---
title: "Havanese vs Shih Tzu: Which Is Right for You?"
type: "post"
slug: "havanese-vs-shih-tzu-which-is-right-for-you"
published_at: "2026-10-18T05:07:03+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-10-18T05:07:30+00:00"
url: "https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-vs-shih-tzu-which-is-right-for-you/"
markdown_url: "https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-vs-shih-tzu-which-is-right-for-you.md"
taxonomy_category:
  - "Best Puppy Breeds"
  - "Breed Comparisons"
  - "Breed Guides"
author: "Matt Milar"
publisher: "Sage Puppies"
---

# Havanese vs Shih Tzu: Which Is Right for You?

> **Quick Summary:** The Havanese and Shih Tzu look similar in size and coat, but the Havanese has a natural muzzle while the Shih Tzu is brachycephalic, which means its flat face creates real breathing and heat limits you cannot train away. That single trait drives most of the rest: the Havanese handles longer walks, warmer weather, and reward-based training more easily, making it the stronger fit for active families, kids, and first-time owners. The Shih Tzu fits better in quieter homes with owners ready to commit to daily face care and short, low-intensity outings. Before paying any breeder, ask for OFA health records for a Havanese and add breathing-history questions for a Shih Tzu.

Havanese vs Shih Tzu: which is right for your family? Pick the Havanese if you want a small companion with a natural muzzle that suits kids and a normal routine. Pick the Shih Tzu only after you look honestly at its flat face and the heat and breathing limits that come with it.

Both sit in FCI Group 9, weigh about the same, and carry long coats and people-first temperaments. So the choice comes down to daily life, not looks. We walk through six traits that decide it: head shape and breathing, coat care, training drive, energy, family fit, and the health screening records each breed’s parent club expects, so you can match the dog to your home before you call a breeder.

## Havanese vs Shih Tzu at a Glance

|  | Havanese | Shih Tzu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Head shape and breathing | Natural, medium-length muzzle; not a brachycephalic breed | Brachycephalic; FCI muzzle length around 2.5 cm, linked to BOAS risk |
| Coat and grooming | Long double coat; brushing several times a week plus routine trims | Long, dense coat that mats easily; many owners use a shorter puppy clip |
| Temperament and training | Outgoing, eager to please; responds well to reward-based training | Affectionate and proud; often more selective in motivation than the Havanese |
| Energy and exercise | Moderately playful; daily walks plus active play sessions | Calmer than the Havanese; short, lower-intensity walks, with heat limits |
| Family and household fit | Often a fit for families, first-time owners, and apartment living | Suited to quieter households, seniors, and adults able to manage heat and grooming |
| Screening to ask a breeder for | Annual eyes, hip x-ray, and patella records consistent with current Havanese Club of America CHIC guidance | Veterinary checks for airway function, eye health, and family history alongside any club-level records |

## How Havanese and Shih Tzu Compare

### Havanese

A small, double-coated Cuban companion breed with a natural muzzle and a people-first nature. In the Havanese vs Shih Tzu, which is right often comes down to how you weigh breathing and trainability, so this breed’s easy motivation matters here.

![Havanese](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sagepuppies.com-havanese-review-temperament-care-and-family-compatibility-1792299821858.webp)

Havanese

**Key strengths**

- Natural, medium-length muzzle; not brachycephalic
- Outgoing and eager to please, so reward-based training works well
- Often a fit for families, first-time owners, and apartments

### Shih Tzu

A small, long-coated Tibetan and Chinese companion breed whose very short muzzle makes it brachycephalic. That anatomy shapes heat, exercise, and screening choices, and it anchors the other side of the Havanese vs Shih Tzu, which is right question.

![Shih Tzu](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/www.akc_.org-dog-breeds-shih-tzu-1792299822245.webp)

Shih Tzu

**Key strengths**

- Affectionate, calm, and well suited to quieter households
- Content with short, low-intensity walks
- Thrives with an owner comfortable managing grooming and heat limits

## Head Shape and Breathing: The Trait That Actually Decides This Choice

Coat care can be learned. Size fits most homes. But a dog’s airway is built in from birth, and you cannot train around it. That’s why the “havanese vs shih tzu which is right” question usually comes down to one word: brachycephalic.

