Is the Redbone Coonhound Better than the Shih Tzu as a Pet? Answer…

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Redbone Coonhound Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound or the Shih Tzu.

Redbone Coonhound versus Shih Tzu: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Redbone Coonhound 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.

Redbone Coonhound versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu

Factor Redbone Coonhound Shih Tzu
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 16 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 45 to 70 pounds 9 to 16 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
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
Average Price $530 $1820
Price Range $300 – $600 $1200 – $2300
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 77.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 141 18

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound is 72 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 Redbone Coonhound. 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 Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu

Below is a list of where the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu are most different:

  • Redbone Coonhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Shih Tzus are good for new dog owners.
  • Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Shih Tzus do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom. However, Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Redbone Coonhounds 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.
  • Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu

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

  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Redbone Coonhound versus Shih Tzu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu.

    Redbone Coonhounds weigh 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Redbone Coonhounds are 21 to 27 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 Redbone Coonhound versus Shih Tzu

    The lifespan of Redbone Coonhounds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhounds.

    Temperament of the Redbone Coonhound Versus the Shih Tzu

    The Redbone Coonhound has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.

    This is because the temperament score for the Redbone Coonhound is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 5 Redbone Coonhounds and 49 Shih Tzus.

    Price of Redbone Coonhound versus Price of Shih Tzu

    The average price of the Redbone Coonhound puppy is $530. The price of the Redbone Coonhound typically ranges from $300 – $600. However, the price of a Redbone Coonhound can be as low as $200 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 102 Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound.

    Redbone Coonhound Shih Tzu
    Average Price $530 $1820
    Price Range $300 to $600 $1200 to $2300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Redbone Coonhound and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Redbone Coonhound puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Redbone Coonhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Redbone Coonhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus

    A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound versus Adopting the Shih Tzu

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhound named Rhva-Stray-Rh1325 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Redbone Coonhounds like Rhva-Stray-Rh1325 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Redbone Coonhounds, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Santos is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Santos that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Lake is the name of another Redbone Coonhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Ralphie Is Blind is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Redbone Coonhounds and Shih Tzus are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Redbone Coonhounds and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound. 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 Redbone Coonhound is 141 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Year Redbone Coonhound Popularity Rank Shih Tzu Popularity Rank
    2013 133 15
    2014 148 17
    2015 139 19
    2016 143 20
    2017 139 20
    2018 142 20
    2019 143 20
    2020 146 20

    Tolerates Being Alone: Redbone Coonhound versus Shih Tzu

    Redbone Coonhounds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Redbone Coonhounds shed more than Shih Tzus?

    Redbone Coonhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Shih Tzus shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Redbone Coonhound or the Shih Tzu

    Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Redbone Coonhound or the Shih Tzu?

    Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Redbone Coonhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?

    Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhounds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?

    Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Redbone Coonhounds can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Redbone Coonhound vs. Shih Tzu

    Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhound or the Shih Tzu?

    Redbone Coonhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Redbone Coonhounds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?

    Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhounds and Shih Tzus?

    Redbone Coonhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Redbone Coonhound Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?

    Redbone Coonhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Redbone Coonhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?

    Redbone Coonhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Redbone Coonhound or the Shih Tzu?

    Redbone Coonhounds 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 Redbone Coonhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound:

  • Bluetick Coonhound (81 percent match with Redbone Coonhound). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • 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 Redbone Coonhound vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Redbone Coonhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Redbone Coonhound versus Irish Setter     Redbone Coonhound versus Pharaoh Hound     Redbone Coonhound versus English Springer Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus Mudi     Redbone Coonhound versus Chinook     Redbone Coonhound versus Brussels Griffon     Redbone Coonhound versus Goldador     Redbone Coonhound versus Lowchen     Redbone Coonhound versus Vizsla     Redbone Coonhound versus Irish Setter     Redbone Coonhound versus Irish Water Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Redbone Coonhound versus Mudi     Redbone Coonhound versus Dogo Argentino     Redbone Coonhound versus Lakeland Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Boykin Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus American Bulldog     Redbone Coonhound versus Miniature Pinscher     Redbone Coonhound versus Saint Berdoodle     Redbone Coonhound versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Ibizan Hound     Redbone Coonhound versus Newfoundland     Redbone Coonhound versus Basenji     Redbone Coonhound versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shih Tzu versus Bordoodle     Shih Tzu versus Irish Setter     Shih Tzu versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shih Tzu versus Bullmastiff     Shih Tzu versus Cavapoo     Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier     Shih Tzu versus German Pinscher     Shih Tzu versus Cane Corso     Shih Tzu versus Shichon     Shih Tzu versus Belgian Tervuren     Shih Tzu versus Pomapoo     Shih Tzu versus Mastiff     Shih Tzu versus Catahoula Bulldog     Shih Tzu versus Alaskan Malamute     Shih Tzu versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Shih Tzu versus American Bulldog     Shih Tzu versus Karelian Bear Dog     Shih Tzu versus Saluki     Shih Tzu versus Australian Shepherd     Shih Tzu versus Valley Bulldog     Shih Tzu versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Shih Tzu versus Italian Greyhound     Shih Tzu versus Greyhound     Shih Tzu versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Shih Tzu versus Dalmatian     

    Conclusion: Redbone Coonhound 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 Redbone Coonhound and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.