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Shih Tzu Dog Breed:

Info, Pictures, Care &
More

Image Credit: Orawan Pattarawimonchai, Shutterstock

 Written by: Matt Jackson

 Last Updated on February 28, 2025 by Dogster Team

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Characteristics
Characteristics Puppies
Puppies Temperament
Temperament Intelligen
Intelligen

Shih Tzu means “little lion,” but this toy breed was
bred to be a companion and has the heart and
temperament of a companion dog. The breed is
usually happy, lively, and playful. They will get along
with most people, though their small size means
they might not be the best Tt for families with small
children.

They usually get along with other animals,

including family dogs, visiting dogs, and even cats.
The size of the dog means they are suitable for
apartment life and are the ideal dog for anybody
who wants a close canine partner that will want to
spend as much time as possible with them.

Breed Overview

Height:
Height:
9–11 inches

Weight:
Weight:
10–16 pounds

Lifespan:
Lifespan:
10–16 years

Colors:
Colors:
Black, white, gray, tan, brown, liver

Suitable
Suitable for:
for:
Owners that are home a lot and looking for a
companion

Temperament:
Temperament:
Playful, lively, alert, fun, loving, clingy

The Shih Tzu is a companion dog. Not only will they

enjoy spending time with you and ideally, sitting on
you, but they also need this closeness. As such,
they are not the best choice of breed for those who
go out to work or are out of the house for extended
periods. They can suffer separation anxiety if left
alone for too long.

Although they don’t need long walks and can do

very well living in an apartment, the Shih Tzu is a
lively breed that does require exercise and mental
stimulation, if you want a dog that is well-adjusted
and well-behaved.

Shih Tzu Characteristics

Energy
Energy
++

Trainability
Trainability
++

Health
Health
++

Lifespan
Lifespan
++

Sociability
Sociability
++

Shih Tzu Puppies

Image Credit: WilleeCole Photography, Shutterstock

The Shih Tzu is a popular and well-known breed,

which means there are plenty of breeders about.
This also means that there are some unscrupulous
breeders, including those who might try and pass
off crossbreeds as purebred Shih Tzus and those
who run puppy mills.

Do your research when deciding on a breeder.

Ensure the parent dogs were fully screened for
potential health problems before they were used to
breed. Ask questions, and ensure that you get to
meet the puppy before you make a Tnal decision.
You should also meet at least the mother.

The popularity of the breed also means that prices

can be high for a Shih Tzu, although the highest
prices are generally reserved for those with
exhibition-winning lineage. The Shih Tzu is a
popular show dog, and prices for dogs that have
been bred from exhibition winners will be high.

The breed is popular with seniors due to the size

and affectionate nature of the breed, as well as the
fact they don’t need much daily exercise and can
live in apartments. Unfortunately, this does mean
that a lot of Shih Tzus end up in rescues and
shelters when their owners can no longer care for
them. Adopting means you save the life of the dog
you take home, and it frees up space for another
dog to be rescued, so always consider adopting
Trst. When you do adopt, try to get as much
information about the individual dog as possible,
from the rescue.

If you have other dogs, have them meet the

prospective new addition to your family, whether
you are adopting or rescuing.

Temperament &
Intelligence of the Shih
Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a friendly and affectionate dog.
They require a lot of time and attention from their
owners, or they can suffer separation anxiety.
They’re a great breed for those who are at home all
day and want a dog that will be happy sitting on
their lap for long periods, but they’re not ideal for
those who go out to work or leave the house for
long periods.

Although the breed is intelligent, they won’t always

listen to commands and will generally do what they
think is the right thing to do. This might not align
with your opinion, and this can lead to problems.

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The “Lion Dog” was bred as a companion dog and

is considered one of the oldest breeds in existence,
dating back to around 8,000 B.C. The exact origins
are somewhat unclear, but it is known that the Shih
Tzu originated either in Tibet or China. They were
kept by royalty as companion animals. In 1928, the
Shih Tzu was introduced to England, and by 1960,
there were three o>cial Shih Tzu clubs in the U.S.
In 1969, they were o>cially recognized by the AKC
in 1969.

Because this breed was raised as a companion,

they won’t have guarding, protective, or particularly
sporting traits. They will enjoy relaxing, napping,
and befriending just about anybody that crosses
their path, though.

