Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu: Breed Differences & Similarities

The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu have a closely linked history, and it is believed that the Shih Tzu is a descendant of the Lhasa Apso, and this is one of the main reasons why they are so similar in their appearance.

These two small dogs are quite different in their temperament, with the Lhasa Apso being somewhat unpredictable in his mood, whereas the Shih Tzu is a happy-go-lucky pup, albeit a bit of a spoiled one. They also have different exercise needs, with the Lhasa Apso being more energetic and the Shih Tzu being more mellow.

They are both adorable pups who, if welcomed into the right home, will thrive in their environment and make fantastic family pets. So read on to find out a bit more about these small Asian dog breeds.

Key Differences

1. Shih Tzu’s are more popular and easier to find. Lhasa Apso is rarer and less common to find as a family pet.
2. Lhasa Apso is larger, with a slimmer build.
3. The Shih Tzu is friendly to strangers. The Lhasa Apso is more guarded.
4. Lhasa Apso has a longer muzzle that leads to a narrower skull and smaller eyes.
5. Shih Tzu’s head is rounder, with larger, round eyes.
6. The Lhasa Apso’s coat is heavier, and the Shih Tzu’s coat is longer, and softer. Shih Tzus come in more colors.
7. The Shih Tzu has more energy and lives longer.
8. Lhasa Apso is more tolerant of children.

Breed History

The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are ancient breeds that originate from Tibetan and Chinese lands, and throughout history, their journeys have been intertwined with one another.

Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso was first documented in 800 B.C., and he is named after the holy city of Lhasa in Tibet. He has long been regarded as a sacred creature who would guard monks and their monasteries, and when a monk passed away, it is believed that their soul would enter their Lhasa Apso.

They were a closely guarded country secret and did not leave the country unless as gifts from the Dalai Lama. Since the late 16th Century, many pairings of the Lhasa Apso were given to Chinese emperors.

The 13^th Dalai Lama gifted a pair of Lhasa Apsos to America in 1933, and they were the foundation stock of almost all Lhasa Apsos in America today. Shortly after, the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the first Lhasa Apso in 1935. Though still a rare breed today, they make a wonderful family pet.

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu’s history is rather mysterious and much less documented than the Lhasa Apsos. It is believed that the Shih Tzu was born as a result of crossbreeding a Lhasa Apso with a Pekingnese, and it remains unknown as to whether he was created in either Tibet or China.

Regardless of where he was born, he has appeared throughout history in many paintings and carvings, thus suggesting that he has always been a treasured canine amongst royalty and rich nobility.

Breed fanciers first took the Shih Tzu to America in the mid-20^th Century, and he was first recognized by the AKC in 1969. He is a more popular breed than the Lhasa Apso, who, in 2019, ranked as the 20^th most popular dog breed in America.

Appearance

The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are very similar-looking pooches, so don’t be too harsh on yourself if you cannot tell them apart. The easiest way to distinguish the two breeds is to look at their size. The male Lhasa Apso will measure 10 to 11 inches in height, from paw to shoulder, compared to the slightly shorter Shih Tzu, who measures 9 to 10 ½ inches.

The Lhasa Apso weighs between 12 and 18 pounds, whereas the Shih Tzu measures between 9 and 16 pounds. Although the difference is slight, it is often the easiest way to tell them apart. The Shih Tzu, being the smaller pup, finds himself in the toy group, whereas the Lhasa Apso is just a bit too big for this group, so he finds himself in the non-sporting group.

They both have very similar coats in that their long and luxurious locks traditionally fall to the floor, and their hair is their signature feature. However, on closer inspection, their coats are slightly different. The Lhasa Apso commonly has an obvious hair parting along his spine, and his fur is frequently tipped with dark fur on his ears. The Shih Tzu’s coat tends to have a slight wave to it, whereas the Lhasa Apso does not.

The Lhasa Apso has a longer muzzle leading to a narrower skull and slightly smaller eyes than the Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu’s head is more domed in shape than the Lhasa Apso’s head.

If they keep their traditional long coats, these slight differences are difficult to identify simply because you cannot see their features very well. Overall, they are so similar in appearance that this rarely helps prospective owners decide between the two breeds.

Temperament

Their temperament is normally the deciding factor between the two breeds. The Lhasa Apso is also referred to as the ‘bearded lion dog,’ and this is for good reason. They were traditionally kept by the monks as guard dogs to alert them when an intruder set foot in their monastery. Their bark is surprisingly loud, and they are suspicious of anything unfamiliar. These are all good reasons why they were favorites as their protectors. Still, to this day, they have kept this trait, and this is what sets them apart from the Shih Tzu.

It is often asked if the Lhasa Apso is a difficult dog, which he is not, though he is particular. The Lhasa Apso is aloof with strangers and will not take kindly to a stranger entering his master’s yard, whereas the Shih Tzu, who might let out a few barks, will bark out of excitement. If it is a small guard dog that you are after, then look no further than the Lhasa Apso.

The Shih Tzu is extremely friendly with anyone who will pay him attention, and he does love to be the center of everyone’s attention. He was traditionally used to living in luxury Chinese palaces and, to this day, expects royal treatment.

