Shih Tzu

Is a Shih Tzu right for you?

The Shih Tzu was bred for exactly one job: being a delightful companion in Chinese imperial palaces. A thousand years of selection for charm shows — Shih Tzus are friendly, portable, adaptable, and convinced that every lap exists for them.

They're one of the best apartment breeds and one of the longest-lived. The trade-off is the coat: that gorgeous hair needs daily brushing or a standing appointment with a groomer every 4–6 weeks.

Best for: Apartment living, seniors, first-time owners, families with gentle kids, anyone home a lot who wants a true companion dog.

Think twice if: You want a hiking buddy, can't budget time or money for grooming, or need a dog that tolerates long hours alone.

Temperament & Personality

• Sweet, trusting, and people-focused
• Adaptable to almost any living situation
• Playful but satisfied with indoor games
• Generally good with polite children and other pets
• Can be stubborn about housetraining — be consistent
• Alert but not yappy compared to many small breeds

Exercise & Training

Two short daily walks plus indoor play keeps a Shih Tzu fit and happy. Their flat-ish face means avoiding exercise in heat. Mental stimulation — puzzle feeders, short training sessions, sniffy walks — matters as much as distance.

Grooming

This is the commitment breed for grooming. Long show coats need daily brushing to the skin to prevent painful mats; most pet owners opt for a 'puppy cut' professionally trimmed every 4–6 weeks, with brushing 2–3x weekly between visits. Wipe eyes daily to prevent tear staining, and keep the face trimmed or topknotted so they can see.

Health & Lifespan

• Average lifespan: 13–16 years — one of the longest-lived breeds
• Common issues: eye problems (prominent eyes injure easily), patellar luxation, dental disease
• Daily tooth brushing or dental chews strongly recommended
• Keep them lean; small frames don't carry extra weight well