Shih Tzu · Toy
The Shih Tzu is a small, long-coated companion dog from the Chinese imperial court. Most are friendly, easygoing and affectionate. Life goes well with regular grooming, patient house training, care in hot weather and gentle training.
First, the point
Public breed histories describe a “lion dog” bred as a palace companion in China.
Most Shih Tzus are friendly with everyone. The challenges are house training, coat care, heat and stubbornness.
From the first weeks, teach handling, brushing, toilet routines and short absences.
Breed history
History does not decide what one puppy becomes, but it explains a lot: most Shih Tzus are friendly, easygoing and affectionate — companion dogs that love people and need regular coat care.
Tibet → Chinese palace
Public breed histories describe small long-coated dogs bred at the Chinese imperial court, probably from Tibetan dogs. The name is often translated as “lion dog”.
They were companions and palace pets, which explains their friendly, people-focused nature.
Revolution → Britain → worldwide
After the fall of the imperial court the breed became rare in China. Dogs taken to Britain and elsewhere in the 1930s formed the basis of the modern breed.
Today the Shih Tzu is a popular family dog. Meet the parents and see their temperament and breathing.
What the breed was bred for
In plain trainer language: Shih Tzus were selected to be companions. Most are friendly with everyone, gentle and fond of comfort.
The challenges are house training, coat care, heat and stubbornness. Routines and food-rewarded training help.
Public references: FCI 208, AKC Shih Tzu, RKC.
Life together
Shih Tzus adapt to most homes. They need company, short walks and regular coat care.
Daily walks and games suit most Shih Tzus.
See loose-leash walking.
Short-nosed dogs need care in heat; a jumper helps some in cold weather.
See water after exercise.
A full coat needs daily brushing; a short trim needs less.
See puppy handling.
Care and health themes
General awareness only — I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. Notice changes in eyes, breathing or energy. For urgent signs, see when to call the vet.
Long double coat that mats. Brush daily or keep a short trim.
Keep hair out of the eyes; see the vet for redness.
Short muzzle: keep the dog cool in warm weather.
Brush daily; ask for dental checks.
Ask the breeder which screenings the national breed club recommends and see results for both parents.
I do not publish toxin amounts. Call a vet or poison-control line if the dog eats something dangerous.
Lines and types
Some owners keep the long coat with a topknot; many choose a short “teddy-bear” trim. Personality is unchanged.
Suits owners who enjoy grooming.
Suits most family homes.
Socialization windows
AVSAB-aligned in spirit: short, clean exposures at a distance the puppy can still eat, with hygiene while vaccines finish. See the puppy socialization schedule.
Introduce: brushing, face handling, toilet schedule, crate.
Do not overload: long hours alone.
Introduce: calm greetings, recall, short absences.
Do not overload: skipping toilet routine.
Introduce: regular trims, walks, tricks.
Do not overload: mats building up.
Introduce: calm walks and visits.
Do not overload: heat.
Introduce: refreshed toilet and handling routines.
Do not overload: weight gain.
Before you buy
A Shih Tzu fits people who want a friendly, relaxed small dog and will keep up with grooming.
Good match
Mismatch risk
If you are torn between breeds
Shih Tzus are compared with the Lhasa Apso and Maltese — other small long-coated companions.
Shih Tzu Chinese palace companion.
Lhasa Apso Tibetan watchdog.
Shih Tzu Usually friendly.
Lhasa Apso Often wary.
Shih Tzu Short muzzle.
Maltese Longer muzzle.
Shih Tzu Long double coat, many colours.
Maltese Silky white single coat.
Shih Tzu Daily brushing or trim.
Both compares All three need regular coat care.
Ownership without surprises
Costs depend on your area and groomer. Plan for these — not quotes.
Trims every few weeks.
Gentle wipes.
Brushing and checks.
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends.
Shade and water in summer.
Puppy class.
With a Shih Tzu, grooming is the steady monthly cost.
Before day one at home
A Shih Tzu puppy is sweet and sociable. Start brushing and toilet routines early.
See puppy handling.
Follow potty training.
See first absences.
See biting and nipping.
See crate training.
If the dog is already yours
Shih Tzus can be stubborn but respond to food and praise.
Focus on house training, grooming, alone time and calm greetings.
Short walks and trick games are good outlets.
Load balance
Daily walks and play suit most Shih Tzus.
Walks, gentle games and puzzle toys suit most Shih Tzus.
A groomed, routine-loving Shih Tzu is a delightful companion.
Grooming
Keep sessions short and pair the brush with treats.
Brush one area for a few seconds.
Reward calm during brushing.
Ask a groomer which tools suit the coat.
Short daily sessions prevent mats.
End on a calm moment.
One scene close-up
Mats pull and hurt, so brushing can feel unpleasant.
Brush little and often, start with easy areas and reward calm.
If mats are bad, ask a groomer to clip them and start fresh.
Typical household scenes
A breed page is only a starting point; the fix depends on health, environment, and the dog in front of you. Each row opens a step-by-step guide.
Slow house training.
Resists brushing or face care.
Cries when left.
Alerts to visitors.
Growls over food or toys.
Eats things on walks.
Excited greetings.
Eyes, breathing or energy changes — vet first.
Practical view
“With a Shih Tzu, I look at grooming and house training first. We make brushing easy, tighten the toilet routine and build short absences — because a companion dog relaxes when daily care is calm.”
Sessions cover real scenes: toilet accidents, grooming, time alone, barking at the door, and guarding toys or food. I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. No invented reviews.
Describe age, living setup, and where the dog breaks first — toilet accidents, grooming, time alone, or barking at the door. Opens WhatsApp to Andrew.
Short answers
If you love small, friendly companions but want easier coat care, consider this one.
A tiny, bold terrier from northern England with a silky coat that needs calm door routines, grooming and house training.
A toy spaniel that wants your sofa and still has a nose that will follow a crumb into the garden.
A compact companion with a clown reputation and a respiratory system you do not get to ignore.
Cheerful small companion; a short pet trim keeps care simple.
Other guides from the same group in the breed library. Same group does not mean same dog: read the fit and the failure modes, not only the outline.
A bold German toy with terrier spirit. Needs door manners, face-care handling and small-dog rules that still apply at toy size.
The smallest recognised breed: a bold, loyal Mexican companion that needs gentle handling, warmth and real training.
A graceful companion in hairless and powderpuff varieties that needs company, gentle socialization and skin or coat care.
A cheerful Cuban companion with a silky coat that loves people and needs company, brushing and patient house training.
A slender miniature sighthound that is gentle at home and needs warmth, safe places to sprint and patient house training.
A soft East Asian lap companion. Needs confident handling, flat manners without spoiling and cool-weather walking sense.
Describe your Shih Tzu’s age and the scene that repeats most: toilet accidents, grooming, time alone, or barking at the door. We check safety first, then pick the first skill.
Written by Andrew Darov, professional dog trainer. Not veterinary advice and not a diagnosis.
Not a kennel club. No invented reviews. No vaccine schedules or toxin doses. Photo credits in
/images/breeds/shih-tzu-guide/credits.md.
