Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Spitz Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu?
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Finnish Spitzs shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Shih Tzus?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu?
- Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Spitz Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu
Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Finnish Spitz 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.
Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Spitz 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 | Finnish Spitz | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Height | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 35 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 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 | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $900 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1100 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 72.7 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 179 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 43 | 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz is 77 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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu
The Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu.
Finnish Spitzs weigh 20 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Spitzs are 15 to 20 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 Finnish Spitz Versus the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent while the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 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 72.7 percent, the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 11 Finnish Spitzs and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Finnish Spitz puppy is $900. The price of the Finnish Spitz typically ranges from $600 – $1100. However, the price of a Finnish Spitz can be as low as $500 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz.
| Finnish Spitz | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $900 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1100 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Finnish Spitz and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Finnish Spitz puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs. 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Finnish Spitz | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 43 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 Finnish Spitz has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 170 | 15 |
| 2014 | 174 | 17 |
| 2015 | 178 | 19 |
| 2016 | 179 | 20 |
| 2017 | 177 | 20 |
| 2018 | 184 | 20 |
| 2019 | 183 | 20 |
| 2020 | 187 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu?
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu?
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Spitzs 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.
Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Finnish Spitzs shed more than Shih Tzus?
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Shih Tzu
Finnish Spitzs 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.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitzs and Shih Tzus?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitz or the Shih Tzu?
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Finnish Spitzs 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz:
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 Finnish Spitz and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Spitz and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Chorkie Finnish Spitz versus English Springer Spaniel Finnish Spitz versus American Staffordshire Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Bernedoodle Finnish Spitz versus Basenji Finnish Spitz versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Mudi Finnish Spitz versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Akbash Finnish Spitz versus Bluetick Coonhound
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Komondor Shih Tzu versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Shih Tzu versus Black Russian Terrier Shih Tzu versus Standard Poodle Shih Tzu versus Chihuahua Shih Tzu versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Shih Tzu versus American Water Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Shih Tzu versus Boerboel Shih Tzu versus Berger Picard
Conclusion: Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.