Is the Giant Schnauzer Better than the Shichon as a Pet? Answer…

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Giant Schnauzer Versus Shichon: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon 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 Giant Schnauzer and for the Shichon. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Giant Schnauzer or the Shichon.

Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon

Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon: Overview

A very important difference between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer is a large-sized dog while the Shichon is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Giant Schnauzer 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 Shichon belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Giant Schnauzer to the Shichon 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon

Factor Giant Schnauzer Shichon
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 18 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 12 inches
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 9 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $2220 $1610
Price Range $1800 – $2500 $1200 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Giant Schnauzer 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 Shichon. 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 the Giant Schnauzer is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shichon is 95 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shichon is a better pet than the Giant Schnauzer. So, you should get the Shichon!

    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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon

    Below is a list of where the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon are most different:

  • Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shichons adapt well to apartment living.
  • Giant Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Shichons are good for new dog owners.
  • Giant Schnauzers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Shichons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Giant Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shichons have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Giant Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shichons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon

    The Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon are most similar:

  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon.

    Giant Schnauzers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Giant Schnauzers are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shichons weigh 9 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Shichons are 9 to 12 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon

    The lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Shichons is between 12 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Shichons is 15.0 years.

    Shichons live longer than Giant Schnauzers.

    Price of Giant Schnauzer versus Price of Shichon

    The average price of the Giant Schnauzer puppy is $2220. The price of the Giant Schnauzer typically ranges from $1800 – $2500. However, the price of a Giant Schnauzer can be as low as $1200 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Giant Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shichon puppy is $1610. The price of the Shichon typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Shichon can be as low as $700 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 155 Shichon puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Giant Schnauzer is more expensive than the Shichon.

    Giant Schnauzer Shichon
    Average Price $2220 $1610
    Price Range $1800 to $2500 $1200 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Giant Schnauzer and Shichon. For different price points, the charts show how many Giant Schnauzer puppies or how many Shichon puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shichons?

    A breakdown of the prices of Shichons?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Giant Schnauzer puppy or the Shichon 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon

    Giant Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Shichons do not like to be left alone.

    Do Giant Schnauzers shed more than Shichons?

    Giant Schnauzers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Shichons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shichon

    Giant Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shichons do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shichon?

    Giant Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Shichons are very easy to groom.

    Does the Giant Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shichon?

    Giant Schnauzers 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.

    Shichons 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.

    Do Giant Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Shichons?

    Giant Schnauzers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Shichons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shichons Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shichons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Giant Schnauzer vs. Shichon

    Giant Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shichons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shichons Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Shichons cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shichon?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shichons get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Giant Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Shichons?

    Giant Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shichons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Giant Schnauzers and Shichons?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Shichons get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Shichon?

    Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Shichons are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Shichon?

    Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shichons adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Giant Schnauzer or the Shichon?

    Giant Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shichons are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Giant Schnauzer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer:

  • Airedale Terrier (76 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Shichon vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Gordon Setter (79 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Shichon vs Gordon Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shichon

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

  • Biewer Terrier (78 percent match with Shichon). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Biewer Terrier.
  • Cockalier (83 percent match with Shichon). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Giant Schnauzer and how the Shichon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Giant Schnauzer and of the Shichon to other breeds:

    Giant Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Giant Schnauzer versus Ibizan Hound     Giant Schnauzer versus Whippet     Giant Schnauzer versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Giant Schnauzer versus Bull Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus American Water Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Papillon     Giant Schnauzer versus Manchester Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Norfolk Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Giant Schnauzer versus Pomapoo     Giant Schnauzer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Giant Schnauzer versus Miniature Poodle     Giant Schnauzer versus American Water Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Goldendoodle     Giant Schnauzer versus Valley Bulldog     Giant Schnauzer versus Whippet     Giant Schnauzer versus Redbone Coonhound     Giant Schnauzer versus Weimaraner     Giant Schnauzer versus Kuvasz     Giant Schnauzer versus Pomchi     Giant Schnauzer versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Weimaraner     Giant Schnauzer versus Bichon Frise     Giant Schnauzer versus Rottweiler     

    Shichon Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shichon versus Belgian Sheepdog     Shichon versus Morkie     Shichon versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Shichon versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Shichon versus German Pinscher     Shichon versus Bearded Collie     Shichon versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Shichon versus Pomapoo     Shichon versus Airedale Terrier     Shichon versus Whoodle     Shichon versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Shichon versus Shiba Inu     Shichon versus Norwegian Buhund     Shichon versus Goldendoodle     Shichon versus Golden Retriever     Shichon versus Mastiff     Shichon versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Shichon versus Bulldog     Shichon versus Shetland Sheepdog     Shichon versus Aussiedoodle     Shichon versus Redbone Coonhound     Shichon versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shichon versus Doberman Pinscher     Shichon versus American Hairless Terrier     

    Conclusion: Giant Schnauzer versus Shichon. 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Shichon better suits you and your family.