The Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu both are playful, friendly, and fun-loving dogs.These are the two breeds of dogs that you can bring everywhere with you and will make you smile every time you look at them. These two prevalent breeds of dogs are very similar in many ways.They are both small breeds that are perfect for families with small children. They are both known for being friendly, affectionate, playful, and loyal dogs, and both are very cute-looking dogs that are perfect for showing off at the dog park. Though similar in many ways, they have a different temperament and personality. So, which one is better for you? Find out which of the two dogs will be a great companion in life for you!If you love to read about interesting dog breeds and are a dog lover, why don’t you check out Most Expensive Dog In The World and Most Friendly Dogs?What is the history of the Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu?Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu are both very affectionate dogs that will always be happy to see you. They are both willing to play with your children or other dogs that are part of your wonderful life. They are both excellent with older people and their owners. When you are trying to decide between the Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu, they are both excellent dogs to consider.Many people often confuse Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu and often think they are the same breeds. Although they share the same bloodline, these dogs are different, and Shih Tzus are the descendants of a Lhasa Apso. The history of both these breeds dates back to ancient Aisa. Thousands of years back in Tibet, the Lhasa Apso dog breed was found in Buddhist monasteries. A Lhasa Apso’s resemblance to a lion gave this dog breed the name ‘bark lion sentinel dog’ or a lion dog.A Lhasa Apso’s duty was to serve as an alarm dog to the monks of the monasteries, and it also worked as a guard dog for the inner sanctuaries of these beautiful monasteries. These bark lion sentinel dogs or Lhasa Apso were presented to Emperors of China from Tibet. Being in the palaces, Lhasa Apso was interbred with various smaller Chinese dog breeds like a Pekinese or a Chinese Pug. The interbred dog breeds were the Shih Tzus with different colored coats and wavy hair. Shih Tzus were given special grooming services and earned the name of ‘chrysanthemum dogs’ as their wavy hair grew like flower petals around the Shih Tzu’s face and the fanciful and colorful coats.Lhasa Apso vs Shih Tzu SizeLhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu, there are very few differences and more similarities between these two dog breeds. Dogs are adorable pets that are often taken care of by their owners. There are many different types of dogs, but some are very energetic while others are more relaxed. People often choose dogs that fit their lifestyle and personality.The size of a dog is a factor that is often taken into consideration when buying a dog. If you have a tiny house or a small yard, you’ll want to consider a smaller dog. Some people often do not like the idea of having a large dog around the house, and if you live in an apartment or live in a place where you can’t let the dog outside, you’ll want to consider a smaller dog. If you don’t have much space, you may not want to own a big dog. Hence many people choose to own a smaller dog breed instead. The Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu are trendy dogs that are often confused with each other. Both dogs are slightly smaller than average. The Lhasa Apso is more popular than the Shih Tzu. A Lhasa Apso is around 10 - 11 in ( 25 -28 cm) high, slightly higher than Shih Tzus, approximately 9 - 10.5 in (23-27 cm) tall. The weight of Lhasa Apso is around 12 to 18 pounds ( 5 to 8 kilograms) which is also slightly more than Shih Tzu’s weight that is 9 to 16 pounds (4- 7 kilograms).Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu Shedding And GroomingOne of the smaller breeds of dogs out there is the Lhasa Apso, and it’s also one of the most highly recommended dogs for people who live in apartments or small houses. The Lhasa Apso is a small dog that has similarities in appearance to the Shih Tzu. The Lhasa Apso is a puppy bred to be a companion dog, and it has an amiable disposition.However, there are several differences between the two dogs. These differences include: The Lhasa Apso has a short, single coat that is very thick and soft. The coat is light in color and comes in red, sable, and cream. The Shih Tzu dons a double coat that is quite long, shiny, and thick. The coat is longer on the neck and tail and comes in red, black, and tan. The Lhasa Apso has an incredibly long muzzle and a tail that curls over its back. The Shih Tzu has a rounder muzzle and a tail that hangs down.The Lhasa Apso has more like a square-shaped body, whereas the Shih Tzu has a relative rounder body. Both Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu need special grooming considering these differences. The Lhasa Apso is a small puppy with a long coat that needs to be brushed two or three times a week to maintain its shape, style, and cleanliness. Shih Tzus need to have grooming and a bath every three to four weeks and brush your Shih Tzu twice or thrice between the baths to keep the coat clean and shiny. Both Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu need to have regular trimming of nails once a week on average. Being infrequent shedders, both Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzus are good if you are concerned about their long hair. But their dander may sometimes cause allergies. Hence, there is very much a need to keep the grooming on point.Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu IntelligenceThere is a subtle difference between a Lhasa Apso and a Shih Tzu in terms of most things. For example, a Lhasa is bigger than a Shih Tzu and has a longer nose than a Shih Tzu. New owners should keep in mind that although these dogs look similar, they are not the same when it comes to intelligence and should pick the right one that fits perfectly as your companion in terms of personality and friendship as dogs are our best friends.It isn’t easy to find a breed that can come close to being compared to the Lhasa Apso for intelligence in the puppy world. Some Shih Tzu’s are also quite intelligent, but the two breeds are very different. The Lhasa Apso is a smart, independent, and very self-sufficient breed that often ignores training and other orders. They are a bit stubborn and easily distracted, which can make training a challenge. While Shih Tzu’s are known as lap dogs, they are considered a working breed and need a job.They are considered very trainable and can learn a variety of tricks. They are also empathetic and loyal to those they love but can be pretty protective of those they care about. Lhasa Apso breed is brilliant and responds to leadership and commands while training, whereas the Shih Tzu breeds are more people-pleasers respond to positive reinforcement while training. When you are training a Shih Tzu, you can spoil this puppy if the puppy has been good and ignore the Shih Tzu puppy when the puppy has misbehaved.Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu Exercise NeedsSome people think smaller puppy breeds are more active than large dog breeds. Although some smaller dog breeds are very active, some smaller dogs are also couch potatoes. However, there are also some large breeds of dogs that are couch potatoes. To get the most out of your Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso, you need to know what activities they enjoy. That way, you will be able to match their needs to your lifestyle.Dogs that are not adequately exercised can suffer from several health problems. These can include obesity, heart problems, and behavioral issues. Luckily, both of these dogs are pretty active and can get plenty of exercises at home or in a small yard. The Lhasa Apso is a puppy that was initially bred to be a companion and a watchdog, and it is very active and playful. These dogs need to be exercised every day and should be walked for at least an hour on most days. The Shih Tzu is also a very active puppy that needs a decent amount of exercise to stay healthy. These dogs can get their exercise on a walk of 20 minutes to an hour, but they need to be taken on several walks a day. The dogs should also be taken to the dog park at least once a week for playtime with other dogs.Health Problems: Lhasa Apso vs. Shih TzuDogs can be prone to various health problems. Some of these problems are hereditary and can be passed on to their puppies. Other conditions, such as infections and tumors, can be caused by outside factors. Conditions such as hip dysplasia and kidney disease can be genetic, which means they may also be passed down to the next generation. There is a wide range of hereditary and non-hereditary health problems that can affect Shih Tzus and Lhasas.Health issues are something that all dog owners have to deal with at some point in their lives. The more you know about the different health problems of the Lhasa Apso, the easier it will be to identify, treat, and prevent them. Many health problems are hereditary, but some health issues can be prevented if you take steps to ensure that your dog is eating the proper diet and is exposed to the right amount of exercise. The Lhasa Apso boasts of a life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years, and that of a Shih Tzu is estimated to be 10 to 18 years. A Lhasa Apso may fall prey to the hereditary disease of kidney dysfunction. Other than that, it can also get a cherry eye or a dry eye often. Both these dogs, Lhasa Apso and Shish Tzu, are prone to more eye diseases than anything, so owners should keep that in mind about their cute companion. A Shish Tzu may suffer from cataracts, eye inflammation, retinal detachments, and diseases with such similarities.Lhasa Apso vs Shih Tzu TemperamentThe Lhasa Apso was always considered a sacred Tibetan dog, whereas the Shih Tzu was developed as a companion dog of the Chinese royalty. There are differences of opinion about both of these breeds, with some people considering them as the same breed and others considering them as two distinct breeds.No matter what anyone says, these two breeds of dogs are very different in their temperament. The Lhasa Apso’s mood is somewhat unpredictable. In contrast, the Shih Tzu, although it can be spoilt, is still a happy-go-lucky pup. A Shih Tzu is also different in its exercise needs and temperament. The Lhasa Apso is more energetic, and the Shih Tzu is a more relaxed species. The Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu are both prevalent breeds of dogs, but they have different temperaments. The Lhasa Apso, compared to a Shish Tzu, is a more highly intelligent breed which makes it easier to train, but there are many different approaches to training it. If you get your Lhasa Apso trained by an expert, he will get along with other dogs, children, and even cats. The Shih Tzu, compared to a Lhasa, is a more laid-back breed that doesn’t mind being left alone, but it will need more exercise than the Lhasa Apso. However, the Lhasa Apso is more prone to separation anxiety, and the Shih Tzu is more likely to get along with other pets.Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu, which is the best pet for me?We all love dogs, and you might be considering getting a dog as a pet for yourself? Understand the pros and cons of both breeds and choose the one that fits your lifestyle and home environment. The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu both are excellent family dogs, but they have some subtle differences that you should know before deciding which one to bring home. Let’s see what sets Lhasa and Shih Tzu apart and which one is best for you and your family.The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are both very similar in appearance and size. Both breeds are small dogs with long silky hair. They are both excellent family puppies with a lot of personalities. Which one you choose will be based on your lifestyle and your home environment. The Lhasa is a more active dog that will need plenty of exercise. However, a Shih Tzu is more of a couch potato who would prefer to lounge around the house. The Lhasa Apso will be a perfect fit for an active family. But the Shih Tzu would be suitable for a relatively calmer household that will be willing to pay him a lot of attention! But whichever puppy you choose, they are both equally loving and affectionate.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu, then why not take a look at Most Stubborn Dog Breeds or Shih Tzu Facts?
The Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu both are playful, friendly, and fun-loving dogs.