Havanese vs Shih Tzu: Complete Comparison Guide 2026
Choosing between the Havanese and Shih Tzu is one of the most common dog selection questions for those focused on apartment living and urban life. Both breeds have passionate advocates — and for good reason. But they suit different owners, different homes, and different lifestyles in ways that matter.
This guide gives you an honest, side-by-side breakdown across every factor that matters, so you can make the right choice for your specific situation.
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Quick Verdict
Both breeds can thrive in apartments, but they suit different owners. The Havanese offers sociable, playful, and velcro-dog attached with 30–45 min/day of daily exercise needed. The Shih Tzu brings friendly, outgoing, and charming and requires 20–30 min/day. Your best match depends on your activity level, grooming tolerance, and noise sensitivity.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Trait | Havanese | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Size | small (7–13 lbs) | small (9–16 lbs) |
| Energy Level | moderate | low-moderate |
| Daily Exercise | 30–45 min/day | 20–30 min/day |
| Trainability | high | moderate |
| Shedding | low | low |
| Grooming | high — long coat requires frequent grooming or professional clips | high — long coat needs daily brushing or regular trims |
| Barking | moderate | moderate |
| Good With Kids | excellent | good |
| Apartment Friendly | excellent | excellent |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years | 10–16 years |
The Havanese: Profile and Strengths
The Havanese is sociable, playful, and velcro-dog attached — thrives on human interaction. At small (7–13 lbs), they fit the role of families, apartment dwellers, allergy sufferers (low shed) exceptionally well.
What makes the Havanese stand out:
- Exercise: 30–45 min/day keeps this breed balanced and happy
- Trainability: High — responds well to consistent, positive methods
- Grooming: High — long coat requires frequent grooming or professional clips — plan your grooming budget accordingly
- Health Watch: generally healthy; watch for patellar luxation, cataracts, and chondrodysplasia
The Havanese is best described as sociable, playful, and velcro-dog attached — thrives on human interaction. They thrive with families, apartment dwellers, allergy sufferers (low shed) and rarely disappoint in their intended role.
Visit our Havanese Guide for the complete breed profile.
The Shih Tzu: Profile and Strengths
The Shih Tzu is friendly, outgoing, and charming — bred for centuries as a royal companion. At small (9–16 lbs), they’re ideally suited for apartment dwellers, seniors, families with older children.
What makes the Shih Tzu stand out:
- Exercise: 20–30 min/day is required for peak physical and mental health
- Trainability: Moderate — rewards consistent handling with impressive results
- Grooming: High — long coat needs daily brushing or regular trims — a real consideration for budget and time
- Health Watch: prone to brachycephalic airway issues, eye problems, and hip dysplasia
The Shih Tzu is friendly, outgoing, and charming — bred for centuries as a royal companion. Best matched with apartment dwellers, seniors, families with older children.
Visit our Shih Tzu Guide for the complete breed profile.
Which Breed Fits Your Lifestyle?
Choose the Havanese if:
- You have 30–45 min/day per day available for exercise
- You can manage high — long coat requires frequent grooming or professional clips grooming demands
- You want sociable, playful, and velcro-dog attached
- Your household matches their profile: best for families, apartment dwellers, allergy sufferers (low shed)
Choose the Shih Tzu if:
- Your schedule accommodates 20–30 min/day of daily activity
- You’re prepared for high — long coat needs daily brushing or regular trims grooming requirements
- You’re drawn to a dog that is friendly, outgoing, and charming
- Your situation aligns with their ideal owner: apartment dwellers, seniors, families with older children
Health and Veterinary Costs
Havanese health considerations: generally healthy; watch for patellar luxation, cataracts, and chondrodysplasia. Lifespan: 14–16 years.
Shih Tzu health considerations: prone to brachycephalic airway issues, eye problems, and hip dysplasia. Lifespan: 10–16 years.
Both breeds benefit from pet health insurance, particularly for orthopedic and breed-specific conditions. Annual wellness exams, age-appropriate blood panels, and breed-relevant screening (cardiac, ophthalmic, orthopedic) keep surprises to a minimum.
Budget $1,200–$3,000+ per year for comprehensive care of either breed. Health-tested breeding lines are the single most impactful factor in long-term veterinary costs.
Training and Socialization
Havanese: High trainability means this breed responds well to structured positive reinforcement from puppyhood. Early socialization (puppy classes, diverse environments, positive stranger interactions) is critical.
Shih Tzu: Rated moderate for trainability. Consistent, patient training methods produce the best results. bred for centuries as a royal companion.
For both breeds: invest in a structured puppy class within the first three months of ownership. The investment of $150–$400 in early training prevents thousands of dollars in behavioral remediation later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a small apartment — Havanese or Shih Tzu?
Both can work in apartments, but the key factors are noise and exercise. The Havanese needs 30–45 min/day and has moderate barking levels. The Shih Tzu requires 20–30 min/day with moderate barking tendency. If noise is a primary concern in your building, the quieter of the two will be a better neighbor.
Do Havaneses or Shih Tzus have worse separation anxiety?
Both breeds bond closely with their owners, but the degree of separation anxiety varies by individual. The Havanese is known as sociable, playful, and velcro-dog attached, which can translate to velcro-dog behavior when left alone. The Shih Tzu, described as friendly, outgoing, and charming, may tolerate short absences better if well-exercised beforehand. Crate training and puzzle toys help both breeds manage alone time.
How much does it cost to own a Havanese vs Shih Tzu?
Initial purchase prices vary widely by breeder quality, but ongoing costs matter more over a dog’s lifetime. The Havanese typically costs more in grooming given their high — long coat requires frequent grooming or professional clips grooming needs. The Shih Tzu’s prone to brachycephalic airway issues, eye problems, and hip dysplasia can drive veterinary costs higher. Budget $1,500–$3,000/year for quality food, routine vet care, and grooming for either breed.
Can a Havanese and Shih Tzu live together?
Both breeds are generally excellent and good with other dogs respectively, making multi-dog households feasible with proper introductions. Introduce dogs on neutral territory, progress slowly, and supervise early interactions. Both breeds benefit from early socialization to ensure harmonious cohabitation.
Which breed is easier to train for a first-time owner?
The Havanese scores high on trainability — thrives on human interaction. The Shih Tzu is rated moderate — bred for centuries as a royal companion. Both respond well to positive reinforcement. Short, reward-based sessions of 5–10 minutes work best for either breed.
*This page was last reviewed in 2026. Breed information is based on AKC standards, veterinary literature, and expert owner surveys. Individual dogs vary — meet the dog, not just the breed, before making your decision.*