Those small, sturdy dogs with their regal bearing and long, gorgeous coats are adorable. But have you ever wondered which breed you’re admiring? The Shih Tzu (pronounced “sheed-zoo” or “sheet-su”) or the Lhasa Apso? To the untrained eye, it can be hard to tell these two dogs apart, especially in full coat. But in fact, although these breeds have a connected heritage, when it comes to physical traits and personalities, there are differences between a Lhasa Apso and a Shih Tzu.
A Connected Heritage
The Lhasa Apso, originally from Tibet, takes part of its name from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and the history of the Lhasa Apso goes back a long way. According to Don Hanson, Lhasa Apso breeder and AKC Judge of several Toy and Non-Sporting breeds, “The Lhasa Apso is a very ancient breed, tracing as far back as 800 A.D. when Buddhism took root. They were cherished by the Tibetan people and served as companions to the Dalai Lamas in the temples. Because of their acute hearing, they alerted the Dalai Lamas to an intrusion and were often accompanied by Tibetan Terriers, with the Tibetan Mastiffs providing protection outside the temples.”
The history of the Shih Tzu explains the similarities between the two breeds. It’s thought that Shih Tzu, developed in the luxurious Imperial Palaces of Chinese royalty, are direct descendants of Lhasa Apsos. Richard Paquette, Shih Tzu breeder and Canadian Kennel Club All Breed judge explains, “The history of the Shih Tzu is steeped in mystery. Legends, documents, paintings, and art objects reference a Shih Tzu-like dog during the Tang Dynasty of 618-907 A.D. The most likely source of our modern Shih Tzu is dogs brought from Tibet to the Chinese court in the 16th and 17th centuries. Shih Tzu means ‘lion dog’ and these early Lhasa-like dogs were bred with Pekingese in the palaces of the Forbidden City in Beijing.”
Similar Looking at First Glance
The two breeds are quite similar in appearance with their overall rectangular body shape. The Shih Tzu is no less than 8 and no more than 11 inches at the shoulder and the Lhasa Apso is slightly larger at between 10 and 11 inches tall. The Shih Tzu is also lighter, weighing only nine to 16 pounds whereas the Lhasa Apso weighs 12 to 18. Plus, there’s the long, beautiful, double coats. Paquette says the two dogs are so similar that early Shih Tzu were erroneously registered as Lhasa when introduced to the USA in the early 1940s.
Hanson agrees that the public often mixes up the two dogs as both are sturdy with good substance for their size and both carry their tails over their back in a curl. “Both breeds, in full coat, do attract attention, and from a distance may appear similar. But closer examination reveals some clear similarities and differences.”
Paquette feels the difference between a Lhasa Apso and a Shih Tzu has been shaped by their heritage. The Shih Tzu was influenced by the Pekingese used in its development, whereas the build of the Lhasa Apso was influenced by their original environment, the rugged and elevated terrain of Tibet. “The Lhasa Apso is a true survivalist dog, and they have adapted well to these harsh conditions. They have a sturdy, narrower body with great lung capacity, a longer less square muzzle to warm up the cold air when breathing, well-featured short legs, and a harsher double coat protecting them from the varying temperatures.”
Wonderful Personalities in Small Packages
Although the Shih Tzu is part of the Toy Group and the Lhasa Apso is a member of the Non-Sporting Group, Hanson believes both breeds make great companions and pets, thanks in part to their wonderful, although different, personalities. And those personalities, shaped by each dog’s original purpose, may be the most important distinction of all.
According to the Shih Tzu’s breed standard, their sole function is as a companion. Therefore, they have a friendly, outgoing, happy, affectionate, and trusting temperament. They are also great with children and happiest when sitting on your lap looking cute. Paquette believes, “Temperament is the hallmark of the breed and most important element of the breed essence.”
The Lhasa Apso’s standard describes them as happy and assertive but wary of strangers thanks to being bred as a guardian or sentinel dog in the Buddhist monasteries. Hanson adds Lhasa Apsos are extremely intelligent and mindful of their environment. “They possess acute hearing therefore alerting their people to anything out of the ordinary, as is their heritage. They are loyal and very loving of those that they learn to trust. Great and faithful companions.”
Healthy and Long-Lived Dogs
Generally, the Shih Tzu is a healthy breed with a long life span of 10–18 years. However, because they have short faces and long coats, they aren’t good swimmers and have trouble tolerating the heat. Watch out for eye injuries as these dogs have large eyes and no muzzle to protect them. If you suspect an eye issue, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
The Lhasa Apso is also a relatively healthy and long-lived breed with a life expectancy of 12–15 years. Their health problem of greatest concern is hereditary kidney dysfunction, which can range from mild to severe. Because there is no reliable test to detect dogs that carry the genes, it’s critical to look for an experienced and responsible breeder who will remove affected dogs from their breeding program.
Grooming Needs Depend on the Length of the Coat
Hanson points out that both Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apsos have dense double coats. But there is a difference between a Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu as the Lhasa’s coat is heavy, straight, and hard compared to the Shih Tzu’s luxurious and flowing coat. Although a floor-length coat is required for conformation dog shows, it requires frequent grooming.
Lhasas need at least weekly brushing to keep their coats free of mats, and Shih Tzu need daily brushing and eye cleaning. Plus, the hair on the top of a Shih Tzu’s head must either be kept short or put in a topknot. If that sounds like too much work, both breeds can be kept in a shorter puppy cut for easier maintenance.
Low Exercise Requirements
Because of their small size and lower exercise needs, both breeds can live happily in small homes or apartments. But don’t forget mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Shih Tzu were developed as companion dogs; therefore, you can keep a Shih Tzu happy and healthy with regular daily 15-20 minute walks and play sessions. However, Shih Tzu can be athletic and make great agility dogs.
The Lhasa Apso will usually need a bit more exercise, and you might find one running around the house or yard to burn off energy. Like Shih Tzu, they also enjoy brisk 15-20-minute walks at least a few times a week. They also make great therapy dogs as well as companions for AKC Scent Work and agility.
These are two dogs that pack a lot of personality into a small package. You might be wondering is a Shih Tzu right for you? Or maybe a Lhasa Apso sounds like a fit. Either one would make a tremendous pet. Hopefully, the next time you encounter one on the street, you will know which delightful breed you’re admiring.