American Cocker Spaniel vs Shih Tzu
Compare American Cocker Spaniel and Shih Tzu: size, life expectancy, temperament and care side by side.
American Cocker Spaniel
VS
Shih Tzu
Comparison table
Show differences only
Characteristic
American Cocker Spaniel
Shih Tzu
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
35 – 38 cm
23 – 27 cm
Weight
10 – 14 kg
5 – 8 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 16 years
10 – 16 years
Child friendly
4/5
4/5
Energy level
3/5
2/5
Intelligence
4/5
2/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
4/5
Shedding
3/5
2/5
Barking level
2/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
1/5
The 1–5 scale shows the level of each trait. A higher value means more of that trait. Individual animals may vary.
Characteristics
American Cocker Spaniel
Great with kids
Super smart
Quiet
Easy to train
Small
Shih Tzu
Great with kids
Easy to train
Small
Summary
About American Cocker Spaniel
American Cocker Spaniel: a small, sturdy gundog with a silky coat and large, expressive eyes. Cheerful, affectionate, and people‑oriented, it suits active families. Needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, gentle positive training, and regular, thorough grooming and ear care.
About Shih Tzu
Small, sturdy companion dog from Tibetan and Chinese palaces, 4.5–8 kg with a long, flowing coat and chrysanthemum-like face. Affectionate, cheerful, and confident, it suits many homes. Needs moderate exercise, intensive grooming, and patient, reward-based training.
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