Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Collie versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Collie versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Shih Tzu
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Collie versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of Collie versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Shih Tzu
- Do Collies shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Shih Tzu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Shih Tzu.
Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Shih Tzu.
Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Collie versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Collie versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Collie | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 19 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 Collie is 83 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 Collie is a better pet than the Shih Tzu.
This is because Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Collie :-). We are for the Collie. So get a Collie!
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Shih Tzu
The Collie and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Shih Tzu.
The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all 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.
Lifespan of Collie versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie 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 Collie.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Shih Tzu
The Collie has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Collie 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 Collie and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Collie versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie 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 Shih Tzu is more expensive than the Collie.
| Collie | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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.
Check out our list of best Collie breeders here
Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies 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 Collie named Marty that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Collies like Marty on pefinder.com.
Also, like Collies, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Bear is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Bear that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Teddy is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Collies and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Collie | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Collie. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 19 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 15 |
| 2014 | 36 | 17 |
| 2015 | 36 | 19 |
| 2016 | 37 | 20 |
| 2017 | 40 | 20 |
| 2018 | 38 | 20 |
| 2019 | 38 | 20 |
| 2020 | 40 | 20 |
| 2021 | 38 | 22 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Shih Tzu
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Collies shed more than Shih Tzus?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Shih Tzu?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not 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 Collie or the Shih Tzu?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Collies are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Shih Tzu
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Shih Tzus?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Collies 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.
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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Shih Tzu
Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Shih Tzu?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Shih Tzu. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Kuvasz Collie versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Collie versus Scottish Terrier Collie versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Collie versus Maremma Sheepdog Collie versus Dutch Shepherd Collie versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Collie versus Papillon Collie versus Collie Collie versus Schipperke Collie versus Norwegian Buhund Collie versus Japanese Spitz Collie versus Komondor Collie versus Labrador Retriever Collie versus Wirehaired Pointing GriffonConclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.