Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu: What sets them apart?
If you’ve ever met a Lhasa Apso or a Shih Tzu, you’ve probably thought, “What regal little fluffballs!” But these breeds, while equally adorable, are not identical twins. They have unique traits that make them stand out. As the proud human to Poppy, my delightful Lhasa Apso, let me share the key differences between these two breeds.
(Spoiler alert: We may be a little biased toward Lhasas!)
A royal tale: The history of Lhasas and Shih Tzus
Both breeds have aristocratic roots. The Lhasa Apso hails from the snowy mountains of Tibet and were bred to guard Buddhist monasteries. They’re basically furry little monks with a knack for keeping watch. And they’re so funny as they’re these tiny fluff balls but they think they’re almighty!
On the other hand, the Shih Tzu comes from China, where they lived a life of luxury in the imperial palace. The name “Shih Tzu” means “little lion,” which suits their confident and proud demeanor. These dogs were pampered companions of royalty. Talk about having their kibble served on a silver platter!
Spot the difference: Physical traits
At first glance, you might think they’re the same dog. But there are subtle distinctions:
| Trait | Lhasa Apso | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Slightly longer than tall; about 10-11 inches in height | Compact, with a more square build; 9-10.5 inches tall |
| Coat | Dense, straight, and can grow to the floor | Long and luxurious, but softer with a flowing look |
| Face | Longer muzzle and more serious expression | Short muzzle, giving them a more “smushed” face look |
| Tail | Curled over their back with Tibetan flair | Also curled, but sits lower than the Lhasa’s |
The great personality showdown
Let’s talk temperament. Both breeds are delightful in their own way, but their personalities suit different types of owners:
- Lhasa Apso: Independent, intelligent, and a little bit stubborn. Poppy has a way of looking at me like she knows all my secrets but is gracious enough to keep them to herself. They’re natural watchdogs, so don’t expect them to greet strangers with wagging tails. Instead, you’ll get a cautious side-eye until they’ve vetted the visitor.
- Shih Tzu: Sociable, outgoing, and eager to please. While the Lhasa Apso is busy guarding the house, the Shih Tzu is probably sitting in someone’s lap soaking up all the attention. They’re the ultimate cuddle companions.
(Pro tip: If you want a snuggler, the Shih Tzu might be your pick. If you’re after a spirited guard dog, go Lhasa.)
Maintenance alert: Grooming and health
Here’s where both breeds demand a bit of TLC. Their gorgeous coats don’t stay flawless on their own!
- Grooming: Both need regular brushing (daily, ideally) to prevent matting. Lhasas have a denser coat that tends to tangle, while Shih Tzus’ hair feels softer and needs frequent trimming to keep it manageable. I’ve learned the hard way that skipping even a day of brushing Poppy turns her into a walking tumbleweed.
- Health considerations:
- Lhasas are prone to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
- Shih Tzus, with their adorable flat faces, can suffer from breathing issues and heat sensitivity.
Who’s the perfect match for you?
Still undecided? Here’s a quick guide to help:
- Choose a Lhasa Apso if… you want a loyal watchdog with a quirky, independent streak. They’re not for the faint-hearted—they’ll test your patience and your intelligence, but they’ll love you fiercely.
- Choose a Shih Tzu if… you’re looking for a lovable lapdog who’s the life of the party. They thrive on attention and will charm their way into everyone’s hearts.
| If you want… | Go with… |
| A fiercely loyal watchdog | Lhasa Apso |
| A social butterfly | Shih Tzu |
| A breed with Tibetan roots | Lhasa Apso |
| A true lapdog | Shih Tzu |
My final thoughts
Whether you choose a Lhasa Apso or a Shih Tzu, you’re getting a wonderful companion. As someone who spends her days with Poppy’s sassy yet lovable antics, I can’t imagine life without a Lhasa Apso. But I’ll admit, there’s something irresistible about a Shih Tzu’s happy-go-lucky nature.
Whichever you choose, one thing’s for sure: your life is about to get a whole lot fluffier and more joyful. And isn’t that what really matters?
I have a Lhasa and a Shorkie (Shih and Yorkie mix) and when they are due to have a date at the groomers, they are often thought to be the same breed. Beyond their personality differences, the biggest standout for me is that Lhasa’s are bigger, but due to their smaller skeletal structure they appear slimmer. This is 100% true with my fur babies! More than one trip to the vet scale has had me dumbfounded because I thought for sure Cilly (Shorkie) weighed more than Cole (Lhasa) but every time Cilly weighs less, even if just a few pounds.
Hi Randa
Thank you for writing to us with details of your lovely dogs Cilly the Shorkie and Cole the Lhasa. We love to hear readers comments on our published articles.
