Shih Tzu
A lion in miniature, bred for a thousand years of laps.
On these lists: Dogs for apartments · Small dogs · Dogs for seniors
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 20–27 cm |
| Weight | 4–7 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–16 years |
| Energy | Low–moderate — 30–45 min/day |
| Shedding | Low — the coat mats rather than moults |
| Coat | Long, dense double coat · all colours |
| Group | Toy · FCI №208 / AKC |
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| FCI group | 9 — Companion and Toy Dogs · FCI 208 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Shih Tzu by the numbers
The Shih Tzu facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Ongoing costs stay modest — it eats little and routine vet care sits at the lower end. Its coat also needs a professional groom every few weeks — a real line in the budget.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
The Shih Tzu was bred for one job — keeping Chinese emperors company — and it has never forgotten it. Expect a confident, outgoing little dog that assumes it is welcome everywhere, greets guests as admirers, and treats training as a negotiation best settled with snacks. Not needy, exactly; simply certain of its place.
Habits & quirks
The palace strut
Head high, tail plumed over the back — it moves like it remembers the Forbidden City.
Professional snuggler
A millennium of lap work shows; it will locate the softest seat in any room.
Snorts and snores
The short muzzle comes with a soundtrack — endearing, mostly.
Selective hearing
It knows its name perfectly well; it's weighing whether coming is worth its while.
Health
The Shih Tzu's flat face is the thing to plan around: hot, humid weather is genuinely risky, so walk it early, rest in the shade, and never leave it in a warm car or unshaded garden. The large, prominent eyes need daily face-washing and quick attention to any redness or rubbing. Like most small dogs it also needs real dental care — the small mouth crowds teeth — so brush daily and keep the coat clean around the face.
Nutrition
| Grooming | Brush to the skin daily, or keep a short puppy cut and brush twice a week — this coat mats fast. |
| Heat | The flat face makes hot, humid days genuinely risky — walk early, rest in the shade. |
| Eyes | Large, prominent eyes need daily face-washing and quick attention to any redness. |
| Training | Patient, food-based sessions work; housetraining tends to take longer than average. |
A Shih Tzu doesn't need much food, so measure the meals and keep it lean — extra weight is hard on any small dog and makes hot days harder still. Feed set meals rather than free-feeding, count training treats into the day's total, and favour dental-friendly chewing, because small-breed mouths are prone to dental trouble. Keep water available and easy to reach, especially in warm weather.
Puppy guide
A Shih Tzu puppy is confident and sociable and takes to family life easily, but two habits are worth starting early. Get it used to daily brushing and face-cleaning from the first weeks, because the coat mats fast and the eyes need wiping for life. Build up short spells alone gradually so it learns company isn't constant, socialise it widely, and be patient with housetraining, which usually takes longer than average.
Training
Shih Tzus are bright but their own dogs, and they respond best to patient, food-based sessions kept short and upbeat. Housetraining is the slow part and takes longer than average, so stay consistent and keep a routine. Treat training as the gentle negotiation it is — reward what you want rather than forcing it — and this sociable little dog learns its manners happily.
Known health issues
No breed is problem-free. These are the conditions most worth knowing about for this breed — with what a good breeder screens for and what an owner watches. General guidance, not a substitute for your vet.
Breathing trouble (BOAS)
Flat-faced breeds are prone to obstructed airways — the full story is here. Good breeders screen: Airway-graded parents (RFG 0–3); open nostrils. Watch for: Snoring, easy tiring, and overheating in warm weather.
Slipping kneecap
A kneecap that slips out of place, common in small breeds and usually manageable. Good breeders screen: Vet-checked knees on the parents. Watch for: An occasional skip or hop on a back leg.
Back trouble (IVDD)
Slipped or ruptured spinal discs, a real risk in long-backed breeds like the Dachshund and Corgi. Good breeders screen: Choose lines without early disc disease; keep pups lean. Watch for: Sudden pain, a hunched back, wobbling or dragging hind legs — see a vet fast.
Life expectancy
Shih Tzus live 10–16 years. The Shih Tzu can be a long-lived companion, and the everyday care is what keeps one there: a lean weight, teeth that are brushed and checked, eyes cleaned daily, and sensible caution in the heat. Keep the coat brushed or clipped so it never mats, book the yearly vet visit, and a well-kept Shih Tzu stays a cheerful companion for a long time.
Popular Shih mixes
Shih-Poo
A small, clever, often low-shedding cross with a soft wavy coat; affectionate and playful, with a coat that needs regular brushing.
Malshi
A soft, sociable little companion, happiest in company; the coat mats without regular brushing and the teeth need daily care.
Shorkie
A tiny, bold, affectionate cross with plenty of personality and a watchful streak. Socialise early and keep up the coat and dental care.
Shichon
A soft, cheerful little companion with a low-shedding coat; sometimes called the Teddy Bear, and happiest with company.
Shih-Apso
A sturdy little companion with a long, dense coat and an independent streak; friendly but sometimes stubborn, and the coat needs regular grooming.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Do Shih Tzus shed a lot?
Very little — the long coat behaves more like hair and tangles instead of dropping. Daily brushing or a regular clip is the real commitment.
Are Shih Tzus good for first-time owners?
Yes — they're small, sturdy, affectionate and forgiving of beginner mistakes. Budget time or money for coat care, though.
Can a Shih Tzu be left alone?
A few hours is fine once it's used to the routine — this is a companion breed that expects company. Build alone-time up gradually from puppyhood.
Is the Shih Tzu hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but the Shih Tzu comes closer than most: its low-shedding coat releases less of the dander that triggers allergies. Many allergy sufferers manage well with this breed, but spend time around one before committing.
Is the Shih Tzu good with children?
Generally yes. The Shih Tzu is a friendly, people-loving breed that usually does well with children when raised and socialised well. As with any dog, teach children to be gentle and supervise around toddlers.
Is the Shih Tzu easy to train?
Reasonably. The Shih Tzu is trainable with consistency and rewards, though it isn't the quickest study. Keep sessions short and positive, and be patient with the basics like recall.
