Newfoundland vs Shih Tzu: Which Suits Your Home?

At the extremes: a Newfoundland can weigh up to 150 lbs, a Shih Tzu tops out around 16 lbs, nearly a tenfold difference, and height runs 26-28 in versus a mere 8-11 in. The Shih Tzu is one of the smallest breeds in this entire comparison set, built low and compact under a long flowing coat, about as far from a giant water-rescue breed as you can get.

Both are calm dogs by nature, energy level tying at Low (2/5), but exercise need still splits slightly, Moderate (3/5) for the Newfoundland versus Low (2/5) for the Shih Tzu. Neither breed demands much physical activity, short walks suit both, though the Shih Tzu's flat-ish face means you should keep any exercise light and avoid heat, similar to other brachycephalic-leaning breeds.

Here is the surprise of this comparison: the Shih Tzu needs more grooming than the giant Newfoundland does, Very High (5/5) versus High (4/5), because its long flowing coat requires near-daily brushing to avoid matting. Shedding runs the opposite direction though, Very Low (1/5) for the Shih Tzu against Very High (5/5) for the Newfoundland, the Shih Tzu's coat is often described as hypoallergenic-adjacent for exactly this reason.

The Shih Tzu is about as apartment-friendly as a dog gets, Very High (5/5), against the Newfoundland's Very Low (1/5), among the widest gaps in this entire comparison set. Barking runs Moderate (3/5) for the Shih Tzu against Low (2/5) for the Newfoundland, a small tradeoff for a dog this well-suited to small-space living.

The Shih Tzu rates High (4/5) for first-time owners against the Newfoundland's Moderate (3/5), making it the friendlier option for someone new to dogs, even though the Newfoundland is actually the more trainable of the two, High (4/5) versus Moderate (3/5). Shih Tzus were bred purely as companions and can be a bit stubborn about commands, though their manageable size limits the consequences of an untrained moment.

The Newfoundland edges ahead on kids (Very High 5/5 versus High 4/5) and strangers (High 4/5 versus Moderate 3/5), while both tie at High (4/5) with other dogs. Neither breed shows any real weakness in this section, both are companionable, social dogs by design, just at opposite ends of the size spectrum.

The Shih Tzu's lifespan range is wide, 10-16 years, and even its low end matches the Newfoundland's 9-10 year range while its high end beats it substantially. Health-wise the Shih Tzu carries ten known conditions against the Newfoundland's five, including liver shunts, kidney disease, and dental issues on top of brachycephalic airway concerns, a longer list overall, though many are manageable with routine care. The single shared risk between the two is hip dysplasia, despite the massive size gap between the breeds.

Cost is closer than the size difference suggests: High (4/5) for the Shih Tzu versus Very High (5/5) for the Newfoundland, $120-250 monthly versus $150-310, and $1,500-3,000 versus $2,200-4,200 in year one. The Shih Tzu's grooming bills, regular professional trims for that coat, keep its cost from dropping as low as you would expect from a 16 lb dog.