Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- English Setter versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- English Setter versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the English Setter Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Shih Tzu
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Shih Tzu
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Shih Tzu?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Shih Tzus?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Shih Tzu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter or the Shih Tzu
English Setter versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the English Setter and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Setter is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Setter 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.
English Setter versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter 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 | English Setter | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 81.3 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 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 English Setter 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 English Setter is 74 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 English Setter. 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Shih Tzu
The English Setter and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Shih Tzu.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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 English Setter Versus the Shih Tzu
The English Setter has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter 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 English Setter and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of English Setter versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter 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 English Setter.
| English Setter | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1020 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. 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 English Setter 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 English Setter versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Setters 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 English Setter named Sloan that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Setters like Sloan on pefinder.com.
Also, like English Setters, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Moggie is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Moggie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Available – Walter/Phillip is the name of another English Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Bourbon, an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more English Setters and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| English Setter | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 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:
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 English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter. 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 English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 15 |
| 2014 | 89 | 17 |
| 2015 | 96 | 19 |
| 2016 | 102 | 20 |
| 2017 | 95 | 20 |
| 2018 | 94 | 20 |
| 2019 | 98 | 20 |
| 2020 | 101 | 20 |
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Shih Tzu
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Shih Tzu
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Shih Tzu?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters 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.
Do English Setters shed more than Shih Tzus?
English Setters shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Shih Tzu?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
English Setters 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.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
English Setters 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 English Setters and Shih Tzus?
English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Shih Tzu?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
English Setters 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.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Shih Tzu
English Setters 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 English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:
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 English Setter and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Chinese Shar-Pei English Setter versus Alaskan Klee Kai English Setter versus Beaglier English Setter versus Korean Jindo Dog English Setter versus Clumber Spaniel English Setter versus Plott English Setter versus Peek A Poo English Setter versus Alaskan Klee Kai English Setter versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog English Setter versus Belgian Malinois
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Akbash Shih Tzu versus Pyrenean Mastiff Shih Tzu versus Gordon Setter Shih Tzu versus Afador Shih Tzu versus Spanish Mastiff Shih Tzu versus Lancashire Heeler Shih Tzu versus Bouvier des Flandres Shih Tzu versus Chow Chow Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Terrier Shih Tzu versus Karelian Bear Dog
Conclusion: English Setter 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 English Setter and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.