Shih Tzu vs Havanese Comparison – Which dog is better Chrysanthemum Dog or Bichon Habanero?
"Find similarities and differences between Shih Tzu vs Havanese"
Compare Shih Tzu and Havanese. Which is better: Shih Tzu or Havanese?
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| Name | Shih Tzu | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  China |  Cuba |
| Group | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 20 | 23 |
| Reviews | 19 | 7 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for Shih Tzu and Havanese. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Chrysanthemum Dog Chinese Lion Dog |
Bichon Habanero Bichon Havanais Bichon Havanes Havanese Cuban Bichon Havaneser Havanezer Bichon Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a Shih Tzu and a Havanese. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Small | Small |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a Shih Tzu and a Havanese. Which breed is heavier? | 9–16 pounds (4-7 kg) | 7-13 pounds (3-6 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | 9–16 pounds (5.5 kg) | 10 pounds (4.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Shih Tzu or Havanese? Is a Shih Tzu taller than a Havanese? | 8-11 inches (20-28 cm) | 8-11 inches (21-29 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | 9.5 inches (24 cm) | 10 inches (25 cm) |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a Shih Tzu and a Havanese. Which breed costs more? | $800-$1200 | $900-$1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Shih Tzu or Havanese? | Very frequent: The Shih Tzu is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Havanese is quite easy to get. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Low: The Shih Tzu is one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare training requirements. | Shih Tzu dogs are quite easy to train. | Havanese dogs are very easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare alertness levels. | Shih Tzu dogs are average watchdogs. | Havanese dogs are good watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare territorial behaviors. | Shih Tzu dogs strongly protect their territory. | Havanese dogs strongly protect their territory. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a Shih Tzu and a Havanese. How do their temperaments differ? |
Active Playful Happy Courageous Intelligent Friendly Outgoing Lively Gentle |
Playful Intelligent Responsive Affectionate Lively Gentle Companionable Sturdy Amiable Charming |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Shih Tzu vs Havanese? | Shih Tzu dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Shih Tzu vs Havanese? | High: Shih Tzu dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: Havanese dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Shih Tzu vs Havanese social needs comparison: | Shih Tzu dogs need a lot of social interaction. | Havanese dogs need a lot of social interaction. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Shih Tzu vs Havanese? | Shih Tzu dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. | Havanese dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Shih Tzu vs Havanese? Which can be better for hunting? | Shih Tzu dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Havanese dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare vocalization tendencies. | A lot: Shih Tzu is a particularly loud breed. | Low to Average: The Havanese rarely barks. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare play drive and energy. | Shih Tzus are not the most playful dog breed. | The Havanese is a highly playful breed. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare living space needs. | Very house-friendly dog the Shih Tzu breed. | Very house-friendly dog the Havanese breed. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare adaptability levels. | Shih Tzu dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Havanese dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: Shih Tzu or Havanese? | Shih Tzu dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Havanese dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare biting tendencies. | Low 🔽 The Shih Tzu has a low chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Havanese has a low chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare mouthing behaviors. | Shih Tzu dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | Havanese dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Shih Tzu bite force: Weak. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Havanese bite force: Weak. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare average lifespans. |
10-16 years The average lifespan of Shih Tzu: 13 years |
14-16 years The average lifespan of Havanese: 15 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare climate tolerances. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a Shih Tzu and a Havanese. Which breed is healthier? | The Shih Tzu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Havanese is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Shih Tzu vs Havanese? |
Average The Shih Tzu should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
Average The Havanese should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Shih Tzu vs Havanese? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Shih Tzu vs Havanese health problems comparison: | Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Umbilical Hernias Ear Infections Distichiasis Portosystemic Liver Shunt Bladder Stones Ectopic Cilia Reverse Sneezing Dry Eye Proptosis Juvenile Renal Dysplasia Keratitis Retained Baby Teeth Snuffles |
Cataracts Heart Murmurs Hip Dysplasia Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation Deafness Chondrodysplasia Elbow Dysplasia Mitral Valve Disease Portosystemic Liver Shunt |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare activity levels. | Shih Tzu dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs. | Havanese dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Shih Tzu vs Havanese exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Shih Tzu or Havanese? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Shih Tzu dogs exercise need is minimal. | Havanese dogs exercise need is very minimal. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Shih Tzu or Havanese? | Shih Tzu dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. | Havanese dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare obesity risks. | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Shih Tzu's weight, he can easily gain weight. | Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Havanese's weight, he can easily gain weight. |
|---|---|---|
| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare daily food needs. | Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day. | 1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare allergy friendliness. | Yes See more. | Yes See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for Shih Tzu and Havanese? Compare breed colors. |
Black Red Blue Silver Brindle Liver Gold |
Black White Fawn Reddish-Brown Havana Brown Tobacco |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare maintenance needs. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. | Average: The Havanese requires average grooming effort. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare drooling amounts. | The Shih Tzu is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Havanese is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare natural smell levels. | Low 🔽 The Shih Tzu has a low chance of bad smell. | Low 🔽 The Havanese has a low chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a Shih Tzu and a Havanese? Compare fur types. | Dense |
Soft Wavy Woolly Flat Long |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare bathing frequencies. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. | 3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Shih Tzu or Havanese? Do Shih Tzu dogs shed more than Havanese dogs? | Shih Tzu dogs shed none to minimal. | Havanese dogs shed none to minimal. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare kid-friendliness. | Shih Tzu dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs. | Havanese dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Shih Tzu dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Havanese dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Shih Tzu or Havanese? Which dog is more friendly? | Shih Tzu dogs are average friendly towards strangers. | Havanese dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Shih Tzu or Havanese? | Shih Tzu dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. | Havanese dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Shih Tzu or Havanese? Can a Shih Tzu and a Havanese be friends? Do Shih Tzu dogs get along with Havanese dogs? | Shih Tzu dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. | Havanese dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Shih Tzu vs Havanese? |
Yes Shih Tzu dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Havanese dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No Shih Tzu is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Havanese is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Shih Tzus are not the best breed for elderly people. | Havaneses are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare service capabilities. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare therapy capabilities. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare scenting abilities. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. |
| Search & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare SAR abilities. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really Shih Tzu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Havanese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a Shih Tzu or a Havanese? Compare draft work capabilities. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between Shih Tzu and Havanese. Which has stronger military background? | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between Shih Tzu and Havanese. Which has larger litters? | 2-5 puppies | 1-9 puppies, average 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between Shih Tzu and Havanese breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between Shih Tzu and Havanese. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Shih Tzu vs Havanese Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of Shih Tzu and Havanese. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 as a Toy breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996 as a Toy breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of Shih Tzu and Havanese. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Tibetan breeds section. | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between Shih Tzu and Havanese. Which is more widely recognized? |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Havanese Club of America |
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Reviews
- Caitlyn
Nov 26, 2019, 6:31:46 PM:
Im a bit confused. You said havanese are very easy to train. Then you said they are not good with first time owners. They are amazing with first time owners. With shih tzus they do good with kids actually.
- Erica
Jan 11, 2021, 3:38:52 AM:
I noticed the same thing as Caitlyn. The review said their easy to train, then said not recommended for first time owners because they're stubborn. Not sure I understand the reasoning behind that.
- Karen
Nov 15, 2021, 11:59:33 PM:
My shitzu was amazing with little kids. He definitely didn't like a boat totally agree or water. Have to bring them for grooming every 2-3 months. Mine wasen't big on barking unless he saw another dog.