Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is thought to have originated from the cold mountains of Tibet, thus the long double-coat. It has coat colors of brown, white, gold, black, brindle, grey, or a combination of these. The breed was a favorite of the Chinese royals who enjoyed feeling their warmth as they lay sleeping by their feet at night. It is thought to be the result of a cross between a Pekingese or pug and the Llasa Apso. Its median lifespan is 13 years, and they usually live anywhere from 10 to 16. The small size and easygoing personality of the Shih Tzu make for an excellent companion dog.

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning Shih Tzus

Shih Tzu Size and Weight

The Shih Tzu is a small toy-sized dog with a large, round face; large, brown eyes; and a soft, long double-coat. It has an average height of 10″ for males and 8″ for females. Males weigh 9-16 lbs fully grown, while females weigh 9-16 lbs fully grown. Shih Tzu puppies weigh 1.25-4lbs at 8 weeks of age and are considered fully grown at 10 months.

Shih Tzu Common Health Issues

There are a few common health issues Shih Tzus have, some which are hereditary conditions. Breathing problems due to the shape of their head (brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome) causes difficulty breathing and can require surgery in severe cases. Eye issues causing irritation can occur at any age with the most common being epiphora, where the fur scratches the conjunctiva and the cornea, requiring prescription eye drops from a veterinarian. Many Shih Tzus experience ear infections, and invertebral disk disease is common in toy dog breeds. Hypothyroidism as a result of Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocortism) tends to affect middle-aged dogs. The breed tends to have teeth problems more often than other dogs. Liver problems, allergies and kidney disease are also unique to the breed. Finally, they are prone to obesity. In short, the most common health issues with Shih Tzus are:

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• Invertebral disk disease and other bone problems
• Breathing problems and heart disease
• Eye issues
• Dental disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Ear infections
• Liver problems
• Kidney disease
• Allergies
• Obesity

Shih Tzu Temperament

Shih Tzus have a very people-oriented, housebound personality. They are stubborn, affectionate, happy and easygoing in temperament. They do not like to be left alone and demand attention to the point of becoming spoiled. They were not bred to guard, hunt, or anything else except to be a companion, so they don’t let you ignore them. One of the traits of this toy breed is being a lap dog with a natural tendency for human companionship. Another is that they don’t tend to excessively bark, unlike other toy breeds.

Shih Tzus are great in dog shows. They are proud and arrogant-looking but are sweet and less demanding and noisy than other toy breeds. Around other pets, they are peaceful, but they need socialization to learn how to trust strangers in order to be friendly or polite to them. They tend to get along well with other dogs, no matter their size.

How To Take Care of Shih Tzus

New pet owners will find unique differences in caring for Shih Tzus, especially Shih Tzu puppies. Shih Tzus have breed-specific factors such as the need for regular brushing and grooming and hereditary conditions that must be carefully taken into consideration.

The Best Dog Food for Shih Tzus

Shih Tzus have different health considerations compared to other dog breeds. So, as A Shih Tzu owner, you want to feed your dog a nutritious food that sets them up for a long, healthy, happy life. We recommend looking into legume-free dog food, given the link between some legumes and heart failure, and Shih Tzus’ heart disease risk.

Shih Tzu puppy food: Because of their unique build and health issues, Shih Tzus need a breed-specific food, if possible. Such a food is especially made for their underbite and short muzzle. It also has specific nutrients, antioxidants, proteins and prebiotics to support their immune system, skin, coat and digestion. Otherwise, get a premium dog food. Puppies under 3 months of age should be free-fed, and from 3-12 months they should be fed 3 meals a day.

Shih Tzu adult dog food: Dry food is better for their teeth than wet food. They should be fed premium dog food 2 to 3 times a day. Grain-free or gluten-free formulas can decrease or eliminate skin and digestive problems.

At A-Z Animals, we recognize Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Breed Specific Dry Dog Food as the best dog food for Shih Tzus.

