Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu.

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Akita Chow Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow or the Shih Tzu.

Akita Chow versus Shih Tzu: Overview

A very important difference between the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Akita Chow is a large-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Akita Chow belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

On the other hand, the Shih Tzu belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs 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.

Akita Chow versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita Chow 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu

Factor Akita Chow Shih Tzu
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 1/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 16 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Height 23 to 25 inches 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Weight 88 to 145 pounds 9 to 16 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $2300
Average Price No Data $1820
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akita Chow 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 the Akita Chow is 55 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Akita Chow. 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 Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu

Below is a list of where the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu are most different:

  • Akita Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Shih Tzus are good for new dog owners.
  • Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Akita Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs. However, Shih Tzus get along well with other dogs.
  • Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shih Tzus adapt well to apartment living.
  • Akita Chows are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shih Tzus are very friendly towards strangers.

The Similarities Between the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu

The Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu are most similar:

  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu are not easy to train.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.

Size Comparison of Akita Chow versus Shih Tzu

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu.

Akita Chows weigh 88 to 145 pounds when fully grown. Akita Chows are 23 to 25 inches 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.

Lifespan of Akita Chow versus Shih Tzu

The lifespan of Akita Chows is between 10 to 12 years . The average lifespan of Akita Chows is 11.0 years.

The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.

Shih Tzus live longer than Akita Chows.

Tolerates Being Alone: Akita Chow versus Shih Tzu

Akita Chows do not like to be left alone.

Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.

Do Akita Chows shed more than Shih Tzus?

Akita Chows shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

Shih Tzus shed moderately.

Which one drools more, the Akita Chow or the Shih Tzu

Akita Chows drool moderately.

Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.

Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita Chow or the Shih Tzu?

Akita Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

Does the Akita Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?

Akita Chows 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.

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.

Do Akita Chows Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?

Akita Chows 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.

Can Akita Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?

Akita Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: Akita Chow vs. Shih Tzu

Akita Chows have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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 Akita Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?

Akita Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita Chow or the Shih Tzu?

Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.

Are Akita Chows good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?

Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

How Kid-friendly are Akita Chows and Shih Tzus?

Akita Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

Is the Akita Chow Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?

Akita Chows are not easy to train.

Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.

Is the Akita Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?

Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living.

Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akita Chow or the Shih Tzu?

Akita Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.

Conclusion: Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.