Home / Breeds / Compare / Coton de Tulear vs Lhasa Apso
The Coton de Tulear is a tiny companion breed from Madagascar, developed to be close company for people, a role dogs have filled for thousands of years. Tibet produced the Lhasa Apso, a small companion breed bred to live as close company for people, work dogs have done at our sides for thousands of years. This page sets the two side by side on the numbers that actually differ: size, exercise, grooming, what each costs to keep, and the health tests a breeder should show you.
The biggest gap is energy: the Lhasa Apso is rated 4 of 5 against 2 of 5 for the Coton de Tulear.
The next biggest gap is lifespan: the middle of the Coton de Tulear range is 14.5 years against 13.5 years for the Lhasa Apso.
The third gap worth noting is size: the middle of the Lhasa Apso weight range is about 15 lb against 10.2 lb for the Coton de Tulear.
| Coton de Tulear | Lhasa Apso | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting |
| Origin | Madagascar | Tibet |
| Height | 8.5 to 12 in | 10 to 11 in |
| Weight | 7.5 to 13 lb | 12 to 18 lb |
| Lifespan | 12 to 17 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Coat | Medium-to-long, fluffy, cotton-like coat. | A long coat with feathering on the legs, tail and chest. |
| Temperament | Affectionate, cheerful, gentle and people centered | Charming, sociable, bright and comfort loving |
| Energy | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Trainability | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Grooming needs | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Shedding | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Barking | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| With children | Good with children | Good with children |
| With other dogs | Good with dogs | Good with dogs |
| With strangers | Friendly with strangers | Friendly with strangers |
| Apartment fit | Well suited | With enough exercise |
| Daily exercise | 30 to 45 min | 30 to 45 min |
| Food per month (model) | $10 (0.9 cups a day) | $13 (1.2 cups a day) |
| Insurance per month (model) | $27 to $51 | $30 to $57 |
| Monthly total (model) | $37 to $61 | $43 to $70 |
| Yearly total (model) | $442 to $730 | $519 to $843 |
| Lifetime total (model) | $5,300 to $12,404 | $6,233 to $12,652 |
| Breeder health tests | 6 recommended tests | Panel not published yet |
| Health watch | A generally healthy little breed; patellar checks and eye screening are the routine standard. Ask to see health test results for both parents before you commit to a puppy; a good breeder will offer them before you ask. | Kidney disease (familial renal dysplasia) is the serious flag in Lhasas, alongside eye conditions and patellar luxation. Ask breeders about kidney history directly. Ask to see health test results for both parents before you commit to a puppy; a good breeder will offer them before you ask. |
Coton de Tulear: takes the first-time-owner rule at 15 (trainability weighted double, then calmer energy, grooming and barking), against 13 for the Lhasa Apso.
Coton de Tulear: is rated "Well suited" for apartment life against "With enough exercise" for the Lhasa Apso.
Both are listed the same way for children and tie on the tie-breaks; supervision matters more than the breed label here.
Level on shedding. Shedding is only a proxy for loose hair in the home; no breed is allergen-free, so time spent with the breed matters more than this row.
Coton de Tulear: comes in about $7 a month below the Lhasa Apso on modeled food plus insurance, at $49 against $56 on the midpoints.
The five verdicts on this Coton de Tulear and Lhasa Apso page follow published rules: first-time owner = 2 x trainability + (6 - energy) + (6 - grooming) + (6 - barking); apartment = the apartment rating, then barking, exercise and weight; children = the children rating, then trainability and stranger friendliness; allergy = lowest shedding, then grooming; budget = the lowest monthly modeled total. Level scores are declared ties.
On the modeled figures the Lhasa Apso costs more month to month: about $56 a month at the midpoint of food plus insurance, against $49 for the Coton de Tulear. Across the lifespan ranges, the model gives $6,233 to $12,652 for the Lhasa Apso and $5,300 to $12,404 for the Coton de Tulear. These figures are planning estimates, not quotes.
They are level: both plan on 30 to 45 minutes a day, and energy is rated 2 of 5 for the Coton de Tulear against 4 of 5 for the Lhasa Apso.
On our ratings, yes: both are rated 3 of 5 for shedding. The coats still feel different in the house. Coton de Tulear: Medium-to-long, fluffy, cotton-like coat. Lhasa Apso: A long coat with feathering on the legs, tail and chest.
The Coton de Tulear, on the published ratings: "Well suited" for apartment life against "With enough exercise" for the Lhasa Apso, barking rated 3 of 5 against 3 of 5, and a daily exercise plan of 30 to 45 minutes against 30 to 45 minutes.
Choosing between more than two? Open the comparison tool and put up to four breeds side by side, or read all written breed comparisons.
Breed facts for the Coton de Tulear and the Lhasa Apso follow the standards and club guidance summarized on each breed profile. Cost figures are modeled estimates for planning, labeled with their basis, and are not quotes or veterinary advice. The health test panels follow the recommendations published by the breed clubs and CHIC, as set out on each breed's health testing page.