I know my dog breeds fairly well. But I often get confused over the difference between a Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso. At a glance, the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso look like twins. But there are some subtle differences in both personality and looks.
After doing some research, I discovered that even kennel breed clubs used to have a difficult time determining the difference between a Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso. The breed club in England had the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso grouped as one-in-the-same breed. It wasn’t until after 1934 that they separated into two separate breeds. The American Kennel Club (AKC) had always kept them separate. They recognized the Lhasa Apso in 1935 but didn’t recognize the Shih Tzu until 1969. Another thing I discovered is that while the Shih Tzu is a dog breed by itself, it originated from a mix of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese dog breeds.
Both the Shih Tzu and the Lhasa Apso originated in the monasteries of Tibet. Both were kept as companions and both were referred to as ‘lion dogs’. The Lhasa Apso, however, was also kept as a guard dog and was referred to as the ‘bark lion sentinel dog”. In personality, the Lhasa Apso differs from the Shih Tzu in that he is bolder and a bit more standoffish with strangers. Shih Tzus tend to be a little more playful and affectionate.
According to the AKC standards, a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso can be a variety of any color. A Shih Tzu should stand between 8-11 inches tall while a Lhasa Apso should stand between 10-11 inches tall. And a Shih Tzu should weigh between 9-16 pounds while a Lhasa Apso should weigh between 13-15 pounds. Based on this info, a Shih Tzu can be smaller, but they can also be about the same size as a Lhasa Apso.
So if the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu can be any color and about the same size, then how can you tell the difference between a Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso by looking at them? One major difference is the coat type. The hair of a Shih Tzu is much softer than the hair of a Lhasa Apso. The hair of a Lhasa Apso tends to be harder and holds up better in cold weather. Another observable difference is the shape of their heads. The skull of a Shih Tzu is broad and domed. The Lhasa Apso has a flatter head, but it is still a bit rounded. And it is narrower than that of a Shih Tzu.
One good give-away regarding the difference between a Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso is the owners of a Shih Tzu tend to put the hair on their dog’s head up in a single pony-tail (see Shih Tzu figurine below). This is not as easy to do on a Lhasa Apso since their head is broader and their hair is rougher. If the owner didn’t put the hair in a pony-tail, however, ask them if you can pet the dog. While patting his head, feel his fur and the shape of his skull. See if you can correctly guess the difference between a Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso.
Tags: difference between a shih tzu and a lhasa apso, dog breed, Dog Breeds, lhasa apso, shih tzu
February 22, 2012 at 10:18 am |
I’m always trying to explain this to people when they see my dog. The instant reaction is both that he’s a) a female and b) a Shih Tzu. Though I can forgive both, I know that Lhasa Apsos are less heard of where I’m at. I often just default to saying, “they’re similar to a Shih Tzu”.
February 23, 2012 at 7:51 am |
People often thought the same thing about my parent’s Lhasa Apso named Killer! :0)
May 24, 2012 at 9:38 pm |
same here.. i also have a lhasa apso and it seems so unknown to my country.. every time they see my dog they always tell 1) “what a cute baby girl” 2) “oh its a shih tzu”..
what i always tell them “it’s not a shih tzu, my dog is braver than that” ^_^
May 7, 2012 at 12:52 pm |
I have Lhasa Apso’s, they’re my first dog and I wouldn’t go back, they’re beautiful, kind, loving and loyal.
The differences that I have noticed I’d that the Shih Tzu seems to look more fragile and ‘toy’ like.. Though in saying that, one of my Lhasa girls is quite mini and fragile for her breed.
The paragraph about the styling of the fringe is spot on, the Lhasa seems to have a dent in their heads, that makes the hair fall in a parting.
May 8, 2012 at 8:30 am |
Interesting. I didn’t realize about the dent. I never noticed it on my parent’s Lhasa Killer. BTW I love your username. :0)
May 19, 2012 at 3:09 am |
No one mentioned the grooming that needs to be done. We have two Shih Tzu Both are female. The hair on a Shih Tzu is actually so it keeps getting longer and doesn’t stop grooming. They should be groomed about once every six weeks and brushed every day. Their hair is thin and gets matted easily if left. I don’t know about a Lhasa Apso.
May 19, 2012 at 8:55 am |
Thanks for the additional info!
