Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Golden Retriever | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $45,339 | $38,107 |
| First year | $7,365 | $5,775 |
| Monthly average | $286 | $248 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $4,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,991 | $2,651 |
| Documented conditions | 27 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 13.2 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 55 to 75 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Dental disease | Periodontal disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease | 70%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 12%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Giardia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chronic or recurrent hot spots (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 6%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 4%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Pruritis (US) | 4%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin cancer/tumor | 3%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Cruciate disease | 3%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Acute moist dermatitis | 1%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 10%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 27%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 22%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cutaneous disorder | 17%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) (US) | 16%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cataracts (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental disorder | 13%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear Infection (US) | 13%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Corneal ulcer (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Umbilical hernia | 12%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Murmur (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ophthalmological disorder | 12%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Pruritis (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Underbite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear disease | 6%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3%owner survey | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Golden Retriever and $590 for the Shih Tzu. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Golden Retriever or a Shih Tzu more expensive?
The Shih Tzu is cheaper by about $7,232 over a lifetime. Golden Retriever: $45,339. Shih Tzu: $38,107. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Golden Retriever or a Shih Tzu?
The Golden Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Golden Retriever or a Shih Tzu?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Golden Retriever's biggest single risk is dental disease, seen in 70% of the breed. For the Shih Tzu it is periodontal disease, at 10%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.