Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Comparison - Dog breed selector: Chrysanthemum Dog or Alpine Mastiff or Lab? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever" Compare Shih Tzu and St. Bernard. Which is better: Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?

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	Shih Tzu	St. Bernard	Labrador Retriever
Origins	China	Switzerland Italy	England Canada
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Companion Dogs	Working Dogs	Gun Dog
Popularity Rank	20	48	1
Reviews	15	9	9
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Chrysanthemum Dog Chinese Lion Dog	Alpine Mastiff Bernhardiner St. Barnhardshund St. Bernard Saint	Lab Labrador
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever? Which is the smallest dog, Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?	Small	Giant	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or St. Bernard? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever weight comparison:	9–16 pounds (4-7 kg)	110-200 pounds (50-91 kg)	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	9–16 pounds (5.5 kg)	155 pounds (70.5 kg)	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever height comparison:	8-11 inches (20-28 cm)	25.5-27.5 inches (61-70 cm)	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	9.5 inches (24 cm)	25.5-27.5 inches (65.5 cm)	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever? Which is more expensive?	$800-$1200	$1500-$1800	$1000-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?	Very frequent: The Shih Tzu is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The St.	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever intelligence:	Low: The Shih Tzu is one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. See more.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. See more.	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever trainability comparison.	Shih Tzu dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?	Shih Tzu dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	St. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Shih Tzu dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.	St. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever behavior/temperament comparison:	Active Playful Happy Courageous Intelligent Friendly Outgoing Lively Gentle	Independent Happy Friendly Gentle Going Social Quiet	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Shih Tzu dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: St. See more.	Sensitive: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever?	High: Shih Tzu dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: St. See more.	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever social needs comparison:	Shih Tzu dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	St. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Shih Tzu dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	St. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Shih Tzu dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Their prey drive is low. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever playfulness comparison:	Shih Tzus are not the most playful dog breed. See more.	St. See more.	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever?	A lot: Shih Tzu is a particularly loud breed. See more.	Low: The St. See more.	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?	Very house-friendly dog the Shih Tzu 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 St.	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Shih Tzu dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	St.	Labrador Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?	Shih Tzu dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	St.	Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Shih Tzu bite force: Weak.	Above 400 PSI 🔼 St.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.
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 Shih Tzu has a low chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The St.	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever mouthiness comparison:	Shih Tzu dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	St. See more.	Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever health comparison. Which is the healthier: Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever?	The Shih Tzu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Very healthy dog breed.	The Labrador Retriever 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: Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever health problems comparison:	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	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Bloat Epilepsy Entropion Elbow Dysplasia Dilated Cardiomyopathy	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia Acute Moist Dermatitis Cold Tail Myopathy
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Shih Tzu should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The St.	Average The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever lifespan comparison. How long do Shih Tzu, St. Bernard and Labrador Retriever breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-16 years The average lifespan of Shih Tzu: 13 years	8-10 years The average lifespan of St.	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. 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.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Energy and Activity Comparison

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

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever?	Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day.	6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever weight gain potential comparison:	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Shih Tzu's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the St. See more.	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Allergies and Grooming Comparison

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

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Good With Comparison

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

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever 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.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Shih Tzu or St. Bernard or Labrador Retriever? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect 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.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
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.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever?	Not really Shih Tzu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really St. See more.	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes 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.	Yes 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.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever 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 Shih Tzu and St. Bernard and Labrador Retriever have?	2-5 puppies	6-8 puppies	5-10 puppies
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Shih Tzu vs St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 as a Toy breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Tibetan breeds section.	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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	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	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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