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Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Comparison - Dog breed selector: Chrysanthemum Dog or Cao De Agua or American Hairless Terrier? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier" Compare Shih Tzu and Portuguese Water Dog. Which is better: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
 
 
 
Name Shih Tzu Portuguese Water Dog American Hairless Terrier
OriginsChina flagChina Portugal flagPortugal United States flagUnited States
Group Companion Dogs Working Dogs Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank2054126
Reviews1651
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Chrysanthemum Dog
Chinese Lion Dog
Cao De Agua
Portie
Water Dog
No data available
Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier breed type comparison:
Purebred Purebred Purebred

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Size and Weight Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Which is the smallest dog, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Small Medium Small
Weight
Which is heavier, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or Portuguese Water Dog? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier weight comparison:
9–16 pounds (4-7 kg) Male: 42-55 pounds (19-25 kg), Female: 35-49 pounds (16-22 kg) 5-16 pounds (2.5-7 kg)
Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?
9–16 pounds (5.5 kg) Male: 48.5 pounds (22 kg), Female: 42 pounds (19 kg) 10.5 pounds (2.6 kg)
Height
Which is taller, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier height comparison:
8-11 inches (20-28 cm) Male: 20-22 inches (50-57 cm), Female: 17-20 inches (43-52 cm) 7-16 inches (18-41 cm)
Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?
9.5 inches (24 cm) Male: 21 inches (53.5 cm), Female: 18.5 inches (47.5 cm) 11.5 inches (29.5 cm)

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Price and Availability Comparison

Price
Which is cheaper, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Which is more expensive?
$800-$1200 $2500-$2800 $300-$500
Availability
Which is easier to get, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Very frequent: The Shih Tzu is quite easy to get.
Very frequent: The Portuguese Water Dog is quite easy to get.
Frequent: The American Hairless Terrier is easier than average to get.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank
Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier intelligence:
Low: The Shih Tzu is one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence.
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Smart: The Portuguese Water Dog dogs have great intelligence.
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Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it.
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Trainability
Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier trainability comparison.
Shih Tzu dogs are quite easy to train.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs are easy to train.
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American Hairless Terrier dogs are easy to train.
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Watchdog Ability
Which is the better watchdog: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Shih Tzu dogs are average watchdogs.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs are good watchdogs.
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American Hairless Terrier dogs are average watchdogs.
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Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?
Shih Tzu dogs strongly protect their territory.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs are average defenders.
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American Hairless Terrier dogs strongly protect their territory.
See more.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament
Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier behavior/temperament comparison:
Active
Playful
Happy
Courageous
Intelligent
Friendly
Outgoing
Lively
Gentle
Intelligent
Docile
Obedient
Brave
Impetuous
Quarrelsome
Playful
Loving
Alert
Intelligent
Lively
Inquisitive
Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?
Shih Tzu dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.
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They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
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They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
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Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier?
High: Shih Tzu dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
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High: Portuguese Water Dog dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
See more.
Average to High: American Hairless Terrier dogs are highly affectionate dogs.
See more.
Social Needs
Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier social needs comparison:
Shih Tzu dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs need a lot of social interaction.
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American Hairless Terrier dogs are a social breed.
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Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?
Shih Tzu dogs tend to escape less than other breeds.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs have average wanderlust potential.
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American Hairless Terrier dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.
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Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?
Shih Tzu dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.
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American Hairless Terrier dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something.
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Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness
Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier playfulness comparison:
Shih Tzus are not the most playful dog breed.
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The Portuguese Water Dog is a playful breed.
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The American Hairless Terrier is a highly playful breed.
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Barking
Which dog barks more/less: Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier?
A lot: Shih Tzu is a particularly loud breed.
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Low to Average: The Portuguese Water Dog rarely barks.
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Low to Average: The American Hairless Terrier rarely barks.
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Apartment Friendly
Which dog is more apartment friendly Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Very house-friendly dog the Shih Tzu breed.
Apartment-friendly dog the Portuguese Water Dog breed.
Apartment-friendly dog the American Hairless Terrier breed.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?
Shih Tzu dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Average: American Hairless Terrier dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
Which dog can be left alone: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Shih Tzu dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
American Hairless Terrier dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI
Which bite is stronger: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?

Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽

Shih Tzu bite force: Weak.

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Portuguese Water Dog bite force: Ordinary.

Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽

American Hairless Terrier bite force: Weak.
Biting Potential
Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:

Low 🔽

The Shih Tzu has a low chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Portuguese Water Dog has a low chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The American Hairless Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier mouthiness comparison:
Shih Tzu dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
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American Hairless Terrier dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
See more.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues
Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier?
The Shih Tzu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
The American Hairless Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier health problems comparison:
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
Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Entropion
Ectropion
Distichiasis
Persistent Pupillary Membranes
Addison's Disease
Megaesophagus
Irritable Bowel Disease (ibd)
Abnormally Small Eyes
GM-1 Storage Disease
Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Colitis
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Lymphangiectasia
No data available
Veterinarian Visits
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?
Average
The Shih Tzu should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Average
The Portuguese Water Dog should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Average
The American Hairless Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Life Expectancy
Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do Shih Tzu, Portuguese Water Dog and American Hairless Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?
10-16 years
The average lifespan of Shih Tzu: 13 years
10-14 years
The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dog: 12 years
14-16 years
The average lifespan of American Hairless Terrier: 15 years
Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier?
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 cold weather conditions
The Portuguese Water Dog can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
See more.
Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions.
See more.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level
Who has more energy a Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier energy level comparison:
Shih Tzu dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs are high-energy dogs.
American Hairless Terrier dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?
Shih Tzu dogs exercise need is minimal.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
American Hairless Terrier dogs exercise need is minimal.
Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Shih Tzu dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs don't need too much sleep.
American Hairless Terrier dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption
Which dog eats more: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day. 2 to 2.5 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier weight gain potential comparison:
Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Shih Tzu's weight, he can easily gain weight.
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Average: The Portuguese Water Dog has an average risk for obesity.
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Low to Average: The American Hairless Terrier has a low to the average risk for obesity.
See more.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat/fur do they have? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier coat comparison:
Dense Curly Hairless
Colors
What are the original Shih Tzu, Portuguese Water Dog and American Hairless Terrier color?
Black
Red
Blue
Silver
Brindle
Liver
Gold
Black
White
Brown
Black
White
Spotted
Speckled
Grooming
Which dog is easy to maintain, Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier grooming comparison:
Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition.
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Average: The Portuguese Water Dog requires average grooming effort.
See more.
Advanced: The American Hairless Terrier requires a lot of grooming.
See more.
Shedding Level
Who sheds more Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or {name3 shedding:
Shih Tzu dogs shed none to minimal.
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Portuguese Water Dog dogs shed none to minimal.
See more.
American Hairless Terrier dogs shed none to minimal.
See more.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
4-6 weeks
Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup.
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3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds.
See more.
1-2 weeks
Very frequent. This breed has famously high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 1-2 weeks.
See more.
Hypoallergenic
Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?
Yes See more. Yes See more. No See more.
Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier?

Low 🔽

The Shih Tzu has a low chance of bad smell.

Low 🔽

The Portuguese Water Dog has a low chance of bad smell.

Medium

The American Hairless Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency
Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?
The Shih Tzu is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
See more.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
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The American Hairless Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
See more.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?
Shih Tzu dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
American Hairless Terrier dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? Which dog is more friendly?
Shih Tzu dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
American Hairless Terrier dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Shih Tzu dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
American Hairless Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Shih Tzu dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
American Hairless Terrier dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier?
Shih Tzu dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Portuguese Water Dog dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
American Hairless Terrier dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier?
Yes
Shih Tzu dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
Portuguese Water Dog dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Yes
American Hairless Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office?
No
Shih Tzu is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
Portuguese Water Dog is not the best dog breed for office environment.
No
American Hairless Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people?
Shih Tzus are not the best breed for elderly people.
Portuguese Water Dogs are usually recommended for elderly people.
American Hairless Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier 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.
Therapy Dog
Which one could be a therapy dog: Shih Tzu or Portuguese Water Dog or American Hairless Terrier? 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.
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.

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog
Which one could be a boat dog: Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier?

Not really

Shih Tzu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
See more.

Yes

Portuguese Water Dog breed usually likes being on a boat.
See more.

Not really

American Hairless Terrier 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.

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier 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 Shih Tzu and Portuguese Water Dog and American Hairless Terrier have?
2-5 puppies 4-8 puppies 3-5 puppies

Shih Tzu vs Portuguese Water Dog vs American Hairless Terrier Recognition Comparison

AKC Group
Which dog is recognized by the AKC?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 as a Toy breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1983 as a Hound breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2016 as a Terrier breed.
FCI Group
Which dog is recognized by the FCI?
Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Tibetan breeds section. Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Water Dogs section. Not recognized by FCI.
Breed Recognition
What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?
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 Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Australian National Kennel Council
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The Kennel Club
No data available

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