The breed is adaptable. They can live in an

apartment, but they can also do well when given
some space in the yard. The Shih Tzu will happily
follow you as you go about your business outdoors,
although they likely won’t spend too much time
outside alone, preferring your company instead.
Despite the length of the coat, they do only have a
single layer, which means that the Shih Tzu can
struggle in cold weather and may protest at being
walked in very cold conditions without a jacket or
jumper.

Image By: Radosław Zmudziński, Pixabay

Are These Dogs Good for

Families?

This very friendly breed is considered a good

choice for families. They will get on with you, other
family members, and all visitors to the house. They
shouldn’t be overly protective, which means they
won’t cause a fuss if children have friends over and
play gets a little rough. However, the dog is small,
so rough play shouldn’t include the Shih Tzu
themselves.

If you do have young children, they will need to be

taught to be respectful and how to gently handle a
small dog. Picking the Shih Tzu up too roughly
could cause injury. They aren’t an especially fragile
breed, but their size means it doesn’t take too
much to cause injury.

The Shih Tzu will also get along with visitors,

whether they are family, friends, strangers, or
delivery people. With a lively and playful nature, the
Shih Tzu enjoys having older children to play with,
and they will relish having multiple people in the
home to lavish attention on them.

Does This Breed Get Along with

Other Pets?

The Shih Tzu is usually as friendly with other

animals as they are with people, although this
depends on the temperament of both individuals.
The Shih Tzu doesn’t tend to have small dog
syndrome. They will approach bigger dogs but will
want to make friends or play, rather than challenge
or attack them. You will need to ensure that other
dogs are friendly and are open to being visited by
your little pup.

The size of the breed means they will also get

along well with cats and are unlikely to want to
chase them or attack them. However, cats still
recognize Shih Tzus as dogs, and you may Tnd that
a bully cat will be able to dominate a dog of this
stature.

If you are bringing a new Shih Tzu to a home with

existing pets, you should still ensure that
introductions are gradual. Your existing pets might
see the Shih Tzu’s introduction as a threat to the
balance of the house. Careful introductions get
everybody used to the others before they are left to
roam and mingle.

Things to Know When

Owning a Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu can come in a variety of colors.
Common colors include white, black and white, and
brown and white. All are accepted by Kennel Club
standards and can be shown at events. They have
a long and silky coat that takes some maintenance,
but this luscious coat is one of the reasons that the
breed is popular in shows. The breed is known as
“The Little Lion Dog”—not for their ferocious
attitude but because of the mane of hair they have
on the top of their head.

Coat maintenance is a major commitment when

taking on one of these dogs, although you can get
help from a professional groomer. Some owners
who will not be showing their Shih Tzu opt to have
the coat cut right down. It offers easier
maintenance, although it does mean losing that
beautiful coat.

Here, we look at some of the most important things

you need to know when taking home a Shih Tzu.

Image Credit: Angel LeBlanc, Shutterstock

Food & Diet Requirements

This is a small dog and as such, has small daily

feeding requirements. Depending on the age,
activity level, and whether the dog has any existing
health conditions, you should feed them around 1
cup of dry food per day. It is a good idea to choose
a food that is formulated for small breeds. Not only
do these foods contain the appropriate protein and
other vitamins and minerals for small breeds, but
the kibble pieces are also smaller and easier for a
Shih Tzu’s small mouth to eat. If offering them wet
food, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines
regarding the amount.

No more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake

should come from treats. You must measure and
weigh treats and food with small dogs because it
only takes a few extra biscuits or one too many
treats to push your pup well over their daily calorie
allowance. Even a small increase can lead to
considerable weight gain in a dog that weighs 10
pounds.

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Exercise

Although lively and quite playful, the Shih Tzu is not

a high-energy breed by any means. Like all dogs,
they do require daily exercise, but their size means
that a lot of this exercise can be given indoors. Do
take your dog out for one or two daily walks, but
remember that they only have small legs and will
struggle to keep up even with a brisk pace. Be
prepared for a relatively casual stroll around the
block or to a very local dog park.

At the most, you should be walking a Shih Tzu for

about 45 minutes a day. Much longer than this and
you could cause injury or pain for your little
companion. Although the Shih Tzu does take part
in exhibitions and dog shows, and they can do well
in modiTed agility events, their diminutive size
means that they won’t tend to do well in other
canine sports.