The Shih Tzu: everything you need to know 

Meet: the Shih Tzu. Nicknamed ‘lion dogs’ (more on that later), these loyal and lovable pooches were once royal palace pets for China's royalty, and today, remain popular amongst pet parents and dog enthusiasts alike.

Small - but mighty! - it’s easy to see why the Shih Tzu dog is so well loved. Loyal, playful, affectionate - not to mention, cute as a button! So, get ready as we journey through ancient Tibet right up to the modern day, and explore the adorable Shih Tzu’s breed characteristics, appearance, personality, and more…

Shih Tzu characteristics

Origin: It's likely the Shih Tzu originated from Tibet, and was bred from the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso dog.

Size: These little cuties will typically stand at around 9 - 10 inches tall, and weigh between 9 - 16 pounds. The teacup Shih Tzu can be tinier still - they generally stand at 6 inches tall and weigh 8 pounds or less. 

Character: Playful, friendly, loyal, and affectionate - the Shih Tzu temperament is next to none. They are happy little pups who make wonderful companion dogs. 

Health needs: There are some hereditary Shih Tzu health problems to be aware of, such as hip dysplasia, patella luxation, renal dysplasia, and eye and dental problems. 

Grooming: While they are a low-shedding breed, their ever-growing coat will need regular grooming. Most Shih Tzu owners opt to keep their pooch in a puppy cut for a lower-maintenance look.

Training: Shih Tzus can be a little tricky to housebreak - they also have a tendency to wrap their pet parents around their little paws! Consistent, praise-based training tactics and early socialization and training classes are recommended for Shih Tzu puppies.

Energy levels: Lap dogs to the core, the Shih Tzu has moderate energy levels and requires minimal exercise. A short, daily walk around the park is usually more than enough to tucker this little cutie out. 

Intelligence: These little pups are known to be highly intelligent!

Lifespan: 10 - 16 years.

Noise levels: The breed is somewhat prone to barking - more often than not to alert their pet parents to newcomers or passersby. Being left on their own for long periods of time can make this worse.

Shih Tzu looks & appearance

Standing at just 10 inches tall and weighing up to 16 pounds, the Shih Tzu is a short-but-sweet little pooch, that fits into the toy dog breed category. 

They have small, sturdy little bodies and a short, flat muzzle that - much like their ancestor breed, the Pekingese - puts this little pooch into the brachycephalic category. However, the main standout feature of the Shih Tzu dog breed is undoubtedly their large, expressive eyes - seriously, we challenge anyone to gaze into the sweet Shih Tzu's peepers and not immediately fall head over paws.

They have a double coat that is both glossy and gorgeous - and come in a variety of colors. The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists no less than 14 different coat colors and combinations, including black, white, blue, gold, and liver. As if this sweet little pooch couldn’t get better, they’re also considered to be one of the breeds that don’t shed much!

Shih Tzu personality

Shih Tzus were bred to be companion dogs, and today they are every bit the epitome of a lap dog. Long, arduous hikes and far-flung adventures? Not on their watch. Their idea of a perfect afternoon would likely include sofa snuggles, chilling out on the laps of their humans - and probably not much more. 

They are known for their playful and happy dispositions, and are incredibly affectionate pups who will happily soak up any and all attention you fling their way. Despite being a small dog in size, these pooches are lively and alert - especially to newcomers or people passing by. But, like most toy breeds, the Shih Tzu's bark is probably worse than their bite!

What’s the ideal home for a Shih Tzu? 

While their early home dwellings might have been a grand royal palace, you’ll be pleased to know that’s not a requirement for prospective pet parents today. In fact, thanks to their small size and adaptability, the Shih Tzu will do just fine in most homes, apartments and small living spaces included. As they were bred to be indoor companion dogs, they also don’t require a home with a backyard (as long as they get their daily steps in, of course). 

What’s the ideal human for a Shih Tzu? 

Basically, anyone with an available lap! Seriously though, these charming little pups get along with just about anyone and tend to warm up quickly to new people, pet sitters included. 

They relish attention from their humans, and are happiest when plonked onto the lap of their pet parent, or playing with their families. Therefore, pet parents who can spend lots of time hanging out and chilling with their Shih Tzu are best suited to the breed.

Plus, good news for families - Shih Tzus tend to get along famously with children. That said, as they are small (and more fragile than your standard doggo), they should always be supervised when around little 'uns.

Tips for training Shih Tzu

Shiz Tzus are highly intelligent, but they aren't the easiest dog breed to train! In fact, they are known to be difficult to housebreak.

