Shih Tzu Guide
What Is a Shih Tzu?
A Shih Tzu is a small, long-haired companion dog with a short muzzle, large dark eyes and a plume of a tail carried over the back. It is a member of the AKC Toy Group, usually stands about 9 to 10.5 inches tall and weighs 9 to 16 pounds under the breed standard. Underneath all that hair is a sturdy little dog that was bred for one job: keeping people company.
The breed is old, its history is partly legend and its name is often said wrongly. This page covers where the Shih Tzu comes from, what the name means, how to say it, what the breed was developed to do and what living with one is like now.
What is a Shih Tzu dog?
It is a toy breed of purely companion origin, recognized by kennel clubs around the world. The look is unmistakable: a flowing double coat, a flat face with a short muzzle, a slight underbite in many dogs, and a proud head carriage. The AKC describes the temperament as sweet, outgoing and affectionate, and the breed is known for being friendly with strangers and children when it has been well socialized.
Shih Tzus come in many colors, including black, white, gold, brown, gray and brindle, in solid and parti-color patterns. The Shih Tzu colors guide goes through them one by one, and the size guide explains how small is small.
What does a Shih Tzu look like?
The breed standard describes a sturdy small dog that carries itself proudly. The head is round and broad with wide-set, large, dark eyes, and the ears hang down and blend into the long hair. The coat is long and dense and may have a slight wave. The tail is set high and carried in a curve over the back, which gives the dog its jaunty outline when it walks.
Most pet owners keep the coat shorter than the show style, with a trimmed face and a clipped body, so the same dog can look quite different from one groomer to the next. The Shih Tzu haircuts guide shows the popular styles. Under any haircut, the proportions stay the same: longer than tall, with a short face and a happy expression.
Where did the Shih Tzu originate?
Nobody knows for certain, and honest sources say so. The AKC states that the breed's precise origins are unknown, though it is thought to descend from small, lion-like Tibetan dogs. Tibetan lamas are said to have sent such dogs to the Chinese imperial court, where they were kept and developed into the breed we recognize. Court artists painted dogs of this type on scrolls and wall hangings for several hundred years.
That is why you will find both Tibet and China given as the breed's home. Tibet is the likely source of the early dogs, and the Chinese court is where the breed took its shape. Most of the finer stories are repeated far more often than they are documented, so treat them as tradition rather than record.
What does the name Shih Tzu mean?
The name is a Chinese one, written in an older romanization called Wade-Giles. It comes from the Chinese for "lion dog", and "Lion Dog" was the breed's early name. The lion-like look of the dogs, with mane-like hair around the face, is what the name points to.
The name has little to do with size or temperament. It describes the look: a small dog with a full head of hair, kept by people who valued it for its company.
How do you pronounce Shih Tzu?
The most common English pronunciation is "SHEED-zoo", with the stress on the first syllable and a soft "zoo" at the end. You will hear several versions, including "shid-zoo" and the less pleasant sounding "shit-sue", which draws a groan from owners.
The Chinese sounds do not map exactly onto English, and so the same word is said differently in different places. Do not worry about getting the original sound perfect. If you say "SHEED-zoo", every breeder and vet will know exactly what you mean.
The plural is "Shih Tzus" in written English, and the spelling is two words with a capital S and capital T in most style guides.
What were Shih Tzus bred for?
Companionship, and nothing more demanding. Unlike many breeds in the Toy Group, which were shrunk from working dogs, the Shih Tzu was developed as a palace lap dog, kept indoors to warm laps, to decorate a room and to keep its owners company. No one needed it to hunt, herd or guard.
That history shows in the dog now. A Shih Tzu is built to be indoors and near people. It does best when it is with the family and it can struggle when left alone for long hours. It also needs far less exercise than a working breed, and a couple of short walks and play at home usually satisfy it. The temperament guide describes how this plays out in daily life.
How did the Shih Tzu become popular in the West?
Shih Tzus reached Europe in the 1930s, when a small number of dogs were brought to England and they were first shown there as Lhasa Apsos. A breed club was formed in England in the 1930s, and the Kennel Club in the UK recognized the Shih Tzu as its own breed in 1940. The AKC recognized it in 1969.
From there the breed spread, and its ease with people did the rest. It has been a common family dog in the United States ever since. If you cannot tell the Shih Tzu from a similar breed, the Lhasa Apso vs Shih Tzu comparison sets them side by side.
What is the Shih Tzu like today?
Today the Shih Tzu is a family pet first and foremost, and its job is much the same as it ever was. It is small enough for an apartment, adaptable to most households and happiest when it is in the middle of whatever is going on.
- Care: the coat needs brushing several times a week and regular trims, and many owners choose a shorter clip. See the grooming guide.
- Health: the flat face and large eyes bring some risks to know about, covered in the health guide.
- Lifespan: most live into their early teens, as the lifespan guide explains.
- Allergies: low shedding does not mean allergy-proof, as the hypoallergenic guide explains.
Is a Shih Tzu a good apartment or first dog?
It often is. The size suits small spaces, the exercise needs are modest, and the temperament is forgiving for a first-time owner who is patient. The things that catch new owners out are the coat, which needs regular work, the housetraining, which can take longer in small breeds than people expect, and the teeth, which need brushing from the start.
It is worth planning for the first year in advance: vet visits, a grooming routine, safe food, and a plan for when you are out. The feeding guide is a good place to begin.
Is a Shih Tzu the right dog for me?
It is a good fit if you want a close, cheerful, lap-loving dog and you are happy to commit to coat care, dental care and a calm approach to training. It is a poorer fit if you want a jogging partner, if you will be out all day with nobody home, or if you do not want regular grooming costs.
I breed purebred Shih Tzus at Royal Silk Shih Tzus, and my adults are about 8 pounds fully grown. If you would like to meet one of my puppies, the puppies available now are listed with their profiles, and I will talk through whether a puppy suits your household before anything is settled.
Quick Answers
01Is a Shih Tzu a good family dog?
Usually, yes. The breed is gentle and sociable, but small puppies are fragile, so young children should be taught to handle them carefully and always supervised.
02Is a Shih Tzu a small or medium dog?
Small. The AKC standard gives 9 to 16 pounds and about 9 to 10.5 inches tall, which puts it in the Toy Group.
03Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?
Not usually. Many bark at visitors or noises but are not known as constant barkers. Training and enough company keep it in check.
04Are Shih Tzus the same as Lhasa Apsos?
No. They share a Tibetan background but are separate breeds, with differences in size, face and coat.
05What is a Shih Tzu mix?
A cross between a Shih Tzu and another breed. The puppies I raise are purebred Shih Tzus only.
Shih Tzu Puppies Available Now
Keep Reading
How Long Do Shih Tzus Live?How long do Shih Tzus live? Most Shih Tzus live about 11 to 14 years.Read the guide
Shih Tzu Temperament: What Living With One Is Really LikeWhat is a Shih Tzu's temperament like? Affectionate, playful and a little stubborn: personality, barking, intelligence,...Read the guide
How Big Do Shih Tzus Get?Size, weight and growth by ageLearn more
Shih Tzu BreedersWhat to ask any breeder, and my answersLearn more
Lhasa Apso vs Shih TzuLhasa Apso vs Shih Tzu compared fairly: size, face, coat, temperament, grooming and health, plus a short look at the...Read the guide
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