### Why the Shih Tzu’s Short Muzzle Changes Daily Life

The Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic breed, meaning its face is compressed so the muzzle is nearly flat. That shape squeezes the airway. Nostrils narrow, the soft palate lengthens, and moving air becomes work, not instinct. The result is a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, and the Shih Tzu is on [Cornell’s list of affected breeds](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/brachycephalic-obstructive-airway-syndrome-boas)
.

In practice, this reshapes your routine. Expect snoring, snorting, and heavy panting. Hot or humid days become a real risk, because flat-faced dogs cannot cool themselves efficiently through panting. Vets recommend skipping midday walks in summer, watching weight closely, and planning flights carefully, since many airlines restrict snub-nosed breeds. Severe cases may even need airway surgery. Some families love the Shih Tzu’s snuffly charm anyway, and that’s a fair choice. Just make it with open eyes.

### How the Havanese’s Natural Muzzle Compares

The Havanese has a medium-length muzzle in natural proportion to its skull. It is not a brachycephalic breed, so nothing in its anatomy crowds the airway. Breathing stays quiet, cooling works the way it should, and heat tolerance is simply better. Long walks, car rides, and play sessions carry fewer breathing warnings.

That single difference explains why “havanese vs shih tzu which is right” often ends the same way. If you want a low-drama daily companion with fewer airway worries, the Havanese fits; you can read more in [our complete Havanese breed guide](https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-puppies-complete-breed-information/)
. It’s the answer that settles the havanese vs shih tzu which is right debate for most busy families.

## Coat and Grooming: Weekly Time, Professional Visits, and What Both Breeds Really Need

### Daily and Weekly Brushing: What Each Coat Actually Demands

Both breeds wear long, fast-growing, low-shedding coats, so neither is a brush-once-a-month dog. The Havanese carries a silky double coat that mats fastest at the armpits, behind the ears, and under the harness. The Havanese Club of America recommends brushing a full-coated adult two to three times a week, more if you keep the long show coat. Most pet families choose a shorter “puppy cut” and drop to twice weekly.

The Shih Tzu’s dense, human-like hair tangles even faster, so daily brushing is the realistic baseline, especially around the face where the topknot rubs and snags. Skip those sessions for a week and you will usually find mats close to the skin that only a groomer can safely remove.

![Havanese puppy being brushed on grooming table](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792299867349-97tsb.webp)

Havanese puppy being brushed on grooming table

### Eyes, Ears, and Professional Grooming Visits

Face care separates these breeds more than coat care does. The Shih Tzu’s flat face means shallow eye sockets, so tears pool and stain, and daily wiping is standard upkeep. Its hair grows into the eyes unless tied or trimmed. The Havanese’s natural muzzle sheds tears outward, so staining is milder. Both breeds need ears checked weekly and dried after baths, plus a professional groom every four to eight weeks depending on the cut. Our [Havanese puppy grooming guide](https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-puppy-grooming-guide-for-first-time-owners/)
 walks through a first-time brushing routine.

## Temperament and Training: How Motivated Each Breed Is to Work With You

Both breeds want to be with you. The difference shows up in *why* they work with you, and how much patience they need while learning.

### What Each Breed Was Historically Selected to Do

Havanese dogs were bred in Cuba as companions of wealthy families, and they also performed as circus and trick dogs. That double job left a mark. They watch you, read your mood, and treat training as a game worth playing, which is why the [AKC describes them](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/havanese/)
 as lively, sociable and quick to learn. Shih Tzus were palace lap dogs in Tibet and China, treasured for calm company rather than performance. They learn just fine, but they ask “what’s in it for me?” more often.