Generally speaking, the Lhasa is marginally heavier than the Shih Tzu even though it has a more delicate frame. It is just that the Lhasa is a slightly bigger dog.
Thanks again for your contribution
Thank you for this helpful article. We sometimes question our dog’s breed because so many websites use the same stock photos but label them not just Lhasa Apso or Shitz Zhu, but also Havanese. Teddy Bear, etc. We adopted her from a family who told us she’s a Lhasa, and our vet agreed. Her size (a consistent 16 pounds), eyes and face shape seem to confirm that. But she almost never barks except at a door bell or snow plow noise, she is incredibly friendly with strangers and children, her hair has a slight wave, and she has no center part. Whatever she is, she’s the best dog ever. :)
Yes, we have an older shih tzu, Bebe who will turn 14 in Dec., and Mui Mui, a Lhasa Apso who will turn 7 in August. Both are females, and both are like night and day. As stated in many articles, the differences between the two clearly distinguishes shih tzus’ and Lhasa apsos’ physical, temperament, personality, and breed specific characteristics. Truth be told: we were amazed that
Mui Mui was advertised as a shih tzu when we bought her, but as she grew, we wondered if she
were of another breed similar to BeBe. Alas, we are happy to have both as companions, and their
respective nicknames are ‘Snow White princess’ (BeBe) and Ms Lovely (Mui Mui)!
I think my dog might be a cross of a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso. His head is that of a Lhasa Apso and a fine single coat that parts over his head but his fur isn’t dead straight and has a slight wave. People think he is crossed with a bichon but that has been ruled out. Our vet did a full sinspection based on frame, coat etc and he said shih tzu but looking at the photo above, he face is more lhasa. Is it possible to have a Tzu with a more longer snout?
Hi there Nicola. Thanks for your reply. It’s always interesting to see when dogs show characteristics of two breeds. A longer snout is usually seen in Lhasa dogs. It’s certainly possible though, to have varying characteristics. I’d say your vet is probably best placed to determine the dog’s breed but it is very easy to get the exact classification wrong. Please feel free to email us at contact@lhasalife.com and attach a photo.
I have Lhasas and while they are certainly sentinel dogs, they are also *quite friendly and eager to play with visitors to our home, even if they’ve never met them before. One person told me almost three years ago that they were thinking about getting a Lhasa but backtracked and said she didn’t want an unfriendly dog. Looking at my batch, I have absolutely NO idea where the ‘unfriendly’ tag comes in!
I have Shih tzu with papers stating he is all Shih tzu
My Shi tzu weighs 18 pound with a sturdy build . From what I have read have read his personality appears to be more Lasa than Shih Tzu and people often think he is a Lada because of his size. My question is can a Shi Tzu inherit Lasa traits since the Shih Tzu breed originated from crossing breeding a Lasa Apso and a Pekeines?
I am now on my third generation of Lhasa Apso , not related, and we live together 24/7. My first lived to 19 and my last pair made 16 and 17 and these were litter sisters. My current pair, again litter sisters, are now 7 making 43 years in total. They are great companions loyal and tough. My Molly takes on any perceived threat to me and has never backed down however big or noisy the other breed.
We have a lovely 5 year old Shih Tzu called Reg. He has a fantastic temperament and is kind and
loving. He welcomes strangers after he has checked them out and passed them as safe. He tells me its walk time by sitting in front of me and singing until I get up and say c’mon then walkies at which point he races to the door. He loves a cuddle and a play fight with his toys. He will lie on his back and stretch his legs -back and neck for 5 mins and then invite us to rub his belly and chest whilst moaning and grunting his approval. HE snores and makes noises when he dreams.He goes to bed about 10pm and that it till 8.30-9.00am.
He’s a wonderful chap and we love him dearly. He is very clever and sometimes I think he thinks he is one step ahead of us !sometimes we know he is.
we have had our lhasa apso bitch from 9 weeks old and she is now 18 months old. she is called trixibelle or just trixi to her friends. she is very loyal and friendly,yet quite aloof with strangers when i take her for a walk and she tends to ignore other dogs and if they run up to her she just stands quite still and never growls or snaps but simply waits till they go on their merry way. also after about ten minutes of walking she stands on her back legs nuzzles my hand and takes me back to the car(which she loves riding in, i have never before owned a dog who is so well behaved in a car as trixi). she very rarely barks when away from the house but boy does she like the sound of her own voice when at home. we also have a male tuxedo cat called bing who is a year older than trixi and was with us before trixi was born. hilarious chases and the odd punch up between them but every morning they both rub and kiss each other and even share the odd snack together. im 64 and have congestive heart failure so am at home most of the time and my trixi is my constant daytime and evening best pal.i love her unconditionally.