Breed comparison
Barbet vs Shih Tzu
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Barbet
4Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
5Good with other dogs5
3Openness to strangers3
3Playfulness3
3Energy level3
4Trainability4
3Mental stimulation needs3
3Adaptability5
3Watchdog / protective3
3Barking3
1Shedding1
3Coat grooming4
1Drooling1
The biggest differences
- Adaptability: the Shih Tzu scores 5 out of 5, the Barbet 3.
They score the same on good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, playfulness, energy level, trainability.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Barbet if its looks and size suit you better, since the ratings are close. Pick the Shih Tzu if you live in a smaller home or move often.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.