Once the faithful companions of Chinese emperors, it’s not hard to see why Shih Tzus (pronounced ‘shid zoo’) have such a rich history as much-loved pets. Their endearing Ewok-like faces and expressive eyes have been stealing hearts for thousands of years. And their personality is just as adorable; the Shih Tzu temperament is loving, intelligent and self-assured. They develop deep bonds with those who love them. A lap is their favourite place.
Are you looking for a small dog as a devoted, comedic friend to make you smile every day? Then your search may well end at the Shih Tzu. Read on for everything that makes this breed wonderful, as well as health information and tips on finding a happy and healthy puppy.
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Tibetan watchdogs
- Size:
- Weight: 4.5kg to 7.5kg
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Hair type: Long
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
- Drooling level:
Appearance
Shih Tzus are small but sturdy, characterised by short legs, thick coats, plumed tails, compact faces and endearing round eyes.
David Crossley, of Santosha Shih Tzu, a Kennel Club Assured breeder with a five-star licence and more than 50 years of experience, says: “They’re rather known as little people because they’re one of the few breeds of dog that—like humans—have forward-facing eyes. Most dogs have eyes on the side of the head.”
According to David, who alongside his wife Susan has judged at Crufts and show rings beyond, a Shih Tzu should have a broad head and a nose length of about one inch “that comes to a definite stop between the eyes”, which should have a good amount of space between them. Noses shouldn’t point downwards nor should nostrils be pinched. Kennel Club standards refer to Shih Tzus as having chrysanthemum-like faces with hair growing upwards, and they are quite often referred to as the chrysanthemum dog.
UK and European Shih Tzus tend to be smaller in size than American variations. It’s thought that this is down to the Pekingnese entering the UK bloodline many years ago to reduce a growing size, says David. But they’re still “surprisingly heavy” for their size, due to their muscular stature. They should be no taller than 27cm.
Shih Tzus have glossy, long locks that gracefully sweep the floor in the show ring. But this kind of coat makes a Shih Tzu extremely high maintenance, so most owners tend to clip the fur. Coats come in a variety of colours, the most popular being:
- solid black
- solid white
- black and white
- white and gold
The ‘gold’ can take the form of varying shades of tan, says David, with the palest hues occasionally referred to as ‘champagne’ by some breeders. All colours except merle are Kennel Club-recognised.
History
The Shih Tzu is an ancient breed with ancestral origins believed to be rooted in 600AD Tibet, where they are said to have descended from the Lhasa Apso and bred to alert larger livestock guard dogs. Tiny but fierce guardians of the plains, they were also known as Tibetan Lion Dogs.
It’s widely thought that they were later gifted to Chinese emperors to become regal companions and protective watchdogs throughout the Ming Dynasty. But some believe that the breed was first developed in China (whether they’re a Chinese or Tibetan dog is a hot topic of discussion). Nonetheless, this breed is steeped in history and legend. In Mandarin, Shih Tzu means “little lion”. It’s likely that this name derives from the breed’s association with the Tibetan Buddhist God of Learning, depicted in myths with a small dog able to shapeshift into a lion.
It wasn’t until the 1930s that the Shih Tzu became known in the UK and outside of China in general. The Shih Tzu Club of England was founded in 1934 and the breed was officially recognised by the UK Kennel Club in the 1940s.
Since then they have grown in popularity as companion dogs and have even retained that historic royal standing—the late Queen Elizabeth II was among their high-profile fans.
Personality, Lifestyle and Training Tips
Whoever their owner is, they can be sure their loyal Shih Tzu will be true to their roots and treat them like royalty. This is a breed that loves nothing more than warming a lap and is mostly content with minimal exercise.
David says that a Shih Tzu living rurally among lots of space to roam (under control) probably won’t need any on-lead exercise. For Shih Tzus living in towns, meanwhile, he suggests that a half-an-hour walk per day would suffice. Caveating this, he adds: “But if you have a very active Shih Tzu—because they are like people, some are more active than others—you’ll have to take them [for a walk] for longer.”
