Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu.
Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, 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.
Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 19 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 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 Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Shih Tzu.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu
The Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Shih Tzu weighs 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. The Shih Tzu is 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Shih Tzu Colors
The Shih Tzu comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Apricot / Beige
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Golden
- White / Cream
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Sable
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Shih Tzu comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brindle
- White / Cream
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Golden
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Apricot / Beige
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Sable
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Shih Tzu is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Shih Tzu is 13.0 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Shih Tzu.
Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Shih Tzu
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd 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 is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. 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 Australian Shepherd 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.
Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Shih Tzus 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 Australian Shepherd named 0149 Vern (Aka Walter) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like 0149 Vern (Aka Walter) on pefinder.com.
Also, like Australian Shepherds, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Dog is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Dog that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Ralph is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Australian Shepherds and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Shih Tzu. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 19 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 15 |
| 2014 | 18 | 17 |
| 2015 | 17 | 19 |
| 2016 | 16 | 20 |
| 2017 | 17 | 20 |
| 2018 | 15 | 20 |
| 2019 | 13 | 20 |
| 2020 | 12 | 20 |
| 2021 | 12 | 22 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Shih Tzus?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Shih Tzus?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Australian Shepherds 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.
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 Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Shih Tzu
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
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 Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Shih Tzu?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Shih Tzu. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Boxer Australian Shepherd versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Australian Shepherd versus Harrier Australian Shepherd versus Sheepadoodle Australian Shepherd versus Frenchton Australian Shepherd versus Great Dane Australian Shepherd versus Yorkipoo Australian Shepherd versus Kai Ken Australian Shepherd versus Silky Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund Australian Shepherd versus Standard Poodle Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Malinois Australian Shepherd versus Shiba Inu
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.