These little pups are likely to wrap you around their little paws in no time, and they often get away with murder! (We’re pretty sure those cute-as-a-button eyes are partly to blame for that, personally…) 

While they can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training, stick with it - firm and consistent training methods with lots of rewards and praise for good behavior are the way forward. As with most breeds, it's also a good idea to enroll your Shih Tzu puppy into early training and socialization classes to ensure they grow into a confident, well-behaved pooch. 

Shih Tzu grooming

There are few pups with a coat as luscious as the Shih Tzu - but believe us when we say it takes effort to look that beautiful! 

These pampered pups will need regular grooming - daily brushing is recommended to keep their locks tangle-free. To protect their eyes from irritation, it’s best to keep the hair on the top of their heads trimmed or else scooped up with a hair tie. 

It’s not just regular brushings you need to consider, either. The American Kennel Club recommends bathing these furbabies once every three to four weeks. Pet parents should also regularly clean the corner of their pup's eyes with a damp cloth.

Because their fur grows continuously, they will require regular trips to the groomers. Most pet parents either choose to keep their pups in a lower-maintenance puppy cut or else opt for one of the many Shih Tzu haircuts available to keep them looking fabulous. After all, who doesn't love a pooch with a topknot?

Shih Tzu history

The Shih Tzu (meaning “lion dog”) is an ancient breed, which makes their exact origins a little… hazy. It’s likely that they originated in ancient Tibet, and experts believe the Shih Tzu was bred from the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso. 

These pups were originally bred to be companion dogs. At some point in their long and regal history, they made their way to China, and were the royal palace pet for most of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). There's also a theory that they were given as gifts to China's royalty by Tibetan monks. When they weren't warming the laps of royalty, they would be happily sashaying their way around the royal palaces.

It was until the 1930s that the first Shih Tzus made their way to Europe, where the breed was further defined by breeding clubs. The breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 1969. Famous Shih Tzu pet parents include the likes of Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Bill Gates, and even Queen Elizabeth II! 

Getting a Shih Tzu

Besotted with Shih Tzus after reading this breed guide? Honestly, we get it.

Shih Tzus are incredibly popular pooches - understandably so - that said, many still end up in shelters, and so your local rescue center is often a great place to look if you're thinking about adopting a Shih Tzu rescue. 

If you've decided to go down the route of buying a Shih Tzu puppy, be sure to go with a reputable breeder only - and avoid puppy mills. The American Kennel Club's search tool can help you to find a Shih Tzu for sale from a responsible nearby breeder.

Shih Tzu quick-fire facts

Tl;dr? Enjoy these fun quick-fire facts about everyone’s favorite little lion dog. 

1. These pooches have regal roots - the Shih Tzu was the palace pet for most of the Ming Dynasty.
2. But, they almost became extinct following the death of Empress Tzu Hsi. She adored Shih Tzus and supervised their breeding program, but after her death in 1908, the program fell apart and we almost lost these sweet dogs forever.
3. Luckily - and thanks to 14 remaining purebred pups - the breed was rebuilt, and brought back from the brink of extinction. Because of that, every Shih Tzu living today can be traced back to these 14 dogs!
4. Their name means 'lion dog', but their nicknames don't end there. They're also known as ‘chrysanthemum dogs’, because of the unique way their hair grows upwards on the snout.
5. The Shih Tzu has a relatively long life expectancy of 10 - 16 years. The oldest recorded Shih Tzu ever to live, however, was a pooch named Smokey from Florida, who lived to a ripe 23 years of age!
6. They're an ancient breed - documents for the Shih Tzu go back at least 1,000 years, although records show that “under the table” short, square dogs existed in China as early on as 1,000 BC. While it's likely they were Shih Tzus, we can't know for sure!
7. While they are an ancient breed, for most of their life they lived behind palace doors - in fact, the American Kennel Club states the breed was "virtually unknown to the outside world until the 1930s"!
8. That said, they quickly grew in popularity. Famous pet parents include Nicole Richie, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Colin Farell, Bill Gates - and Queen Elizabeth II!
9. Soldiers introduced the Shih Tzu to the USA. During World War II, American soldiers stationed in Europe (understandably) fell in love with these sweet little pups, and brought them back with them upon their return in the late 1940s and 1950s.
10. They're closely related to wolves. Yep, this might be our favorite Shih Tzu fact! DNA analysis shows that they are more closely related to the wolf than most other breeds, cementing this little dog's small-but-mighty reputation.

Looking for the perfect name for your newest furry family member? We think our list of royal dog names would be perfect for these palace-hopping pups!