Shih Tzu

Posted on 22. May, 2009 by admin in Chinese Dog Breeds, Dog Breeds, Dog Breeds S, Small Dog Breeds, Toy Dogs

The Shih Tzu originated in China and is thought to be a mixture of the Pekingese and the Tibetan Lhasa Apso. They were bred to be a companion dog and bring happiness to their owners lives. This breed is also known as the Chinese Lion dog because they loosely resemble a lion. The Shih tzu is historically one of the oldest dog breeds still alive today. These dogs were so beloved by their native country that even during trading, the Chinese did not sell any Shih Tzu.

This breed has a furry face that is similar in appearance to a lion and a pushed inwards nose. They have a small under bite and large bright eyes giving them a very innocent look. Their body is a bit longer than it is high with their legs being short and stubby. The Shih Tzu has a tail that is a tight curl and fur cascading down the coil. This breed has a thick double layered coat that is silky and regal.

The Shih Tzu is a barky dog that likes to hear their own voice! They are an outgoingly friendly breed that loves to be around people and other dogs alike. They have a loving and confident attitude that does not come across as arrogant. This breed gets along with other dogs and smaller family pets very well.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: around 11 inches high

Females: around 11 inches high

Weight

Males: 9-16 lbs

Females: 9-16 lbs

Color(s)

The Shih Tzu can come in any colour but most popular is either cream or white. For show purposes, there should be white on the end of their tail and on their forehead.

Coat

The Shih Tzu has a thick double layered coat that provides warmth in colder temperatures. Their undercoat is thick and lustrous, while the top coat is smooth and long. This gives the dog a luxuriously thick and silky coat that will almost always guarantee a seat on someone’s lap! The Shih Tzu has a fringe of fur on their tails and surrounding their face giving them the “lion” look. Their coat will need regular maintenance to keep tangle free.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Shih Tzu is a high spirited and outgoing breed making them entertaining to live with. They make fun out of almost anything they do which is key to their contagious happiness. This breed is great with people, dogs, smaller animals, and children. They will make perfect family pets because they are so versatile and can get VIP treatment because they are small and can be brought almost anywhere. These dogs are very intelligent but it will take more effort to train them as they can be a bit stubborn. Housetraining might be more difficult due to their stubborn streak so puppies should be taken out every hour on the hour and slowly up the time distances between bathroom breaks.

Although the Shih Tzu is a small dog, they have the mind set of a big dog! They don’t like to be pushed around and are not shy when it comes to getting what they want whether that be out of people or dogs.

Care

This breed has a long coat which will need regular grooming maintenance to keep it looking great. Some owners like to put hair ties or bows on their head to look like a pony tail. Others prefer to keep the coat short at all times. Either way daily combing will be needed and bathing should be done about once every 2 months. Trips to the groomer to get a trim will be needed about once every 3 months depending on the owners preferences.

Training

This breed will need very consistent training in the most positive manner. Firm methods and repetition will allow this dog to succeed in obedience! The Shih Tzu is known for not being the most compliant breed when it comes to basic obedience so training should start the day the dog is brought home.

Activity

The Shih Tzu will need daily exercise, walks or short trips to the dog park. Like most little dogs, this breed will burn off much of their energy playing throughout the day. The Shih Tzu will do well in an apartment because they don’t take up much space. A backyard would be great just so they have extra room to run around in, but this is not necessary as long as they get their regular exercise.

Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, dogs, shih tzu, small dog, toy dog

20 Responses to “Shih Tzu”

ABA319doglover

01. Oct, 2009

I love Shih Tzu’s so much! their my dream dog!!! I want a dog sooooooooooooooooooooooo BADLY!!!!
Charlene

02. Oct, 2009

Thank you so much for the free advise.
I have a shih tzu and I am very frustrated with her as it is very hard to get her to go out side. I thought I was failing but know now that it’s because these doggies are stubborn. Alot of people recommend I smack her while rubbing her nose in her mess she makes but I am against it. All I wonder is if they would like it if I do it to them. I think it’s abuse. I have finally got my pup to pee out side now just the #2 bit, funny thing is she likes to go in the bathroom.
With this site I totally understand her breed and personality
Love the pix !
how to train a Shih Tzu

11. Nov, 2009

who will you choose a tall dark and masculine dog or a small cute Shih Tzu dog, i choose “cute”
Shih Tzu dog
JEWEL

17. Nov, 2009

I HAVE SHIH TZU AND HE IS MY LOVE I DO EVERYTHING WITH HIM HE IS 8YRS OLD AND HE IS MY WORLD
anita hazell

13. Dec, 2009

my shitzu also likes to climb in and pee in the shower. that was after he had used the interlock floors and wrecked some of them. When it was warm I could leave the doors open and he would go out on his own. now it is -35 so that is out.
generally he is a good little fellow and i love him too much.
all my dogs are rescue and the last shitzu was a run away from a stud farm. I adored him.( It took a year before he would come near me.) Then he got out and got killed and I had to be medicated. He was so fine.
Alicia

