Male and Female Shih Tzu: The 3 T’s

Looking for the difference between male and female Shih Tzu’s might not stick out like a sore thumb. This is because, in physical characteristics, they differ ever so slightly. Most of their divergence comes from personal traits. It is not about what you can see but about what you notice. It is about what makes them tick mentally. If you look at the chart below, you will see that the answer is the same in most categories. Shih Tzu’s generally resemble each other no matter the gender.

That is why looking for the 3 T’s is an excellent way to understand the variations in this breed regarding their gender. The 3 T’s are: Temperament, Training, and Body Tone.

1. Shih Tzu Temperament

A Shih Tzu’s disposition regarding gender will vary the greatest in this area. While their size is often the same, their personalities differ.

2. Shih Tzu Training

Another area where you can see the polarity of male vs. female Shih Tzu is when you are training. The personalities of the Shih Tzu’s can make or break your training process.

The words loyal companio, are often used to describe this breed, having a particular desire to DO for you.

In this case, training is usually done relatively quickly because of their need-to-please attitude. Males, at times, are very playful and have difficulty keeping focused, seeming to get easily distracted. Females can need repetition to help break their habits of not doing what you are trying to train them to do. Since Females are known to be more of the independent version of the breed, this is almost expected.

3. Shih Tzu Body Tone

Regarding size, these dogs are gener lly the same. Males tend to be a little bigger than females. Your male Shih Tzu might outweigh your female version, with their body holdin more muscle. But this difference is onl very slight. Most of these male or female dogs have the same build.

The final analysis of the difference of the breed in regards to male vs. fema e Shih Tzu’s. There is not a HU E difference. The contrast shows up in their temperaments and training. Yet, they are pretty much the same in size, fur, and weight.

Did You Know?

This breed is known to be hypoallergenic, according to PetMD. They also state that the breed doesn’t shed much and is sometimes called a “hypoallergenic” dog (disclaimer: no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, as skin and saliva still cont in allergens). That said, Shih Tzu can be a good fit for some people with dog allergies. This is interesting to hear. Because of their beautiful hair and the fact that it can get so long, I would have never thought they would have been safe for those with allergies! I figured the exact opposite.

Not only are they MADE for cuddling, their fur is good for you! Bred as a “lap dog” for those living within palace walls. They are described as having a super friendly demeanor and requiring little amount of exercise. Lounging in your lap and getting pet and showered with your affection is on their list of things to do.

The purpose of a Shih Tzu was to alert you when so eone is near. PetMD says, “Shih Tzu will bark to alert that someone or something new is coming. Despite their built-in alarms, they are not great guard dogs because of their sweet disposition and need for love and attention.”

There are 8 to 9 different types of Shih Tzu breeds. Furthermore, there are cross-breeds as well. Like the Maltese Shih Tzu, The Maltese Shih Tzu (also known as the Mal-shi) is a mix of two popular toy breeds: the Maltese and the Shih Tzu. You can read more about this breed in our Maltese Shih Tzu article.