Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu
- Do Polish Lowland Sheepdogs shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Polish Lowland Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu.
Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Polish Lowland Sheepdog | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 35 to 55 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $2300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1820 |
| Temperament Score | 54.5 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 169 | 18 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu.
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.
Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
This is because the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 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 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and 49 Shih Tzus.
The Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 157 | 15 |
| 2014 | 170 | 17 |
| 2015 | 164 | 19 |
| 2016 | 169 | 20 |
| 2017 | 176 | 20 |
| 2018 | 170 | 20 |
| 2019 | 173 | 20 |
| 2020 | 175 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Polish Lowland Sheepdogs shed more than Shih Tzus?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs. Shih Tzu
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Polish Lowland Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and Shih Tzus?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Shih Tzu?
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog:
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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Norwegian Lundehund Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Biewer Terrier Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus English Setter Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Dalmatian Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Ibizan Hound Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus King Shepherd Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus American Water Spaniel Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus German Shepherd Dog Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bernese Mountain Dog Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Ibizan Hound Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Vizsla Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus American Foxhound Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sheepadoodle Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Whippet Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus German Pinscher Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bull Terrier Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Goldendoodle Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Cockapoo
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Newfoundland Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier Shih Tzu versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Shih Tzu versus Afghan Hound Shih Tzu versus Standard Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Flat-Coated Retriever Shih Tzu versus Sheepadoodle Shih Tzu versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Shih Tzu versus Berger Picard Shih Tzu versus Saint Bernard Shih Tzu versus Saluki Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel Shih Tzu versus German Pinscher Shih Tzu versus Toy Poodle Shih Tzu versus Pyredoodle Shih Tzu versus Braque du Bourbonnais Shih Tzu versus Dogo Argentino Shih Tzu versus Australian Shepherd Shih Tzu versus Pekingese Shih Tzu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Pug Shih Tzu versus Westiepoo Shih Tzu versus Carolina Dog Shih Tzu versus Puli
Conclusion: Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.