Quick answer
Boxer or Shih Tzu, which should I get?
Pick the Boxer if you want an athletic, kid-friendly dog and can commit to daily hard exercise. Pick the Shih Tzu if you want a low-energy companion that fits a small space and you don't mind regular grooming.
Are you torn between adopting a Boxer or a Shih Tzu? Each breed has unique traits that cater to different lifestyles. This guide compares the key differences so you can make an informed choice.
This comparison is perfect for anyone considering adding a dog to their family. Whether you're a busy family with kids, a first-time dog owner in an apartment, or someone looking for a loyal companion, understanding the differences between a Boxer and a Shih Tzu is essential. You might be wondering about energy levels, grooming needs, or how well each breed gets along with kids and other pets.
Choose a Boxer if you want an energetic, playful dog that thrives on activity; go for a Shih Tzu if you prefer a smaller, low-energy companion that’s well-suited for apartment living.
Pick a Boxer if your family enjoys outdoor activities and you can provide plenty of exercise and space for this large breed.
Opt for a Shih Tzu if you live in a smaller space, have a less active lifestyle, or seek a dog that requires minimal exercise and grooming.
| Feature | boxer | shih tzu | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | large | small | Equal |
| Weight | 60–70 lbs | 9–16 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 21–25 in | 8–11 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years | 10–16 years | shih tzu |
| Exercise need | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | shih tzu |
| Grooming need | Very low (1/5) | Very high (5/5) | boxer |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | Very low (1/5) | shih tzu |
| Energy level | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | shih tzu |
| Good for first-time owners | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | shih tzu |
| Tolerates being alone | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | boxer |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | boxer |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Friendly to strangers | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Cost level | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Short, smooth | Long, flowing, hypoallergenic | Equal |
| Origin | Germany | China | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$200 | $120–$250 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,500–$3,000 | $1,500–$3,000 | Equal |
A 65-pound Boxer and a 12-pound Shih Tzu are not really different sizes of the same idea, they're different appliances. The Boxer stands 21-25 inches at the shoulder and moves like an athlete; the Shih Tzu tops out around 11 inches and was bred to sit in a lap, not cover ground. If you want a dog you can carry through an airport in a bag, that's the Shih Tzu. If you want one that can keep pace on a bike, that's the Boxer.
The Boxer rates a full 5/5 on exercise need and 4/5 on energy, this is a dog that wants a real run, not a stroll around the block. The Shih Tzu sits at 2/5 on both counts and is genuinely content with a short walk and some indoor play. Match the dog to your actual weekly schedule here, because an under-exercised Boxer gets destructive, and an over-exercised Shih Tzu in summer heat is a real health risk given its short muzzle.
Reverse the pattern from exercise: the Boxer's short coat needs almost nothing (1/5 grooming) beyond an occasional wipe-down, though it still sheds a moderate amount (3/5). The Shih Tzu's long, flowing coat rates 5/5 on grooming need, regular brushing and professional trims are non-negotiable, but it barely sheds (1/5) and is often marketed as hypoallergenic. Budget grooming time and money very differently for each.
Apartment suitability splits sharply: the Shih Tzu rates 5/5, the Boxer just 2/5. Both bark at a moderate 3/5, so noise complaints aren't the deciding factor, space and exercise access are. A Boxer in a small unit needs daily off-property exercise to stay sane; a Shih Tzu can genuinely thrive in the same square footage without it.
The Boxer trains a bit more readily (4/5 vs 3/5), but the Shih Tzu is rated the friendlier option for first-time owners overall (4/5 vs 3/5), its lower exercise and space demands make daily life simpler even if it's slightly more stubborn in a training session. Neither breed punishes a rookie owner, but the Boxer asks more of your schedule.
Both dogs are solid with other dogs (4/5 each) and moderately friendly to strangers (3/5 each), so socialization needs look similar. Where they diverge is kids: the Boxer rates very high (5/5), the Shih Tzu high but a notch below (4/5), worth knowing if you have small children who might handle a toy-sized dog roughly.
Lifespan is the biggest number in this comparison: 7-10 years for the Boxer against 10-16 for the Shih Tzu, up to double. The Boxer's list leans cardiac and cancer-related (cardiomyopathy, ARVC, heart conditions, cancer), while the Shih Tzu's centers on its short face and small frame (BOAS, eye problems, patellar luxation). Both share hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and allergies, so those aren't a reason to pick one over the other.
Monthly costs run close, $100-200 for the Boxer, $120-250 for the Shih Tzu, with the Shih Tzu's grooming bills likely accounting for the higher end. First-year costs land in the same $1,500-3,000 band for both, and both carry a 4/5 overall cost rating. This is one comparison where the wallet isn't the deciding factor, lifestyle is.
A lot. Boxers run 60-70 pounds and 21-25 inches tall; Shih Tzus run 9-16 pounds and 8-11 inches. A Boxer can weigh six or seven times as much as a Shih Tzu.
The Shih Tzu, by a wide margin, it rates just 1/5 on shedding against the Boxer's 3/5. Its long coat needs constant brushing to stay tangle-free, but what comes out mostly stays in the brush rather than on your couch.
The Shih Tzu edges it out, rated 4/5 for first-time owners against the Boxer's 3/5. It asks less of your schedule and space; the Boxer's high exercise need is the main thing that trips up new owners.
It can, but it's rated low for apartment suitability (2/5) compared to the Shih Tzu's 5/5. A Boxer in an apartment needs a real daily exercise plan, long walks, a dog park, something, or it will get restless.
They're close. Both land in the same $1,500-3,000 first-year range and share a 4/5 overall cost rating. The Shih Tzu runs slightly higher monthly ($120-250 vs $100-200), mostly due to grooming.
Yes, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and allergies show up on both lists. Beyond that they diverge: the Boxer carries more cardiac and cancer risk, the Shih Tzu more eye and airway issues tied to its short muzzle.
Smaller breeds generally outlive larger ones, and the gap here is stark: 10-16 years for the Shih Tzu against 7-10 for the Boxer. If a longer time with your dog matters more than an athletic companion, that number alone might settle it.
Pick the Boxer if you want an athletic, kid-friendly dog and can commit to daily hard exercise. Pick the Shih Tzu if you want a low-energy companion that fits a small space and you don't mind regular grooming.
$100-200 for a Boxer, $120-250 for a Shih Tzu, close enough that cost shouldn't be the deciding factor.
The Boxer needs serious daily exercise (5/5 need). The Shih Tzu is satisfied with short walks and play (2/5 need).
The Shih Tzu, often by several years, 10-16 years versus the Boxer's 7-10.
This guide is not medical advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behavior change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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