Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu: Overview
Both the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu are similar in size. The Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu 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.
Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Chihuahua | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 19 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 67 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Shih Tzu, we still believe that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Shih Tzu.
This is because Chihuahuas are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Chihuahua will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Chihuahua :-). We are for the Chihuahua. So get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu
The Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu.
Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 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 Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Shih Tzus.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent while the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 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 69.6 percent, the Chihuahua has a below-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 Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1820. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $15500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1980 Chihuahua 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 and the Chihuahua are sold for about the same price.
`| Chihuahua | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua 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.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.
Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here
The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
`| Chihuahua | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 67 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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 Chihuahua has an obedience intelligence rank of 67 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chihuahua belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chihuahuas tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 19 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 30 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 15 |
| 2014 | 24 | 17 |
| 2015 | 28 | 19 |
| 2016 | 30 | 20 |
| 2017 | 32 | 20 |
| 2018 | 33 | 20 |
| 2019 | 35 | 20 |
| 2020 | 34 | 20 |
| 2021 | 37 | 22 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Shih Tzu
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Shih Tzus?
Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu?
Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.
Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Shih Tzu
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
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 Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Shih Tzu?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.