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Choose two breeds. You’ll see the same strip of citeable traits — not a winner, and not kids / apartment / shedding scorecards.
Temperament lines are short plate excerpts, not a verdict. Open each plate for the full entry.
- AKC group
Toy
- Size
Toy
- Height
20–28 cm (AKC)
- Weight
4.1–7.3 kg (AKC)
- Energy
Moderate
- Energy notes
Moderate. The standards call the Shih Tzu lively, active and alert, but the AKC notes that as a house companion it needs only modest exercise: short daily walks and indoor play are enough for this small, short-legged dog.
- Trainability
Moderate
- Coat
The coat is luxurious, dense, long and flowing, with a long outer coat over a moderate undercoat; a slight wave is allowed, but it should never be curly or woolly.
- Origin
Tibet / China
- Temperament
Bred purely as a companion, the Shih Tzu should be outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting toward everyone, says the AKC standard, with a warm, sweet, wide-eyed expression. The FCI and Kennel Club describe it as intelligent, active and alert, friendly and independent.
- AKC group
Toy
- Size
Toy
- Height
21.5–29 cm (AKC)
- Weight
~3.2–5.9 kg (AKC profile)
- Energy
Moderate
- Energy notes
Moderate. The AKC says the Havanese has moderate exercise needs: a brisk daily walk or playtime with its owner, or even romping indoors, is enough.
- Trainability
High
- Coat
The coat is long, abundant and wavy, silky to the touch and light in texture, standing slightly off the body but flowing with movement.
- Origin
Cuba
- Temperament
The AKC standard describes a friendly, playful, alert and intelligent dog with a sweet, non-quarrelsome disposition. The FCI calls it exceptionally bright, affectionate and happy, 'a charmer, playful and even a bit of a clown', and says it loves children and plays with them endlessly.
