Shih Tzu

Coat & Grooming: Shih Tzus have long and luxurious coats that were the pride of their ancient Chinese breeders. Regular brushing and combing, at least twice weekly, are necessary to keep them looking their best. Shih Tzus benefit from weekly bathing. This breed needs a lot of TLC to maintain its looks, so if you aren’t able to do the necessary beauty treatments, be sure to find a good local groomer to help you keep your Shih Tzu beautiful.

Aside from the high-maintenance coat, the Shih Tzu needs the usual pet care on a regular schedule. Teeth brushing and nail clipping should be done regularly to promote good health and keep your pet feeling pampered.

Coat length: Long
Grooming: Frequent

Shedding: Shih Tzus don’t shed very much, and some breeders list the dog as a hypoallergenic pet. The Shih Tzu hair doesn’t fall out often other than during combing and brushing or when it breaks. Don’t expect to see a lot of dog hair all over your apartment when you live with a Shih Tzu.

Training: Shih Tzus are very intelligent and typically take to training very well. Some owners report difficulty with house-training, but if you use a crate and follow the training plan, it’s usually not a problem. When it comes to training your Shih Tzu, you should carefully supervise your pet when they are young. These curious animals will find trouble if left alone, but they are a smart and capable breed with lots of love to give if you teach them good manners.

Barking: As with most dogs, early socialization and training make for a well-rounded companion. They can be timid and fearful without the proper instruction and confidence-building early in life. Excessive barking is a sign that you need to spend more time training your pet. The Shih Tzu bark is piercing, loud, and high. The bark often comes in a wave of short, sharp bursts.

Ancient Chinese monks bred the Shih Tzu to resemble the lion, an important animal in Buddhist mythology. Their proud posture and curious demeanor doesn’t always match their size, so it’s up to you to foster good habits and proper discipline in your pet. They don’t know their size, so it’s important to keep them safe from big jumps from heights and larger aggressive dogs.

Temperament & Behavior: Since the Shih Tzu was a royal palace fixture in ancient China, these dogs are great companions that don’t make a fuss. All they want to do is be with their family. They aren’t interested in hunting or guard duty, so don’t expect your Shih Tzu to replace your home monitoring security system.

While they do love to spend time on the couch, Shih Tzus are alert and lively at times. They are very affectionate, and a Shih Tzu’s favorite place to sit is the lap of someone they love. Don’t be surprised when your Shih Tzu follows you around the house, close at heel. They love to be close to their family, so you might struggle to get some privacy from these curious and loving companions.

Behavior with kids: Shih Tzus are wonderful as family pets. They play well with others, including small children and other pets. As long as kids are supervised, they don’t pose many risks to the delicate Shih Tzu frame. Shih Tzus are very friendly and don’t pose a risk to small children or pets with proper training and supervision.

Protection: Shih Tzus are very friendly, even with strangers. The original Chinese breeders wanted a dog that would fit in with palace life without causing too much of a disturbance. They aren’t good sentinels or guard dogs because they make fast friends with everyone they meet.

Life span: On average, Shih Tzus live to be about 12 to 15 years old.

Inherited health issues: Shih Tzu dogs, like a number of purebred dogs, have inherited health conditions. Some are more common than others, and many are attributable to the conformation (anatomy) of the breed.

Common health conditions in Shih Tzus include allergies, cancer, portosystemic shunt, patellar luxation, intervertebral disc disease, cataracts, distichiasis, glaucoma, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, pigmentary keratitis, urinary stones and tracheal collapse.

Preventive care: Shih Tzu’s as a breed have a number of problems that can be prevented or effectively managed with care. Several of their problems can be directly tied back to their anatomy, especially their short snout and ever-present under bite. These features predispose them to the development of dental disease, so it’s important to get your Shih Tzu used to dental care from an early age. Use a small brush that fits over your finger and a good-quality animal-specific toothpaste.

Shih Tzu’s are prone to a number of eye problems. Monitor your dog’s eyes for excessive discharge – especially green or yellow – as well as cloudiness. These are often early signs of problems that can be easily treated.

Make sure you have an adequate supply of fresh water present in several locations, and encourage frequent drinking to reduce the chance of urinary stone formation. It’s also a good idea to fit your Shih Tzu with a harness, as so many of these dogs have tracheal collapse, which is exacerbated by pulling on a collar.

Feed your Shih Tzu a good quality small breed dog food, and closely monitor his weight, to limit problems associated with obesity.

Daily Consumption: Adult Shih Tzus eat ¾ to 1 cups of dry food per day

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then.

Exercise: Shih Tzu habits are often comical given their size, but they take themselves very seriously. They are alert, active, and curious in their environment. When it comes to finding a place to sit, the Shih Tzu has a favorite spot: your lap. The affectionate and loving Shih Tzu needs to be around people because they thrive as close companions. These little lions like to be the center of attention, so it’s important to develop good habits early in life with proper training and discipline.

Since they are happy to run around a small apartment and then sit on your lap, you don’t need to worry about getting out for long walks or having a big backyard for them to play. Shih Tzus are happy with minimal walking and only a bit of exercise, so they make great pets for people in apartments without a lot of room to move around.

Climate: When it comes to inclement weather, your Shih Tzu would rather be inside. They don’t like wet or cold weather very much, and their coat can pick up a lot of snow as it drags along the cold ground. They can manage in the cold without shivering, but make sure to put a coat on them in the coldest climates. Watch out for heatstroke, as their short snouts predispose them to overheating.

Living space: Shih Tzus don’t need much in terms of space or exercise. They thrive in a small apartment since they only need a bit of running around every day. With a Shih Tzu at home, you won’t notice that you’re sharing your space with a dog. They fit into any environment. They were bred to lounge around royal palaces, so Shih Tzus are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to getting out for exercise.