Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Saint Bernard Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Saint Bernard Versus the Shih Tzu
- Price of Saint Bernard versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Saint Bernard versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Saint Bernard versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Saint Bernard versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu
- Do Saint Bernards shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Saint Bernard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Saint Bernards Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Saint Bernard vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Saint Bernards good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Saint Bernards and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Saint Bernard Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Saint Bernard Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Saint Bernard and for the Shih Tzu. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu.
Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Saint Bernard is a giant-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Saint Bernard belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Shih Tzu belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Saint Bernard to the Shih Tzu based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Saint Bernard | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 120 to 180 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 8 to 10 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Average Lifespan | 9.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1320 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $875 – $1525 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 84.9 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 49 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 65 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Saint Bernard in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Shih Tzu. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Saint Bernard. So, you should get the Shih Tzu!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu
The Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu.
Saint Bernards weigh 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Saint Bernards are 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
On the other hand, Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Shih Tzus are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Saint Bernards is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Saint Bernards is 9.0 years.
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
Shih Tzus live longer than Saint Bernards.
Temperament of the Saint Bernard Versus the Shih Tzu
The Saint Bernard has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 percent while the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 84.9 percent, the Saint Bernard has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 53 Saint Bernards and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Saint Bernard versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Saint Bernard puppy is $1320. The price of the Saint Bernard typically ranges from $875 – $1525. However, the price of a Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $3550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Shih Tzu puppy is $1820. The price of the Shih Tzu typically ranges from $1200 – $2300. However, the price of the Shih Tzu can be as low as $200 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 806 Shih Tzu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Shih Tzu is more expensive than the Saint Bernard.
| Saint Bernard | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1320 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $875 to $1525 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Saint Bernard and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Saint Bernard puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Saint Bernards. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Saint Bernard puppy or the Shih Tzu puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Saint Bernard versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Saint Bernards and many Shih Tzus are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Saint Bernard named Bartholomew that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Saint Bernards like Bartholomew on pefinder.com.
Also, like Saint Bernards, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Jameson is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Jameson that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Lunchbox is the name of another Saint Bernard (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Avalanche 9386 is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Saint Bernards and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Saint Bernard versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Saint Bernard | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 65 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Saint Bernard has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saint Bernard belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Saint Bernards tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Shih Tzu has an obedience intelligence rank of 70 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shih Tzu belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Shih Tzus tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Saint Bernard is more intelligent than the Shih Tzu.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Saint Bernard versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Saint Bernard. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Saint Bernard is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Saint Bernard
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Saint Bernard Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 47 | 15 |
| 2014 | 51 | 17 |
| 2015 | 50 | 19 |
| 2016 | 49 | 20 |
| 2017 | 48 | 20 |
| 2018 | 48 | 20 |
| 2019 | 48 | 20 |
| 2020 | 52 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu
Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Saint Bernards shed more than Shih Tzus?
Saint Bernards shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu
Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu?
Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Saint Bernard Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Saint Bernards have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Shih Tzus have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Saint Bernards Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Saint Bernards are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Saint Bernard vs. Shih Tzu
Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu?
Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Saint Bernards good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Saint Bernards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Saint Bernards and Shih Tzus?
Saint Bernards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Saint Bernard Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Saint Bernards are not easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Saint Bernard Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Saint Bernard or the Shih Tzu?
Saint Bernards are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Saint Bernard that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Saint Bernard:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shih Tzu that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shih Tzu:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Saint Bernard and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Saint Bernard and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds
Saint Bernard versus Sussex Spaniel Saint Bernard versus Cairn Terrier Saint Bernard versus American Eskimo Dog Saint Bernard versus Chinese Shar-Pei Saint Bernard versus Fila Brasileiro Saint Bernard versus Basenji Saint Bernard versus Karelian Bear Dog Saint Bernard versus Belgian Sheepdog Saint Bernard versus Bernese Mountain Dog Saint Bernard versus West Highland White Terrier Saint Bernard versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Saint Bernard versus French Spaniel Saint Bernard versus Pug Saint Bernard versus Norwich Terrier Saint Bernard versus Scottish Deerhound Saint Bernard versus Coton de Tulear Saint Bernard versus German Pinscher Saint Bernard versus Komondor Saint Bernard versus Braque du Bourbonnais Saint Bernard versus Goldador Saint Bernard versus Japanese Chin Saint Bernard versus Boerboel Saint Bernard versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Saint Bernard versus Siberian Husky
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Morkie Shih Tzu versus Miniature Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Bolognese Shih Tzu versus Dogue de Bordeaux Shih Tzu versus Kooikerhondje Shih Tzu versus Giant Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Kerry Blue Terrier Shih Tzu versus Goldendoodle Shih Tzu versus Norfolk Terrier Shih Tzu versus Dachshund Shih Tzu versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Shih Tzu versus Norwegian Lundehund Shih Tzu versus Mountain Cur Shih Tzu versus Beagle Shih Tzu versus Black Mouth Cur Shih Tzu versus Flat-Coated Retriever Shih Tzu versus Mudi Shih Tzu versus Whippet Shih Tzu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Spinone Italiano Shih Tzu versus Alaskan Malamute Shih Tzu versus Peek A Poo Shih Tzu versus Norwegian Lundehund Shih Tzu versus Westiepoo Shih Tzu versus Cockalier
Conclusion: Saint Bernard versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Saint Bernard and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.