Which is Better between the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu? A Very Detailed Review.

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Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu

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Field Spaniel Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Field 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Field 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 Field 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel or the Shih Tzu

Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu

Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Overview

A very important difference between the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Field Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Field Spaniel 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.

Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Field 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 Field Spaniel Shih Tzu
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 16 years
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Weight 37 to 45 pounds 9 to 16 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $4640 $1820
Price Range $2900 – $5000 $1200 – $2300
Temperament Score 85.7 percent 77.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend testing at 2, 4, 6, and 8 years of age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 147 18
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 34 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel is 79 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu

    Below is a list of where the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most different:

  • Field Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shih Tzus adapt well to apartment living.
  • Field Spaniels can tolerate hot weather. However, Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Field Spaniels are very easy to groom. However, Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Field Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Field Spaniels have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Shih Tzus have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Field Spaniels require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Shih Tzus have low exercise needs.

    • The Similarities Between the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu

    The Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most similar:

  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu 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 Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.

    Field Spaniels weigh 37 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Field Spaniels are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 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 Field Spaniel Versus the Shih Tzu

    The Field Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.

    This is because the temperament score for the Field Spaniel is 85.7 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 85.7 percent, the Field Spaniel has an above-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 Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 14 Field Spaniels and 49 Shih Tzus.

    Price of Field Spaniel versus Price of Shih Tzu

    The average price of the Field Spaniel puppy is $4640. The price of the Field Spaniel typically ranges from $2900 – $5000. However, the price of a Field Spaniel can be as low as $1800 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 5 Field 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 Field Spaniel is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.

    Field Spaniel Shih Tzu
    Average Price $4640 $1820
    Price Range $2900 to $5000 $1200 to $2300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Field Spaniel and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Field Spaniel puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Field Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Field Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus

    A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Field 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.

    Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu

    The Intelligence of the Field Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu

    Field Spaniel Shih Tzu
    Intelligence Rank 34 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    • 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 Field Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Field Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel 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.

    Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu

    The Popularity of Field 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 Field 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Field Spaniel

    Popularity of Field Spaniel

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Year Field Spaniel Popularity Rank Shih Tzu Popularity Rank
    2013 140 15
    2014 137 17
    2015 145 19
    2016 147 20
    2017 145 20
    2018 149 20
    2019 153 20
    2020 160 20

    Is the Field Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?

    Field Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Field Spaniel versus Shih Tzu

    Field Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.

    Which one drools more, the Field Spaniel or the Shih Tzu

    Field Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Field Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?

    Field Spaniels 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.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Field Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?

    Field Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.

    Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Field Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Do Field Spaniels shed more than Shih Tzus?

    Field Spaniels shed moderately.

    Shih Tzus shed moderately.

    Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Field Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Field Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?

    Field Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Field Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?

    Field Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Field Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?

    Field 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 Field Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?

    Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniels and Shih Tzus?

    Field Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Field Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?

    Field Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Field Spaniel vs. Shih Tzu

    Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Field 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 Field Spaniel:

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (83 percent match with Field Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (84 percent match with Field Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs English Springer 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:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (79 percent match with Shih Tzu). Here is our comparison of the Field Spaniel vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Field Spaniel and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Field Spaniel and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:

    Field Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Field Spaniel versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Field Spaniel versus Sloughi     Field Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Field Spaniel versus Goldador     Field Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Field Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Field Spaniel versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Field Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Field Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Field Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog     

    Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shih Tzu versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Shih Tzu versus Miniature Poodle     Shih Tzu versus Border Collie     Shih Tzu versus Cocker Spaniel     Shih Tzu versus Cockalier     Shih Tzu versus Finnish Spitz     Shih Tzu versus Bordoodle     Shih Tzu versus Chihuahua     Shih Tzu versus Bich Poo     Shih Tzu versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     

    Conclusion: Field 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 Field Spaniel and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.