Saint Bernard vs Shih Tzu: Which Suits Your Home?

A Shih Tzu tops out around 9–16 pounds and 8–11 inches — small enough to fit in a shoulder bag — while the Saint Bernard runs 120–180 pounds and 26–30 inches, potentially outweighing the Shih Tzu by fifteen times or more. This is one of the largest size gaps on this site, and it matters practically: a Shih Tzu can be picked up and carried through a crowded vet waiting room, while a Saint Bernard needs its own dedicated space in the car and at home. Anyone considering both breeds should think hard about handling — bathing, nail trims, and even lifting onto an exam table look completely different at these two scales.

Exercise need and energy level both rate low (2/5) for the Saint Bernard and match at low (2/5) for the Shih Tzu on exercise, with the two breeds landing in a similarly low-key category overall. Neither is a jogging partner; both are content with short walks and indoor lounging, making this pairing unusually compatible on the activity front compared to most Saint Bernard comparisons on this site. The real difference shows up elsewhere — the Shih Tzu's small size means its lower absolute exercise needs are easier to satisfy in a short hallway walk, while the Saint Bernard still needs enough space simply to lie down comfortably.

Grooming is where this pairing diverges sharply: the Shih Tzu's long, flowing, hypoallergenic coat needs very high (5/5) maintenance — daily brushing and regular professional grooming to prevent matting — while the Saint Bernard's short-or-long double coat needs only moderate (3/5) care. Shedding flips the comparison: the Shih Tzu sheds very little (1/5), making it a genuinely low-hair option, while the Saint Bernard sheds heavily (4/5). In practice, the Shih Tzu owner trades a lower vacuum bill for a higher grooming-appointment bill, while the Saint Bernard owner does the reverse — more fur, less scissor work.

The Shih Tzu rates very high (5/5) for apartment suitability, about as good as this metric gets, while the Saint Bernard rates very low (1/5) — the two occupy opposite ends of the scale. Barking tilts toward the Saint Bernard being quieter, at low (2/5) versus the Shih Tzu's moderate (3/5). Both breeds tolerate alone time moderately (3/5), so neither is ideal for very long workdays, but the Shih Tzu's overall profile — small, low-shedding, low-exercise, apartment-friendly — makes it close to a purpose-built small-space companion, while the Saint Bernard clearly needs a house with room to spare.

Trainability rates moderate (3/5) for both breeds, an unusually even match, but the surrounding numbers favor the Shih Tzu for newcomers: it rates high (4/5) for first-time owners against the Saint Bernard's moderate (3/5). The Shih Tzu's "Affectionate," "Friendly," and "Playful" temperament tags describe a dog that generally wants to please, though its stubborn streak on housetraining is a common real-world complaint not captured in the trainability score alone. The Saint Bernard's size again raises the stakes of training gaps — a large, undertrained dog is harder to manage than a small one, even at equal trainability ratings.

With kids, the Saint Bernard rates very high (5/5) against the Shih Tzu's high (4/5), and both rate high (4/5) with other dogs — a genuinely sociable pairing on paper. Strangers see the Saint Bernard ahead too, at high (4/5) versus the Shih Tzu's moderate (3/5). Because Shih Tzus are small and can be startled or injured by boisterous play, households with very young or rough-playing children should supervise closely regardless of the Shih Tzu's friendly, outgoing temperament tags — size mismatch, not temperament, is usually the real risk in mixed-breed play.

The Shih Tzu's 10–16 year lifespan outpaces the Saint Bernard's 8–10 years, but its health list is considerably longer and includes Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome — a direct consequence of its flat-faced structure — alongside Eye Problems, Kidney Disease, Liver Shunts, Hypothyroidism, Ear Infections, Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Allergies, and Dental Issues. The Saint Bernard's shorter list (Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Entropion, Bloat) skews toward giant-breed structural and cardiac risk. Shih Tzu owners should ask breeders about airway screening and be alert to heat sensitivity, while Saint Bernard owners should learn bloat symptoms and keep emergency vet contacts handy.

Cost level rates very high (5/5) for the Saint Bernard against high (4/5) for the Shih Tzu — closer than most pairings on this site, since the Shih Tzu's very-high grooming needs push its costs up despite its small size. Monthly costs run $150–310 for the Saint Bernard versus $120–250 for the Shih Tzu, and first-year costs run $2,200–4,200 versus $1,500–3,000. Professional grooming every four to six weeks is the Shih Tzu's biggest recurring expense, while food volume and giant-breed vet visits dominate the Saint Bernard's budget — different line items landing at a broadly similar order of magnitude.