Which is easier to look after, a Shih Tzu or a Golden Retriever?

It depends what 'easier' means to you. A Shih Tzu needs far less exercise but more regular coat grooming, while a Golden Retriever needs much more daily exercise but is generally lower maintenance to groom. Neither is easier overall — the effort simply falls in different places.

Is a Golden Retriever too big for a small house?

Not necessarily, provided they get enough daily exercise outside the home and have some space to move indoors. Size alone is less important than whether their exercise needs are genuinely met — an under-exercised Golden Retriever in any size home is more likely to develop unwanted behaviours.

Do Shih Tzus need less exercise than Golden Retrievers?

Yes, considerably less. A Shih Tzu typically needs only a modest daily walk plus some indoor play, while a Golden Retriever needs well over an hour of exercise most days as an adult, reflecting its working gundog background.

Which breed sheds more, a Shih Tzu or a Golden Retriever?

A Golden Retriever sheds noticeably more, particularly during seasonal coat changes, though its coat is less prone to matting. A Shih Tzu sheds relatively little but needs daily brushing to prevent its longer coat from matting, which is a different but equally real grooming commitment.

Shih Tzu vs Golden Retriever

A Shih Tzu and a Golden Retriever are both affectionate, people-focused breeds, but they suit close to opposite households — one is a small companion dog built for indoor life with modest exercise needs, the other is a large, energetic gundog that needs real daily exercise and space to match. The right choice comes down to how much time, space and grooming commitment you actually have, not which breed is 'better'.

Size and space

A Shih Tzu typically weighs between 4kg and 8kg and is genuinely suited to a flat or small house, needing very little floor space to be comfortable. A Golden Retriever is a large breed, usually 25kg to 34kg fully grown, and while adaptable, benefits from more room to move around indoors and a garden for downtime between walks.

Neither size is objectively better — it depends on what you can offer. A Shih Tzu can thrive in a small urban flat in a way a Golden Retriever generally cannot, while a Golden Retriever's size and build make certain jobs, like being a confident, sturdy family dog around boisterous play, more straightforward.

Exercise and energy

This is the sharpest difference between the two. A Shih Tzu needs a modest daily walk and some indoor play, and can become overweight quickly if overfed relative to that lower activity level. A Golden Retriever was bred as a working gundog and needs substantially more daily exercise — well over an hour for most adults — plus mental stimulation, or they can become bored and develop unwanted behaviours.

If your daily routine genuinely allows for an hour or more of walking, plus time for training and play, a Golden Retriever's energy needs are manageable and rewarding. If your available time is more limited, a Shih Tzu's lower exercise requirement is a realistic advantage rather than a compromise.

Coat and grooming

A Shih Tzu's long, flowing double coat needs daily brushing to prevent matting, and most owners either learn to groom it properly at home or book regular professional grooming — this is a genuine ongoing time and cost commitment, not a one-off. Their short muzzle also means they can struggle more in hot weather and benefit from care being taken during warm walks.

A Golden Retriever's coat sheds noticeably, particularly during seasonal coat changes, and needs regular brushing to manage loose hair around the home, but it is less prone to matting than a Shih Tzu's and generally needs less frequent professional grooming.

Temperament with families

Both breeds are well known for being good with children and generally sociable, affectionate dogs, which is part of why both remain popular family choices. A Golden Retriever's larger size and higher energy suit boisterous play and active family life particularly well, while a Shih Tzu's smaller size and calmer nature can suit households wanting a lower-energy companion, including households with older children or a quieter pace of life.

Neither breed is inherently better with families — the practical differences in size, exercise needs and grooming are what should drive the decision, alongside being realistic about the daily time each breed genuinely needs from you.

Common questions

Which is easier to look after, a Shih Tzu or a Golden Retriever?: It depends what 'easier' means to you. A Shih Tzu needs far less exercise but more regular coat grooming, while a Golden Retriever needs much more daily exercise but is generally lower maintenance to groom. Neither is easier overall — the effort simply falls in different places.
Is a Golden Retriever too big for a small house?: Not necessarily, provided they get enough daily exercise outside the home and have some space to move indoors. Size alone is less important than whether their exercise needs are genuinely met — an under-exercised Golden Retriever in any size home is more likely to develop unwanted behaviours.
Do Shih Tzus need less exercise than Golden Retrievers?: Yes, considerably less. A Shih Tzu typically needs only a modest daily walk plus some indoor play, while a Golden Retriever needs well over an hour of exercise most days as an adult, reflecting its working gundog background.
Which breed sheds more, a Shih Tzu or a Golden Retriever?: A Golden Retriever sheds noticeably more, particularly during seasonal coat changes, though its coat is less prone to matting. A Shih Tzu sheds relatively little but needs daily brushing to prevent its longer coat from matting, which is a different but equally real grooming commitment.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.