Norwegian Lundehund versus Shih Tzu. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Norwegian Lundehund Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund or the Shih Tzu.

Norwegian Lundehund versus Shih Tzu: Overview

A very important difference between the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Norwegian Lundehund is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Norwegian Lundehund 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.

Norwegian Lundehund versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu

Factor Norwegian Lundehund Shih Tzu
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Height 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 16 years
Weight 13 to 16 pounds 9 to 16 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 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
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 187 18

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund. 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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu

    Below is a list of where the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are most different:

  • Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shih Tzus adapt well to apartment living.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Shih Tzus are good for new dog owners.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom. However, Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Shih Tzus have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu

    The Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are most similar:

  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Lundehund versus Shih Tzu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu.

    Norwegian Lundehunds weigh 13 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Norwegian Lundehunds are 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 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 Norwegian Lundehund versus Shih Tzu

    The lifespan of Norwegian Lundehunds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Lundehunds 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 Norwegian Lundehunds.

    The Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund. 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 Norwegian Lundehund is 187 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Year Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank Shih Tzu Popularity Rank
    2013 175 15
    2014 184 17
    2015 182 19
    2016 188 20
    2017 190 20
    2018 191 20
    2019 192 20
    2020 195 20

    Tolerates Being Alone: Norwegian Lundehund versus Shih Tzu

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Norwegian Lundehunds shed more than Shih Tzus?

    Norwegian Lundehunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Shih Tzus shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Shih Tzu

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Shih Tzu?

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Norwegian Lundehund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?

    Norwegian Lundehunds 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 Norwegian Lundehunds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?

    Norwegian Lundehunds 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 Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Lundehund vs. Shih Tzu

    Norwegian Lundehunds 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 Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Norwegian Lundehunds 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 Norwegian Lundehund or the Shih Tzu?

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Lundehunds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?

    Norwegian Lundehunds 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 Norwegian Lundehunds and Shih Tzus?

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Norwegian Lundehund Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Norwegian Lundehund Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Shih Tzu?

    Norwegian Lundehunds 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 Norwegian Lundehund

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund:

  • Dalmatian (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs Dalmatian.
  • Field Spaniel (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs Field Spaniel.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • 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:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (79 percent match with Shih Tzu). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Norwegian Lundehund and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:

    Norwegian Lundehund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Lundehund versus Chorkie     Norwegian Lundehund versus Standard Schnauzer     Norwegian Lundehund versus Boerboel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bolognese     Norwegian Lundehund versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Komondor     Norwegian Lundehund versus Golden Retriever     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bracco Italiano     Norwegian Lundehund versus Shihpoo     Norwegian Lundehund versus Azawakh     Norwegian Lundehund versus Rottweiler     Norwegian Lundehund versus English Toy Spaniel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bolognese     Norwegian Lundehund versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Norwegian Lundehund versus Karelian Bear Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Norwegian Lundehund versus English Cocker Spaniel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Briard     Norwegian Lundehund versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Maltese     Norwegian Lundehund versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Norwegian Lundehund versus Japanese Chin     Norwegian Lundehund versus Stabyhoun     Norwegian Lundehund versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     

    Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shih Tzu versus Doberman Pinscher     Shih Tzu versus Pharaoh Hound     Shih Tzu versus Afghan Hound     Shih Tzu versus Norfolk Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Bolognese     Shih Tzu versus Bearded Collie     Shih Tzu versus Cesky Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Mal Shi     Shih Tzu versus Afghan Hound     Shih Tzu versus Azawakh     Shih Tzu versus Jack Russell Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shih Tzu versus Akita Chow     Shih Tzu versus Shetland Sheepdog     Shih Tzu versus Chinook     Shih Tzu versus Pekingese     Shih Tzu versus Standard Poodle     Shih Tzu versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shih Tzu versus Great Pyrenees     Shih Tzu versus Silky Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Shiba Inu     Shih Tzu versus Sloughi     Shih Tzu versus Leonberger     Shih Tzu versus Finnish Lapphund     

    Conclusion: Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.