Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Water Spaniel Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the American Water Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of American Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do American Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Shih Tzu
- Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
- Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Shih Tzus?
- Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Water Spaniel Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu.
American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the American Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | American Water Spaniel | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $2300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1820 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 159 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 44 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel is 71 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 American Water Spaniel. 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
The American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.
American Water Spaniels weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. American Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s 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 American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of American Water Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Water Spaniels is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
American Water Spaniels live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the American Water Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 49 Shih Tzus.
The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| American Water Spaniel | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 44 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 American Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel. 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 American Water Spaniel is 159 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of American Water Spaniel
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | American Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 144 | 15 |
| 2014 | 160 | 17 |
| 2015 | 157 | 19 |
| 2016 | 156 | 20 |
| 2017 | 167 | 20 |
| 2018 | 166 | 20 |
| 2019 | 164 | 20 |
| 2020 | 158 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Shih Tzus?
American Water Spaniels shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu
American Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 American Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
American Water Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Shih Tzu
American Water Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
American Water Spaniels do not get along well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
American Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Shih Tzus?
American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Water Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
American Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Water Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
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 Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the American Water Spaniel and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Water Spaniel and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
American Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
American Water Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound American Water Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel American Water Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel American Water Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever American Water Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren American Water Spaniel versus Bulldog American Water Spaniel versus Pomsky American Water Spaniel versus Affenhuahua American Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog American Water Spaniel versus Borzoi American Water Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff American Water Spaniel versus Pomapoo American Water Spaniel versus Goldendoodle American Water Spaniel versus Chinook American Water Spaniel versus Cockalier American Water Spaniel versus Shiranian American Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog American Water Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier American Water Spaniel versus Yorkipoo American Water Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog American Water Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie American Water Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier American Water Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff American Water Spaniel versus Saluki
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Kishu Ken Shih Tzu versus Whoodle Shih Tzu versus Curly-Coated Retriever Shih Tzu versus Labradoodle Shih Tzu versus American Hairless Terrier Shih Tzu versus Standard Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Irish Terrier Shih Tzu versus Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu versus Bernedoodle Shih Tzu versus Pekingese Shih Tzu versus Bearded Collie Shih Tzu versus Irish Water Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Chinese Shar-Pei Shih Tzu versus Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Lhasapoo Shih Tzu versus Biewer Terrier Shih Tzu versus Lagotto Romagnolo Shih Tzu versus Bullmastiff Shih Tzu versus Chi-Poo Shih Tzu versus Frenchton Shih Tzu versus Icelandic Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Field Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Boston Terrier Shih Tzu versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Plott
Conclusion: American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.