Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Neapolitan Mastiff
- Price of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Neapolitan Mastiff versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu
- Do Neapolitan Mastiffs shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Neapolitan Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Neapolitan Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Neapolitan Mastiff vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Neapolitan Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Neapolitan Mastiffs and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Neapolitan Mastiff Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu.
Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 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.
Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Neapolitan Mastiff | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 120 to 200 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 8 to 10 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Average Lifespan | 9.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2870 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1800 – $3700 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 66.7 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 104 | 18 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is 71 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 Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu
The Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu.
Neapolitan Mastiffs weigh 120 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Neapolitan Mastiffs are 24 to 31 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 Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is 9.0 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 Neapolitan Mastiffs.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Neapolitan Mastiff
The Shih Tzu has a better temperament than the Neapolitan Mastiff.
This is because the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent while the temperament score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 15 Neapolitan Mastiffs and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Neapolitan Mastiff versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Neapolitan Mastiff puppy is $2870. The price of the Neapolitan Mastiff typically ranges from $1800 – $3700. However, the price of a Neapolitan Mastiff can be as low as $500 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 83 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Neapolitan Mastiff | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2870 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1800 to $3700 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Neapolitan Mastiff and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Neapolitan Mastiff puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Neapolitan Mastiffs. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiff named Harry that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Neapolitan Mastiffs like Harry on pefinder.com.
Also, like Neapolitan Mastiffs, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Mocha is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Mocha that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Neo Ii is the name of another Neapolitan Mastiff (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Xavier is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Neapolitan Mastiffs and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff. 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 Neapolitan Mastiff is 104 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Neapolitan Mastiff
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Neapolitan Mastiff Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 111 | 15 |
| 2014 | 114 | 17 |
| 2015 | 106 | 19 |
| 2016 | 99 | 20 |
| 2017 | 107 | 20 |
| 2018 | 102 | 20 |
| 2019 | 100 | 20 |
| 2020 | 100 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu
Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Neapolitan Mastiffs shed more than Shih Tzus?
Neapolitan Mastiffs shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu
Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu?
Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Neapolitan Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Neapolitan Mastiffs 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.
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 Neapolitan Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Neapolitan Mastiff vs. Shih Tzu
Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu?
Neapolitan Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Neapolitan Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Neapolitan Mastiffs 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 Neapolitan Mastiffs and Shih Tzus?
Neapolitan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Neapolitan Mastiff Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Neapolitan Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Neapolitan Mastiff Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Neapolitan Mastiff or the Shih Tzu?
Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff:
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 Neapolitan Mastiff and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds
Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shihpoo Neapolitan Mastiff versus Labrador Retriever Neapolitan Mastiff versus Weimaraner Neapolitan Mastiff versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Neapolitan Mastiff versus Bulldog Neapolitan Mastiff versus Weimaraner Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu Neapolitan Mastiff versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Neapolitan Mastiff versus Briard Neapolitan Mastiff versus Carolina Dog Neapolitan Mastiff versus Schnoodle Neapolitan Mastiff versus Dogue de Bordeaux Neapolitan Mastiff versus Silky Terrier Neapolitan Mastiff versus Affenhuahua Neapolitan Mastiff versus Basenji Neapolitan Mastiff versus German Pinscher Neapolitan Mastiff versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Neapolitan Mastiff versus Golden Retriever Neapolitan Mastiff versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Neapolitan Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Neapolitan Mastiff versus Cesky Terrier Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shiloh Shepherd Neapolitan Mastiff versus Bouvier des Flandres Neapolitan Mastiff versus Bloodhound Neapolitan Mastiff versus Standard Poodle
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Lancashire Heeler Shih Tzu versus Border Collie Shih Tzu versus Lagotto Romagnolo Shih Tzu versus Collie Shih Tzu versus Cane Corso Shih Tzu versus Maltese Shih Tzu versus Irish Wolfhound Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Shih Tzu versus Shiba Inu Shih Tzu versus Puli Shih Tzu versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Shih Tzu versus Cairn Terrier Shih Tzu versus Briard Shih Tzu versus Pekingese Shih Tzu versus Norfolk Terrier Shih Tzu versus Maremma Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Sloughi Shih Tzu versus English Toy Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Kai Ken Shih Tzu versus Aussiedoodle Shih Tzu versus Chi-Poo Shih Tzu versus Bearded Collie Shih Tzu versus Miniature Pinscher
Conclusion: Neapolitan Mastiff 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 Neapolitan Mastiff and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.