Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is an ancient breed, dating back 1,000 years, and thought to have originated in the cold mountains of Tibet, thus the long double coat. Chinese royals enjoyed the warmth of the dog lying on their feet in bed. The emperor’s breeders most likely developed the dog from the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. The breed was introduced to England in 1928 and has since become one of the popular toy dogs in the United Kingdom and the United States. They still treat their owners like royalty, no matter who they might be.

The Shih Tzu has coat colors of brown, white, gold, black, brindle, grey, or a combination of these. Its average lifespan is 13 years. The small size and easygoing personality make for a great companion dog.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

The Shih Tzu is a small toy-sized dog with a large, round face; large, brown eyes; and a soft, long double coat. It has an average height of 8 to 11″ for males and females. Males and females weigh 9 to 16 lbs fully grown. Shih Tzu puppies weigh 1.25 to 4lbs at 8 weeks of age and are considered fully grown at 10 months.

Common Health Issues

There are a few common health issues Shih Tzus have, some of which are hereditary conditions. Breathing problems due to the shape of their head (brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome) cause difficulty breathing and can require surgery in severe cases. Eye issues causing irritation can occur at any age, with the most common being epiphora, where the fur scratches the conjunctiva and the cornea, requiring prescription eye drops from a veterinarian.

Many Shih Tzus experience ear infections, and intervertebral disk disease is common in toy dog breeds. Hypothyroidism as a result of Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) tends to affect middle-aged dogs. The breed tends to have teeth problems more often than other dogs. Liver problems, allergies, and kidney disease are also unique to the breed. Finally, they are prone to obesity.

Temperament

Shih Tzus have a very people-oriented, housebound personality. They are stubborn, affectionate, happy, and easygoing in temperament. They do not like to be left alone and demand attention to the point of becoming spoiled. They were not bred to guard, hunt, or anything else except to be a companion, so they don’t let you ignore them. One of the traits of this toy breed is being a lap dog with a natural tendency for human companionship. Another is that they don’t tend to excessively bark, unlike other toy breeds.

Shih Tzus have achieved notable success in dog shows, including winning the Toy Group at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. They are proud and arrogant-looking but are sweet and less demanding and noisy than other toy breeds. Around other pets, they are peaceful, but they need socialization to learn how to trust strangers in order to be friendly or polite to them. They tend to get along well with other dogs, no matter their size.

Care

New pet owners will find unique differences in caring for Shih Tzus, especially Shih Tzu puppies. Shih Tzus have breed-specific factors such as the need for regular brushing and grooming and hereditary conditions that must be carefully taken into consideration.

Best Dog Food

Shih Tzus have different health considerations compared to other dog breeds. So, as A Shih Tzu owner, you want to feed your dog a nutritious food that sets them up for a long, healthy, happy life. We recommend looking into legume-free dog food, given the link between some legumes and heart failure, and Shih Tzus’ heart disease risk.

Shih Tzu puppy food: Because of their unique build and health issues, Shih Tzus need a breed-specific food, if possible. Such a food is especially made for their underbite and short muzzle. It also has specific nutrients, antioxidants, proteins and prebiotics to support their immune system, skin, coat and digestion. Otherwise, get a premium dog food. Puppies under 3 months of age should be free-fed, and from 3-12 months they should be fed 3 meals a day.

Shih Tzu adult dog food: Dry food is better for their teeth than wet food. They should be fed premium dog food 2 to 3 times a day. Grain-free or gluten-free formulas can decrease or eliminate skin and digestive problems.

Best Insurance

The best type of insurance for your Shih Tzu is one that considers their breed, age and any existing, diagnosed health conditions for the best coverage. Each coverage package has different deductible levels to choose from depending on the amount you’re willing to spend before the insurance kicks in. You should shop around and consider at least 2 or 3 different insurance companies.

Maintenance And Grooming

Like other dogs, Shih Tzus need regular baths about once a month or every 3 to 4 weeks. During puppyhood, they need more bathing due to soiling themselves. They also need daily grooming to keep their coats soft and tangle-free. For those with long coats, they need grooming every day; those with medium-length coats need grooming every 2 days, while those with short or shaved coats need grooming every 3 days. Be sure to purchase both fine-toothed and broader-toothed brushes to thoroughly groom their long double coats. Their coat colors can change over time and can fade once they reach adulthood.

Training

Shih Tzus need to be trained as soon as possible during their puppyhood. They are known for being stubborn and difficult to housebreak. Although they can learn tricks, they also have their own mind. Treats and snacks help to encourage them.

Exercise

Adult Shih Tzus only need the exercise that comes from playing in the house or yard and daily walks twice a day for 20-30 minutes. They also enjoy toys. If they do not get enough exercise, they will become bored and show behavioral problems such as excessive barking, chewing, or overeating. They also have a higher impulse to chase and catch things than other dog breeds. However, they have a lower energy level than others.

Puppies

Taking care of Shih Tzu puppies means fulfilling their playtime, food and grooming needs. They need socialization and housebreaking early on. They also need a lot of attention.

Children

Shih Tzus get along well with children. However, they’re not a good choice for families with very young children due to their small size, which increases their risk of injury. Those who are badly socialized since puppyhood can bite children.

Similar Dogs

Other dog breeds similar to Shih Tzus are the Maltese, Pekingese, and the Lhasa Apso, as well as any popular Shih Tzu mix, such as Shih Poo (Shih Tzu Toy Poodle mix), Shorkie (Shih Tzu Yorkie mix), or Havashu (Shih Tzu Havanese mix).

• Maltese: Looks similar but with higher energy and only one coat.
• Pekingese: Slightly smaller than the Shih Tzu, its coat is less dense, less smooth, and shorter.
• Lhasa Apso: A close lookalike that’s also from Tibet, this breed has a longer snout and a hard coat.

Famous

With a history going back 1,000 years, the “little lion dog” or “chrysanthemum dog” is one of the most popular breeds. It has been a prominent feature in several films and a couple of video games:

• Miss Agnes in Best in Show, a mockumentary comedy film from 2000
• Bonny in Seven Psychopaths, a dark comedy from 2012
• Daisy in The Secret Life of Pets 2, a 3D animated comedy film from 2019
• Isabelle, the mascot of the Animal Crossing series, first appeared in Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012)
• Isabelle is also a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.