Is the Lakeland Terrier or the Shihpoo better for families with children?

Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shihpoo are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Lakeland Terrier or the Shihpoo?

The Lakeland Terrier and Shihpoo shed a similar amount (low).

Which is easier to train, the Lakeland Terrier or the Shihpoo?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Lakeland Terrier or Shihpoo bigger?

Lakeland Terrier and Shihpoo are a similar size (Small).

Which barks more, Lakeland Terrier or Shihpoo?

Both bark a similar amount (medium).

Which is better for apartment living, Lakeland Terrier or Shihpoo?

For apartment or apartment living, Shihpoo has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Lakeland Terrier vs Shihpoo: Which Is Calmer?

Lakeland Terrier vs Shihpoo: full comparison

Trait	Lakeland Terrier	Shihpoo
Size	Small	Small
Energy level	High	Low
Trainability	Medium	Medium
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	High	High
Shedding	Low	Low
Barking	Medium	Medium
Protectiveness	Medium	Medium
Adaptability	High	High
Typical lifespan	14 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	No	Yes

Key differences at a glance

The Lakeland Terrier has noticeably higher energy than the Shihpoo.

Size and living space

The Lakeland Terrier is a small dog that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. By comparison, the Shihpoo is a small dog that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Lakeland Terrier needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. The Shihpoo needs light but regular activity to stay content. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Lakeland Terrier requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and sheds very little. The Shihpoo requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and sheds very little. The Shihpoo is also considered hypoallergenic, an advantage for allergy sufferers. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The Lakeland Terrier picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The Shihpoo picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. On guarding instinct, Lakeland Terrier will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas Shihpoo will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Shihpoo has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Lakeland Terrier and Shihpoo are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Lakeland Terrier and Shihpoo are an even match — either can work well.
For being left alone during the workday, Lakeland Terrier and Shihpoo are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Shihpoo has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Lakeland Terrier if you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Shihpoo if you need a hypoallergenic, low-dander coat or you want a calmer, lower-energy companion.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Lakeland Terrier or the Shihpoo better for families with children?: Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shihpoo are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Lakeland Terrier or the Shihpoo?: The Lakeland Terrier and Shihpoo shed a similar amount (low).
Which is easier to train, the Lakeland Terrier or the Shihpoo?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Lakeland Terrier or Shihpoo bigger?: Lakeland Terrier and Shihpoo are a similar size (Small).
Which barks more, Lakeland Terrier or Shihpoo?: Both bark a similar amount (medium).
Which is better for apartment living, Lakeland Terrier or Shihpoo?: For apartment or apartment living, Shihpoo has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Lakeland Terrier vs Shihpoo