German Shepherd vs Shih Tzu
Side-by-side comparison of the German Shepherd and Shih Tzu — size, temperament, shedding, trainability, cost, and compatibility ratings.
Quick comparison
Best for families
German Shepherd
Based on good-with-kids rating
Easier to train
German Shepherd
Based on trainability rating
Less shedding
Shih Tzu
Based on shedding level
Better for apartments
Shih Tzu
Based on apartment-friendly rating
Lower maintenance
German Shepherd
Based on grooming needs
Longer lifespan
Shih Tzu
Based on average lifespan
Detailed comparison
Physical traits
| Trait | German Shepherd | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Small |
| Height | 22–26″ | 9–10.5″ |
| Weight | 50–90 lbs | 9–16 lbs |
| Lifespan | 7–10 yrs | 10–18 yrs |
| Group | Herding | Toy |
| Coat type | Dense double coat, medium length | Long, flowing, dense double coat |
Temperament & behavior
| Trait | German Shepherd | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | Very High | Low |
| Trainability | Very High | Moderate |
| Barking level | Moderate | Moderate |
Compatibility
| Trait | German Shepherd | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Good with kids | High | High |
| Good with dogs | Moderate | High |
| Good with cats | Low | High |
| Apartment friendly | Low | Very High |
Care requirements
| Trait | German Shepherd | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | Very High | Very Low |
| Grooming needs | Low | Very High |
| Daily exercise | 60–120 min | 20–40 min |
| Daily food | 2.5–3.5 cups | 0.5–1 cups |
| Annual cost | $1 500–$2 600 | $1 100–$2 000 |
Temperament
German Shepherd
ConfidentCourageousSmart
Shih Tzu
AffectionatePlayfulOutgoing
Common health issues
German Shepherd
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Bloat
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Shih Tzu
- Brachycephalic syndrome
- Patellar luxation
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Dental disease
- Intervertebral disc disease
More comparisons
Compare German Shepherd with...
Compare Shih Tzu with...
Compare more breeds
Browse all breed comparisons or explore DogDataHub's full library of 200+ breed profiles.