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Shih Tzu

playful / affectionate / outgoing
Toy Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

9-10.5 inches

Weight

9-16 pounds

Life Expectancy

10-18 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    100% 100%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    20% 20%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    80% 80%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    60% 60%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    100% 100%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    100% 100%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    20% 20%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    80% 80%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    60% 60%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    100% 100%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

That expression! Those large brown eyes with that beautiful expression looking up at you! It’s no surprise that Shih Tzu owners have been enthralled by this small ‘Lion Dog’ for a thousand years. Giggles and mischief follow Shih Tzu wherever they go. Shi Tsu (pronounced’sheed-zoo’ or’sheet-su’ in the West;’sher-zer’ in China) are surprisingly solid for dogs their size, weighing between 9 and 16 pounds and standing between 8 and 11 inches. Few dogs are as lovely as a well-groomed Shih Tzu, and the coat, which comes in a variety of hues, is worth the work you will spend on it. For this energetic charmer, being charming is a way of life.

 

The Shih Tzu is noted for its exceptional fondness for youngsters. As a little dog bred to spend most of their time inside royal palaces, they are excellent pets if you live in an apartment or don’t have a large backyard. Some dogs enjoy digging tunnels and chasing cats, but a Shih Tzu’s idea of fun is sitting in your lap and acting adorable while you attempt to watch TV.

 

What To Expect When Caring For a Shih Tzu

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

Shih Tzu does not endure heat well and are poor swimmers due to their heavy coats and short faces. Most Shih Tzus are generally healthy, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (a slipped kneecap), eye anomalies such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, retinal detachment, and corneal dryness and inflammation caused by improperly closing eyelids.  

Grooming

Brushing a Shih Tzu with a long coat is necessary on a daily basis. Layer the hair with a good-quality wire brush and flexible pins to ensure you reach the skin. A bath every three or four weeks will assist to keep the coat clean and in good condition. Remember to comb the mustache and topknot on a daily basis, and use a wet cloth to gently clean the corners of the eyes. To keep the Shih Tzu's eyes from being inflamed, keep the hair on top of the head short or tied up in a topknot. If you don't want to spend time grooming your dog's coat, a professional groomer can clip the Shih Tzu into a "puppy trim" that looks charming.

Exercise

Shih Tzus were bred to be home pets. As a result, they require less activity. This petite, short-legged companion's exercise needs will be met by short daily walks with their owner and inside fun.

Training

Training a Shih Tzu may be both entertaining and challenging. The breed has a tendency to beguile his owner into allowing him to have his own way, which can result in a fat, partially housebroken pet who is difficult to groom. Because Shih Tzus are such people dogs, praise and reward-based training approaches work best. With this breed, harsh corrections should be avoided. Introduce desirable new behaviors gradually, be firm, and never yield while the dog is misbehaving. Ignore him until he calms down, then reward him if he nips or leaps up on you. Early socialization and puppy training lessons are advised to guarantee that the Shih Tzu develops into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. When enrolling in a puppy class, make certain that the training methods are based on positive reinforcement.  

Nutrition

The Shih Tzu should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or cooked at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.  

History

You possess a piece of Chinese history when you own a Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu (meaning “lion dog”) was produced centuries ago by imperial breeders in the Chinese emperor’s palace from Tibetan breeding stock. The breed is most likely a hybrid of two even older Sino-Tibetan breeds, the Lhaso Apso and the Pekingese.

Shih Tzu were royal lap warmers for hundreds of years, pampered by emperors and their families. Emperors are supposed to have given expensive presents to Shih Tzu breeders who produced the most beautiful and lovable puppies.

 

Until the 1930s, the breed remained buried within palace walls, largely unknown to the outside world. Breed clubs established in Peking and later in England improved the breed, albeit without great disagreement among fanciers over right type. In 1969, the Shih Tzu was admitted to the AKC Stud Book.

 

Since then, the Shih Tzu has become one of the most popular toy dogs in both the United States and the United Kingdom. And they still treat their owners as kings, no matter who they are. The Shih Tzu has enchanted owners as different as Queen Elizabeth II and Miley Cyrus.