Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Comparison - Dog breed selector: Curly Retriever or Little Blue Dog or Chrysanthemum Dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu" Compare Goldendoodle and Australian Shepherd. Which is better: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Goldendoodle	Australian Shepherd	Shih Tzu
Origins	United States Canada	United States	China
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Companion Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	447	17	20
Reviews	7	7	16
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Curly Retriever Goldenpoo Curly Golden	Little Blue Dog Aussie	Chrysanthemum Dog Chinese Lion Dog
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu breed type comparison:	Cross Breed	Purebred	Purebred

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Which is the smallest dog, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Large	Large	Small
Weight Which is heavier, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Australian Shepherd? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu weight comparison:	Miniature: 15-30 pounds (7-14 kg)Standard: 45-100 pounds (20-45 kg), Medium: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg)	Male: 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg), Female: 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)	9–16 pounds (4-7 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Miniature: 22.5 pounds (10.5 kg)Standard: 72.5 pounds (32.5 kg), Medium: 37.5 pounds (17 kg)	Male: 57.5 pounds (27 kg), Female: 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg)	9–16 pounds (5.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu height comparison:	13-24 inches (33-61 cm)	Male: 20-23 inches (52-58cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46–53 cm)	8-11 inches (20-28 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	18.5 inches (47 cm)	Male: 21.5 inches (55 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (46–53 cm)	9.5 inches (24 cm)

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Which is more expensive?	$600-$800	$600-$800	$800-$1200
Availability Which is easier to get, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Rare: You may rarely see each other in everyday life, but you might catch a glimpse of each other at dog shows.	Very frequent: The Australian Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Shih Tzu is quite easy to get.

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Smart: The Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. See more.	Low: The Shih Tzu is one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu trainability comparison.	Goldendoodle dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs are quite easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Goldendoodle dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Goldendoodle dogs are not the best to protect their territory. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu behavior/temperament comparison:	Energetic Intelligent Friendly Trainable	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured	Active Playful Happy Courageous Intelligent Friendly Outgoing Lively Gentle
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: Australian Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu?	High: Goldendoodle dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average to High: Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Shih Tzu dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu social needs comparison:	Goldendoodle dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Goldendoodle dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Goldendoodle dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu playfulness comparison:	The Goldendoodle is a playful breed. See more.	The Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	Shih Tzus are not the most playful dog breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu?	Average: The Goldendoodle barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	A lot: Shih Tzu is a particularly loud breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Very house-friendly dog the Goldendoodle breed.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Australian Shepherd indoors.	Very house-friendly dog the Shih Tzu breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Goldendoodle dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Shih Tzu dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Australian Shepherd dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	Shih Tzu dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Goldendoodle bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Australian Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Shih Tzu bite force: Weak.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Goldendoodle has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Shih Tzu has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu mouthiness comparison:	Goldendoodle dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu health comparison. Which is the healthier: Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu?	Goldendoodles are commonly healthy dogs.	The Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Shih Tzu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Addison's Disease Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Deafness Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Distichiasis Collie Eye Anomaly Detached Retina Nasal Solar Dermatitis Osteochondrosis Dissecans Persistent Pupillary Membranes	Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Umbilical Hernias Ear Infections Distichiasis Portosystemic Liver Shunt Bladder Stones Ectopic Cilia Reverse Sneezing Dry Eye Proptosis Juvenile Renal Dysplasia Keratitis Retained Baby Teeth Snuffles
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Rare The Goldendoodle should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Shih Tzu should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu lifespan comparison. How long do Goldendoodle, Australian Shepherd and Shih Tzu breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	9-15 years The average lifespan of Goldendoodle: 12 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Shepherd: 13 years	10-16 years The average lifespan of Shih Tzu: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Australian Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu energy level comparison:	Goldendoodle dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Australian Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Goldendoodle dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Australian Shepherd dogs need a lot of exercises.	Shih Tzu dogs exercise need is minimal.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Goldendoodle dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.	Australian Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Shih Tzu dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals.	1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Goldendoodle has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Australian Shepherd's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Shih Tzu's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu coat comparison:	Curly Wavy Smooth Straight	Feathered	Dense
Colors What are the original Goldendoodle, Australian Shepherd and Shih Tzu color?	Black Gray Red White Brown Yellow	Black Red Blue Merle	Black Red Blue Silver Brindle Liver Gold
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu grooming comparison:	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.	Average: The Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Goldendoodle dogs shed moderately. See more.	Australian Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Shih Tzu dogs shed none to minimal. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	Yes See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu?	Low 🔽 The Goldendoodle has a low chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Shih Tzu has a low chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Goldendoodle is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Shih Tzu is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Goldendoodle dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Australian Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Shih Tzu dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Which dog is more friendly?	Goldendoodle dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Goldendoodle dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Goldendoodle dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Shih Tzu dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu?	Goldendoodle dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Australian Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Shih Tzu dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu?	Yes Goldendoodle dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Australian Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Shih Tzu dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Goldendoodle is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Australian Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Shih Tzu is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Goldendoodles are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Australian Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Shih Tzus are not the best breed for elderly people.

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Goldendoodle or Australian Shepherd or Shih Tzu? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu?	Not really Goldendoodle breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Australian Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Shih Tzu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Goldendoodle and Australian Shepherd and Shih Tzu have?	4-8 puppies	6-9 puppies, average 7	2-5 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Goldendoodle vs Australian Shepherd vs Shih Tzu Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 as a Toy breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Tibetan breeds section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	Dog Registry of America Inc. American Canine Hybrid Club Designer Breed Registry Designer Dogs Kennel Club International Designer Canine Registry	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Australian Shepherd Club Of America	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry

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