Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Keeshond Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Keeshond versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Keeshond versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Keeshond and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Keeshond versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Keeshond versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Keeshond
- Price of Keeshond versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Keeshond versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Keeshond versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Keeshond versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Keeshond versus Shih Tzu
- Do Keeshonds shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Keeshond or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Keeshond or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Keeshond Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Keeshonds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Keeshonds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Keeshond vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Keeshonds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Keeshond or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Keeshonds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Keeshonds and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Keeshond Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Keeshond
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Keeshond versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Keeshond Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond or the Shih Tzu.
Keeshond versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Keeshond and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Keeshond and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Keeshond 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.
Keeshond versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Keeshond | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 35 to 45 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1680 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1250 – $1850 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 81.6 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 89 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Keeshond 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 Keeshond is 83 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 Keeshond. 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 Keeshond and the Shih Tzu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Keeshond and the Shih Tzu
The Keeshond and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Keeshond and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Keeshond versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Keeshond and the Shih Tzu.
Keeshonds weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Keeshonds 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.
Lifespan of Keeshond versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Keeshonds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Keeshonds 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.
Keeshonds live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Keeshond
The Keeshond has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Keeshond is 81.6 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 81.6 percent, the Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 87 Keeshonds and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Keeshond versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Keeshond puppy is $1680. The price of the Keeshond typically ranges from $1250 – $1850. However, the price of a Keeshond can be as low as $600 and as high as $5750. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 51 Keeshond 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 Shih Tzu is more expensive than the Keeshond.
| Keeshond | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1680 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1250 to $1850 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Keeshond and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Keeshond puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Keeshonds. 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Keeshonds 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 Keeshond named Fosters that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Keeshonds like Fosters on pefinder.com.
Also, like Keeshonds, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Wally is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Wally that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Hairy is the name of another Keeshond (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Chewy is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Keeshonds and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Keeshond versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Keeshond | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Keeshond has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Keeshond belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Keeshonds tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond 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 Keeshond. 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 Keeshond is 89 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Keeshond
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Keeshond Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 86 | 15 |
| 2014 | 87 | 17 |
| 2015 | 84 | 19 |
| 2016 | 92 | 20 |
| 2017 | 87 | 20 |
| 2018 | 95 | 20 |
| 2019 | 88 | 20 |
| 2020 | 96 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Keeshond versus Shih Tzu
Keeshonds do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Keeshonds shed more than Shih Tzus?
Keeshonds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Keeshond or the Shih Tzu
Keeshonds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Keeshond or the Shih Tzu?
Keeshonds are moderately easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Keeshond Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Keeshonds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Keeshond vs. Shih Tzu
Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Keeshonds 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.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Keeshond or the Shih Tzu?
Keeshonds get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Keeshonds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Keeshonds 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 Keeshonds and Shih Tzus?
Keeshonds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Keeshond Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Keeshonds are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Keeshond Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Keeshonds adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Keeshond or the Shih Tzu?
Keeshonds are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Keeshond
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Keeshond 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 Keeshond:
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 Keeshond and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Keeshond and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Keeshond Versus Other Dog Breeds
Keeshond versus Bull Terrier Keeshond versus Fila Brasileiro Keeshond versus Pug Keeshond versus Azawakh Keeshond versus Cairn Terrier Keeshond versus Saint Bernard Keeshond versus Chihuahua Keeshond versus Pharaoh Hound Keeshond versus Miniature Poodle Keeshond versus Kerry Blue Terrier Keeshond versus Basset Hound Keeshond versus Shiba Inu Keeshond versus Schipperke Keeshond versus Icelandic Sheepdog Keeshond versus Jack Russell Terrier Keeshond versus Standard Schnauzer Keeshond versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Keeshond versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Keeshond versus Finnish Spitz Keeshond versus Basenji Keeshond versus Vizsla Keeshond versus Belgian Malinois Keeshond versus Standard Poodle Keeshond versus Great Pyrenees Keeshond versus Akbash
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Briard Shih Tzu versus Saint Bernard Shih Tzu versus Belgian Malinois Shih Tzu versus Aussiedoodle Shih Tzu versus Labradoodle Shih Tzu versus Lowchen Shih Tzu versus Chorkie Shih Tzu versus Bernese Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus Saint Berdoodle Shih Tzu versus Sussex Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Westiepoo Shih Tzu versus Harrier Shih Tzu versus Brittany Shih Tzu versus Vizsla Shih Tzu versus Papillon Shih Tzu versus Miniature Pinscher Shih Tzu versus Sussex Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Cesky Terrier Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier Shih Tzu versus Goldador Shih Tzu versus Border Collie Shih Tzu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Rottweiler Shih Tzu versus Australian Kelpie Shih Tzu versus Stabyhoun
Conclusion: Keeshond 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 Keeshond and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.