Lowchen vs Shih Tzu

A Lowchen
Photo: Jappitoo
A Shih Tzu
Photo: Mostafameraji

Side by side

Lowchen
Shih Tzu
Adult weight
5.4–6.6 kg (12–15 lb) (estimated: ±10% around FCI 233's approximate weight of 6 kg, one range for both sexes)
4.5–8 kg (9.9–18 lb)1
Height
Males 26–32 cm; females 26–32 cm2
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 13.9 years3
Median 12.8 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Companion & toy2
Companion & toy1
Coat
Long coat2
Long coat1
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)5,6
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Lifespan
In UK vet records the Lowchen lives longer: a median of 13.9 years, against 12.8 for the Shih Tzu.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Lowchen sheds through the year, the Shih Tzu moults most as the seasons change.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Lowchen: keen to work with you; Shih Tzu: cooperative, with its own ideas) and on loyalty (Lowchen: bonded to its family; Shih Tzu: friendly with everyone).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 6 kg (13 lb) for the Lowchen and 6.3 kg (14 lb) for the Shih Tzu.
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

Lowchen
Companion & toy · Small

In temperament the Lowchen is lively, affectionate and alert. It is outgoing with people, quick to learn and inclined to bark at visitors, and it keeps a playful, inquisitive manner into adulthood.

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 Lowchen page →The Shih Tzu page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Lowchen
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
Lowchen
Shih Tzu
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Differs
Keen to work with you
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Lowchen
Shih Tzu
Sensitivity
Average
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 behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 6.1 kg. The Lowchen's weight is not a published figure.
Lowchen
Shih Tzu
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More comparisons

Compare the Lowchen with
Lhasa Apso vs Shih TzuMaltese vs Shih TzuPekingese vs Shih TzuBichon Frise vs Shih TzuHavanese vs Shih TzuShih Tzu vs Yorkshire TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·