Dog breed

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a small companion dog with Tibetan roots, kept for centuries at the imperial court in China. You'll know it by its long, flowing coat and the hair on the muzzle that grows upward, giving it that "chrysanthemum" face. It is friendly and cheerful and settles in well in an apartment.

Low shedding
FCI Group IX · Companion dogs · standard no. 208

Weight: 4.5–8 kg
Height: 23–27 cm
Lifespan: 10–16 years
Origin: Tibet (China), UK patronage

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Photo: Wawri (Tomasz Wawak), CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The Shih Tzu was bred purely for companionship, and it shows at every turn. It follows its people from room to room, happily climbs onto laps and greets strangers politely, if without much fuss. It usually gets along with other dogs and cats without trouble. The breed standard describes it as intelligent, alert and friendly, but also independent, and that last word matters. A Shih Tzu can politely pretend not to hear a cue and win concessions with one charming look. An owner who gets wrapped around its paw soon has an overweight pet with unfinished house-training. It is not a nervous or especially yappy dog, though it will usually comment on the doorbell. It can be a great companion for children, as long as they don't treat it like a stuffed toy.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Shih Tzu for?

A good choice for someone in an apartment, a senior, a family with older children and a first-time owner who isn't planning mountain hikes. You do have to enjoy grooming, though, or have the budget for a regular groomer. If you want a dog to run with, take on long summer outings, or you can't stand daily combing, look for another breed.

Pros

does very well in an apartment
friendly toward people and animals
hardly sheds
modest exercise needs

Challenges

daily combing or frequent grooming
copes badly with heat
can be stubborn about house-training
sensitive eyes

Size and looks

Size and looks: Shih Tzu
Height at the withers	males 23–27 cm, females 23–27 cm
Weight	males 4.5–8 kg, females 4.5–8 kg
Lifespan	10–16 years
Coat	long
Colors	white and gold, gold, black, black and white, brindle, silver, liver
Country of origin	Tibet (China), UK patronage
Classification	Group IX: Companion and Toy dogs
Also known as	Shih-Tzu, Shitzu, Chrysanthemum Dog, Little Lion Dog

Care and exercise

30–60minof exercise a day

4/5grooming needs

1/5shedding

Two or three short walks a day plus play indoors are enough, around 30–60 minutes of activity in total. Limit exertion in hot weather, because the short muzzle makes a Shih Tzu overheat easily. The coat is the biggest commitment: long hair needs combing every day, or mats form close to the skin within a few days. Many owners choose a short trim at the groomer every 6–8 weeks, which makes life much easier. The hair above the eyes is tied up in a topknot or trimmed so it doesn't irritate the corneas, and the area around the eyes is wiped daily. Brush the teeth several times a week. In training, only gentle consistency and rewards work; harsh methods put it off cooperating. Start house-training on day one, since it can take a while in this breed.

How much should the Shih Tzu eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic breed, so some dogs have narrow nostrils and breathing trouble, especially in the heat. The British Kennel Club notes that short-muzzled breeds also more often have skin problems in their folds, crowded teeth and prominent eyes prone to injury and dryness. The American breed club also lists hip dysplasia, luxating patella, cataracts, PRA and retinal detachment. Even so, the breed lives quite long: a 2024 study of more than 12,000 dogs found a median of 12.8 years. When choosing a puppy, look for parents with wider nostrils and a moderately short muzzle.

brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)The short muzzle can make breathing hard, especially in heat and during exertion.
eye disease (corneal ulcers, dry eye, cataracts, PRA)Prominent eyes are prone to injury and drying out and need checking every day.
luxating patellaTypical of small breeds; shows up as skipping on one hind leg.
dental problemsCrowded teeth in a short jaw encourage tartar and gum disease.
hip dysplasiaLess common than in large breeds, but the breed club recommends screening the parents.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

eye exam (ECVO)
breathing assessment (BOAS)
patella exam
hip X-ray (HD)

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed's roots go back to Tibet, from where small dogs were sent as gifts to the imperial court in Beijing. There, probably with some Pekingese blood, the type we now know as the Shih Tzu, or "lion dog," took shape. After the fall of the empire in 1912 the first dogs began reaching the West, but documented imports arrived in Britain only in 1931. At first they were shown together with Lhasa Apsos; in 1934 an English breed club was founded and the Shih Tzu was recognized as a separate breed, and the Kennel Club opened a separate studbook in 1940.

Fun facts

In Chinese, the name Shih Tzu means "lion dog."
The "chrysanthemum" face comes from the hair on the bridge of the nose growing upward.
The first Shih Tzus in England were shown together with Lhasa Apsos until they were recognized as a separate breed.
The FCI standard allows every color except merle.

Frequently asked questions

Do Shih Tzus shed?

Shih Tzus shed very little, because dead hair stays caught in the long coat and comes out when you comb. That's why they are often recommended for people with allergies, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic, since saliva and dander cause reactions too. Before buying, spend some time with an adult dog of the breed.

How long do Shih Tzus live?

Usually 10–16 years; the American breed club even says up to 18. A 2024 UK study calculated a median of 12.8 years. A lean body, good care of the teeth and eyes, and avoiding overheating all help a Shih Tzu live longer.

How often should a Shih Tzu be groomed?

A dog in a short pet trim needs the groomer about every 6–8 weeks. A dog in a full long coat isn't clipped, but it needs combing every day and regular baths. Between visits, trim the hair around the eyes and paws.

Can a Shih Tzu be left alone?

An adult Shih Tzu that is gradually used to it usually handles a few hours alone better than many working breeds. Still, it is a companion dog, and whole days without people take a toll on it. A walk before you leave and a lick toy help.

How much does a Shih Tzu weigh?

Adult dogs of this breed usually weigh: males 4.5–8 kg, females 4.5–8 kg. Height at the withers: 23–27 cm. That range is for healthy adults in good condition.