Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
- Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
- Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Doberman Pinscher
- Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu.
![](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/breed-comparison-doberman-pinscher-versus-shih-tzu.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Shih Tzu belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs 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.
Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
Factor | Doberman Pinscher | Shih Tzu |
---|---|---|
Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
General Health | 1/5 | 3/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 10 to 16 years |
Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 13.0 years |
Average Price | $1910 | $1820 |
Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | $1200 – $2300 |
Temperament Score | 79.5 percent | 77.6 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 19 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 5 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Shih Tzu, we still believe that the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Shih Tzu.
This is because Doberman Pinschers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Doberman Pinscher will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Doberman Pinscher :-). We are for the Doberman Pinscher. So get a Doberman Pinscher!
![](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/similarities-between-doberman-pinscher-and-shih-tzu.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
The Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu.
The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall 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.
![](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/doberman-pinscher-vs-shih-tzu-size-weight-comparsion.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinscher Colors
The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Bicolor
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Brown / Chocolate
- Merle (Blue)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
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 Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 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 Doberman Pinscher.
![](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/doberman-pinscher-vs-shih-tzu-which-is-better.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 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 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher has a below-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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
Doberman Pinscher | Shih Tzu | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $1910 | $1820 |
Price Range | $1100 to $2500 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
![A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/doberman-pinscher-prices-average-range.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
![A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/shih-tzu-prices-average-range.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher 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.
![](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/doberman-pinscher-versus-shih-tzu.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinscher named Oliver that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Doberman Pinschers like Oliver on pefinder.com.
Also, like Doberman Pinschers, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Bowie is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Bowie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
![](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/Doberman-Pinscher-versus-Shih-Tzu-adoption-cost.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Donny is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Griffin is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
![](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/Doberman-Pinscher-versus-Shih-Tzu-cost-adoption.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
You can find more Doberman Pinschers and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinscher | Shih Tzu | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 5 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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 Doberman Pinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 5 out of 130 dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Doberman Pinschers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Shih Tzu. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Doberman Pinscher is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 19 out of about 200 dog breeds.
![Popularity of Doberman Pinscher](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/how-popular-doberman-pinscher-puppies-years.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Popularity of Doberman Pinscher
![Popularity of Shih Tzu](https://i0.wp.com/dobermancare.com/wp-content/uploads/images/how-popular-shih-tzu-puppies-years.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Popularity of Shih Tzu
Year | Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 12 | 15 |
2014 | 14 | 17 |
2015 | 14 | 19 |
2016 | 15 | 20 |
2017 | 16 | 20 |
2018 | 17 | 20 |
2019 | 19 | 20 |
2020 | 18 | 20 |
2021 | 16 | 22 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other 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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Shih Tzu
Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Shih Tzu?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher compares to other breeds aside from the Shih Tzu. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher versus Lakeland Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Brittany Doberman Pinscher versus Sussex Spaniel Doberman Pinscher versus Maremma Sheepdog Doberman Pinscher versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Doberman Pinscher versus Shih Tzu Doberman Pinscher versus Italian Greyhound Doberman Pinscher versus Pomeranian Doberman Pinscher versus Border Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Bearded Collie Doberman Pinscher versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Doberman Pinscher versus German Pinscher Doberman Pinscher versus Miniature Schnauzer Doberman Pinscher versus Welsh Terrier
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.