Which is Better Between the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu?

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Australian Terrier Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier or the Shih Tzu.

Australian Terrier versus Shih Tzu: Overview

Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu are similar in size. The Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Australian Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Australian Terrier versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu

FactorAustralian TerrierShih Tzu
Does NOT Shed5/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Does NOT chew on things5/52/5
Height10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 16 years
Weight14 to 16 pounds9 to 16 pounds
Easygoing4/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Good For Novice Owners3/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/53/5
Kid-Friendly3/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Easy To Train3/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/51/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
General Health5/53/5
Low Prey Drive1/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$1250$1820
Price Range$1050 – $1500$1200 – $2300
Temperament Score82.4 percent77.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
    		• No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)3470

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier is 81 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 Australian Terrier. 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 Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu

    Below is a list of where the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu are most different:

    • Australian Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Shih Tzus are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Australian Terriers can tolerate hot weather. However, Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Australian Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Australian Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Australian Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Shih Tzus have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu

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

    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Australian Terrier versus Shih Tzu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu.

    Australian Terriers weigh 14 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Australian Terriers are 10 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.

    Lifespan of Australian Terrier versus Shih Tzu

    The lifespan of Australian Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Terriers 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.

    Australian Terriers live longer than Shih Tzus.

    Temperament of the Australian Terrier Versus the Shih Tzu

    The Australian Terrier has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.

    This is because the temperament score for the Australian Terrier is 82.4 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 82.4 percent, the Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 17 Australian Terriers and 49 Shih Tzus.

    Price of Australian Terrier versus Price of Shih Tzu

    The average price of the Australian Terrier puppy is $1250. The price of the Australian Terrier typically ranges from $1050 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 13 Australian Terrier 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. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 806 Shih Tzu puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shih Tzu is more expensive than the Australian Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Terrier and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Terrier puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus

    A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Terrier 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Australian Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu

    `
    Australian Terrier Shih Tzu
    Intelligence Rank 34 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:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    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 Australian Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Australian Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terrier 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Terrier versus Shih Tzu

    Australian Terriers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Australian Terriers shed more than Shih Tzus?

    Australian Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Shih Tzus shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Terrier or the Shih Tzu

    Australian Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Terrier or the Shih Tzu?

    Australian Terriers are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Australian Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?

    Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?

    Australian Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Terrier vs. Shih Tzu

    Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terrier or the Shih Tzu?

    Australian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Terriers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?

    Australian Terriers 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 Australian Terriers and Shih Tzus?

    Australian Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Australian Terrier Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?

    Australian Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Australian Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?

    Australian Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Terrier or the Shih Tzu?

    Australian Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Terrier 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 Australian Terrier and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.