Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Toy Spaniel Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Shih Tzus?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu
- Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Shih Tzu
- Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Toy Spaniel Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu
English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu 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 Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 8 to 14 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2350 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2525 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 134 | 18 |
*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 Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel. 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 Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
The English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.
English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels 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.
Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| English Toy Spaniel | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2350 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2525 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Toy Spaniel and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many English Toy Spaniel puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. 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 Toy Spaniel 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.
The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel. 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 Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 135 | 15 |
| 2014 | 138 | 17 |
| 2015 | 129 | 19 |
| 2016 | 130 | 20 |
| 2017 | 134 | 20 |
| 2018 | 135 | 20 |
| 2019 | 139 | 20 |
| 2020 | 138 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Shih Tzus?
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Shih Tzu
English Toy Spaniels 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 English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
English Toy Spaniels 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.
Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Shih Tzus?
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel:
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 Toy Spaniel and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound English Toy Spaniel versus Shiba Inu English Toy Spaniel versus Maltese English Toy Spaniel versus Carolina Dog English Toy Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer English Toy Spaniel versus Schnoodle English Toy Spaniel versus Boerboel English Toy Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Gordon Setter English Toy Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Dutch Shepherd Shih Tzu versus Shihpoo Shih Tzu versus Scottish Deerhound Shih Tzu versus Airedale Terrier Shih Tzu versus Dogo Argentino Shih Tzu versus American Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Lancashire Heeler Shih Tzu versus Norwich Terrier Shih Tzu versus Portuguese Pointer Shih Tzu versus Frenchton
Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel 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 Toy Spaniel and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.