Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Havanese Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Havanese versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Havanese versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Havanese versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Havanese
- Price of Havanese versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Havanese versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Havanese versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Shih Tzu
- Do Havaneses shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Havanese versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Havanese Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese or the Shih Tzu.
Havanese versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Havanese and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Havanese is a small-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Havanese and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Havanese 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.
Havanese versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Havanese | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 13 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2180 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1700 – $2750 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 81.8 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 23 | 18 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Havanese 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the Shih Tzu. So, you should get the Havanese!
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 Havanese 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 Havanese and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Havanese and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Shih Tzu
The Havanese and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Havanese and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Havanese and the Shih Tzu.
Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 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.
Lifespan of Havanese versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
Havaneses live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Havanese
The Havanese has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 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 81.8 percent, the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Havanese versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of a Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese 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 the 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 Havanese is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Havanese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2180 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1700 to $2750 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Havanese and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Havanese puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses. 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 Havanese 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 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.
Adopting the Havanese versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Havaneses 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 Havanese named Parker that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Havaneses like Parker on pefinder.com.
Also, like Havaneses, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Louie is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Louie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Picasso – Not Ready For Adoption is the name of another Havanese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Dog is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Havaneses and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese. 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 Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Havanese
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Havanese Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25 | 15 |
| 2014 | 25 | 17 |
| 2015 | 24 | 19 |
| 2016 | 23 | 20 |
| 2017 | 23 | 20 |
| 2018 | 24 | 20 |
| 2019 | 22 | 20 |
| 2020 | 24 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Shih Tzu
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Havaneses shed more than Shih Tzus?
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu?
Havaneses 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.
Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Havaneses 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 Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Havaneses 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.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Shih Tzu
Havaneses 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.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Havaneses 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 Havanese or the Shih Tzu?
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Havaneses 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 Havaneses and Shih Tzus?
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Havanese Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu?
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Havanese 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 Havanese:
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 Havanese and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Havanese and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Pyrenean Mastiff Havanese versus Schipperke Havanese versus Giant Schnauzer Havanese versus Irish Wolfhound Havanese versus Bulldog Havanese versus Rottweiler Havanese versus Mastiff Havanese versus Shiba Inu Havanese versus Goldendoodle Havanese versus Westiepoo Havanese versus Cocker Spaniel Havanese versus Cockalier Havanese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Havanese versus Swedish Vallhund Havanese versus Puli Havanese versus Newfoundland Havanese versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Havanese versus Swedish Vallhund Havanese versus Pyrenean Mastiff Havanese versus Ibizan Hound Havanese versus Stabyhoun Havanese versus Kuvasz Havanese versus Valley Bulldog Havanese versus Finnish Spitz Havanese versus Silky Terrier
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Alaskan Malamute Shih Tzu versus Icelandic Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Komondor Shih Tzu versus Kuvasz Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Vizsla Shih Tzu versus Bluetick Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Redbone Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Portuguese Pointer Shih Tzu versus Gordon Setter Shih Tzu versus Sloughi Shih Tzu versus Havanese Shih Tzu versus Sheepadoodle Shih Tzu versus Giant Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Brittany Shih Tzu versus Estrela Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus German Shorthaired Pointer Shih Tzu versus Afghan Hound Shih Tzu versus Briard Shih Tzu versus Bluetick Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Cavapoo Shih Tzu versus Great Pyrenees
Conclusion: Havanese 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 Havanese and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.