While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Shih Tzus are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Unfortunately, the Rafeiro Do Alentejo is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Active
Friendly
Happy
Lively
Playful
Courageous
Gentle
Intelligent
Outgoing

Calm
Protective
Sober
Independent
Selfish
Confidence
Territorial

Shih Tzus shed very little hair, making them a great choice for those who dislike excess hair in the house.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are moderate shedders, but regular brushing can reduce shedding and maintain coat health.

Shih Tzus are decent watchdogs - they'll alert their owner if something seems amiss.

Choose a Rafeiro Do Alentejo if you want a top-notch watchdog. This breed takes guarding seriously, and may not require much training, though obedience or guard dog training can improve their skills.

Tibet
China

Portugal

Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Tibetan Mountain Dog

Mastiff-Type

Ancient Times

Unknown

Toy (AKC:1969)
Companion Dog (UKC)

Guardian Dog (UKC)

Brown

Brown

Black
Brown

Black

Black
Gray
Brown
Red
Silver
White
Brindle

Pied
Brindle
Fawn
Gray
Black

Shih Tzus are known for their coat length.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos have medium-length coats.

A Shih Tzu can have a litter of 10-16 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

A Rafeiro Do Alentejo can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Shih Tzus are highly adaptable and versatile, making them excellent companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos have average adaptability to changes in lifestyle and living environments compared to other breeds.

While the Shih Tzu breed is generally healthy, occasional vet check-ups are still necessary to address any health concerns.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are susceptible to health issues like all breeds, so it's important to monitor their health and seek veterinary care when needed.

Intervertebral Disc Disease
Eye Problems
Brachycephalic Syndrome

Usually Very Healthy

Otitis Externa
Urolithiasis
Eye Disease
Cleft Lip or Palate

Hip Dysplasia

Eye
Blood And Urine Protein Screens
Skeletal
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

X-Rays
General Physical Examination
OFA on hips and elbows

Shih Tzu minimally drools, ideal for those who dislike drool marks on clothing.

Rafeiro Do Alentejo is an average drooler, monitor for excessive drooling which may indicate health issues.

Shih Tzu dogs bark and howl frequently and are not recommended for quiet homes.

Rafeiro Do Alentejo dogs are generally less vocal than other breeds and only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or communicate.

Shih Tzu dogs have a strong protective nature and territorial instinct. They are highly vigilant and will fiercely defend their home and family.

Rafeiro Do Alentejo dogs are highly protective and make excellent guard dogs due to their strong instinct to defend their territory and owners, and their high level of vigilance.

Walk, Bike ride, Brushing, Running, Sleeping, Resting, Short walks, Play, Play with lea, Sniffing, Dog Parks, Go to Park, Being pet, Sit, Eating Snacks, Fetch, Walking, Snuggling, Run, Treats, Petting, Scenting, Marking, Runnig, Watching tv, Playing, Cuddling, Trick training, Shopping, Training

Hug, Walk, Run, Chase, Fetch, Tug-of-war

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Shih Tzu, it's at least 6 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Rafeiro Do Alentejo, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Shih Tzus usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

In general most Rafeiro Do Alentejos usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Shih Tzus have high grooming needs, requiring regular trims and professional grooming assistance to keep their coat healthy.

The Rafeiro Do Alentejo has low grooming needs and is easy to maintain.

Ideally, Shih Tzu should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Rafeiro Do Alentejo should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Comb
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

For an average 9-16 pound (4 - 7 kg) Shih Tzu feed 1 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

For an average 88-110 pound (40 - 50 kg) Rafeiro Do Alentejo feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of a Shih Tzu is somewhere $1.10 - $1.40 per day.

The average cost of a Rafeiro Do Alentejo is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

The average per month expenses of a Shih Tzu is between $28 - $42. This makes an average of $336 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The average per month expenses of a Rafeiro Do Alentejo is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Shih Tzu is an independent and stubborn breed with low obedience intelligence, making training a test of patience.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are average in obedience intelligence but have a high IQ and may cause trouble if left unsupervised.

Shih Tzus have average emotions and adapt well to different situations.

This breed is sensitive to its environment and best suited for patient and understanding families with a consistent routine.

Shih Tzus make excellent apartment dogs, being fairly active indoors and not requiring a yard.

The Rafeiro Do Alentejo is not suitable for apartments and requires a large yard to thrive. Pent-up energy in small spaces can lead to destructive behavior.

Shih Tzus are not the best choice for families with kids.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are good with kids if socialized and trained from a young age.

Shih Tzus are very friendly with cats and make great companions for them.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are somewhat cat friendly and can be trained to get along with cats.

Shih Tzus are generally very friendly towards other dogs, with a happy and affectionate temperament.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are less friendly towards other dogs, but can improve with socialization.

Shih Tzus are averagely friendly around strangers but benefit from early socialisation.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are not very stranger friendly.

Shih Tzus are not known for being a highly playful breed.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos are not very fond of playing and prefer other activities.

Shih Tzus are usually easy to train but require consistency to fully obey commands.

Rafeiro Do Alentejos can be difficult to train and require consistent and patient training.