Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Lhasa Apso Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Lhasa Apso
- Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Lhasa Apso versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu
- Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Lhasa Apso Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu.
Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu: Overview
Both the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are similar in size. The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Lhasa Apso 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.
Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Lhasa Apso | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 12 to 15 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 9 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 | $1780 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $1996 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 70.4 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 71 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 68 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso is 79 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 Lhasa Apso. 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu
The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu.
Lhasa Apsos weigh 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lhasa Apsos are 9 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 Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos 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.
Lhasa Apsos live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Lhasa Apso
The Shih Tzu has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.
This is because the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent while the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 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 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Lhasa Apso puppy is $1780. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1500 – $1996. However, the price of a Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso.
| Lhasa Apso | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1780 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $1996 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Lhasa Apso puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos. 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apso named Max that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lhasa Apsos like Max on pefinder.com.
Also, like Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Slick is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Slick that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Tramp is the name of another Lhasa Apso (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Male Shi Tzu is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Lhasa Apso | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 68 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Lhasa Apso has an obedience intelligence rank of 68 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lhasa Apsos tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso. 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 Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Lhasa Apso
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 63 | 15 |
| 2014 | 67 | 17 |
| 2015 | 65 | 19 |
| 2016 | 71 | 20 |
| 2017 | 77 | 20 |
| 2018 | 71 | 20 |
| 2019 | 78 | 20 |
| 2020 | 78 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu
Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Shih Tzus?
Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu
Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu?
Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu
Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu?
Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus?
Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu?
Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso:
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 Lhasa Apso and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lhasa Apso and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano Lhasa Apso versus Bearded Collie Lhasa Apso versus Alaskan Klee Kai Lhasa Apso versus Coton de Tulear Lhasa Apso versus Afghan Hound Lhasa Apso versus Miniature Poodle Lhasa Apso versus Maltese Lhasa Apso versus Australian Kelpie Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd Lhasa Apso versus Peek A Poo Lhasa Apso versus Mal Shi Lhasa Apso versus Boston Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Havanese Lhasa Apso versus Westiepoo Lhasa Apso versus English Cocker Spaniel Lhasa Apso versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Bedlington Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Stabyhoun Lhasa Apso versus Belgian Malinois Lhasa Apso versus Berger Picard Lhasa Apso versus Irish Setter Lhasa Apso versus Curly-Coated Retriever Lhasa Apso versus Estrela Mountain Dog Lhasa Apso versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Lhasa Apso versus English Cocker Spaniel
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Bolognese Shih Tzu versus Stabyhoun Shih Tzu versus Rottweiler Shih Tzu versus Boston Terrier Shih Tzu versus Swedish Vallhund Shih Tzu versus Field Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Sheepadoodle Shih Tzu versus Irish Water Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Kishu Ken Shih Tzu versus Collie Shih Tzu versus Saint Berdoodle Shih Tzu versus Lancashire Heeler Shih Tzu versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Shih Tzu versus Ibizan Hound Shih Tzu versus Vizsla Shih Tzu versus Neapolitan Mastiff Shih Tzu versus American Hairless Terrier Shih Tzu versus Shiranian Shih Tzu versus Silky Terrier Shih Tzu versus Chinook Shih Tzu versus Scottish Deerhound Shih Tzu versus Redbone Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Lhasapoo Shih Tzu versus Labradoodle Shih Tzu versus Chihuahua
Conclusion: Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.