Although both Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu are small, long-haired dogs, they are not identical. For instance, a Lhasa Apso’s nose is longer, the skull is narrower, and the almond-shaped eyes are smaller.

Although their exact origins are uncertain, it is believed that the Shih Tzu descends from a mix between the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), these dogs were ...