Dorkie vs Shih Tzu: Breeds Comparison

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

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While Dorkie is a member of the Mixed Breed Group, Shih Tzu belongs to the group of Companion Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

Dorkie vs Shih Tzu Size Comparison

Shih Tzus are larger, with a typical height of 9 to 10 inches and weight of 9 to 16 pounds, while the typical height of Dorkie is 5 to 10 inches and they usually weigh 5 to 12 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Dorkie, Shih Tzu, American female, and American male.

Dorkie vs Shih Tzu lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 13 to 16 years, Dorkies usually live longer than Shih Tzus.

Shih Tzus' lifespan is 10 to 16 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Dorkie and Shih Tzu compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name	Dorkie Breed photo is not available.	Shih Tzu
Traits
Breed Group	Mixed Breed Dogs	Companion Dogs
Height	5 to 10 inches	9 to 10 inches
Weight	5 to 12 pounds	9 to 16 pounds
Life Span	13 to 16 years	10 to 16 years

Dorkie vs Shih Tzu adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Luckily, Dorkies and Shih Tzus are considered to be good apartment living dogs.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Dorkies and Shih Tzus tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Speaking of Dorkie and Shih Tzu, these breeds don't tolerate hot weather well, so you need to be very cautious, especially when it's really hot.

Be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. During warm weather, Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Shih Tzu tolerates cold weather better than Dorkie.

Dorkies' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

Dorkie vs Shih Tzu temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Dorkie and Shih Tzu. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, there's no much difference between these breeds.

Both Dorkie and Shih Tzu love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Dorkies and Shih Tzus are super friendly toward strangers, so don't expect them to be too protective unless they are properly trained.

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

Both Dorkie and Shih Tzu are medium shedding dogs, so not great, not terrible. Preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary for these breeds.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Well, we have good news. These breeds have low drooling potential.

Dorkie vs Shih Tzu trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

These breeds are both considered moderately difficult to train, meaning they are absolutely trainable, but novice owners should think twice about getting these dogs. Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog. If you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.

Do Dorkie and Shih Tzu need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Both Dorkie and Shih Tzu have a low exercise needs. It means they will probably require only light to moderate excercises to keep these breeds healthy and prevent them from becoming overweight and bored.

Keep in mind that most breeds will benefit from aerobic exercises - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.

Dorkie or Shih Tzu: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Dorkies and Shih Tzus.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.