11. Jan, 2010

I have a shih tzu , she is very subborn, but very loving. She is the best dog iv ever had . AND SOOO CUTE!
pee_em_tough_guy

27. Feb, 2010

i also have a shih tzu i named her poe after the panda character on kung fu panda because when she eats she reminds me of poe…at first its really hard to train her until i finally got her to poop and pee on a news paper after 3months…the first trick she learned was to fetch a play rubber ball she will run after the ball and bring it back to me but in a different way she will try to destroy the ball infront of me, i think its funny atleast she knows something that would really make me laugh…anyway patience on your shih tzu guys its hard but its worth it..she is my stress reliever…
daniela

01. Mar, 2010

i have a shit tzu hes sooooooooo cute i love him hes black and they are sooo cute you should get one
ABA319doglover

10. Mar, 2010

I kinda have a dog but he is sooooooo cute but A little CRAZZZZZZYYYY.
everytime I go into the house he starts scratching my legs then when it starts to Hurt bad he licks it to make it better then he leaps into my arms and sleeps!
bUT HE DOES LOVE ME AND HE IS PROTECTIVE OF ME
garry tarkan

23. Apr, 2010

we just got a little girl shih tzu. she is the most amazing little thing ever. my parents always had them as we grew up so i wanted one. she has brought us so much joy already. she is spoilt though. she wont let anyone but us touch her toys, she has trained really easy and quickley aswell, and she gets on so well with our 3 cats. we called her “Aiko”, meaning little beloved one in chinese, think it fits her well.
panzy

05. May, 2010

i luv dat dog 2 d coar i hav a 6 year old shitzu itz ma world i wud suggest a shitzu for those people who live in a apartment and want a lapdog !
Sarah

13. Jul, 2010

I have a Shitzu named Max who is a year and a half old. I got him from a family when he was about 4 months old. He was quite a challenge in the beginning (in some ways more challenging than my 60lb. Siberian Husky who we got straight from a breeder). However, over time he has adjusted to be a calm, lap dog who love being close to people. he is great with other dogs and children love to pick him up and cart him around and he laps it up! he was very difficult to potty train (took about 8 months) but he never has accident’s now. he is a dream to walk on a leash after doing some hard work training him and the best companion to watch movie with. he loves to lick and i guess it’s my fault for letting him get away with it; other than that he is a little stubborn when out and about if off leash; however is a real home body and never tries to run off from the yard. He is soft, cute and a joy.
DL

15. Sep, 2010

My shihtzu tail is longer than some I’ve seen. He is also longer than some I’ve seen. I had a DNA done on him and he is full blood. Are they just all different sizes and shapes.
DL
Adam loves shitzu puppies

17. Sep, 2010

I certainly enjoyed reading this. I love the pictures! I keep looking at it as a read along; I just can’t keep my eyes away from those very cute Shih tzu pictures! Thank you for sharing this information on petyourdog.com. I’ve learned a lot from it. I was able to understand Shih tzu’s personalities more. I just love that even though they’re small, they have a very strong personality. I even find their stubborn attitude cute. I would love to have a dog like this, it will be great to have someone who will just sit on my lap and keep me company
vicky

28. Sep, 2010

i have a shih tzu shilo is really nutty he is a year old and is the same when brought him home he crews anything he can get is paws on is this right?

other then that he is a lovely dog
emily

26. Oct, 2010

i have a 7 year old shih tzu, never runs off, loves and protects me. she thinks she is BIG dog. does not like to walk to much.. especialy in cold. can be stubborn. but funny as she will bark by bedroom door, to tell me its time to go to bed. Or if we are at my friend house, she will bark by door as time to go home. she is a womans dog. i love my dog. and have given up travel trips to stay home with her.
Peter Yoo

14. Dec, 2010

I used to have a shih tzu dog for almost 11 years. He’s name was Buck, named it from Married with Children dog. He was like family to me. Suddenly when he died I really cried a lot. How sad.
Shortie Mak

05. Mar, 2011

I have one shih tzu , she is 1.5 years old, super social able , she get alongs with my 3 cats and my friend’s 120 lbs saymoed ……I just love her, she knows how to smile too when sheis happy, super adorable
stormi

10. Mar, 2011

I looovvvvveeee dogs and i have 2 of my own! oh,how much i love them.
Ashley

04. Jan, 2012

I love the pics so much one of them looks like my shih-tzu

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