Both dog breeds are very similar. Both in size, weight and character, the Shih Tzu and the Bolonka Zwetna are lovely dogs.
As for the differences in temperament, it all depends on the dog’s personality. Both breeds like to be with you, but have few demands.
Exercise is also not rated so highly, only learning new commands can be a little more difficult with the Shih Tzu, due to his stubbornness.
When deciding whether to get a Shih Tzu or a Bolonka Zwetna, we can help you make the right choice.
Here you can find out the basic differences and what you should look out for in each breed.
The Shih Tzu as a companion and companionship dog
Typical breed characteristics
- Character: friendly, outgoing, affectionate, cuddly
- Size 20 to 27 cm
- Weight approx. 4 to 7 kg
- Colours Black, white, blue, gold, dark or light brown, liver
- Life expectancy up to 16 years
A small bundle of energy with charm.
Shih Tzu – origin and ancestry
In the Chinese Empire, the Shih Tzu was already a popular companion dog in the palace. The breed probably originated in Tibet as early as the 7th century.
In the Chinese language, Shih Tzu means “lion dog”, which causes a little confusion, as lion dogs are actually Pekinese.
Nowadays, these dogs are also very popular outside Asia, and well-known personalities keep such a little Tibetan heartbreaker.
The appearance of the Shih Tzu
After only 10 months, the Shih Tzu is almost fully grown. The Shih Tzu has a very long and smooth coat, which is composed of top coat and undercoat.
They come in a variety of colours, with both pied and solid colours being common. Shih Tzus have a long life expectancy and can live up to 16 years.
His height at the withers can be up to 27 centimetres, although bitches are often smaller. Its weight is 5 kilograms and should not exceed 8 kilograms.
Nature and Character of the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is always friendly to his people and is an open-minded, clever dog. With his good mood he always tries to please you. At the same time, he can be a bit stubborn.
He likes to be the centre of attention and often appears a little arrogant.
The breed gets along well with people of all ages and is also rather uncomplicated when living together with other dogs or pets.
The Shih Tzu is especially popular with children, as he is affectionate and cuddly. He likes to sit on your lap and be cuddled. With his charming nature, he also demands his cuddles from visitors and quickly becomes everyone’s favourite.
Exercise is not his strong point, he does not need to get much exercise.
Health and Care of the Shih Tzu
Due to its length, the coat of this breed requires a lot of care. Some dogs need to have their coat trimmed regularly to prevent it from dragging on the ground.
If you want your dog to keep his long coat, you will have a lot of work to do with it. Daily brushing and combing is necessary to keep the coat from matting.
Care must also be taken with the eyes so that the hair that grows down does not necessarily fall into the eyes.
Of course, you can also go to a groomer who can help you with the grooming. A Shih Tzu can also be sheared, but the coat still needs care.
Who does a Shih Tzu suit?
With its lovable nature, the Shih Tzu is also a good beginner’s dog if you prepare for it properly.
If you give the Shih Tzu a lot of attention, you will have a good friend at your side for many years.
His attitude is rather uncomplicated, but he will get fat quickly if he gets too many rewards from you. He is also suitable for indoor use, although he will be happy to do a bit of head work.
The Bolonka Zwetna – a social and companion dog
Typical breed characteristics
- Character: affectionate, balanced
- Size 20 to max. 26 cm
- Weight approx. 3 to 4 kg
- Colours Black, white, blue, gold, dark or light brown, liver
- Life expectancy up to 16 years
Bolonka Zwetna – origin and ancestry
This dog breed originates from Russia and for a long time was only kept and bred there. It originated from crosses between Shih Tzu, Pekinese, Bolognese and Lhasa Apsos.
The interest in these small dogs increased steadily and now they can be found all over the world.
The appearance of the Bolonka Zwetna
He has long, dense and glossy coat with waves or curls and dense undercoat. Any coat colour is permitted, except pied or white. Small white markings on the chest or feet are tolerated.
The luxuriant coat and the striking colours make the Bolonka Zwetna an elegant appearance.
The height at the withers is between 20 and a maximum of 26 centimetres and he weighs 3 to 4 kilograms. With good care, the Bolonka Zwetna has a life expectancy of up to 15 years.
Nature and character of the Bolonka Zwetna
This cute fuzzy dog has a good-natured and balanced nature. He is very affectionate and would like to be near you all day long to cuddle and play with you.
As he does not like to be alone, you should be able to spend a lot of time with your little friend. Nevertheless, he likes to adapt to the circumstances. He gets along well with children and strangers and is neither aggressive nor a constant yapper.
Therefore, this dog is also ideally suited for beginners.
This breed is very active and full of energy. Although they want to be with you for a long time, they still have enough stamina to romp with you on the walk.
You can also teach the Bolonka new commands, they will be happy to join in as long as they can be with you.
Health and care of the Bolonka Zwetna
Despite its length, its coat is quite easy to care for. As this dog breed does not shed, it is also well suited to allergy sufferers and does not leave fur in the home.
Nevertheless, his coat should be brushed and combed daily. This is to avoid matting, which can occur in Bolonkas if they are not brushed thoroughly.
You should also check and clean his ears, claws and eyes regularly. The teeth of this breed need special attention as they are often affected by tartar.
You should have this checked by a vet at regular intervals. Hair around the eyes must be removed as it can cause irritation or inflammation.
As the Bolonka tends to be overweight due to its size, it can be helpful to feed it many small portions throughout the day, and especially when giving it treats, to make sure it has healthy snacks.
What kind of people does a Bolonka Zwetna suit?
The Bolonka Zwetna does not need much space and can therefore be kept in a small flat if you give him plenty of exercise and play time every day.
He is a fantastic family dog and gets along very well with children. Nevertheless, he needs consistent leadership and training from you, but this is not a problem with this breed.
You will have a great companion by your side for many years if you give him the necessary attention and care.
Shih Tzu and Bolonka Zwetna – The direct differences in temperament
Both dog breeds are very similar. Both in size, weight and character, the Shih Tzu and the Bolonka Zwetna are lovely dogs.
As for the differences in temperament, it all depends on the dog’s personality. Both breeds like to be with you, but have few demands.
Exercise is also not rated so highly, only learning new commands can be a little more difficult with the Shih Tzu, due to his stubbornness.
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Conclusion on two sweet dog breeds
Whether Bolonka or Shih Tzu, you have to listen to your heart as to which dog you prefer.
Both dogs are sweet and don’t need much exercise.
But no matter which dog breed you choose, they are happy when you take care of them.