![Child training a Havanese puppy outdoors](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792299902560-ixq7eo.webp)

Child training a Havanese puppy outdoors

### First-Time Owners: How Each Breed Handles Beginner Mistakes

Here the Havanese has the edge for beginners. Because it is so eager to please, small errors in timing or reward barely slow it down. Miss a cue and it will offer the behavior again, hoping to get it right. House training still takes consistency, but the breed forgives clumsy first attempts.

A Shih Tzu is more forgiving emotionally but less forgiving of skipped sessions. If training becomes dull or rare, it quietly decides the rules are optional. First-time owners succeed with either breed, yet the Havanese gives faster wins, which builds your confidence right when you need it.

## Energy, Exercise, and Heat: Walking Plans for a U.S. Household

### What a “Normal” Week Looks Like With Each Breed

Both breeds need modest daily activity, but the rhythm differs. A Havanese usually thrives on 30 to 45 minutes of walking plus play, and it happily adds longer hikes or fetch sessions when you offer them. That flexibility suits active families who want a dog that keeps up.

A Shih Tzu does well with 20 to 30 minutes of light, controlled exercise, split into two or three short outings, according to [PetMD’s breed guide](https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/shih-tzu)
. It is a lap dog first, so a typical week looks like brief morning walks, indoor play, and early bedtimes.

In practice, neither breed will exhaust your household. The real difference is ceiling: the Havanese can go further if your weekend plans change, while the Shih Tzu prefers the same gentle routine every day.

![Two dogs walking with owners on a shaded sidewalk](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792299924774-wn2fb.webp)

Two dogs walking with owners on a shaded sidewalk

### Heat, Travel, and Outdoor Time

Heat is where the breeds split clearly. Because the Shih Tzu is brachycephalic, it struggles in warm, humid weather and should stay indoors during summer peaks, since short-muzzled dogs overheat quickly. The Havanese’s natural muzzle lets it handle a summer walk more safely, though it still needs shade, water, and midday breaks.

> Test the pavement with your hand. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, the walk waits.

For travel, plan around the same rule: short outings, cool hours, and water on hand.

## Family and Household Fit: Kids, Seniors, Apartments, and Allergy Considerations

Both breeds were built to be companions, so both suit apartments and close quarters. Where they differ is daily stamina and breathing, and that shapes which household each one fits best.

![Havanese puppy beside a child reading](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792299956933-cl4hdr.webp)

Havanese puppy beside a child reading

### Families With Children and Other Pets

The Havanese is sturdier than it looks. The AKC describes it as a small but tough dog with a social, adaptable nature, and it is rated good with children and other dogs. It will chase a ball with your kids, then settle on the couch. Supervise toddlers with any small breed, though, because a rough fall can injure a 10-pound dog.

The Shih Tzu is gentler and less playful, which suits calm families, seniors, and households with mellow pets. It tolerates respectful children well but prefers not to be a wrestling partner. If your kids want a dog that plays hard, the Havanese keeps up more easily.

### Allergy, Asthma, and Apartment Living

Neither breed sheds much, and both are often listed as low-allergen options. But no dog is truly hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time with the breed before committing.

Here the Havanese has a clear edge for sensitive households. Its natural muzzle means easy, quiet breathing, and it handles apartment stairs and warm afternoons without trouble. The flat-faced Shih Tzu tires faster in heat and can snore or wheeze, so keep outings short in summer. You can read how coat and muzzle traits carry into everyday care in our complete Havanese breed guide before you decide.

## Screening and Acquisition: What to Ask Each Breeder Before You Pay a Deposit

A good breeder welcomes questions about health testing and paperwork. A weak one changes the subject. Know what to expect before you send money.

### What a Havanese Breeder’s Records Should Show

Ask for proof, not promises. Both parents should have OFA certificates for hips, patellas, and cardiac, plus current eye exams. The OFA’s [CHIC program](https://ofa.org/chic-programs/)
 lists dogs whose results are on file, so you can verify a breeder’s claims yourself in a few minutes. DNA results for inherited conditions are a bonus, but they don’t replace orthopedic and eye exams. Also ask to see the puppy’s vet record, deworming dates, and vaccination schedule, and confirm when the litter saw a licensed veterinarian. For a fuller checklist, our guide to [questions for a Havanese breeder](https://sagepuppies.com/7-questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-havanese-breeder/)
 walks through each one.