The hair of the Lhasa also keeps growing. The longer it is, the more frequently it needs to be brushed.
http://americandogblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/the-lhasa-apso-dog-breed/
http://www.animalfigurinestore.com/shih-tzu-dog-breed
August 11, 2012 at 10:23 am |
the previous owner I got my pup from told me hes a shih tzu. but then I’m starting to think otherwise. groomers and other dog owners cannot even identify what breed he is because they say he doesn’t look shih tzu. im starting to think hes a lhasa laso. can anyone help?
August 11, 2012 at 12:30 pm |
It is difficult to tell. And sometimes the two breeds are still interbred so your dog could be both. :0)
August 16, 2012 at 8:33 pm |
I could not tell for sure with my furbaby so i say she is a Lhasashitz.
January 2, 2013 at 3:39 am |
I have a Lhasa Apso and she weighs between 11 and 12 lbs.. Also she has an underbite that makes her look like a bulldog with a longer tooth on either side. I have been told it is a characteristic. She has a longer snout than a Shih Tzu and her daddy weighs 15 plus lbs.. The males are bigger I am told. People always think she is a Shih Tzu. She loves people but she does let us know when she hears something strange…as they were used for in Tibet. She lets us know who is boss..,another characteristic. I also keep her hair short.
January 2, 2013 at 9:27 am |
We have a rescue pup as of October 2012, we were told that he is a shih tzu, not sure on the age, the vet says 8 months as is not sure on the exact breed. my husband and I are thinking possibly Lhasa Apso he is tiny about 6 lbs now – he only weighed 2 1/2 lbs in October. We also have 2 shih-poos that are poodle and shih tzu mix. We are not seeing the same characteristics, our groomer says possible maltese?
January 7, 2013 at 12:19 am |
I had a Lhasa Apso for 13 years. He was all Black and weighed 10 to 12 Lbs. I now have a shih tzu who is 5 years old. The main characteristic I have noticed is that the Lhasa was much more serious about protecting an object he selected to guard. He showed some agression at times. The shih tzu is never agressive and loves everyone. She is layed back or playful in almost all circumstances and seems to trust everyone. Both dogs have been such wonderful pets.
January 13, 2013 at 1:18 pm |
So.. is a shihtzu/lhasa apso <–or however you spell it) mix and an original shihtzu's puppies would be what??? Im having trouble with this , I was guessing they would be shihtzu since the actual shihtzu comes from the lhasa apso but would they be??
January 21, 2013 at 2:38 am |
I have both, and now I am confused, the only thing that keeps me from confusion is their color
February 8, 2013 at 7:30 am |
Two years ago we too adopted and older and unusual Lhasa mix (with a Jack Russel) (she’s now 10)
As result her muzzle is tad longer than a pure bread, but her tongue still does not fit into her mouth. We affectionately relate to her as a ‘Pez-Depenser’. She is a bit taller than the usual Lhasa and has many traits of both breeds with relation to behaviors.
She too is loving and affectionate up to a point, and she will let you know when that limit has been crossed.
She seems to have been socialized well in her past, and thankfully is good with young children.
We also have two Airedales that she must contend with, and amazingly she handles all with ease…
now if we could just get some excess weight off her!!
February 22, 2013 at 4:52 am |
A year ago I rescued what I was told was a ‘shitzu/yorkie’ mix…well, I had owned a shitzu and an old roommate had 4 yorkies; and while there was some physical similarities (my dog was blond like the york ihad a shorter snout, but not as short as the shitzu) the personality was completely different. He was very protective of me from the start; if sormeone had broken in our house I’m sure they wouled’ve received a bite…whereas my shitzu would have licked them to deathh once they got in and showed them to the safe!! I realized after some reading that this dog was a Lhasa…he had the temperment, right down to the middle part all the way down his body and the)’big dog’ bark. Just do your research, you;ll figure it out:)
April 11, 2013 at 4:13 pm |
We adopted a Lhasa, he looks like one with a curly grey and white coat, cheerful personality, king of the world for the moment ( he’s in obedience training), bright and serious, in perfect proportion but weighs in at 27 lbs! So when people ask what he is, I tell them Lhasa Plus.
April 11, 2013 at 4:21 pm |
Lhasa plus… that’s cute!
April 20, 2013 at 6:40 pm |
I ha be owned five Lhasas in my life and all of the males were between twenty and twenty five pounds. My current female is eighteen pounds. The vet says none of them are fat.
My three current Lhasas are all the offspring of champions, so I feel they are typical.
My ex-I laws had a shitzu and it was remarkably smaller. I also noticed their dog tended to be yippy in terms of behavior.