Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dachshund Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Dachshund versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Dachshund versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Dachshund
- Price of Dachshund versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Dachshund versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Dachshund versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Shih Tzu
- Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Shih Tzu
- Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dachshund or the Shih Tzu?
- Do Dachshunds shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dachshund or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Shih Tzu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dachshund versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dachshund Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund or the Shih Tzu
Dachshund versus Shih Tzu: Overview
Both the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu are similar in size. The Dachshund and the Shih Tzu are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Dachshund belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Dachshund versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dachshund 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 | Dachshund | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Weight | 16 to 32 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1730 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 69.4 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 11 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 49 | 70 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dachshund 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 Dachshund is 69 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 Dachshund. 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu
The Dachshund and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu.
Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 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.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Dachshund
The Shih Tzu has a better temperament than the Dachshund.
This is because the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent while the temperament score for the Dachshund is 69.4 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 they 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 69.4 percent, the Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 49 Dachshunds and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Dachshund versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Dachshund puppy is $1730. The price of the Dachshund typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Dachshund can be as low as $200 and as high as $24000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 698 Dachshund 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 Shih Tzu is more expensive than the Dachshund.
| Dachshund | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1730 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dachshund and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Dachshund puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds. 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dachshunds 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 Dachshund named Mason that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dachshunds like Mason on pefinder.com.
Also, like Dachshunds, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Michael is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Michael that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Oscar is the name of another Dachshund (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Casey, an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Dachshunds and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Dachshund | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 49 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 Dachshund has an obedience intelligence rank of 49 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dachshund belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Dachshunds 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dachshund is more popular with dog owners than the Shih Tzu. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dachshund is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dachshund
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Dachshund Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 10 | 15 |
| 2014 | 11 | 17 |
| 2015 | 13 | 19 |
| 2016 | 13 | 20 |
| 2017 | 13 | 20 |
| 2018 | 12 | 20 |
| 2019 | 11 | 20 |
| 2020 | 10 | 20 |
Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Shih Tzu
Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Dachshunds are not easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Shih Tzu
Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dachshunds 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 Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dachshund or the Shih Tzu?
Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dachshunds shed more than Shih Tzus?
Dachshunds shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dachshund or the Shih Tzu?
Dachshunds are moderately easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dachshund or the Shih Tzu?
Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Dachshunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Dachshund Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Shih Tzus?
Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Dachshunds 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 Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Dachshunds 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.
Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Shih Tzu
Dachshunds 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dachshund 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 Dachshund:
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 Dachshund and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dachshund and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dachshund versus Pomchi Dachshund versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dachshund versus Basenji Dachshund versus Korean Jindo Dog Dachshund versus King Shepherd Dachshund versus Black Russian Terrier Dachshund versus Pomchi Dachshund versus Havanese Dachshund versus Portuguese Water Dog Dachshund versus Cockalier
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Boxer Shih Tzu versus Pointer Shih Tzu versus Pomeranian Shih Tzu versus Harrier Shih Tzu versus Cairn Terrier Shih Tzu versus Chorkie Shih Tzu versus Sealyham Terrier Shih Tzu versus Dachshund Shih Tzu versus Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Cavachon
Conclusion: Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.