Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pug Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Pug versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Pug versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pug and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Pug and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Pug versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Pug versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Pug
- Price of Pug versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Pug versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Pug versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Pug versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pug versus Shih Tzu
- Do Pugs shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Pug or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pug or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Pug Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Pugs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pug vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pug or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Pugs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Pugs and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Pug Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Pug versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pug Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pug 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 Pug 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 Pug and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pug 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 Pug 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 Pug 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 Pug or the Shih Tzu.
Pug versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Pug and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pug is a small-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Pug and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pug 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.
Pug versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pug 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 Pug and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Pug | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Weight | 14 to 18 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1620 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $1875 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 91.7 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 31 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 57 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pug 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 Pug is 80 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 Pug. 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 Pug 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 Pug and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Pug and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pug and the Shih Tzu
The Pug and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pug and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Pug versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pug and the Shih Tzu.
Pugs weigh 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Pugs are 10 to 14 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 Pug versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Pugs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pugs 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.
Pugs live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Pug
The Pug has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Pug is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Pug has an above-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 Pug and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 48 Pugs and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Pug versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Pug puppy is $1620. The price of the Pug typically ranges from $1200 – $1875. However, the price of a Pug can be as low as $300 and as high as $6525. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 654 Pug 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 Pug.
| Pug | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1620 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $1875 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pug and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Pug puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Pugs. 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 Pug 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 Pug versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pugs 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 Pug named Loverboy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pugs like Loverboy on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pugs, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Gizmo is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Gizmo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
A559272 is the name of another Pug (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Angel Batista is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Pugs and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pug versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Pug | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 57 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 Pug has an obedience intelligence rank of 57 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pug belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pugs 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 Pug 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 Pug 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 Pug 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 Pug. 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 Pug is 31 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pug
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Pug Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 31 | 15 |
| 2014 | 33 | 17 |
| 2015 | 33 | 19 |
| 2016 | 32 | 20 |
| 2017 | 31 | 20 |
| 2018 | 28 | 20 |
| 2019 | 31 | 20 |
| 2020 | 29 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Pug versus Shih Tzu
Pugs do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Pugs shed more than Shih Tzus?
Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Pug or the Shih Tzu
Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pug or the Shih Tzu?
Pugs are very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Pug Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Pugs 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 Pugs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Pugs 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 Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pug vs. Shih Tzu
Pugs 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 Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pugs 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 Pug or the Shih Tzu?
Pugs get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pugs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Pugs 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 Pugs and Shih Tzus?
Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Pug Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Pugs are fairly easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Pug Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pug or the Shih Tzu?
Pugs are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pug 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 Pug:
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 Pug and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Pug and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pug versus Spanish Mastiff Pug versus Gordon Setter Pug versus Schipperke Pug versus Sussex Spaniel Pug versus Shiloh Shepherd Pug versus Norfolk Terrier Pug versus Schipperke Pug versus Bernedoodle Pug versus Tibetan Mastiff Pug versus Azawakh Pug versus Shiranian Pug versus Spinone Italiano Pug versus Karelian Bear Dog Pug versus Affenhuahua Pug versus Hovawart Pug versus Keeshond Pug versus German Shorthaired Pointer Pug versus Xoloitzcuintli Pug versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Pug versus American Water Spaniel Pug versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Pug versus Giant Schnauzer Pug versus Maremma Sheepdog Pug versus Leonberger Pug versus Border Collie
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Black and Tan Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Siberian Husky Shih Tzu versus Cavachon Shih Tzu versus Pomeranian Shih Tzu versus Kai Ken Shih Tzu versus Schnoodle Shih Tzu versus Hovawart Shih Tzu versus Golden Cocker Retriever Shih Tzu versus Lowchen Shih Tzu versus Cane Corso Shih Tzu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Valley Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Japanese Chin Shih Tzu versus Pomchi Shih Tzu versus Peek A Poo Shih Tzu versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Chorkie Shih Tzu versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Shih Tzu versus Mountain Cur Shih Tzu versus Aussiedoodle Shih Tzu versus Pug Shih Tzu versus Bedlington Terrier Shih Tzu versus Akita Shih Tzu versus Afghan Hound
Conclusion: Pug 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 Pug and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.