PuppyBase

Lhasa Apso vs Pharaoh Hound

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Lhasa Apso vs Pharaoh Hound

You’re not going to find these two at the same dog park, let alone in the same apartment building. People compare Lhasa Apsos and Pharaoh Hounds not because they’re similar. they’re not. but because both are ancient, rare, and carry an almost mystical vibe. One looks like a tiny monk guarding a mountain temple, the other like a statue that stepped off an Egyptian tomb and started jogging. The Lhasa Apso is your no-nonsense, floor-level watchdog with a coat like a shampoo commercial. At 14 pounds and 11 inches, it’s built for snuggling onto laps and barking at delivery guys. It’s low-energy, adaptable to city life or a quiet cottage, and sheds nearly nothing. great if you’ve got allergies. But don’t expect a velcro dog that follows you everywhere. It’s affectionate in its own terms, like a cat who decides to sit with you. And that coat? It’s not high-maintenance, it’s extreme-maintenance. Skip brushing for a week and you’ll be chiseling mats out. The Pharaoh Hound, meanwhile, is a 50-pound rocket with ears that glow in moonlight. Bred to hunt rabbits in Malta’s heat, it’s fast, smart, and needs space to sprint. It’s affectionate in a big, goofy, lean-against-you kind of way, but won’t adapt to a studio apartment or snowy winters without a coat. And while it’s trainable, its sighthound brain sees a squirrel and forgets your name. Here’s the real insight: the Lhasa Apso judges you. The Pharaoh Hound loves you unconditionally. but might not come back when called. Pick the Lhasa if you want a vigilant, low-shedding companion who tolerates your affection. Pick the Pharaoh Hound if you’re ready for a sprinting, smiling partner who needs a yard, a routine, and a commitment to doggy sweaters in winter.

Lhasa Apso
Pharaoh Hound
10–11 in
Height
21–25 in
12–18 lb
Weight
45–55 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
12–14 yr
$1.2–3.0k
Puppy price
$1.8–4.0k
#71
AKC popularity
#172

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Lhasa Apso Pharaoh Hound
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Other Dogs
Pharaoh Hound is better with other dogs (2-point difference)
Pharaoh
Shedding Level
Lhasa Apso sheds less (2-point difference)
Lhasa
Watchdog / Protective
Lhasa Apso is more protective (2-point difference)
Lhasa
Adaptability
Lhasa Apso is more adaptable (2-point difference)
Lhasa
Coat Grooming
Pharaoh Hound needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Pharaoh
The verdict

Choose the Lhasa Apso if…

  • Apartment living
  • Allergy sufferers
  • Singles or seniors
  • You value watchdog / protectiveLhasa Apso scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Pharaoh Hound if…

  • Active families
  • Experienced sighthound owners
  • Warm climate dwellers
  • You value good with other dogsPharaoh Hound scores higher here.
Lhasa Apso Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Lhasa Apso home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Pharaoh Hound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Pharaoh Hound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run