Shih Tzu Guide

Shih Tzu Names

The best Shih Tzu names are short, easy to call across a room and suit a small dog with a big face and a lot of coat. Some people reach for the breed's roots, others for the color of the fur or the dog's silly habits, and plenty just wait until the puppy tells them.

Below are Shih Tzu names for boys and girls, grouped by idea with a little reasoning for each, followed by advice on picking one that sticks and teaching a puppy to answer to it. If you are still choosing a dog, the puppies available now each have a profile, and you can try names on a few of them.

How do I choose a name for my Shih Tzu puppy?

Before you look at lists, run a few simple tests. A name works best when it has one or two syllables, because dogs pick up short sounds faster. It should not sound like a command: "Kit" is close to "sit", "Beau" to "no", and "Bo" to "go". It should be easy to say without feeling silly in a park or a vet waiting room, and it should be something your whole household will actually use.

Many people also wait a few days. A puppy that arrives looking like a "Teddy" may turn out to be a bossy "Duchess". Watch the dog's character for a short while, then pick.

What are good Chinese and Tibetan names for a Shih Tzu?

The name Shih Tzu comes from the Chinese for "lion dog", so this is the most natural place to start. The breed's roots in Chinese and Tibetan culture give plenty of options, and a few are simple words people can pronounce.

Boys: Bao (treasure or precious), Ming (bright), Kai (triumph), Tao (the way), Wei (mighty), Chen (dawn), Jin (gold).
Girls: Mei (beautiful), Lian (lotus), Lin (fine jade), Xia (rosy cloud), Yue (moon), Hua (flower), Jade.
Either: Zen, Lotus, Panda, Dragon, Lhasa (the Tibetan city) and Shanghai.

If you use a word from a language you do not speak, check its meaning and pronunciation with a speaker first. A name that sounds lovely in English can mean something quite different in another language.

What are good names for a male Shih Tzu?

Boys tend to get either strong, short names or soft teddy-bear ones, and a Shih Tzu suits both. Here are ideas that do well with a coat and a swagger.

Classic: Max, Charlie, Buddy, Milo, Teddy, Oscar, Louie, Gus.
Regal: Duke, Rex, Leo, Prince, Winston, Caesar, Hugo.
Playful: Tank, Peanut, Biscuit, Moose, Bandit, Waffles, Noodle.

Leo is a favorite for a reason: it works as a nod to the lion dog and is easy to call. Tank and Moose are funny on a 10 pound dog, which is half the appeal.

What are good names for a female Shih Tzu?

For girls, people often go for names that are pretty, a bit glamorous, or sweet and old-fashioned. A flowing coat practically asks for it.

Classic: Bella, Lucy, Daisy, Molly, Sadie, Chloe, Ruby, Lola.
Glamorous: Duchess, Empress, Coco, Gigi, Diva, Mimi, Josephine.
Sweet and silly: Pearl, Poppy, Pickles, Penny, Pudding, Dot, Muffin.

If you want something that stands out, look to names that are real words, such as Willow, Olive, Juniper or Saffron. They are less common at the dog park, which helps if you are tired of three dogs turning at the same call.

What are good Shih Tzu names based on coat color?

The breed comes in a wide range of coats, so color is a popular starting point. It also helps with unusual markings, and a puppy's coat often changes as it grows, so choose something that will still make sense later. The guide to Shih Tzu colors shows what is possible.

Black or dark coats: Shadow, Onyx, Midnight, Pepper, Raven, Ink, Domino.
White or pale coats: Snow, Cotton, Marshmallow, Ivory, Casper, Pearl, Frosty.
Gold and brown coats: Honey, Biscuit, Mocha, Caramel, Cocoa, Amber, Nutmeg.
Gray and silver coats: Smokey, Storm, Ash, Misty, Pewter, Slate.
Mixed or patched coats: Patches, Oreo, Cookie, Domino, Speckles.

A caution: a puppy's face and body color can lighten or darken during the first year, so a name like "Midnight" may not stay accurate.

What are cute Shih Tzu names for a small dog?

Shih Tzus are small, adults often weighing 9 to 16 pounds under the AKC breed standard, and names that play on size are popular. Some are tongue in cheek, such as Tiny, Peanut, Pip or Mighty. Others lean on food: Cupcake, Pretzel, Truffle, Cookie, Latte and Bean. If you want a name with a little irony, a big name for a small dog, such as Goliath, Titan or Atlas, never fails to get a laugh. You can read about Shih Tzu size and weight to see where your own dog is likely to land.

Short names make for easy tags, vet forms and calling. Avoid anything long that ends up as a nickname anyway, such as Alexander, which will turn into "Alex" or "Xander" in a week.

How do I teach my puppy its name?

A name is just a sound that predicts something good. That makes it one of the easiest things to teach, and it takes only a few days of short practice.

Say the name once in a bright voice when the puppy is nearby and looking around.
Reward the instant the puppy looks at you, with a small treat and calm praise.
Repeat in short sessions of a few minutes, several times a day, in different rooms.
Add distance gradually, then add distractions such as a toy on the floor.
Never use the name to scold. If the name starts to predict bad news, the puppy learns to ignore it.

A Shih Tzu is clever and food-motivated, so progress is usually quick. Use the dog's regular kibble as a reward some days, so the treats do not add up, as covered in the feeding guide. Many families find that a calm, consistent routine matters more than the name itself, and the temperament guide explains why the breed responds so well to gentle training.

What are some good names for a boy or girl that suit either?

Some names work for both sexes, which is handy if you are still waiting to meet the puppy. Good picks are Sunny, Ziggy, Pepper, Bear, River, Maple, Ollie, Charlie and Remy. They are short, friendly and easy to call, and they do not paint the dog into a corner if its character turns out different from what you expected.

A few families choose a name that follows a theme, such as tea (Chai, Matcha, Oolong, Jasmine), spices (Ginger, Saffron, Paprika, Basil) or places (Aspen, Sedona, Tahoe, Sierra). A theme is a nice way to pick names for two dogs that go together, and it narrows a huge list down to a few that you like.

Can I change my Shih Tzu's name later?

Yes. Dogs respond to sound and tone more than to meaning, and a puppy under a few months old will switch in a few days. An older dog takes a little longer. Pick the new name, treat it exactly as you would for a puppy, and stop using the old one. A new name that rhymes with the old one is easier for the dog.

Remember that a dog can have more than one name. Many Shih Tzus answer to a proper name, a short pet name and a few nicknames, and the only rule is that the dog learns which sounds mean "come here" and which mean "silly".

If you choose a name before your puppy arrives, it is ready to use on day one. The delivery page explains how a puppy gets home safely.

Quick Answers

What is a unique name for a Shih Tzu girl?

Look to real words and old-fashioned names, such as Willow, Saffron, Juniper or Hattie. They are distinctive, but still short enough to call easily.

Should a name end in a vowel sound?

Many trainers find names that end in a clear vowel, such as Charlie or Daisy, easy for dogs to pick out. It is a helpful tip, not a rule.

What names do Shih Tzus respond to best?

Dogs respond to short, clear names spoken in an upbeat tone. Consistency and rewards matter more than the exact name.

Should I name a puppy after its coat?

It can work, but a puppy's color may lighten or darken in the first year. A name that suits the personality tends to age better than one tied to a color.