Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pharaoh Hound Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Pharaoh Hound
- Adopting the Pharaoh Hound versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Pharaoh Hound versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Pharaoh Hound versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu
- Do Pharaoh Hounds shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Pharaoh Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Pharaoh Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pharaoh Hound vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Pharaoh Hounds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Pharaoh Hounds and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Pharaoh Hound Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pharaoh Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pharaoh Hound Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu.
Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pharaoh Hound is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Pharaoh Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Pharaoh Hound | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 11 to 14 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 55 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $2300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1820 |
| Temperament Score | 81.8 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound is 84 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 Pharaoh Hound. 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu
The Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu.
Pharaoh Hounds weigh 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Pharaoh Hounds are 21 to 25 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 Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is 12.5 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 Pharaoh Hounds.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 55 Pharaoh Hounds and 49 Shih Tzus.
Adopting the Pharaoh Hound versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hound named Ruffles that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pharaoh Hounds like Ruffles on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pharaoh Hounds, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, 2111-0536 Broken Christmas Lights is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like 2111-0536 Broken Christmas Lights that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Oreo is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Pharaoh Hounds and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pharaoh Hound versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Pharaoh Hound | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Pharaoh Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pharaoh Hound belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Pharaoh Hounds tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound. 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 Pharaoh Hound is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pharaoh Hound
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Pharaoh Hound Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 160 | 15 |
| 2014 | 164 | 17 |
| 2015 | 171 | 19 |
| 2016 | 168 | 20 |
| 2017 | 174 | 20 |
| 2018 | 172 | 20 |
| 2019 | 161 | 20 |
| 2020 | 180 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Pharaoh Hound versus Shih Tzu
Pharaoh Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Pharaoh Hounds shed more than Shih Tzus?
Pharaoh Hounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu
Pharaoh Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu?
Pharaoh Hounds are very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Pharaoh Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pharaoh Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pharaoh Hound vs. Shih Tzu
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu?
Pharaoh Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pharaoh Hounds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds and Shih Tzus?
Pharaoh Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Pharaoh Hound Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Pharaoh Hounds are fairly easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Pharaoh Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Pharaoh Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pharaoh Hound or the Shih Tzu?
Pharaoh Hounds are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pharaoh Hound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound:
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 Pharaoh Hound and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Pharaoh Hound and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Pharaoh Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pharaoh Hound versus Icelandic Sheepdog Pharaoh Hound versus Lakeland Terrier Pharaoh Hound versus Australian Shepherd Pharaoh Hound versus Korean Jindo Dog Pharaoh Hound versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki Pharaoh Hound versus Lowchen Pharaoh Hound versus Schipperke Pharaoh Hound versus Boston Terrier Pharaoh Hound versus Redbone Coonhound Pharaoh Hound versus Briard Pharaoh Hound versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Pharaoh Hound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Pharaoh Hound versus Spinone Italiano Pharaoh Hound versus Stabyhoun Pharaoh Hound versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Pharaoh Hound versus Catahoula Bulldog Pharaoh Hound versus Brussels Griffon Pharaoh Hound versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Pharaoh Hound versus Azawakh Pharaoh Hound versus Boykin Spaniel Pharaoh Hound versus Sussex Spaniel Pharaoh Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog Pharaoh Hound versus Bluetick Coonhound Pharaoh Hound versus Golden Cocker Retriever
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Boerboel Shih Tzu versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Shih Tzu versus Coton de Tulear Shih Tzu versus Kuvasz Shih Tzu versus Bracco Italiano Shih Tzu versus Great Pyrenees Shih Tzu versus Whoodle Shih Tzu versus Schipperke Shih Tzu versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Shih Tzu versus Beagle Shih Tzu versus Miniature Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Irish Water Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Airedale Terrier Shih Tzu versus Alaskan Klee Kai Shih Tzu versus Alaskan Malamute Shih Tzu versus Chi-Poo Shih Tzu versus Lhasapoo Shih Tzu versus Doberman Pinscher Shih Tzu versus Belgian Tervuren Shih Tzu versus Chihuahua Shih Tzu versus Chihuahua Shih Tzu versus Sussex Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Shetland Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Ibizan Hound Shih Tzu versus Standard Schnauzer
Conclusion: Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.