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

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Shih Tzu Versus Sloughi: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi 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 Shih Tzu and for the Sloughi. 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 Shih Tzu and the Sloughi.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Shih Tzu or the Sloughi.

Shih Tzu versus Sloughi: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Sloughi 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.

Shih Tzu versus Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shih Tzu to the Sloughi 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 Shih Tzu and the Sloughi

Factor Shih Tzu Sloughi
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 16 years 12 to 16 years
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 9 to 16 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1820 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $2300 No Data
Temperament Score 77.6 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 18 189

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shih Tzu 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 Sloughi. 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 Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Sloughi. 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 Shih Tzu and the Sloughi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi

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

  • Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Sloughis are very easy to groom.
  • Shih Tzus have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Sloughis have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Shih Tzus have low exercise needs. However, Sloughis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Shih Tzus are good for new dog owners. However, Sloughis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi

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

  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi are very playful.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus Sloughi

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

    Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Shih Tzus are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Sloughis weigh 40 to 63 pounds when fully grown. Sloughis are 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus Sloughi

    The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Sloughis is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Sloughis is 14.0 years.

    Sloughis live longer than Shih Tzus.

    Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Sloughi

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi 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 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shih Tzu and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 49 Shih Tzus and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Shih Tzu versus Popularity of Sloughi

    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 Shih Tzu and the Sloughi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Popularity of Shih Tzu

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Shih Tzu Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 15 no data
    2014 17 no data
    2015 19 no data
    2016 20 185.0
    2017 20 188.0
    2018 20 192.0
    2019 20 191.0
    2020 20 189.0

    Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus Sloughi

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

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Shih Tzus shed more than Sloughis?

    Shih Tzus shed moderately.

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the Sloughi

    Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the Sloughi?

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

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sloughi?

    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.

    Sloughis 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 Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about Sloughis?

    Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Sloughis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sloughis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sloughis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. Sloughi

    Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Sloughis have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Sloughis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the Sloughi?

    Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

    Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Sloughis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and Sloughis?

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

    Sloughis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Shih Tzu Better for Apartment Owners than the Sloughi?

    Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.

    Sloughis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Sloughi vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sloughi

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

  • Bracco Italiano (78 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Shih Tzu vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shih Tzu versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Shih Tzu versus Carolina Dog     Shih Tzu versus Giant Schnauzer     Shih Tzu versus Cesky Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Kooikerhondje     Shih Tzu versus Shichon     Shih Tzu versus Saint Bernard     Shih Tzu versus Schnoodle     Shih Tzu versus Scottish Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Pomchi     Shih Tzu versus Afador     Shih Tzu versus Gordon Setter     Shih Tzu versus Maremma Sheepdog     Shih Tzu versus Chinook     Shih Tzu versus Cockalier     Shih Tzu versus Peek A Poo     Shih Tzu versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Shih Tzu versus Cocker Spaniel     Shih Tzu versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Shih Tzu versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Terrier     Shih Tzu versus Komondor     Shih Tzu versus Goldador     Shih Tzu versus Papipoo     Shih Tzu versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Norwich Terrier     Sloughi versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Sloughi versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Sloughi versus Catahoula Bulldog     Sloughi versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Sloughi versus Australian Shepherd     Sloughi versus Sheepadoodle     Sloughi versus Briard     Sloughi versus Bracco Italiano     Sloughi versus Clumber Spaniel     Sloughi versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Sloughi versus Akita     Sloughi versus Portuguese Water Dog     Sloughi versus Puli     Sloughi versus Brussels Griffon     Sloughi versus Bordoodle     Sloughi versus Stabyhoun     Sloughi versus Affenhuahua     Sloughi versus Pomeranian     Sloughi versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Sloughi versus Briard     Sloughi versus Dogo Argentino     Sloughi versus Morkie     Sloughi versus Bouvier des Flandres     Sloughi versus Belgian Malinois     

    Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus Sloughi. 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 Shih Tzu and the Sloughi better suits you and your family.