Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
- Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- Appearance (Colors) of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
- Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and for the Shih Tzu. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Shih Tzu based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 13 to 18 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 9 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2410 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1800 – $3000 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 85.5 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 19 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 44 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Shih Tzu. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Shih Tzu. So, you should get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Shih Tzu weighs 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. The Shih Tzu is 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Bicolor
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Apricot / Beige
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
Shih Tzu Colors
The Shih Tzu comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Apricot / Beige
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Golden
- White / Cream
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Sable
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Shih Tzu comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brindle
- White / Cream
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Golden
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Apricot / Beige
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Sable
Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of the Shih Tzu is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Shih Tzu is 13.0 years.
The Shih Tzu live longer than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2410. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1216 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Shih Tzu puppy is $1820. The price of the Shih Tzu typically ranges from $1200 – $2300. However, the price of the Shih Tzu can be as low as $200 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 806 Shih Tzu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2410 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1800 to $3000 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy or the Shih Tzu puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and many Shih Tzus are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Drew that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Drew on pefinder.com.
Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Milo is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Milo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Winston is the name of another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Tex is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 44 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Shih Tzu has an obedience intelligence rank of 70 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shih Tzu belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Shih Tzus tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more intelligent than the Shih Tzu.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Shih Tzu. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 19 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 18 | 15 |
| 2014 | 19 | 17 |
| 2015 | 18 | 19 |
| 2016 | 19 | 20 |
| 2017 | 19 | 20 |
| 2018 | 18 | 20 |
| 2019 | 16 | 20 |
| 2020 | 17 | 20 |
| 2021 | 15 | 22 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Shih Tzus?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Shih Tzus?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Shih Tzus have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Shih Tzu
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shih Tzu?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel compares to other breeds aside from the Shih Tzu. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Afador Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bich Poo Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Saluki Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Great Dane Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Whippet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Whoodle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier
Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.