West Highland White Terrier
VS
Shih Tzu
West Highland White Terrier vs Shih Tzu
Compare West Highland White Terrier 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
West Highland White Terrier
Shih Tzu
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
27 – 28 cm
23 – 27 cm
Weight
7 – 9 kg
5 – 8 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 16 years
10 – 16 years
Child friendly
5/5
4/5
Energy level
3/5
2/5
Intelligence
3/5
2/5
Trainability
3/5
4/5
Health
2/5
4/5
Grooming needs
5/5
4/5
Shedding
3/5
2/5
Barking level
4/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
1/5
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Characteristics
West Highland White Terrier
Great with kids
Small
Shih Tzu
Great with kids
Easy to train
Small
Summary
About West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier is a small, sturdy Scottish terrier with a harsh white coat that sheds lightly. Confident, vocal and independent yet affectionate, it suits city or country homes. Needs daily walks, mental stimulation, regular grooming and consistent, reward‑based 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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