Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Shih Tzu Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
- Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
- Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier
- Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the West Highland White Terrier
- Price of Shih Tzu versus Price of West Highland White Terrier
- Adopting the Shih Tzu versus Adopting the West Highland White Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
- The Popularity of Shih Tzu versus Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier
- Do Shih Tzus shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the West Highland White Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Do Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. West Highland White Terrier
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and West Highland White Terriers?
- Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Shih Tzu Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier? 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 West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier.
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 West Highland White Terrier.
Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog while the West Highland White Terrier is a small-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 West Highland White Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Shih Tzu to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier
| Factor | Shih Tzu | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 16 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 9 to 16 pounds | 13 to 22 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $2300 | $1600 – $2700 |
| Temperament Score | 77.6 percent | 89.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 18 | 41 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 70 | 47 |
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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier
The Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier.
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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.
West Highland White Terriers live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 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 89.7 percent, the West Highland White Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shih Tzu and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 49 Shih Tzus and 68 West Highland White Terriers.
Price of Shih Tzu versus Price of West Highland White Terrier
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 West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of the West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Shih Tzu | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $2300 | $1600 to $2700 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Shih Tzu and West Highland White Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Shih Tzu puppies or how many West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Shih Tzu puppy or the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shih Tzus and many West Highland White Terriers 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 Louie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shih Tzus like Louie on pefinder.com.
Also, like Shih Tzus, West Highland White Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Fritz is a Male West Highland White Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more West Highland White Terriers like Fritz that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Dog is the name of another Shih Tzu (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Puddles And Nacho is an adorable Male West Highland White Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Shih Tzus and West Highland White Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
| Shih Tzu | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 70 out of 130 dog breeds | 47 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 West Highland White Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The West Highland White Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that West Highland White Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier
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 West Highland White Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier is 41 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Shih Tzu
Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
| Year | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank | West Highland White Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15 | 36 |
| 2014 | 17 | 38 |
| 2015 | 19 | 41 |
| 2016 | 20 | 41 |
| 2017 | 20 | 42 |
| 2018 | 20 | 42 |
| 2019 | 20 | 44 |
| 2020 | 20 | 44 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Shih Tzus shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the West Highland White Terrier
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the West Highland White Terrier?
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
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.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers?
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. West Highland White Terrier
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terrier?
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and West Highland White Terriers?
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the Shih Tzu Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shih Tzu or the West Highland White Terrier?
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Shih Tzu and how the West Highland White Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Shih Tzu and of the West Highland White Terrier to other breeds:
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Portuguese Water Dog Shih Tzu versus Boykin Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Puggle Shih Tzu versus Maltese Shih Tzu versus Bearded Collie Shih Tzu versus Scottish Terrier Shih Tzu versus Manchester Terrier Shih Tzu versus Belgian Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus American Water Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Azawakh Shih Tzu versus Patterdale Terrier Shih Tzu versus English Cocker Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Field Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Shiranian Shih Tzu versus French Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Pomapoo Shih Tzu versus Labradoodle Shih Tzu versus Shichon Shih Tzu versus Bloodhound Shih Tzu versus Cairn Terrier Shih Tzu versus Whippet Shih Tzu versus Shichon Shih Tzu versus Belgian Malinois Shih Tzu versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Shih Tzu versus Komondor
West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
West Highland White Terrier versus Scottish Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Plott West Highland White Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen West Highland White Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne West Highland White Terrier versus Mal Shi West Highland White Terrier versus Afador West Highland White Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier versus Saluki West Highland White Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro West Highland White Terrier versus Cavachon West Highland White Terrier versus Toy Poodle West Highland White Terrier versus Brittany West Highland White Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd West Highland White Terrier versus Rottweiler West Highland White Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Mountain Cur West Highland White Terrier versus Lhasa Apso West Highland White Terrier versus Whippet West Highland White Terrier versus Norwich Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund West Highland White Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel West Highland White Terrier versus Gordon Setter West Highland White Terrier versus Chihuahua West Highland White Terrier versus Boston Terrier
Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.