Australian Cattle Dog vs Shih Tzu
Compare Australian Cattle Dog and Shih Tzu side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Australian Cattle Dog
Shih Tzu
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
43 – 51 cm
23 – 27 cm
Weight
15 – 22 kg
5 – 8 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 15 years
10 – 16 years
Child friendly
3/5
4/5
Energy level
5/5
2/5
Intelligence
5/5
2/5
Trainability
5/5
4/5
Health
3/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
4/5
Shedding
3/5
2/5
Barking level
3/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
1/5
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Characteristics
Australian Cattle Dog
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Medium
Shih Tzu
Great with kids
Easy to train
Small
Summary
About Australian Cattle Dog
Medium, muscular Australian working dog bred to drive cattle over long distances. Known for blue or red speckled double coat, pricked ears and alert expression. Highly intelligent, energetic, loyal and wary of strangers; needs extensive daily exercise, mental work and consistent positive training.
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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