Havanese vs Shih Tzu
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Havanese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Toy | Small |
| Adult weight | 3.2 to 5.9 kg | 4.1 to 7.3 kg |
| In pounds | 7 to 13 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Adult height | 22 to 29 cm | 23 to 27 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | High | High |
| Coat | Long silky and double | Long double |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| Lifespan | 14 to 16 years | 10 to 18 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Cuba | Tibet (China) |
The main differences
- The Shih Tzu is the bigger dog: 4.1 to 7.3 kg against 3.2 to 5.9 kg for the Havanese.
- Both have moderate energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is high for both.
- The Havanese usually lives longer: 14 to 16 years against 10 to 18 years.
Temperament
Havanese: The Havanese is funny, intelligent and outgoing, a friendly companion that is also a loyal watchdog for their family.
Shih Tzu: Friendly and independent, intelligent, active and alert.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Havanese
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Eye disease, screened by an annual ophthalmologist eye examination
- Congenital deafness, detectable by BAER testing
Shih Tzu
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
- Skin problems in the facial folds, found on a routine veterinary skin check and kept down by daily fold cleaning
- Dental crowding and periodontal disease, found at a routine dental check and kept down by regular teeth cleaning
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu. Adults weigh 4.1 to 7.3 kg, against 3.2 to 5.9 kg for the Havanese, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Havanese or the Shih Tzu?
The published life expectancy is 14 to 16 years for the Havanese and 10 to 18 years for the Shih Tzu. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Havanese or the Shih Tzu better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- royalkennelclub.com for the Royal Kennel Club exercise or grooming band, used where it asks for more than the AKC score
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin