Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Poodle | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $52,837 | $39,131 |
| First year | $7,255 | $5,855 |
| Monthly average | $315 | $255 |
| Puppy price | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,381 | $2,731 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $590 |
| Documented conditions | 17 | 15 |
| Median lifespan | 14 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 45 to 70 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Daily food | 3.4 cups | 1.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $900 | $720 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Periodontal disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Patellar luxation | 3% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Addison's disease (primary hypoadrenocorticism) | 2% | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Unspecified tumour/cancer | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Ear mite infestation | 2% | not priced |
| Entropion | 2% | $449–$1,209 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Addison's disease | n/a | $1,420–$3,822 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Umbilical hernia | 12% | $621–$1,671 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $590 | |
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Common questions
Is a Poodle or a Shih Tzu more expensive?
The Shih Tzu is cheaper by about $13,706 over a lifetime. Poodle: $52,837. Shih Tzu: $39,131. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Poodle or a Shih Tzu?
The Poodle has the longer typical lifespan. Poodle: 14 years. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Poodle or a Shih Tzu?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Poodle's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% 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.