Shih Tzu Guide

Shih Tzu Temperament: What Living With One Is Really Like

A Shih Tzu was bred to keep people company, and it shows. The AKC calls the breed a little "Lion Dog" that owners have delighted in for a thousand years, and describes it as playful and a bit mischievous. Expect a dog that wants to be where you are.

Below I cover personality, barking, how clever the breed is, training and potty training, children, being left alone, and what to look for in a puppy's character. Looks and coat belong to other pages, such as what a Shih Tzu is.

What is a Shih Tzu's temperament?

The AKC breed standard describes the ideal temperament as outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting toward everyone. VCA agrees, calling the breed affectionate and playful with an outgoing manner toward strangers, and usually good with other dogs and pets.

The standard also uses words like proud and arrogant, which refers to how the dog carries itself: head up, tail curled over the back. In person it reads as confidence with a comic edge. Most Shih Tzus act like they own the room, then flop into your lap.

What is a Shih Tzu's personality like day to day?

Here is a realistic picture of an ordinary day with one:

Short bursts of play, then a long nap beside you.
A habit of following you from room to room.
Greeting visitors with enthusiasm, not suspicion.
A strong opinion about food, walks and which cushion is theirs.

The PDSA, a UK veterinary charity, describes the breed as alert, lively and sociable, and says Shih Tzus enjoy company. In other words, a Shih Tzu wants a household and not a garden to guard. Energy is moderate. VCA suggests a walk around the block once or twice a day, plus indoor play, while the PDSA suggests about an hour a day split into short outings. Adjust for the heat (the health problems guide explains why), because VCA warns the short muzzle makes the breed prone to overheating.

Do Shih Tzus like to cuddle?

Overwhelmingly, yes. This is a lap dog by design, and a dog that is happiest on or next to a person. A few Shih Tzus prefer to sit beside you instead of on you, and some tolerate being picked up better than others, so the cuddling style varies. A small body suits a small home, and the size guide shows how the weights range. My adults are about 8 pounds.

Gentle handling matters because the dog is small. Teach children to sit down to hold a puppy, support its chest and hind end, and never carry it by the front legs. Lifting wrongly can hurt a small dog's back.

Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?

VCA rates the breed's barking as moderate, 3 out of 5. The PDSA notes they were bred as watchdogs and often alert you to visitors, and says training helps control problem barking. So expect a few announcements at the door, and a bark at noises outside, not a nonstop yapper.

What turns barking into a problem is usually boredom, loneliness or reward. If you rush over every time the dog barks, it learns that barking works. A calmer plan:

Teach "quiet" by rewarding silence for a moment after the barking stops.
Give the dog something to do: a chew, a food puzzle, a short walk.
Close a curtain if one window sets it off.
Never shout, since a loud owner can sound like a bark in reply.

How smart are Shih Tzus?

Clever in a social way. VCA says the breed learns quickly, though it can be stubborn. That fits what many owners describe: the dog understands exactly what you want and weighs up whether it feels like it. The PDSA calls them eager to learn.

I would not rank breeds in an intelligence league table, because such lists mostly measure how fast a dog obeys commands. A Shih Tzu is better judged by how well it reads people. It learns the household routine, the sound of the treat bag and your moods, and it uses all of it.

How do you train a Shih Tzu?

VCA recommends reward-based methods using food or games, not force, and that matches how this breed behaves. A dog that is bullied becomes stubborn, and one that is paid becomes keen.

Keep sessions short, five minutes or so, and end on a success.
Use small, soft treats from the dog's daily food, so the calories do not add up.
Start with name, sit, come and walking beside you on a loose lead.
Use a harness so the lead does not pull on the neck.
Practice meeting new people, sounds and surfaces while the puppy is young, so it grows up relaxed.

Puppy classes are useful, and the breed does well in simple games like find the treat. Ask your vet when it is safe to mix with other dogs after vaccinations.

How do you potty train a Shih Tzu puppy?

It is the hardest part of training for most owners. VCA notes housetraining can be harder than with many breeds. Small bladders, small dogs that disappear behind furniture and a stubborn streak all contribute. It is a matter of routine, not a flaw in the dog.

Take the puppy out first thing, after every meal, after play and after naps, and before bed.
Choose one spot, go with the puppy, wait, and reward straight away when it goes.
Supervise indoors, or use a crate or pen when you cannot watch.
Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner and never punish after the fact.
Be patient. Months, not weeks, is realistic for a reliable dog.

Puppies from Royal Silk Shih Tzus go home with pee pads, a blanket from the litter, a toy or two, treats and a puppy care guide, so the first week has a starting point. You can see what else is included on the go-home package page.

Are Shih Tzus good with children and other pets?

Generally yes, with supervision. VCA says children should be supervised around the breed because they could easily injure such a small dog, and it rates the breed's suitability with children 3 out of 5. Older children who can be gentle are a better match than toddlers. Most Shih Tzus enjoy other dogs and pets, but keep early introductions calm.

Aggression is not described as a breed trait. The AKC standard disqualifies viciousness and extreme shyness in the show ring, and the ideal is a trusting dog. A Shih Tzu that snaps usually has a reason: pain, fear, rough handling or guarding food. Ask a vet to check a sudden change in temper.

Can a Shih Tzu be left alone?

For a short time, with practice. The PDSA says not to leave the breed alone for more than about four hours a day. A dog that was bred for company can struggle with long absences, and may bark, chew or toilet indoors out of worry.

Build up gradually. Leave for a minute, then five, then longer, return calmly, and give a chew or toy to make it pleasant. If you work long hours, think about a midday visitor or a walker before taking on a puppy. When you are ready to meet one, the available Shih Tzu puppies are on their own page, and the lifespan guide shows how long the commitment lasts.

I like to talk through a family's daily routine before a puppy goes home, because the best match is a home where someone is around. Write to me through the contact page.