what dog should i get?

Both are okay. But they both require daily or at least almost daily grooming. But if you are limited to a small puppy in some places like Singapore, shihtzu will be better as it's smaller. You won't be fined for a small breed then.

Those are two very different breeds you're considering! I think the most important factor between them is the size issue. Chows can get very, very big and need plenty of room to exercise. If you're looking for a lapdog, or something that is primarily going to live inside, probably you should go with the Shih Tzu. Next is the question of grooming. Shih Tzus require a much more intensive grooming regimen because their fur grows so long. If you get one, you have to be prepared to brush them, bathe them and trim their fur regularly. The third thing I would recommend you think about is training. Chows have a reputation for being extremely difficult to train. They can be very stubborn and really are not an easy breed to work with. I would not recommend them to a first time dog owner at all -- they require someone who knows dogs well.

Whoa, hold on there! Two entirely different breeds. About the only similarity between them is their need for regular grooming. The best thing to do would be to make yourself a list of the qualities you're looking for in a dog and then research the breeds. Don't buy one because of the way it looks. many a dog has ended up wronged by their owners and the media because they were purchased for the wrong reasons. Just think of the Pitt Bull terrier and the Rottweiler.