Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Shih Tzu Versus Tibetan Spaniel: Introduction
- Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel: Overview
- Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel
- Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel
- Temperament of the Tibetan Spaniel Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of Shih Tzu versus Price of Tibetan Spaniel
- Adopting the Shih Tzu versus Adopting the Tibetan Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the Tibetan Spaniel
- The Popularity of Shih Tzu versus Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel
- Do Shih Tzus shed more than Tibetan Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the Tibetan Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the Tibetan Spaniel?
- Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan Spaniel?
- Do Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Spaniels?
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. Tibetan Spaniel
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the Tibetan Spaniel?
- Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about Tibetan Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and Tibetan Spaniels?
- Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the Tibetan Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Tibetan Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Shih Tzu Versus Tibetan Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel? 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 Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel.
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 Tibetan Spaniel.
Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel: Overview
Both the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel are similar in size. The Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel are Companion Dogs. This means both the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel 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.
Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Shih Tzu to the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel
| Factor | Shih Tzu | Tibetan Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | From 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 9 to 16 pounds | 9 to 15 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $1650 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $2300 | $1200 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 77.6 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 18 | 117 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 70 | 46 |
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 Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel
The Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel.
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, Tibetan Spaniels weigh 9 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Spaniels are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Tibetan Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Spaniels is 13.5 years.
Tibetan Spaniels live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Tibetan Spaniel Versus the Shih Tzu
The Tibetan Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Tibetan Spaniel 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 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Tibetan Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 49 Shih Tzus and 12 Tibetan Spaniels.
Price of Shih Tzu versus Price of Tibetan Spaniel
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 a Shih Tzu can be as low as $200 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 806 Shih Tzu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Tibetan Spaniel puppy is $1650. The price of the Tibetan Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Tibetan Spaniel can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 Tibetan Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Shih Tzu is more expensive than the Tibetan Spaniel.
| Shih Tzu | Tibetan Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $1650 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $2300 | $1200 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Shih Tzu and Tibetan Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Shih Tzu puppies or how many Tibetan Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Shih Tzu puppy or the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Shih Tzu versus Adopting the Tibetan Spaniel
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shih Tzus and many Tibetan Spaniels 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 Shih Tzu named Benny that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shih Tzus like Benny on pefinder.com.
Also, like Shih Tzus, Tibetan Spaniels are also available for adoption. For example, Dan The Man is a Male Tibetan Spaniel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Tibetan Spaniels like Dan The Man that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Louie is the name of another Shih Tzu (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Shih Tzus and Tibetan Spaniels that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the Tibetan Spaniel
| Shih Tzu | Tibetan Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 70 out of 130 dog breeds | 46 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
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 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 Tibetan Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The Tibetan Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Tibetan Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Tibetan Spaniel 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 Shih Tzu versus Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel
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 Tibetan Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel is 117 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Shih Tzu
Popularity of Tibetan Spaniel
| Year | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank | Tibetan Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15 | 106 |
| 2014 | 17 | 122 |
| 2015 | 19 | 115 |
| 2016 | 20 | 118 |
| 2017 | 20 | 121 |
| 2018 | 20 | 119 |
| 2019 | 20 | 117 |
| 2020 | 20 | 118 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Tibetan Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Shih Tzus shed more than Tibetan Spaniels?
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Tibetan Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the Tibetan Spaniel
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tibetan Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the Tibetan Spaniel?
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan Spaniel?
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.
Tibetan Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Spaniels?
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Tibetan Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. Tibetan Spaniel
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Tibetan Spaniels 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 Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the Tibetan Spaniel?
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Tibetan Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about Tibetan Spaniels?
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Tibetan Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and Tibetan Spaniels?
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Tibetan Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the Tibetan Spaniel?
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to train.
Is the Shih Tzu Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Spaniel?
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Tibetan Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shih Tzu or the Tibetan Spaniel?
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Tibetan Spaniels are very good 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Tibetan Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Shih Tzu and how the Tibetan Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Shih Tzu and of the Tibetan Spaniel to other breeds:
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Karelian Bear Dog Shih Tzu versus American Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Kooikerhondje Shih Tzu versus Miniature Poodle Shih Tzu versus Sloughi Shih Tzu versus Dalmatian Shih Tzu versus English Springer Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Korean Jindo Dog Shih Tzu versus Stabyhoun Shih Tzu versus Westiepoo Shih Tzu versus Maltese Shih Tzu versus Kuvasz Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Boxer Shih Tzu versus Chihuahua Shih Tzu versus Miniature Poodle Shih Tzu versus Pug Shih Tzu versus Giant Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Canaan Dog Shih Tzu versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Patterdale Terrier Shih Tzu versus Mountain Cur Shih Tzu versus Lagotto Romagnolo Shih Tzu versus Miniature Poodle
Tibetan Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Tibetan Spaniel versus Pomapoo Tibetan Spaniel versus Australian Terrier Tibetan Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound Tibetan Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino Tibetan Spaniel versus Pyredoodle Tibetan Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle Tibetan Spaniel versus Great Pyrenees Tibetan Spaniel versus Chinook Tibetan Spaniel versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Tibetan Spaniel versus Dachshund Tibetan Spaniel versus Cockalier Tibetan Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz Tibetan Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Tibetan Spaniel versus Saint Berdoodle Tibetan Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Tibetan Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel Tibetan Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Tibetan Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Tibetan Spaniel versus Boxer Tibetan Spaniel versus Bull Terrier Tibetan Spaniel versus Cockapoo Tibetan Spaniel versus Shichon Tibetan Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog Tibetan Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino Tibetan Spaniel versus Whippet
Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel better suits you and your family.