Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Doberman Pinscher Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Shih Tzus?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Doberman Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
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.
Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher 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 | Doberman Pinscher | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1910 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 79.5 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 5 | 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is 81 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 Doberman Pinscher. 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
The Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu.
Doberman Pinschers weigh 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Doberman Pinschers are 24 to 28 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 Doberman Pinscher Versus the Shih Tzu
The Doberman Pinscher has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 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 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 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Doberman Pinscher | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1910 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1100 to $2500 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinscher named Galveston that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Doberman Pinschers like Galveston on pefinder.com.
Also, like Doberman Pinschers, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Cruz is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Cruz that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Charlie is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Nolan Turner – Adoption Pending, an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Doberman Pinschers and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Doberman Pinscher | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 5 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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 Doberman Pinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 5 out of 130 dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Doberman Pinschers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Shih Tzu. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Doberman Pinscher is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Doberman Pinscher
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 15 |
| 2014 | 14 | 17 |
| 2015 | 14 | 19 |
| 2016 | 15 | 20 |
| 2017 | 16 | 20 |
| 2018 | 17 | 20 |
| 2019 | 19 | 20 |
| 2020 | 18 | 20 |
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Doberman Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher:
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 Doberman Pinscher and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Doberman Pinscher versus Black and Tan Coonhound Doberman Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund Doberman Pinscher versus Boxerdoodle Doberman Pinscher versus Flat-Coated Retriever Doberman Pinscher versus Belgian Tervuren Doberman Pinscher versus Chi-Poo Doberman Pinscher versus American Eskimo Dog Doberman Pinscher versus Akbash Doberman Pinscher versus Leonberger Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Cesky Terrier Shih Tzu versus Kuvasz Shih Tzu versus American Eskimo Dog Shih Tzu versus Brittany Shih Tzu versus Chi-Poo Shih Tzu versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Shih Tzu versus Barbet Shih Tzu versus Pomeranian Shih Tzu versus Frenchton Shih Tzu versus Boxerdoodle
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.