Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu: What’s the Difference?

Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus are both ancient small breeds from Asia with a shared bloodline—but what are the differences between them? In this informational post, we compare the history, personality traits, activity level, and health of these two commonly confused breeds.

Breed History

The history of the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu goes way, way back. Back over a thousand years to Tibet, where Lhasa Apsos were guardians of the inner sanctuaries of Buddhist monasteries. Their service as alarm dogs to the monks, plus the Lhasa Apso’s lion-like appearance, explain the meaning behind their name of “bark lion sentinel dog.”