Sweet, social, and sophisticated: The Shih Tzu

By Lauren Rey

The Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu – Fast Facts

A heart of gold wrapped in a big glamourous bow, the Shih Tzu is known for its friendly, affectionate personality and long, luxurious coat. Their small size, moderate energy, and easygoing nature make Shih Tzus great family dogs and perfect apartment pets.

While Shih Tzus are a lot of fun, their elaborate coats can be a challenge to maintain. Here’s an in-depth look at owning one of these spirited little socialites!

History of the Shih Tzu

An ancient breed with a royal past, Shih Tzus originated in China over 1,000 years ago. It is believed they are descendants of small Tibetan dogs that were gifted to Chinese emperors. Later mixed with other breeds, potentially the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese, these dogs became known as Shih Tzu Kou which meant “little lion dog” in Mandarin.

Shih Tzus remained popular among Chinese royalty for hundreds of years but were almost brought to extinction during the Chinese Communist Revolution. It is widely believed that every Shih Tzu alive today descended from just 14 dogs that were saved and used to reestablish the breed. Shih Tzus later spread throughout Europe and then North America.

Today, the Shih Tzu is a popular companion dog, warming hearts and laps everywhere. They are also a fan-favorite within the dog show circuit for their unique and glamorous hairstyles.

Shih Tzu traits and characteristics

There are several unique attributes that help define the Shih Tzu breed. Here’s what you can expect from a purebred Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzu size and appearance

Shih Tzus are small dogs that typically weigh between 9 and 16 pounds and stand 9 to 11 inches tall. They come in a variety of colors including solids like black, white, and gold, as well as bicolor mixes.

Among their most prominent features, Shih Tzus are known for their dark expressive eyes, button noses, and long silky coats. A Shih Tzu’s coat can grow to reach floor lengths and require frequent trips to the groomer. Shih Tzu owners have various ways to style their dog’s hair and many different Shih Tzu haircuts to choose from.

Key traits of a Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are social, friendly, and affectionate dogs. Always happy to be by your side, they embody the true spirit of a companion breed. Shih Tzus are just as happy to accompany you on a walk as they are to curl up next to you on the couch. Unfortunately, this also means some Shih Tzus can suffer from separation anxiety so leaving them alone for longer periods can take some special training.

Because of their friendly and social temperament, Shih Tzus are known to make great family pets. They typically get along great with kids and other pets of all kinds. But, like all toy breeds, caution should be taken around young children or large dogs that could accidentally injure the Shih Tzu during play.

Shih Tzus are also intelligent and alert, they may investigate unusual sights and sounds and bark to alert their owners of their findings.

Shih Tzu health and lifespan

The Shih Tzu is a generally healthy breed with a long lifespan of 10 to 16 years. However, like all purebred dogs, Shih Tzus can be predisposed to certain health conditions such as:

Like all toy breeds, Shih Tzus are fragile dogs that can be prone to injury from things like jumping off furniture or engaging in rambunctious play with larger dogs. Precautions should be taken to prevent injury.

While not every Shih Tzu will be impacted by a health condition or injury, pet insurance is always a good safety net to help cover veterinary expenses. Especially in cases of emergency. Consider covering your Shih Tzu with pet insurance to help you get peace of mind.

Living with a Shih Tzu

With their small size and cheerful personalities, Shih Tzus can be suited to many different types of owners, as long as they can handle their frequent grooming needs. They are typically affectionate and gentle with children. They don’t require excessive exercise (just regular walks and playtime), so they can make great companions for the elderly. They also don’t need a ton of space, so they make perfect apartment pets.

Like all toy breeds, Shih Tzus can face some additional risks when outside the home. Due to their small size, sweet disposition, and popularity, Shih Tzus are among the most stolen dog breeds. They can also be at risk for wildlife attacks, particularly in areas with coyotes.

To help protect your Shih Tzu, never leave them unsupervised outside, consider a coyote protection vest (these have outer spikes to prevent coyotes from picking up small dogs), and have them microchipped. Adding a 24Petwatch Lifetime Protection Membership will also give you access to 24/7 lost pet recovery specialists and the largest microchip data registry in North America if your Shih Tzu ever goes missing.

Top things to consider before owning a Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus make great companion dogs, but as with all breeds, they are not suited for everyone. Shih Tzus can be a challenge for certain lifestyles so it’s important to understand their needs before you bring one home. Here are the top things to consider if you’re thinking about owning a Shih Tzu:

Overall, Shih Tzus are happy little house dogs that love to spend time with their families. If your lifestyle requires long hours away from home or a ton of travel, a Shih Tzu might not be the best breed for you.

Shih Tzu FAQs

Are Shih Tzus good with children and other pets?

Shih Tzus are known for their gentle, friendly nature that typically pairs well with children and other pets. However, like all dogs, their individual level of training and socialization will determine just how well they do. Because of their small size, caution should be used in homes with young children or large, rambunctious dogs as this could lead to accidental injuries for the Shih Tzu during play.

Are Shih Tzus hypoallergenic?

While no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, allergy sufferers will find the Shih Tzu to be far more tolerable than most other breeds. Despite their flowing locks, Shih Tzus don’t actually shed much. This is due to their particular hair type which is more akin to human hair than fur. This reduces the overall amount of allergy-inducing dander they can spread.

Are Shih Tzus high maintenance?

Shih Tzus are considered a high-maintenance breed by many due to their coats. Shih Tzu grooming is intensive; they can mat easily and require daily brushings. They also need haircuts every 4 to 6 weeks. For owners who enjoy this task and the many ways they can style their dog’s hair, this may be no big deal. To others, it's an arduous chore!

Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?

Shih Tzus are an alert breed and will bark if something piques their interest. They don’t tend to bark as much as some other toy breeds, but they are not completely silent either. Some Shih Tzu’s bark more or less than others depending on their individual personality and level of sensitivity to noises. Early training with your Shih Tzu puppy can help desensitize them to noises, making them much less prone to excessive barking as adults.

Can Shih Tzus be left alone for long periods?

While some Shih Tzus do better on their own than others, this breed can be clingy and get upset when their owners leave. It may take some training to work their way up to longer periods of being alone. For most small breeds, a good rule of thumb is no more than 4 to 6 hours without at least a potty break. If you have a job that requires long hours away from home, consider a dog walker or dog daycare service for your Shih Tzu.

Ready for a Shih Tzu?

You’ll have a best friend by your side for life with a Shih Tzu, just be sure you are ready for the long-term commitment and can handle their elaborate grooming needs!