Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Affenpinscher Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu
- Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Shih Tzus?
- Do Affenpinschers shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu
- Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Affenpinscher Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu 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 Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu 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 Affenpinscher and for the Shih Tzu. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu
Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu: Overview
Both the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu are similar in size. The Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu 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.
Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Affenpinscher to the Shih Tzu 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.
| Factor | Affenpinscher | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 9 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Height | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2220 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $500 – $1962 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 147 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 70 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenpinscher 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 Shih Tzu. 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 a Affenpinscher is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Affenpinscher. So, you should get the Shih Tzu!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu
The Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu.
Affenpinschers weigh 7 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Affenpinschers are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Shih Tzus are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Affenpinscher puppy is $2220. The price of the Affenpinscher typically ranges from $500 – $1962. However, the price of a Affenpinscher can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Affenpinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Shih Tzu puppy is $1820. The price of the Shih Tzu typically ranges from $1200 – $2300. However, the price of a Shih Tzu can be as low as $200 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 806 Shih Tzu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Affenpinscher is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Affenpinscher | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2220 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $500 to $1962 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Affenpinscher and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Affenpinscher puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Affenpinscher puppy or the Shih Tzu 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Affenpinschers and many Shih Tzus 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 Affenpinscher named Topper that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Affenpinschers like Topper on pefinder.com.
Also, like Affenpinschers, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Shizzle is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Shizzle that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Will is the name of another Affenpinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Chadwick 9101, an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Affenpinschers and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Affenpinscher | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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:
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 Affenpinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Affenpinscher belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Affenpinschers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Shih Tzu has an obedience intelligence rank of 70 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shih Tzu belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Shih Tzus tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Affenpinscher is more intelligent than the Shih Tzu.
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 Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
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 Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Affenpinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Affenpinscher is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Affenpinscher
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Affenpinscher Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 143 | 15 |
| 2014 | 144 | 17 |
| 2015 | 136 | 19 |
| 2016 | 149 | 20 |
| 2017 | 147 | 20 |
| 2018 | 148 | 20 |
| 2019 | 151 | 20 |
| 2020 | 163 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu
Affenpinschers do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Shih Tzus?
Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Do Affenpinschers shed more than Shih Tzus?
Affenpinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu
Affenpinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Affenpinschers are not easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Affenpinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Shih Tzu
Affenpinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Affenpinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Affenpinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Affenpinschers are moderately easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Affenpinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Shih Tzus 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Affenpinschers are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Affenpinschers get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Affenpinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Affenpinschers adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Affenpinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shih Tzu that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shih Tzu:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Affenpinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Affenpinscher:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Affenpinscher and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Affenpinscher and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Affenpinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Affenpinscher versus French Spaniel Affenpinscher versus Irish Wolfhound Affenpinscher versus Neapolitan Mastiff Affenpinscher versus Icelandic Sheepdog Affenpinscher versus Akita Affenpinscher versus Finnish Spitz Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter Affenpinscher versus Bracco Italiano Affenpinscher versus Akbash Affenpinscher versus West Highland White Terrier
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Saluki Shih Tzu versus Estrela Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus Black Mouth Cur Shih Tzu versus Sussex Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Shih Tzu versus Irish Water Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Collie Shih Tzu versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Shih Tzu versus Shetland Sheepdog
Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Shih Tzu. 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 Affenpinscher and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.