Last Updated: Nov 07, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu
- Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu
- Appearance (Colors) of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Bernese Mountain Dog
- Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu
- Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu.
Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Shih Tzu is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Bernese Mountain Dog 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.
Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Bernese Mountain Dog | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 23 to 28 inches | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 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 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 10 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Weight | 70 to 115 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 8.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2995 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 86.6 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 25 | 19 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 22 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog is 66 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Shih Tzu, we still believe that the Bernese Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Shih Tzu.
This is because Bernese Mountain Dogs are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Bernese Mountain Dog will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Bernese Mountain Dog :-). We are for the Bernese Mountain Dog. So get a Bernese Mountain Dog!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu
The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu.
The Bernese Mountain Dog weighs 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. The Bernese Mountain Dog is 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Shih Tzu weighs 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. The Shih Tzu is 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu
Bernese Mountain Dog Colors
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Bicolor
- Brindle
- White / Cream
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
Shih Tzu Colors
The Shih Tzu comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Apricot / Beige
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Golden
- White / Cream
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Sable
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Shih Tzu comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brindle
- White / Cream
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Golden
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Apricot / Beige
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Sable
Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is 8.0 years.
The lifespan of the Shih Tzu is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Shih Tzu is 13.0 years.
The Shih Tzu lives longer than the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Bernese Mountain Dog is 86.6 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 86.6 percent, the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 194 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is $2390. The price of the Bernese Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2995. However, the price of a Bernese Mountain Dog can be as low as $300 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 920 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2995 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Bernese Mountain Dog and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Bernese Mountain Dogs. 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Bernese Mountain Dogs 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 Bernese Mountain Dog named Bruce Banner "Hulk" that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Bernese Mountain Dogs like Bruce Banner "Hulk" on pefinder.com.
Also, like Bernese Mountain Dogs, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Coconut Os is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Coconut Os that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Oreo is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Bernese Mountain Dogs and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 22 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Bernese Mountain Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 22 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 19 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Bernese Mountain Dog is 25 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Bernese Mountain Dog
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Bernese Mountain Dog Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 32 | 15 |
| 2014 | 32 | 17 |
| 2015 | 29 | 19 |
| 2016 | 27 | 20 |
| 2017 | 25 | 20 |
| 2018 | 22 | 20 |
| 2019 | 23 | 20 |
| 2020 | 22 | 20 |
| 2021 | 20 | 22 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Shih Tzu
Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Shih Tzus?
Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu?
Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Bernese Mountain Dogs and Shih Tzus?
Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Bernese Mountain Dogs 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.
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 Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Shih Tzu
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
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 Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Shih Tzu?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Bernese Mountain Dog compares to other breeds aside from the Shih Tzu. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Bernese Mountain Dog to other breeds:
Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bullmastiff Bernese Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff Bernese Mountain Dog versus Dalmatian Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler Bernese Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Malamute Bernese Mountain Dog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Bernese Mountain Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Bernese Mountain Dog versus Mastiff Bernese Mountain Dog versus Golden Retriever Bernese Mountain Dog versus Cane Corso Bernese Mountain Dog versus Irish Wolfhound Bernese Mountain Dog versus Newfoundland Bernese Mountain Dog versus Vizsla Bernese Mountain Dog versus Bernedoodle Bernese Mountain Dog versus Labrador Retriever Bernese Mountain Dog versus Leonberger Bernese Mountain Dog versus Saint Bernard Bernese Mountain Dog versus Great Pyrenees
Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.