Bearded Collie versus Shihpoo. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Bearded Collie Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo? 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 Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo 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 Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo 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 Bearded Collie and for the Shihpoo. 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 Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bearded Collie or the Shihpoo.

Bearded Collie versus Shihpoo: Overview

A very important difference between the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Shihpoo is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bearded Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Shihpoo belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Bearded Collie versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bearded Collie to the Shihpoo 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 Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo

Factor Bearded Collie Shihpoo
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 13 to 17 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Height 20 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 18 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 55 pounds 8 to 18 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $980 $1590
Price Range $500 – $975 $1200 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bearded Collie 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 Shihpoo. 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 Bearded Collie is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shihpoo is a better pet than the Bearded Collie. So, you should get the Shihpoo!

    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 Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo

    Below is a list of where the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo are most different:

    • Bearded Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Shihpoos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Bearded Collies do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shihpoos do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Bearded Collies get along well with other dogs. However, Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Bearded Collies are very easy to train. However, Shihpoos are not easy to train.
    • Bearded Collies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shihpoos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo

    The Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo are most similar:

    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo 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 Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Bearded Collie versus Shihpoo

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo.

    Bearded Collies weigh 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Bearded Collies are 20 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shihpoos weigh 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Shihpoos are 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bearded Collie versus Shihpoo

    The lifespan of Bearded Collies is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Bearded Collies is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Shihpoos is between 13 to 17 years . The average lifespan of Shihpoos is 15.0 years.

    Shihpoos live longer than Bearded Collies.

    Price of Bearded Collie versus Price of Shihpoo

    The average price of the Bearded Collie puppy is $980. The price of the Bearded Collie typically ranges from $500 – $975. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 16 Bearded Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shihpoo puppy is $1590. The price of the Shihpoo typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shihpoo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shihpoo is more expensive than the Bearded Collie.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bearded Collie and Shihpoo. For different price points, the charts show how many Bearded Collie puppies or how many Shihpoo puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bearded Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bearded Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bearded Collie puppy or the Shihpoo 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bearded Collie versus Shihpoo

    Bearded Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bearded Collies shed more than Shihpoos?

    Bearded Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Bearded Collie or the Shihpoo

    Bearded Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bearded Collie or the Shihpoo?

    Bearded Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Bearded Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shihpoo?

    Bearded Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Shihpoos 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.

    Do Bearded Collies Bark and Howl? What about Shihpoos?

    Bearded Collies bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Bearded Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shihpoos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bearded Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bearded Collie vs. Shihpoo

    Bearded Collies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shihpoos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Bearded Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shihpoos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bearded Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Shihpoos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bearded Collie or the Shihpoo?

    Bearded Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Bearded Collies good family dogs? What about Shihpoos?

    Bearded Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shihpoos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Bearded Collies and Shihpoos?

    Bearded Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Bearded Collie Easier to Train than the Shihpoo?

    Bearded Collies are very easy to train.

    Shihpoos are not easy to train.

    Is the Bearded Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Shihpoo?

    Bearded Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bearded Collie or the Shihpoo?

    Bearded Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Shihpoos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bearded Collie versus Shihpoo. 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 Bearded Collie and the Shihpoo better suits you and your family.