Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Shih Tzu Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
- Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
- Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Temperament of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus the Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Shih Tzu versus Adopting the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Popularity of Shih Tzu versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Do Shih Tzus shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Do Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Shih Tzu Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog while the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium-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 Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Shih Tzu to the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Factor | Shih Tzu | Welsh Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 16 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 9 to 16 pounds | 35 to 55 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.5 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 |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 18 | 128 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 70 | 31 |
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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer 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, Welsh Springer Spaniels weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Springer Spaniels are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniels is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is 12.5 years.
Shih Tzus live longer than Welsh Springer Spaniels.
Temperament of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus the Shih Tzu
The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shih Tzu and the Welsh Springer Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 49 Shih Tzus and 6 Welsh Springer Spaniels.
Adopting the Shih Tzu versus Adopting the Welsh Springer Spaniel
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shih Tzus and many Welsh Springer 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 Dog that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shih Tzus like Dog on pefinder.com.
Also, like Shih Tzus, Welsh Springer Spaniels are also available for adoption. For example, Sage is a Male Welsh Springer Spaniel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Welsh Springer Spaniels like Sage 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 Welsh Springer Spaniels that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Shih Tzu | Welsh Springer Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 70 out of 130 dog breeds | 31 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 31 out of 130 dog breeds. The Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Welsh Springer Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is 128 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Shih Tzu
Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Year | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank | Welsh Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15 | 124 |
| 2014 | 17 | 133 |
| 2015 | 19 | 128 |
| 2016 | 20 | 123 |
| 2017 | 20 | 133 |
| 2018 | 20 | 128 |
| 2019 | 20 | 130 |
| 2020 | 20 | 128 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Shih Tzus shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Welsh Springer Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer 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.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. Welsh Springer 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.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.
Is the Shih Tzu Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shih Tzu or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Shih Tzu and how the Welsh Springer Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Shih Tzu and of the Welsh Springer Spaniel to other breeds:
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Pekingese Shih Tzu versus German Wirehaired Pointer Shih Tzu versus Boxer Shih Tzu versus Australian Shepherd Shih Tzu versus Japanese Spitz Shih Tzu versus Pug Shih Tzu versus Shiloh Shepherd Shih Tzu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Canaan Dog Shih Tzu versus Estrela Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus Doberman Pinscher Shih Tzu versus Pekingese Shih Tzu versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Pyrenean Shepherd Shih Tzu versus Stabyhoun Shih Tzu versus Pharaoh Hound Shih Tzu versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Shih Tzu versus Goldendoodle Shih Tzu versus Redbone Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Airedale Terrier Shih Tzu versus Norfolk Terrier Shih Tzu versus Basset Hound Shih Tzu versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Shih Tzu versus Finnish Spitz Shih Tzu versus Catahoula Bulldog
Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Stabyhoun Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Leonberger Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Barbet Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Tibetan Spaniel Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Kishu Ken Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Labradoodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Hovawart Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pyrenean Mastiff Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Maltese Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Azawakh Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Collie Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Schipperke Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Bearded Collie Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Sloughi Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Valley Bulldog Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur
Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel better suits you and your family.