He enjoys being snug on his master’s lap and readily accepts strangers onto his estate without distrust. If you are seeking a friendly ball of fur, then the Shih Tzu fits this requirement perfectly.

Despite their personality differences, with their immediate family, they are very affectionate and loving canines who will shower you with love. They are both tolerant and gentle with children, and as such, they both make great family pets if children treat and handle them correctly.

Exercise

The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu differ in their exercise needs. The Lhasa Apso is a medium-energy dog requiring around 30 minutes of exercise a day, whereas the Shih Tzu is a very low-energy dog requiring a few short walks around the block for a leg stretch and a toilet break.

They will both happily use your living room as an exercise studio throughout the day and enjoy the occasional backyard romp to keep themselves occupied.

Aside from his basic exercise needs, the Shih Tzu is happy to sleep on laps all day long, with the occasional leg stretch pushing himself off one lap onto the next. Being the more energetic and livelier pup, the Lhasa Apso needs a bit more mental stimulation between exercise sessions. Interactive games with his family or giving him treat-filled puzzle toys works well.

Training

The Lhasa Apso has a somewhat complex personality, so his training is also more intense. He is not an ideal dog for a first-time owner. He is comparable to a teenager, playful and energetic, with several shades of moodiness and tantrums thrown into the mix. His unpredictable mood often causes difficulty in training him, but the key is to be persistent and consistent with your training sessions and not give in. His guarding tendencies need addressing, and the best way to tackle this is through early socialization with as many strangers and dogs of all shapes and sizes.

If he displays any undesirable behaviors that you cannot correct yourself, then enrolling your dog in obedience classes is wise. However, once you have cracked his complex personality, then he is an adorable family pet.

The Shih Tzu is somewhat easier to train, and despite the odd tantrum here and there, he is generally more laid back than the Lhasa Apso. Early socialization is important to ensure he is not timid with larger dogs, and positive reinforcement methods are generally more effective, as with any other dog. He is a better pup for first-time owners than the Lhasa Apso.

Health

According to the national breed clubs, neither breed needs testing for any health issues in particular. However, they both have a predisposition to the following health issues:

Eye health – they both suffer from various problems related to their eye health, such as ‘Cherry Eye’, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Keratitis, to name a few.

Renal Dysplasia – this is a genetic defect of the kidneys, which causes a variety of symptoms and a lot of discomfort and pain for the pup.

Patellar Luxation – essentially this is when the kneecap becomes dislocated and again causes pain when walking. This condition is very common in small dog breeds.

In addition to the above, the Lhasa Apso suffers from Sebaceous Adenitis, which is a serious skin condition that can lead to a variety of infections, and as a result, they will experience pain and omit an unpleasant odor.

The Shih Tzu has a predisposition to Portosystemic liver shunts, whereby the kidney does not effectively cleanse his blood as it should.

Generally, however, both the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are healthy dogs who enjoy a long lifespan, with the Shih Tzu enjoying a slightly longer life than the Lhasa Apso.

Nutrition

The Lhasa Apso will eat around 1 ½ cups of food a day, whereas the Shih Tzu will eat slightly less at 1 cup of food a day. They both similarly adore treats, so be sure to monitor their treat intake as they can quickly pile on the pounds.

Grooming

A Lhasa Apso or a Shih Tzu who enter into conformation shows should retain their traditional long silky locks. These locks cause them both to be exceptionally needy in the grooming department. He requires brushing every day to ensure that tangles do not develop. He needs bathing, shampooing, and conditioning every two weeks to keep his coat clean and smelling fresh.

If you want an easier coat to look after, called a ‘puppy cut’ in the grooming world, and you don’t want to show him in a show, then your best bet is just to chop it all off. This will mean their grooming needs will be the same as any other small dog and much less time-consuming to look after.

It is a common belief of many in the canine world that the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are hypoallergenic dogs. However, this is a myth. Their undercoat hairs stick in their long outer coat, so you may not see as much hair shedding. However, they do shed. Therefore, they are not hypoallergenic dogs.

If you seek a hypoallergenic pup, then the Maltese or a Malti-poo is similar in size and a better match for those with allergies.

Puppy Prices

Similar to their size differences, there is little difference in their prices, with the Lhasa Apso being ever so slightly cheaper than the Shih Tzu. The average price of a Lhasa Apso starts from $600, whereas the average price of a Shih Tzu starts from $800.

It is likely that the Lhasa Apso is slightly cheaper because he is much less popular. Of course, as with any pup, if you want a specific look or a dog from an award-winning lineage, then you can expect to pay more.

If you are certain that these guys would fit in with your lifestyle, then the American Lhasa Apso Club lists reputable breeders state by state, and the American Shih Tzu Club also lists reputable breeders state by state, and both of these websites are invaluable for information on their respective breeds.

Final Thoughts

As the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are related, they are very similar-looking pups. However, they do have a few differences when it comes to their temperament, exercise, and training needs. For this reason, it is normally quite an easy decision for families to choose between the two.

The Lhasa Apso will suit a more active family and one who can handle his complex personality and guarding tendencies. Whereas the Shih Tzu would prefer a calmer household that will be willing to pay him a lot of attention! But whoever you choose, they are both equally loving and affectionate.