The Havanese earned its keep in 18th-century Cuba as a performing dog — traveling circuses prized these small, agile dogs for their trainability and natural showmanship. The breed nearly vanished after the 1959 Cuban Revolution, surviving primarily through a handful of dogs brought to the United States by fleeing families. The Shih Tzu has an older and more privileged resume: bred within the imperial Chinese court, likely from crosses between Lhasa Apsos and Pekingese, these dogs lived in palaces for centuries. Ancient records suggest they were gifts between Chinese emperors and Tibetan monks as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE).
Both ended up in the same niche — small companion dogs bred to live closely with people. But a circus performer and a palace lapdog develop different instincts, and those differences shape what each breed is like to live with.
Size and Build
| Trait | Havanese | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 23-27 cm | 20-28 cm |
| Weight | 3.5-6.5 kg | 4-7.3 kg |
| Build | Slightly longer than tall, springy gait | Compact, solid, slightly longer than tall |
| Muzzle | Moderate length | Short (brachycephalic) |
The muzzle difference matters more than it appears. Shih Tzus have a shortened face that creates breathing limitations in hot weather and during intense exercise. Havanese have a moderate muzzle that allows more efficient breathing — not a flat-faced breed, despite the small size.
Temperament
Havanese are velcro dogs with a performance streak. They follow their person from room to room, they learn tricks with unusual speed for a companion breed, and they genuinely seem to enjoy making people laugh. Separation anxiety is the breed's behavioral Achilles heel — leaving a Havanese alone for extended periods reliably produces barking, destructive behavior, or house-training regression.
Shih Tzus are affectionate but carry a quiet independence. They enjoy laps and proximity, but they don't need constant interaction to feel secure. A Shih Tzu can settle on a cushion across the room and be perfectly content as long as you're in the general vicinity. That palace breeding shows — there's a composed, almost regal quality to how Shih Tzus carry themselves that the Havanese's bouncy energy doesn't share.
With strangers, Havanese are typically friendly and curious. Shih Tzus can be reserved initially, warming up on their own schedule. Neither breed shows meaningful aggression — both were developed for companionship, not guarding.
Grooming
Both breeds have long, silky coats that demand serious maintenance. This is the single biggest commitment with either breed, and underestimating it is the most common mistake new owners make.
Havanese coats range from silky straight to wavy. They don't shed much, but the hair tangles readily. Daily brushing prevents mats, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the collar area. Many owners opt for a shorter "puppy cut" to reduce daily brushing to a few minutes rather than twenty.
Shih Tzu coats are dense and double-layered. The full show coat that drags the floor requires daily brushing and regular topknot management. Most pet owners keep Shih Tzus in a shorter clip, which reduces — but doesn't eliminate — the grooming obligation. Even clipped, the coat grows continuously and needs professional trimming every four to six weeks.
Both breeds need regular attention to the face. Havanese can develop tear staining. Shih Tzus accumulate debris in the facial folds and around the eyes, requiring daily cleaning to prevent irritation and infection.
Health Concerns
Havanese face patellar luxation, hip dysplasia (unusual for their size, but documented in the breed), cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt) appears at higher rates in Havanese than in many other toy breeds. Heart murmurs develop with age. Average lifespan: 13 to 16 years.
Shih Tzus deal with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome to varying degrees, intervertebral disc disease, eye problems (proptosis, corneal ulcers — those prominent eyes are vulnerable), renal dysplasia, and patellar luxation. The shortened face also makes dental crowding worse, accelerating periodontal disease. Average lifespan: 10 to 16 years, with most landing in the 12 to 14 range.
The Havanese's longer muzzle gives it an advantage in respiratory health and heat tolerance. Shih Tzus struggle more in hot, humid conditions — something to weigh seriously if you live in a warm climate.
Exercise Needs
Havanese need 30 to 45 minutes of daily activity. They're surprisingly athletic for a toy breed — agility courses, trick training, and spirited games of fetch all suit them. Their circus heritage shows in how quickly they learn complex sequences.
Shih Tzus need 20 to 30 minutes. Short walks and indoor play satisfy most individuals. They're content with lower-intensity activities and don't demand the mental stimulation that Havanese do. That said, Shih Tzus that get no exercise at all become overweight quickly — their love of lounging doesn't mean they can skip movement entirely.
Living Situation
Both breeds are ideal for apartments. Low exercise demands, small size, and moderate noise levels (neither is a heavy barker, though Havanese vocalize more than Shih Tzus) make them compatible with shared-wall living.
Both handle multi-pet households well. Both are reasonable for families with older children who understand gentle handling. Neither is a strong candidate for homes with toddlers — the size difference between a 5 kg dog and a 15 kg child creates injury risk.
Who's the Right Fit
Choose the Havanese if you're home frequently, enjoy training sessions, want a responsive and playful small dog, and don't mind a breed that genuinely cannot tolerate being left alone for long stretches. The Havanese rewards engagement.
Choose the Shih Tzu if you prefer a calmer companion, want a dog that's content with moderate attention, and can commit to facial cleaning and coat maintenance. The Shih Tzu rewards quiet companionship.
Both are exceptional companion breeds. The difference is energy level and independence — the Havanese wants to perform for you, the Shih Tzu wants to sit with you. For more side-by-side breed breakdowns, visit our dog breed comparisons guide. For dedicated profiles, the Havanese complete breed guide covers the breed's Cuban origins and near-extinction, while the Shih Tzu complete breed guide details its imperial Chinese court heritage spanning over a thousand years.