Havanese vs Shih Tzu

A Havanese
Photo: J.Castro
A Shih Tzu
Photo: Mostafameraji

Side by side

Havanese
Shih Tzu
Adult weight
3.2–5.9 kg (7–13 lb) (breed club figure)1
4.5–8 kg (9.9–18 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 14.5 years3
Median 12.8 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Companion & toy5
Companion & toy2
Coat
Long coat5
Long coat2
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Daily brushing
Exercise
A modest amount
Health
No sourced figure
Corneal ulcers (far more likely); Dry eye (far more likely)6,7
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Shih Tzu is larger on average: about 6.3 kg (14 lb) as an adult, against 4.6 kg (10 lb) for the Havanese.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Havanese lives longer: a median of 14.5 years, against 12.8 for the Shih Tzu.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Havanese sheds through the year, the Shih Tzu moults most as the seasons change.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (Havanese: sticks close to its people; Shih Tzu: friendly with everyone) and on independence (Havanese: keen to work with you; Shih Tzu: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Havanese
Companion & toy · Toy

In temperament the Havanese is lively, playful and affectionate, and closely attached to its household. It learns quickly and readily picks up tricks, which may explain its old circus work.

Shih Tzu
Companion & toy · Small

In temperament the breed is lively, alert and friendly, with a proud, slightly haughty bearing. It is sociable with people and playful at home, but tends to be independent rather than eager to please.

The Havanese page →The Shih Tzu page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Havanese
Shih Tzu
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Suits a first-time owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Havanese
Shih Tzu
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Differs
Keen to work with you
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Havanese
Shih Tzu
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Average
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour8. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home9,10.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Shih Tzu grows to the heavier adult, about 6.3 kg against the Havanese's 4.6 kg.
Havanese
Shih Tzu
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More comparisons

Compare the Havanese with
Lhasa Apso vs Shih TzuMaltese vs Shih TzuHavanese vs MalteseHavanese vs Lhasa ApsoPekingese vs Shih TzuBichon Frise vs Shih TzuAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·