Home / Breeds / Compare / Shih Tzu vs Bolonka
The Shih Tzu was bred for one job: being a delightful companion, and it shows. From Russia, the Bolonka is a tiny primitive landrace breed whose traditional work was to survive and work alongside people as a hunter, guardian and general purpose dog, shaped by natural selection as much as by breeders. The two are put side by side here on the numbers that actually differ: size, exercise, grooming, what each costs to keep, and the health tests a breeder should show you.
The biggest gap is monthly cost: the modeled total is about $74 a month for the Shih Tzu against $48 for the Bolonka.
The next biggest gap is energy: the Bolonka is rated 4 of 5 against 3 of 5 for the Shih Tzu.
The third gap worth noting is trainability: the Shih Tzu is rated 3 of 5 against 2 of 5 for the Bolonka.
| Shih Tzu | Bolonka | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Toy | Toy |
| Origin | Tibet and China | Russia |
| Height | 9 to 10.5 in | 7 to 11 in |
| Weight | 9 to 16 lb | 4 to 11 lb |
| Lifespan | 10 to 18 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Coat | Long, flowing double coat that needs daily care, or a clipped puppy cut. | Curly or wavy. |
| Temperament | Affectionate, outgoing, gentle and merry | Alert, loyal, reserved and tough |
| Energy | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Trainability | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Grooming needs | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Shedding | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Barking | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| With children | Good with children | Better with older children |
| With other dogs | Good with dogs | With early socialization |
| With strangers | Friendly with strangers | Wary of strangers |
| Apartment fit | Well suited | With enough exercise |
| Daily exercise | 30 to 45 min | 20 to 45 min |
| Food per month (model) | $11 (1.1 cups a day) | $8 (0.8 cups a day) |
| Insurance per month (model) | $45 to $80 | $28 to $52 |
| Monthly total (model) | $56 to $91 | $36 to $60 |
| Yearly total (model) | $675 to $1,095 | $436 to $724 |
| Lifetime total (model) | $6,749 to $19,708 | $5,226 to $11,576 |
| Breeder health tests | 4 recommended tests | Panel not published yet |
| Health watch | The short face brings breathing and heat risks, plus eye problems because the eyes are prominent. Also watch for kidney disease, hip dysplasia and ear infections. Choose breeders who screen eyes and kidneys. | Landrace breeds are usually notably healthy, shaped by natural selection rather than fashion. Sensible breeders still screen hips and eyes, and the bigger health task for owners is socialization, not medication. |
Shih Tzu: takes the first-time-owner rule at 13 (trainability weighted double, then calmer energy, grooming and barking), against 10 for the Bolonka.
Shih Tzu: is rated "Well suited" for apartment life against "With enough exercise" for the Bolonka.
Shih Tzu: is listed "Good with children" while the Bolonka is listed "Better with older children".
Bolonka: sheds less, at 1 of 5 for shedding against 2 of 5 for the Shih Tzu. Shedding is only a proxy for loose hair in the home; no breed is allergen-free.
Bolonka: runs about $26 a month less than the Shih Tzu on modeled food plus insurance ($48 against $74 at the midpoints).
Scoring rules behind the Shih Tzu and Bolonka verdicts: a first-time-owner score of 2 x trainability + (6 - energy) + (6 - grooming) + (6 - barking); the apartment verdict ordered by apartment rating, barking, exercise, then weight; children ordered by the children rating, trainability, then stranger friendliness; allergy by lowest shedding, then grooming; budget by the lowest monthly modeled total. Level scores are declared ties.
On the modeled figures, keeping the Shih Tzu costs more each month: the midpoint of food plus insurance is about $74, against $48 for the Bolonka. Run across the lifespan ranges, the model gives $6,749 to $19,708 for the Shih Tzu and $5,226 to $11,576 for the Bolonka. All of these are planning estimates, not quotes.
The Shih Tzu needs more: 30 to 45 minutes a day, against 20 to 45 minutes for the Bolonka. Energy ratings point the same way at 3 of 5 against 4 of 5.
The Bolonka sheds less, rated 1 of 5 for shedding against 2 of 5 for the Shih Tzu. Coat notes for the Bolonka: Curly or wavy.
The Shih Tzu, on the published ratings: "Well suited" for apartment life against "With enough exercise" for the Bolonka, barking rated 3 of 5 against 3 of 5, and a daily exercise plan of 30 to 45 minutes against 20 to 45 minutes.
For trainability the Shih Tzu rates higher, at 3 of 5 against 2 of 5 for the Bolonka. Temperament notes describe the Shih Tzu as: Affectionate, outgoing, gentle and merry
Choosing between more than two? Open the comparison tool and put up to four breeds side by side, or read all written breed comparisons.
The breed facts here follow the standards and club guidance summarized on the Shih Tzu and Bolonka profiles. The cost figures are modeled planning estimates, each labeled with its basis. None is a quote, and none is veterinary advice. Health test panels here are the ones the breed clubs and CHIC publish, as set out on each breed's health testing page.