German Shepherd vs Shih Tzu: Choosing the Right Breed for You

This is one of the largest size gaps on the site - the Shepherd can weigh up to 90 pounds and stand 26 inches, while the Shih Tzu tops out at 16 pounds and 11 inches. A full-grown Shih Tzu could nearly fit in the space of one Shepherd paw. Everything from crate size to car transport looks completely different between these two.

The Shepherd's exercise need rates a 5 out of 5 against the Shih Tzu's 2, a gap that reflects two very different lifestyles bred into these dogs. The Shih Tzu was built as a companion breed, not a working one, and a couple of short walks a day genuinely satisfies it - something that would leave a Shepherd pacing the house.

Grooming actually favors the Shepherd here, if barely - it rates a 4 out of 5 against the Shih Tzu's 5, since the Shih Tzu's long, flowing coat needs regular brushing or professional trims to avoid matting. Shedding runs the opposite direction: the Shih Tzu barely sheds at all, a 1 out of 5 against the Shepherd's 4, which is why it's often marketed toward allergy-sensitive households.

The Shih Tzu is built for small spaces - a 5 out of 5 for apartment suitability against the Shepherd's 2 - and tolerates alone time somewhat better too, a 3 versus a 2. It's also quieter, rated 3 out of 5 for barking against the Shepherd's 4, though a 3 still means it will bark at things worth noting to a neighbor.

The Shepherd trains faster, rated 5 out of 5 against the Shih Tzu's 3, but the Shih Tzu is the far more forgiving choice for someone new to dog ownership - a 4 out of 5 against the Shepherd's 2. Its smaller size and companion-bred temperament make mistakes lower-stakes while you learn.

Both breeds tie for getting along with kids, a 4 out of 5, but the Shih Tzu edges ahead with other dogs, 4 versus 3, and with strangers, 3 versus 2. It's the more sociable dog of the two by these numbers, consistent with a breed developed purely for companionship rather than guarding.

The Shih Tzu can live considerably longer - 10 to 16 years against the Shepherd's 9 to 13 - though its health list runs long, including brachycephalic airway syndrome tied to its short muzzle. Hip dysplasia, allergies, and ear infections all appear on both lists, three shared risks despite the size difference. The Shepherd's other risks skew toward joint and neurological issues; the Shih Tzu's skew toward breathing, kidney, and liver concerns.

Here's the surprise: despite an 80-pound weight difference, monthly costs land almost identically - $120 to $250 for the Shih Tzu against $125 to $250 for the Shepherd, both rated 4 out of 5 on cost. The Shih Tzu's heavier grooming need, a 5 out of 5, eats up the savings you'd expect from its much smaller size.