They’re an adaptable breed, David, who rehomes puppies to a variety of rural and urban environments, emphasises. They can fit with equal ease into inner-city lifestyles and apartment living as they can into rural rambling or farm life. This versatile nature is one of the aspects that make Shih Tzus such good pets. But they’re particularly well suited to retired owners and families where one parent is around most of the time, due to the fact they thrive so much in human company. Shih Tzus are always happiest by the side of their pet parents.
“They generally have a lovely nature,” says David. “They’re a loveable, carefree companion… They just love being with you.” An overarching Shih Tzu characteristic is stubbornness—thought to be down to the hint of Pekingnese in their lineage, explains David. This can make some elements of training more of a challenge from time to time and can be one of the cons among the many pros of owning a Shih Tzu.
Training a Shih Tzu for Success
While fairly easy to train, this notorious hint of stubbornness can occasionally hinder efforts. This is particularly true when it comes to toilet training, says David. “They’ll do it their way, not your way,” he adds. This is one of the Shih Tzu stereotypes that many owners will agree rings true.
But training properly from the day your puppy arrives home will result in a wonderful, obedient companion for the most part. Shih Tzus, like all dogs, need positive reinforcement in their training and respond well to praise in the form of high-value treats as well as fuss. “Observation and patience” is key, adds David.
In terms of vocal tendency, Shih Tzus don’t tend to bark very much, David stresses. But like many dogs, they will bark to alert when someone is at the door, for example. Good training can reduce this tendency if the owner feels it’s necessary.
Dr Kathryn Rosalie Dench, MA VetMB MRCVS, a Gentle Dog Trainers vet and advisor, says Shih Tzu behavioural problems can include separation anxiety, excessive barking and stubbornness. She adds: “Early socialisation and positive reinforcement training can be beneficial in addressing these behavioural concerns and fostering a well-adjusted and obedient pet.”
Grooming Needs
Even when a Shih Tzu coat is clipped every six to eight weeks, it still needs daily brushing. If you’re leaving a Shih Tzu coat to grow long, this requires even more regular brushing and bathing at least three times a week.
The breed has both a top coat and an undercoat, which can vary in density. David recommends using a pin-head brush and a double-sided comb daily to tease out and prevent any tangles. Use a fine-tooth comb for the face area and brush the body from the parting on the back downwards. Light brushing over the top won’t suffice.
Nails tend to wear down naturally if walked on tarmac but can be clipped at home or by the groomer if not. Excess fur tends to grow in their ears and this needs regular plucking to prevent a build-up of wax, which can result in ear infections.
Vet Dr Linda Simon, BVMS, MRCVS, a writer for dogaspet.com and a Shih Tzu owner herself, says the fur around their eyes should be trimmed if there’s crusting and tear-stains. She adds: “It’s sensible to have their tear production checked as part of their annual wellness exam.”
Health
Due to their flat faces, Shih Tzus can suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Narrowed nostrils and an elongated soft palate are features of this condition that cause difficulties breathing.
David says affected Shih Tzus tend to result from bad breeding: “Throughout Europe, including the UK, well-bred Shih Tzus don’t tend to suffer from it [BOAS] at all. It’s the irresponsible breeders who cause the problems.”
In fact, the risk of most health conditions in Shih Tzus is amplified by poor quality breeding.
Vet Dr Alex Crow, MRCVS, founder of Pet Health Guru, lists potential health problems, in order of average cost, from low to high.
- Dental problems. This is due to the Shih Tzu’s small facial structure which can cause overcrowding of teeth and an underbite. Responsible breeding along with good dental hygiene can mitigate this risk.
- Skin conditions and ear infections. Shih Tzus can be genetically predisposed to skin conditions or ear infections. Allergies are also not uncommon. But this can be impacted by grooming, diet and environmental allergens.
- Breathing problems. Surgery to widen airways and correct BOAS can cost thousands of pounds.
- Eye abnormalities. Brachycephalic dogs’ eyes can bulge, potentially causing dry eye, eye ulcers and entropion (when the eyelids turn inwards). Cataracts and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) are also a risk.
- Hip dysplasia and patella luxation. This can cause discomfort and mobility issues requiring costly surgery.
Dr Simon adds that arthritis, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), renal dysplasia and heart conditions such as mitral valve disease (in senior dogs) can be a concern. Unhealthy lifestyles exacerbate the risk, she stresses.
Other than inbreeding calculations, the Kennel Club doesn’t recommend any tests or screens for Shih Tzu parents at present. But get assurances that no health concerns affect breeding dogs as a minimum, vets advise.
Shih Tzu Diet
Dr Crow points out that Shih Tzus tend to be more prone to allergies compared to many other breeds. “Common food allergens include chicken, pork, beef, soy, wheat and eggs,” he says.
The Shih Tzu Club advises avoiding the following ingredients in dog food:
- unspecified animal fats
- unnamed meat and animal derivatives
- cereals (the term covers lots of different grains so no named ingredient)
- corn (can be difficult to digest)
- EC permitted additives
- propylene glycol (a preservative that can cause hair loss and diarrhoea)
- soy (a common allergen)
- wheat (another common dietary intolerance)
The Shih Tzu Club also cites high-quality proteins for consideration in a healthy diet as duck meat (rich in vitamin A and B3 plus other minerals), fish (good levels of omega 6 and omega 3), lamb (rich in calcium and a good source of zinc) and fresh chicken. While beef is a good source of protein, too, it can cause intolerances and is less digestible for dogs than chicken, turkey and lamb.
Alternative Breeds to Consider
There’s everything to love about the Shih Tzu. But other dog breeds that pet parents might be interested in include:
- Lhasa Apso. This breed is the closest in its roots to the Shih Tzu. In fact, it’s thought that Shih Tzus are descendants of Lhasa Apsos. But expect more energy from the Lhasa in comparison.
- Pekingese. Another breed that features in the Shih Tzu lineage. Both have a tendency for stubbornness, but expect this in bigger measures from the independent Pekingese.
- Coton de Tulear. Left to grow long, the Coton de Tulear’s fur sweeps the floor like the Shih Tzu’s. And this is another small but sturdy dog with a loving personality. Though, the Coton has a higher tendency to bark.
- Pomeranian. Another popular small dog, with a loving nature but higher energy levels than the Shih Tzu.
- Maltese. A breed similar in size and temperament to the Shih Tzu. The Maltese is pure white, whereas the Shih Tzu comes in a variety of colours.
- Bichon Frisé. Another dog similar in size to both the Shih Tzu and Maltese. They’re happy, playful companions with a curly white coat.
Where to Find a Shih Tzu
When searching for a puppy, beware of online sales sites. The UK Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme or breed clubs (there are four in England and one in Scotland) are good starting points when it comes to finding a licensed, responsible and ethical breeder.
David recommends finding a breeder who is both a member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme and has a five out of five stars licence from the local authority. This is the gold standard. But he says, as a minimum, you should find a Shih Tzu breeder with at least four stars on their council licence.
He says it’s important to see the mother with the puppies, and ideally the dad too. He continues: “Make sure the mother looks healthy, that she isn’t snorting an awful lot [a sign of BOAS] or looks uncomfortable in any way. And just look at her condition.”
David says to also expect the following as standard when buying a puppy:
- proof of vet health check
- vaccination certificates
- microchip and corresponding paperwork
You can expect a price range of between £1200 to £1500 for a well-bred Shih Tzu puppy. Buying from irresponsible or bad breeders can not only result in an unhealthy dog, but you’ll also be lining the pockets of those who compromise or intentionally disregard animal welfare.
“If anybody is uncertain about anything, don’t think about feeling sorry for the puppy. Think: ‘No, this isn’t the place I want to buy a puppy’,” David adds.
You can also find Shih Tzus to adopt from pet charities or from breed-specific rescues. Or consider rehoming older dogs retired by breeders or returned to them.