients are. You want to be avoiding corn and wheat, colorants and preservatives.

Your Lhasa has 4 – 6 puppies and as these get older and are weaned they will require 4 meals a day. Once your dog reaches one year of age, he can have 2 meals a day instead of one larger meal.

Every dog loves a little bit of home-made food as a treat, and your Lhasa will wag his tail when you add in some cooked chicken, brown rice and some raw or cooked vegetables into his kibble. Include some raw meat in the diet occasionally as well as this helps to avoid dog skin problems.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a skin disease starting in the hair follicles of the dog and often occurs in conjunction with other skin disorders like mange. It is found mostly on the dog's abdomen, his armpits and groin and you’ll notice scaly rings with pus and scabs.

To avoid nasty skin diseases which can be very distressing for your pet, remember that your dog's dietary intake plays a huge role in the maintenance of a healthy skin and some raw meat is key to his wellbeing.

Diet:

icelandic sheepdog dogs - caringFeed your energetic Icelandic Sheepdog a diet which is appropriate for his age and activity level. Don't just feed him the best commercially manufactured dog food, but give him some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables mixed into his kibble as a tasty treat. Also, dogs are carnivores, so include some raw meat into his diet from time to time. Clean, cool water should always be available.

Grooming:

The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick double coat, with the outer coat being longer and the hair being shiny and glossy. These dogs shed quite a bit with seasonal shedding too so twice-weekly brushing will be necessary to keep the fur free of loose hair. His nails should also be checked regularly and his teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week too.

Exercise:

Icelandic Sheepdogs are athletic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise to keep them in good physical shape.

He loves all kinds of games and outdoor activities, one of which will be going with you for a walk every day. He makes a wonderful companion for those people going on long hikes.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  4. McNab vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  5. Porcelaine vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Hokkaido vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  8. Pumi vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  9. Istrian Sheepdog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  10. Jamthund vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  11. Karelian Bear Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  13. Kintamani vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  14. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Russo-European Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  16. Ryukyu Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  17. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  18. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  19. Shiba Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  20. Icelandic Sheepdog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  21. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  22. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  23. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  24. Icelandic Sheepdog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  25. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Poodle vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  27. Tibetan Spaniel vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  28. Pomeranian vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltese vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  30. Pug vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  31. Maltipoo vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  33. Mal-Shi vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  34. Papillon vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature English Bulldog vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Dachshund vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  38. Lhasa Apso vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Lhasa Apso vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  40. Lhasa Apso vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Lhasa Apso vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  42. Lhasa Apso vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  43. Lhasa Apso vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Lhasa Apso vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  45. Lhasa Apso vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Lhasa Apso vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  47. Lhasa Apso vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  48. Lhasa Apso vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  49. Lhasa Apso vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  50. Lhasa Apso vs Japanese Chin - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds