Welsh Corgi vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Welsh Corgi vs Shih Tzu - Breed ComparisonShih Tzu is originated from China but Welsh Corgi is originated from United Kingdom. Both Shih Tzu and Welsh Corgi are having almost same height. Shih Tzu may weigh 8 kg / 17 pounds lesser than Welsh Corgi. Both Shih Tzu and Welsh Corgi has almost same life span. Both Shih Tzu and Welsh Corgi has same litter size. Both Shih Tzu and Welsh Corgi requires High Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Herding dogs
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China
United Kingdom
Height Male:
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
22 - 30 cm
8 - 12 inches
Height Female:
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 7 kg
8 - 16 pounds
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
8 - 13 kg
17 - 29 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 18 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Toy
Small
Other Names:
Chinese Lion Dog Chrysanthemum Dog,, Lion Dog
CWC, PWC, Pembroke, Cardigan
Colors Available:
all often multiple colored
Pem is tricolor, red and white, fawn and white
Coat:
fine, straight, and silky
Double, water resistent undercoat and thick outcoat
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
High Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

shih tzuThe Shih Tzu is an Imperial Chinese breed developed by palace breeders hundreds of years ago with breed stock from the Tibetan lines. It is quite probable that the Shih Tzu was originally a cross between two Sino-Tibetan ancient dogs – the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. Based on their looks, the Shih Tzu means the lion dog, but they were really very pampered palace dogs living with the Chinese emperors and families. The emperors were always gifting the breeders who developed the most affectionate, gentle and beautiful Shih Tzus.

Until the 1930’s the Shih Tzu was not known to the world outside the emperor’s palace. Once the breed did come out from behind the palace walls, they were immediately popular. Much debate went on about how to refine the breed as clubs began to spring up in Peking and then in England. It was not until 1969 the Shih Tzu was recognized and entered in the AKC Stud Book.

While the original Shih Tzu might have been a mix between the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso, today’s breed spread around the world after the second world war. In Europe in the 1930’s the breed was classified as Apsos. In 1935 the first Shih Tzu Club of Europe was formed, and the first standard was written, and the breed was categorized as the Shih Tzu.

Following World War II, soldiers brought the dogs to the States from Europe. By the 1950’s the breed was growing in popularity and the AKC recognized the breed in 1969 as members of the Toy Group. They are now recognized by all major kennel clubs throughout the western world. They are recognized by the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale in the Companion and Toy Group, among Tibetan breeds.

The Shih Tzu is a good watchdog, but it was bred to be a companion animal. It is a friendly, open breed that welcomes strangers. They are great with other animals and children as well as adults.

welsh corgiThe Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi were once considered to be two types of the same breed. Today they are recognized as very different breeds, but cousins of sorts.. They are alike in many ways and very different in others. The general information in terms of height and weight above applies to the more popular and better known Pembroke Welsh Corgi, developed as a herding dog from the spitz line in Pembroke shire, Wales. The Pembroke is famous for being the breed favored since childhood by Queen Elizabeth, the current queen of England. It’s believed that the Pembroke came to the country around the 10th century with Flemish weavers. The Cardigan is thought to have come with the Norse people and be a relative of the Sedish Vallhund.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi, also a herding dog has their ancestry in ancient Celtic dogs. They are older than the Pembroke and hail from Cardiganshire, Wales.

Both breeds are friendly, smart and independent. Both dogs herd cattle and sheep. About the end of the 19th century, farmers in Cardiganshire began to raising sheep rather than cattle. The corgis were herding dogs for cattle. “Heelers” who avoid the cattle kicking them by nipping at the cattle’s heel. Pembrokeshore and Cardiganshire are counties in South West Wales that adjoin each other.

Then the move was made from cattle to sheep in Cardiganshire they bred their corgis with the Welsh Sheepdog where the merle color is said to come from, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. This caused the similarities between the two dwarf breeds. At the same time the distance grew between the two breeds and they grew into very distinct and different looking dogs. There are also some differences in their personalities.

The first corgi to appear at Crufts came in 1927 and in 1928 a Pembroke won a championship at Cardiff for the first ever corgi win. It was not until 1934 that the kennel club recognized them as separate breeds rather than a Pembroke shire type and a Cardiganshire type. From this point on the two are separate breeds with tremendous similarities. A Pem won the Reserve Best in Show at Crufts in 1955.

The first corgi came to the United States in 1933 by a breeder of Old English Sheepdogs. In 1934 the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized Corgis as one breed with 2 types. The Pembroke has always been the more popular of the two.

Description

shih tzu puppy - descriptionThis is a breed of lively, sturdy and alert little dogs with a beautiful double coat that is flowing and long. In its full glory the Shih Tzu coat is touching the floor all the way around the dog. The dog’s bearing is as royal as its history, arrogantly carrying his head high and his tail curving over his back.

The Shih Tzu is a solid, compact breed with weight and substance. They may be a small dog, but they are a strong one. They have large dark eyes with a short muzzle and fur covered drop ears. They are just a little longer than they are tall with a distinct underbite.

There are a few differences between the European or UK Kennel Club standard and the American Kennel Club AKC standard. As opposed to the UK standard the AKC standard states that:

  • The head is round and large, and the face looks up or forward.

• The hindquarters are muscular while the front are straight. They are balanced in that they are not too long or too short.

  • The eyes face the front and are very large.
  • The bod and neck are proportional and not exaggerated.
  • The shoulders are frontal.

welsh corgi puppy - descriptionThey used to differentiate between the Cardigan and the Pembroke by saying the Cardigan was the one with the bigger ears and the Pembroke had no tail. In many parts of the world where tail docking has been banned, most Pembrokes now have tails. Only those born without don’t have them. Both dogs are long and low to the ground with big chests and short legs. This is because they are dwarfs. They are not little dogs.

Cardigan

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is heavier boned than the Pembroke, has large rounded ears and a flowing, fox like tail. The Cardigan comes in a variety of colors but never predominately white. He is double coated with a dense, harsh outer and a soft, short and thick undercoat.

Pembroke

Pembroke is smaller and longer than the Cardigan with pointed ears. They are intelligent, sturdy and strong with tremendous stamina. The tail is docked in the United States or the pups are bred not to have a tail. This was originally so that the cattle could not step on their tails and injure the dogs. The double coat on the Pembroke is short and weather resistant inner coat with a longer and rougher outercoat. He has the same deep dropped chest as the Cardigan. Both corgis shed voraciously.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness – they are very good with children.

shih tzu dog - characteristics2.Special talents – they were bred to be companion animals. They are friendly and loyal.

3.Adaptability Yes very much so. They can live in an apartment or on a farm. It doesn’t matter and they don’t need a yard.

4.Learning ability – intelligent but can be stubborn.

Characteristics

welsh corgi dog - characteristics1Children friendliness For the most part they are good but can be grumpy and bossy. They are bossy personalities

2.Special talents – heelers, will herd anything, he needs a job

3.Adaptability – Very. Can live anywhere but they do need to run and they bark a lot.

4.Learning ability – incredibly smart but stubborn. Respond well to training that is reward based.

Health Problems

shih tzu puppies - health problemsFor many breeds that have the advantage of isolation like the Shih Tzu did with the emperors of China usually have very little genetic health issues. Most of the breed is indeed healthy but there are some issues.

• Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome due to the shape of their face and head causes them to have breathing issues. They cannot handle heat and they cannot swim. They can have an upper airway obstruction that makes it hard for them to breath. If this is bad enough, surgery may be required.

  • Hip Dysplasia and patellar luxation can both lead to lameness or arthritis.

• Hypothyroidism – thyroid does not produce the hormones necessary for metabolism to work effectively. This can lead to weight gain, hair loss, lethargy and muscle loss. It can be treated effectively.

• Issues of the eyes include – cataracts, corneal dryness and inflammation, progressive retinal atrophy, improperly closing eyelids and retinal detachment.

  • Portosystemic shunt of the liver.
  • Intervertebral disk disease – severe back pain.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Ear infections.
  • Immune mediated hemolytic anemia can be fatal.

Health Problems

The two breeds have many of the same health issues with the primary issue being

welsh corgi puppies - health problems• Degenerative Myelopathy – a muscular neurological disease very similar to Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS. It is always fatal.

  • Cancer is prevalent in both breeds.
  • Most corgis die of old age.
  • Kidney Failure
  • More Pems have eye issues than the Cardis do.

• Some have cardiac issues while others may have hip dysplasia or Von Willebrand’s disease.

Caring The Pet

shih tzu dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – this is a toy dog so don’t overfeed. They have a tendency to become obese. Calorie and weight level need to be calculated with any diet you feed. The diet should be high quality with plenty of protein made for toy dogs. Feed the puppy at least 3 times a day, maybe four in very small amounts, never more than ½ cup per day.

2.Feeding the adult - this is a toy dog so don’t overfeed. They have a tendency to become obese. Calorie and weight level need to be calculated with any diet you feed. The diet should be high quality with plenty of protein made for toy dogs. Feed the adult once or twice a day in larger amounts than the puppy but never more than ¾ of a cup per day.

3.Points for Good Health - most Shih Tzu’s are hardy with exceptionally good health.

4. Games and Exercises

This is a pampered, not high energy dog. However, she still needs playtime, which can be indoors and short walks outdoors every day.

welsh corgi dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy prone to overweight, the pem needs ½ to 1 cup of small breed high quality food in 3-4 meals per day. The Cardigan needs ¾ to 1 ¼ cups of high quality small breed food in 3-4 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed them. The Pem need 1 cup per day of high quality small breed food in 2 meals per day. The Cardigan needs 1-1 ½ cups per day in one to two meals.

3.Points for Good Health stamina, longevity

4. Games and Exercises

They are fast, athletic dogs. Agility, CAT, Barnhunt. Herding trials, flyball and they just love backyard ball fetching. Confirmation and obedience, along with rally.

Comparison with other breeds

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  7. Shih Tzu vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Shih Tzu vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Shih Tzu vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Shih Tzu vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Shih Tzu vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  26. Welsh Corgi vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Welsh Corgi vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Welsh Corgi vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Welsh Corgi vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Welsh Corgi vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Welsh Corgi vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Welsh Corgi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Welsh Corgi vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Welsh Corgi vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Welsh Corgi vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Welsh Corgi vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Welsh Corgi vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Welsh Corgi vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Welsh Corgi vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Welsh Corgi vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Welsh Corgi vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Welsh Corgi vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Welsh Corgi vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Welsh Corgi vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Welsh Corgi vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Welsh Corgi vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Corgi vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Welsh Corgi vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Welsh Corgi vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Welsh Corgi vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison