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Shih Tzu: Breed Profile, Temperament, Health, and Care Guide

A Shih Tzu is a small Toy Group breed with roots in Tibet, refined by Chinese imperial breeders who prized its lion-like look, which is where its name, meaning lion dog, comes from.

A Shih Tzu is a small Toy Group breed with roots in Tibet, developed from crosses between the Tibetan Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso according to the most common account, and later refined by Chinese imperial breeders who prized the dog’s resemblance to a lion, which is where its name, meaning “lion dog,” comes from. Bred purely as a companion for centuries of Chinese royalty, the modern Shih Tzu carries out that original job with real enthusiasm. This guide covers where the breed originated, its temperament, how big Shih Tzus get, how long they live, the health problems they are prone to, grooming, how much exercise they need, how easy they are to train, what to feed them, the pros and cons of owning one, and what else people ask.

What Is a Shih Tzu and Where Did the Breed Originate?

A Shih Tzu belongs to the American Kennel Club’s Toy Group. The breed’s history stretches back centuries in Tibet and China, developed from a cross of the Tibetan Spaniel and Lhasa Apso by most accounts, and the breed was long associated with Buddhism, bred deliberately to resemble a lion. Imperial rulers kept Shih Tzus as palace companions, and a single permitted cross with a Pekingese in 1952 helped improve the modern breed standard. The Shih Tzu arrived in America in the 1960s and gained AKC recognition in 1969.

The American Kennel Club defines the breed in its “Official Standard of the Shih Tzu”, approved May 9, 1989, which sets out the size, coat, and temperament a Shih Tzu should have. As of September 2026, the AKC ranks the Shih Tzu 20th of 210 breeds in popularity.

How Did the Shih Tzu Survive the Chinese Revolution?

Palace breeding ended with the fall of the imperial court, and after the 1949 revolution the breed nearly vanished in China. A handful of dogs taken to England and Scandinavia in the 1930s saved it. Breed histories trace the Shih Tzus registered outside China to just 14 founders, seven males and seven females, plus the single Pekingese cross. American servicemen stationed in England after World War II brought the first dogs to the United States.

What Is a Shih Tzu’s Temperament Like?

A Shih Tzu’s temperament is outgoing, affectionate, and friendly, and the breed takes its historical job as a companion animal seriously, forming close bonds with its people and getting along well with other pets and dogs. The standard states that the Shih Tzu’s “sole purpose” is companionship, so its temperament must be “outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting towards all.” Shih Tzus are sweet, playful, and busy, always alert and curious about their surroundings, a trait that traces back to the breed’s original role alerting palace residents to visitors with a sharp bark. Given their low prey drive, Shih Tzus can live peacefully with cats when introductions are handled carefully.

Can a Shih Tzu Be Left Alone?

For a few hours, yes. Shih Tzus are more relaxed about time alone than some companion breeds, but they still want company for most of the day and do best where someone works from home or comes back at lunch. A crate or small safe room, a chew toy, and gradual practice from puppyhood make short absences easy. Long daily absences suit an older, settled adult better than a puppy.

How Big Do Shih Tzus Get?

Shih Tzus are a small, sturdy, compact breed with a flat, brachycephalic face, large expressive eyes, and long, floppy ears blended into the breed’s flowing double coat. The standard asks for a height of 9 to 10.5 inches, and never less than 8 or more than 11 inches, with an ideal weight of 9 to 16 pounds. All coat colors are allowed.

What Is the Average Shih Tzu Height and Weight?

Measure	American Kennel Club figure
Height	9-10.5 inches
Weight	9-16 pounds
Life expectancy	10-18 years

Figures are from the American Kennel Club Shih Tzu breed profile, retrieved September 2026.

How Long Do Shih Tzus Live?

Shih Tzus live 10 to 18 years, a long lifespan reflecting the breed’s overall sturdiness despite its brachycephalic build. Regular veterinary care, along with attentiveness to heat sensitivity, supports a full, comfortable lifespan.

What Health Problems Are Shih Tzus Prone To?

Shih Tzus are documented as being at higher risk for the following conditions.

What Is Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Shih Tzus?

Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a set of airway problems caused by the flat face: narrow nostrils, an overlong soft palate, and a crowded throat. Snoring, snorting, and reverse sneezing are common, while noisy breathing at rest, gagging, or collapse in heat point to a more serious case. Keeping the dog lean and cool helps, and surgery to widen the nostrils or shorten the palate relieves severe cases.

Which Eye Problems Affect Shih Tzus?

The breed’s prominent eyes are exposed to injury and irritation. Proptosis, in which the eyeball is pushed out of its socket after a knock or even a hard pull on the collar, is an emergency. Corneal ulcers, dry eye, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy also occur. Squinting, redness, a cloudy spot, or pawing at the eye needs a vet the same day. Keeping hair tied up or trimmed away from the eyes prevents constant rubbing.

What Is Renal Dysplasia in Shih Tzus?

Renal dysplasia is an inherited failure of the kidneys to develop normally. Affected puppies may drink and urinate heavily, grow poorly, and show kidney failure while still young, though mild cases appear later. Blood and urine tests find it, and an ultrasound can help. There is no cure, but diet and fluids slow the disease.

What Other Health Problems Affect Shih Tzus?

Portosystemic shunt, a liver blood vessel defect, occurs more often than average. Slipping kneecaps and hip dysplasia appear in the breed, and its short-legged build carries a risk of intervertebral disc disease. Dental crowding is common in the short jaw, and the floppy, fur-covered ears trap moisture and dirt, raising infection risk without regular cleaning.

Which Health Tests Should a Shih Tzu Breeder Provide?

Ask for an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, a patella evaluation, and hip results on both parents. Many breeders also check puppies’ kidney function. Avoid sellers advertising “imperial” or “teacup” Shih Tzus, which are bred below the standard’s size and carry more health problems.

How Do You Groom a Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus have a long, dense double coat that requires serious, ongoing grooming commitment, including daily brushing to prevent matting and regular bathing, every three to four weeks. Many pet owners keep the coat trimmed into a shorter “puppy cut” to reduce the maintenance burden, and regular cleaning around the eyes is important given the breed’s prominent, injury-prone eyes.

Grooming task	Full coat	Puppy cut
Brush to the skin and comb	Daily	Two to three times a week
Tie up the topknot or trim over the eyes	Daily	At each trim
Wipe the eyes and beard	Daily	Daily
Bath	Every 1 to 3 weeks	Every 3 to 4 weeks
Professional trim	Tidy only	Every 4 to 8 weeks

How Much Exercise Does a Shih Tzu Need?

A Shih Tzu needs only about 30 minutes of physical exercise a day, ideally split into two shorter walks with off-leash play in between, and a harness is strongly recommended over a collar to protect the breed’s delicate windpipe and prominent eyes. Despite modest exercise needs, Shih Tzus are lively and intelligent, so indoor playtime and mental stimulation matter alongside the physical activity.

How Do You Keep a Shih Tzu Safe in Hot Weather?

Walk early in the morning and after sunset in summer, and keep midday outings short. Shade, fresh water, and air conditioning at home are essential for a flat-faced dog. Heavy panting, bright red gums, and weakness are signs of overheating that call for cooling with lukewarm water and a trip to the vet. Never leave a Shih Tzu in a parked car.

Are Shih Tzus Easy to Train?

Shih Tzus are intelligent and friendly, responsive to patient, positive reinforcement training, though housebreaking can take longer with this breed than with some others given its independent, sometimes stubborn streak. Short, varied sessions with treats and praise produce the best results.

How Do You House-Train a Shih Tzu?

Take the puppy out after every meal, nap, and play session, and at least every two hours while awake. Praise and a small treat the moment it finishes outside teach faster than any correction. A crate sized for the dog, and a regular feeding schedule, build bladder control. Some owners in apartments or cold climates use an indoor potty area, which works well if it stays in one fixed spot.

What Should You Feed a Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus do well on a small-breed formula suited to their age and activity level, and a dental stick or dental-specific treat as part of the daily routine supports oral health given the breed’s documented dental risks. Portion control matters given the breed’s compact frame and relatively low exercise needs.

How Many Meals a Day Does a Shih Tzu Need?

Puppies eat three or four small meals a day, since tiny dogs can suffer low blood sugar when they go too long without food. Adults move to two measured meals. Small kibble shaped for flat-faced breeds is easier to pick up, and a shallow bowl keeps the beard cleaner.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Shih Tzu?

Here are the main advantages and drawbacks of owning a Shih Tzu, side by side.

Pros	Cons
Outgoing, affectionate, genuinely friendly temperament	Documented brachycephalic airway and heat-sensitivity risks
Low exercise needs, well suited to apartment living	High grooming commitment for a full-length coat
Coat considered a good fit for allergy-sensitive owners given minimal shedding	Prominent eyes are vulnerable to injury and irritation
Good with other pets and dogs	Can be stubborn during housebreaking

Anyone who loves the breed’s affectionate temperament but would rather not search for a breeder can contact Shih Tzu rescue organizations, which place adult dogs regularly.

What Else Do People Ask About the Shih Tzu?

The questions below cover how much a Shih Tzu costs, whether a family home is a good fit, how hypoallergenic the breed is, and why breathing problems are common in the Shih Tzu.

How much does a Shih Tzu cost?

Shih Tzu prices vary by region, coat quality, and breeder reputation, and a puppy from a breeder who screens for hip and eye health costs more than one that doesn’t. Adopting an adult Shih Tzu through a rescue is a lower-cost alternative.

Is a family home a good fit for a Shih Tzu?

Yes, Shih Tzus are widely regarded as excellent family dogs, thanks to a friendly, social temperament that extends well to children and other pets. Their prominent, easily irritated eyes mean supervision with young children handling the dog is still worthwhile.

How hypoallergenic is the Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus are described as hypoallergenic because their coat sheds minimally, trapping loose hair in the undercoat rather than releasing it around the home, but no dog breed is completely allergen-free. Many allergy-sensitive people do find the breed more manageable than heavier shedders, though spending time with one first is worthwhile.

Why are breathing problems common in the Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, meaning their flattened face and shortened skull narrow the upper airway, which can cause snoring, snorting, and genuine breathing difficulty, in particular in heat or after exertion. Keeping the breed cool, avoiding over-exercise in warm weather, and using a harness instead of a collar all help manage this real anatomical risk.

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