Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Harrier versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Harrier versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Shih Tzu
- Do Harriers shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Shih Tzu? 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Harrier 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 Harrier or the Shih Tzu.
Harrier versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Harrier versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Harrier and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Harrier | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $2300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1820 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 18 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 the Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Harrier. 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Shih Tzu
The Harrier and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Shih Tzu.
Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
Shih Tzus live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers 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 Harrier named Pilot that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Pilot on pefinder.com.
Also, like Harriers, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Poppet is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Poppet that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Bailey is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Bentley is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 15 |
| 2014 | 181 | 17 |
| 2015 | 183 | 19 |
| 2016 | 186 | 20 |
| 2017 | 183 | 20 |
| 2018 | 189 | 20 |
| 2019 | 186 | 20 |
| 2020 | 190 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Shih Tzu
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Harriers shed more than Shih Tzus?
Harriers shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Shih Tzu
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Shih Tzu?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Harriers 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.
Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Harriers 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.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Shih Tzu
Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers 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 Harrier or the Shih Tzu?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Harriers 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 Harriers and Shih Tzus?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Shih Tzu?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier 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 Harrier:
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 Harrier and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Whoodle Harrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Harrier versus Goldendoodle Harrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Harrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Harrier versus English Toy Spaniel Harrier versus Weimaraner Harrier versus Japanese Chin Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd Harrier versus Fila Brasileiro Harrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Harrier versus Maremma Sheepdog Harrier versus Akita Chow Harrier versus Shihpoo Harrier versus Hovawart Harrier versus Bearded Collie Harrier versus Lhasapoo Harrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Harrier versus Canaan Dog Harrier versus Pekingese Harrier versus Bernedoodle Harrier versus Affenpinscher Harrier versus Giant Schnauzer Harrier versus Yorkshire Terrier Harrier versus Bull Terrier
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Carolina Dog Shih Tzu versus Cavapoo Shih Tzu versus Borzoi Shih Tzu versus Icelandic Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Bernedoodle Shih Tzu versus Pug Shih Tzu versus Pomapoo Shih Tzu versus Korean Jindo Dog Shih Tzu versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Shih Tzu versus Pekingese Shih Tzu versus Akita Chow Shih Tzu versus Rottweiler Shih Tzu versus Skye Terrier Shih Tzu versus Norwich Terrier Shih Tzu versus Mal Shi Shih Tzu versus Irish Setter Shih Tzu versus Curly-Coated Retriever Shih Tzu versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Shih Tzu versus Ibizan Hound Shih Tzu versus Bouvier des Flandres Shih Tzu versus Keeshond Shih Tzu versus Bull Terrier Shih Tzu versus Leonberger Shih Tzu versus American Pit Bull Terrier Shih Tzu versus Komondor
Conclusion: Harrier 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 Harrier and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.