Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Comparison - Dog breed selector: Decker Giant or Chrysanthemum Dog or Hush Puppy? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound" Compare Rat Terrier and Shih Tzu. Which is better: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Rat Terrier	Shih Tzu	Basset Hound
Origins	United States	China	France
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Hunting Dogs	Companion Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	97	20	39
Reviews	2	16	4
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Decker Giant Rat Rattie Ratting Terrier American Rat Terrier	Chrysanthemum Dog Chinese Lion Dog	Hush Puppy Basset
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Which is the smallest dog, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Small	Small	Medium
Weight Which is heavier, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound weight comparison:	Standard: 12-35 pounds (5.5-16 kg)	9–16 pounds (4-7 kg)	Male: 50-65 pounds (23-29 kg), Female: 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Standard: 23.5 pounds (5.10.5 kg)	9–16 pounds (5.5 kg)	Male: 57.5 pounds (26 kg), Female: 52.5 pounds (23.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound height comparison:	Standard: 14-23 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	8-11 inches (20-28 cm)	Male: 12-15 inches (30-38 cm), Female: 11-14 inches (28-36 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Standard: 18.5 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	9.5 inches (24 cm)	Male: 13.5 inches (34 cm), Female: 12.5 inches (32 cm)

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Which is more expensive?	$300-$500	$800-$1200	$300-$500
Availability Which is easier to get, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Very frequent: The Rat Terrier is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Shih Tzu is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Basset Hound is quite easy to get.

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound intelligence:	Smart: The Rat Terrier dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Low: The Shih Tzu is one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. See more.	Low: The Basset Hound is one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound trainability comparison.	Rat Terrier dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	Basset Hound dogs are quite easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Rat Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Basset Hound dogs are not the best choice if you want a good watchdog. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Rat Terrier dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.	Basset Hound dogs can't provide protection for their territory. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound behavior/temperament comparison:	Loving Alert Affectionate Lively Inquisitive	Active Playful Happy Courageous Intelligent Friendly Outgoing Lively Gentle	Friendly Affectionate Devoted Gentle Tempered Sweet Tenacious
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound?	High: Rat Terrier dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Shih Tzu dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Basset Hound dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound social needs comparison:	Rat Terrier dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Basset Hound dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	The wanderlust potential of the Rat Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	Basset Hound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Rat Terrier dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Basset Hound dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound playfulness comparison:	Average: Rat Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Shih Tzus are not the most playful dog breed. See more.	Basset Hounds are not the most playful dog breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound?	Average: The Rat Terrier barks occasionally. See more.	A lot: Shih Tzu is a particularly loud breed. See more.	Average: The Basset Hound barks occasionally. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Very house-friendly dog the Rat Terrier breed.	Very house-friendly dog the Shih Tzu breed.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Basset Hound breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Rat Terrier dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Shih Tzu dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Basset Hound dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Rat Terrier dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Shih Tzu dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Rat Terrier bite force: Weak.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Shih Tzu bite force: Weak.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Basset Hound bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Rat Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Shih Tzu has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Basset Hound has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound mouthiness comparison:	Rat Terrier dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Basset Hound dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound health comparison. Which is the healthier: Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound?	The Rat Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Shih Tzu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Basset Hound is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation Eye Problems Heart Problems	Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Umbilical Hernias Ear Infections Distichiasis Portosystemic Liver Shunt Bladder Stones Ectopic Cilia Reverse Sneezing Dry Eye Proptosis Juvenile Renal Dysplasia Keratitis Retained Baby Teeth Snuffles	Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Allergies Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Entropion Ear Infections Intervertebral Disk Disease Cherry Eye Ectropion Obesity Glaucoma Panosteitis Thrombopathia
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Rat Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Shih Tzu should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Basset Hound should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound lifespan comparison. How long do Rat Terrier, Shih Tzu and Basset Hound breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	14-18 years The average lifespan of Rat Terrier: 16 years	10-16 years The average lifespan of Shih Tzu: 13 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Basset Hound: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound?	Prefers warm weather Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound energy level comparison:	Rat Terrier dogs are high-energy dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.	Basset Hound dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Rat Terrier dogs have an average exercise need.	Shih Tzu dogs exercise need is minimal.	Basset Hound dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Rat Terrier dogs don't need too much sleep.	Shih Tzu dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.	Basset Hound dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	No data available	Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day.	1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Rat Terrier has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Shih Tzu's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	High: The Basset Hound breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound coat comparison:	Dense Shiny	Dense	Dense
Colors What are the original Rat Terrier, Shih Tzu and Basset Hound color?	Black Tan Blue White Brown Tricolor	Black Red Blue Silver Brindle Liver Gold	Black Gray Tan Red White Brown Tricolor
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Rat Terrier requires minimal grooming. See more.	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.	Easy to groom: The Basset Hound doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or {name3 shedding:	Rat Terrier dogs shed above average. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs shed none to minimal. See more.	Basset Hound dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	Yes See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound?	Medium ⏺ The Rat Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Shih Tzu has a low chance of bad smell.	High 🔼 The Basset Hound has a high chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Rat Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Shih Tzu is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Basset Hound drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. See more.

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Rat Terrier dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Shih Tzu dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.	Basset Hound dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Which dog is more friendly?	Rat Terrier dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	Basset Hound dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Rat Terrier dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs.	Basset Hound dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Rat Terrier dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.	Basset Hound dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound?	Rat Terrier dogs are dog-friendly dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Basset Hound dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound?	Yes Rat Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Shih Tzu dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Basset Hound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Rat Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Shih Tzu is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Basset Hound is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Rat Terriers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Shih Tzus are not the best breed for elderly people.	Basset Hounds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Rat Terrier or Shih Tzu or Basset Hound? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound?	Not really Rat Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Shih Tzu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Basset Hound breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Rat Terrier and Shih Tzu and Basset Hound have?	5-7 puppies	2-5 puppies	6-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Rat Terrier vs Shih Tzu vs Basset Hound Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 as a Toy breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Hound breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Tibetan breeds section.	Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Scent hounds section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club

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