### What to Ask a Shih Tzu Breeder Instead

The same records apply, with one addition: breathing. Because the Shih Tzu is brachycephalic, ask whether either parent has needed surgery or shows noisy breathing at rest. Ask how the breeder keeps puppies cool during weaning, since heat stress shows up early in flat-faced litters. Then get the contract in writing, including the deposit terms, refund conditions, and any health clause. If a breeder pressures you to pay same-day to “hold” a puppy, walk away.

## Which Should You Choose: Havanese or Shih Tzu?

Both breeds make loving companions, so the decision usually comes down to breathing, activity, and grooming time.

### When the Havanese Is the Better Match

Choose a Havanese if you want a dog that can keep up with an active household. Its natural muzzle means easier breathing in heat and on longer walks, and it takes well to training, tricks, and agility games. Families with kids often prefer its sturdy, playful energy. If that sounds like your home, our [Havanese breed guide](https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-puppies-complete-breed-information/)
 covers temperament and care in detail. Expect regular brushing, but less face-wrinkle upkeep than a flat-faced breed.

### When the Shih Tzu Could Be the Right Fit

A Shih Tzu may suit you better if you want a calmer, couch-friendly companion. It needs only 20 to 30 minutes of light daily exercise, split into short outings, which fits apartment living or a slower pace. Its sweet, docile nature shines with retirees and quiet households. The trade-off is commitment to daily coat care and attention to its breathing in warm weather. Pick the Shih Tzu when low-key companionship matters more than adventure.

![Sage Puppies homepage](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sagepuppies.com-1781544698129.png)  

Sage Puppies homepage

If the easy-breathing, people-first Havanese fits your family, the next step is simple. Apply through [Sage Puppies](https://sagepuppies.com)
, where Cassie Milar matches each puppy to your home honestly and carefully. Wisely Bred. Beautifully Loved.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Q1: havanese vs shih tzu which is right for you

Choose the Havanese if you want easy breathing, playful energy, and faster training wins. Choose the Shih Tzu only if you accept flat-face limits: heat care, daily face wiping, and a calmer routine. Most active families land on the Havanese.

### Q2: Do Havanese or Shih Tzus bark a lot?

Both can be vocal. The Havanese tends to bark when excited or under-exercised; the Shih Tzu barks less overall but alerts to strangers. Early training and steady daily activity keep either breed’s noise manageable in apartments.

### Q3: Which breed is easier to house train?

The Havanese usually progresses faster because it works eagerly for rewards. Shih Tzus learn too, but they need shorter, more frequent sessions and consistent schedules. Expect several months of patient routine with either breed.

### Q4: How much does grooming cost each year?

Both need professional grooms every four to eight weeks, typically $50 to $90 per visit, so budget roughly $600 to $1,000 yearly. Add daily brushing time for a Shih Tzu’s face and coat, or a Havanese’s harness zones.

### Q5: Can either breed be left alone during a workday?

Neither was bred for solitude. Both do best with midday breaks, dog walkers, or daycare, and crate training helps. A bored Havanese invents games; a Shih Tzu mostly naps, but long daily aloneness still strains either breed.

## A Note Before You Choose

Both breeds make devoted companions, so let the deciding trait lead. The Shih Tzu’s flat face brings heat limits, breathing watchfulness, and daily face care. The Havanese’s natural muzzle keeps things simpler, and its eager-to-please nature rewards first-time owners fast.

Weigh your household honestly: kids and playtime, summer walks, grooming hours, and quiet versus energy. Ask every breeder for written health records before any deposit. When you match the breed to your real daily life instead of its face in a photo, the right answer usually becomes obvious.