If you want a calm lap dog who is happiest indoors, follows you room to room, and does not ask much of your schedule, the Shih Tzu is the easier fit. If you want a small dog who will actually learn things — tricks, obedience cues, agility, a reliable recall — and who can handle a longer walk and a warm afternoon better, go with the Havanese. Both are true purebreds, not crosses, and both are affectionate companion dogs bred for exactly that job. The honest dividing line is the face and the energy.
At a glance
| Shih Tzu | Havanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult weight | 9-16 lb | About 7-13 lb |
| Adult height | 9-10.5 in ideal (8-11 in allowed) | 8.5-11.5 in (9-10.5 in ideal) |
| Coat and shedding | Long, dense, flowing double coat; low shedding | Long, soft, wavy silky double coat; low shedding |
| Grooming needs | High — daily brushing, professional grooming every few weeks, daily eye-area cleaning | High — daily brushing or combing, professional grooming, daily tear-stain cleaning |
| Energy level | Low to moderate; short walks and indoor play | Moderate and genuinely athletic; enjoys rally, agility and tracking |
| Good with kids | Yes — notably affectionate with children | Yes — adaptable and easy around all ages |
| Good for apartments | Excellent | Excellent, though they will alert-bark |
| Trainability | Can be stubborn; needs patience and reward-based training | High — intelligent and eager to please, but sensitive to harsh correction |
| Common health considerations | Brachycephalic airway syndrome, heat intolerance, eye conditions, luxating patella, dental disease, ear infections | Patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, dental disease |
Temperament
The Shih Tzu was bred to be a house companion and nothing else, and the breed standard actually writes that into the breed: outgoing, happy, affectionate and trusting toward everyone. That is what you get. A Shih Tzu is rarely suspicious of visitors and rarely in a hurry. The flip side is a streak of self-possession. They are smart enough to train and stubborn enough to negotiate, and if a Shih Tzu learns that sitting still gets them out of something, they will use it.
The Havanese is the busier mind of the two. Cheerful, comic, a little clingy in the best way. They want a job, even a silly one, and they pick things up fast. That same sensitivity means they wilt under scolding and they do not do well left alone all day — a Havanese in an empty house for ten hours is an unhappy Havanese.
Grooming
Neither of these is a wash-and-go dog. Both carry long double coats that mat if you skip days, and both need a groomer on a schedule. Many Shih Tzu owners eventually settle on a short puppy cut, which cuts daily brushing down a lot and helps in summer.
The difference is texture. The Shih Tzu coat is dense and heavy, and it hangs. The Havanese coat is lighter and wavy, so it tangles differently — softer mats, but they form quickly right behind the ears and under the legs. Both breeds also need the eye area wiped daily; the Havanese is particularly prone to tear staining.
Both shed very little, which some families with mild sensitivities prefer. Be clear-eyed about it, though: no dog is allergen-free. Dander and saliva carry allergens regardless of how much hair lands on your rug. If allergies are the deciding factor, spend real time with an adult dog of the breed before you commit.
Georgia heat and the short muzzle
This is the single most practical difference between these two, and it matters more here than it would in Minnesota.
The Shih Tzu is brachycephalic — a short, flat muzzle. Short-muzzled dogs move air less efficiently, which means they cool themselves less efficiently, because dogs cool mainly by panting. Veterinary guidance is plain that Shih Tzu do not tolerate heat well and are not strong swimmers. In a Gwinnett County July, that means early-morning and after-dark walks, shade, air conditioning, and never leaving them out on a deck just for a minute.
The Havanese has a normal muzzle length and handles a warm afternoon considerably better. They still overheat — every small dog in a black coat can — but you have more margin.
If your family life happens outside in summer, that difference should weigh heavily. Talk to your veterinarian about heat management either way.
Living space
Both do beautifully in apartments, townhomes and condos. Neither needs a yard. The Shih Tzu asks for less: a couple of short walks and some indoor play usually covers it. The Havanese can live in the same square footage happily but needs more to do inside it — training games, puzzle toys, a class to go to.
One noise note for shared walls: the Havanese is more of an alert barker. It is trainable, but it is there.
Families
For a household with toddlers, the Shih Tzu’s sturdier build and lower energy is often the gentler combination, as long as children are taught to sit on the floor rather than carry the dog. For a household with school-age kids who want a dog that will learn tricks and go places, the Havanese is more fun and more durable in temperament. Both are good with other pets when socialized early, which is what our family home nursery time is for.
Choose the Shih Tzu if
- You want a low-key indoor companion more than a training partner
- Your home is air-conditioned and your summer routine is mostly indoors
- You have very young children and want a slightly sturdier small dog
- You are comfortable with a dog who has opinions about training
Choose the Havanese if
- You want a small dog you can genuinely train, and maybe compete with
- Your family spends time outdoors in warm weather
- Someone is home most of the day
- You can commit to daily coat and eye care
Come meet them both in Lawrenceville
Reading about muzzle length is one thing; watching two puppies breathe after five minutes of play is another. Come by the showroom and see it for yourself — we are open Monday through Saturday 12 to 7pm and Sunday 2 to 6pm, and you are welcome to sit on the floor with both breeds before you decide anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Havanese really that much more active than the Shih Tzu?
In daily minutes, the gap is smaller than people expect — both are satisfied with modest walks and indoor play. The gap shows up in capability and stamina. The Havanese is an athlete for its size and competes in rally, agility and tracking, so it can do more if you want to. The Shih Tzu is content to stop sooner.
Can a Shih Tzu live comfortably in Georgia?
Yes — thousands do. It just requires you to manage heat deliberately: walks early and late, no midday exercise in summer, indoor cooling, and a shorter clip in the warm months. Ask your veterinarian what warning signs of overheating to watch for in a flat-faced breed.
Which one is easier for a first-time dog owner?
The Havanese is easier to train; the Shih Tzu is easier to live with in terms of exercise demands. A first-time owner who wants structure and classes usually does better with the Havanese. A first-time owner who mainly wants a calm companion usually does better with the Shih Tzu.
Do either of them shed less than the other?
Both are low-shedding, and honestly the difference is not large enough to decide on. Neither is allergen-free, and both require the same commitment to daily brushing to keep the coat out of mats.
How much grooming should I plan for?
We can walk you through what a maintenance schedule looks like for either coat and what our own grooming services cover. Most families settle into a professional groom every few weeks plus daily brushing at home.
Meet a Shih Tzu and a Havanese the same afternoon
Every puppy here is health-checked by our on-staff veterinarian, raised in our family home nursery, and waiting to say hello.
1848 Old Norcross Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Mon–Sat 12:00–7:00 PM • Sun 2:00–6:00 PM