When it comes to covering Shih Tzus’ host of potential health complications, this breed-specific food does it all. It excludes the legumes that experts suspect to cause heart failure in dogs, and it comes in a crunchy, dry kibble to help remove plaque and tartar from Shih Tzus’ teeth. It’s loaded with calcium for bone and dental health, with a balance of protein and fiber to keep Shih Tzus full so they eat just the right amount and maintain a healthy weight.

Follow this link to purchase Royal Canin Shih Tzu Breed Specific Dry Dog Food.

Best Overall

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Shih Tzu Adult Dry Dog Food

• Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Shih Tzus
• Kibble shape designed specifically for a Shih Tzu’s short muzzle and underbite
• Maintain your Shih Tzu’s long coat with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and biotin
• Contains highly digestible proteins

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Best Shih Tzu Insurance

The best type of insurance for your Shih Tzu is one that considers their breed, age and any existing, diagnosed health conditions for the best coverage. Each coverage package has different deductible levels to choose from depending on the amount you’re willing to spend before the insurance kicks in. You should shop around and consider at least 2 or 3 different insurance companies.

Shih Tzu Maintenance And Grooming

Like other dogs, Shih Tzus need regular baths about once a month or every 3 to 4 weeks. During puppyhood, they need more bathing due to soiling themselves. They also need daily grooming to keep their coats soft and tangle-free. For those with long coats, they need grooming everyday; those with medium-length coats need grooming every 2 days, while those with short or shaved coats need grooming every 3 days. Be sure to purchase both fine-toothed and a broader-toothed brushes to thoroughly groom their long double-coats. Their coat colors can change over time and can fade once they reach adulthood.

Shih Tzu Training

Shih Tzus need to be trained as soon as possible during their puppyhood. They are known for being stubborn and difficult to housebreak. Although they can learn tricks, they also have their own mind. Treats and snacks help to encourage them.

Shih Tzu Exercise

Adult Shih Tzus only need the exercise that comes from playing in the house or yard and daily walks twice a day for 20-30 minutes. They also enjoy toys. If they do not get enough exercise, they will become bored and show behavioral problems such as excessive barking, chewing, or overeating. They also have a higher impulse to chase and catch things than other dog breeds. However, they have a lower energy level than others.

Shih Tzu Puppies

Taking care of Shih Tzu puppies means fulfilling their playtime, food and grooming needs. They need socialization and housebreaking early on. They also need a lot of attention.

Shih Tzus And Children

Shih Tzus get along well with children. However, they’re not a good choice for families with very young children due to their small size, which increases their risk of injury. Those who are badly socialized since puppyhood can bite children.

Dogs similar to Shih Tzus

Other dog breeds similar to Shih Tzus are the Maltese, Pekingese and the Llasa Apso as well as any popular Shih Tzu mix, such as Shih Poo (Shih Tzu Toy Poodle mix), Shorkie (Shih Tzu Yorkie mix) or Havashu (Shih Tzu Havanese mix). All fall under the scientific name of Canis lupus for domestic dog.

• Maltese: Looks similar but with higher energy and only one coat.
• Pekingese: Slightly smaller than the Shih Tzu, its coat is less dense, less smooth and shorter.
• Llasa Apso: A close lookalike that’s also from Tibet, this breed has a longer snout and a hard coat.

Famous Shih Tzus

With a history going back 1,000 years, the “little lion dog” or “chrysanthemum dog” is one of the most popular breeds. It has been a prominent feature in several films and a couple of video games:

• Miss Agnes in Best in Show, a mockumentary comedy film from 2000
• Bonny in Seven Psychopaths, a dark comedy from 2012
• Daisy in The Secret Life of Pets 2, a 3D animated comedy film from 2019
• Isabelle, the mascot of the Animal Crossing series, first appeared in Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012)
• Isabelle is also a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Popular Names for Shih Tzus

Some of the most popular names for this breed are:

• Charlie
• Max
• Jack
• Buddy
• Leo
• Daisy
• Gigi
• Zoey
• Poppy
• Lola