Shih Tzu

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Shih Tzus are small dogs with long hair and a beard and whiskers. Standard Shih Tzu colours include black, white, grey and brown.

There’s lots of doggy behaviour that comes naturally to all breeds of dog, including Shih Tzus, from digging and chasing to searching and retrieving.

Thinking about giving a Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu Cross a forever home? Here are some Shih Tzu facts that might help you decide.

Caring for Shih Tzus

Every dog is different with their own personality and needs. Here are some areas to think about when taking care of a Shih Tzu.

Health issues

Before you give any type of Shih Tzu a home, it’s important to know about possible health issues. Remember, not every dog will suffer them but it’s good to be prepared.

Shih Tzus are brachycephalic

Before you give any type of Shih Tzu a home, it’s important to know about possible health issues. Remember, not every dog will suffer them but it’s good to be prepared.

Shih Tzus are brachycephalic, which means they have short noses, flat faces, or both. They can struggle with various health issues related to this body shape. Find out more about brachycephalic dogs and potential health problems.

To find out more about potential health issues for Shih Tzu, speak to your local vet. Some vet practices offer ‘pre-purchase consultations’ where you can get advice on potential health conditions, management options and rough idea of associated costs.

If you’re thinking of buying a puppy, they’ll also be able to give you advice on finding a responsible breeder, as well as testing for inheritable diseases.

Whatever the breed, all dogs need basic preventative health care like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. You’ll also need insurance to help cover the cost of vet bills.

How much food does a Shih Tzu need?

The amount of food a Shih Tzu needs depends on their:

age
size
activity levels
fitness
weight.

You can use the information on dog food packets as a guide, t...

The amount of food a Shih Tzu needs depends on their:

age
size
activity levels
fitness
weight.

You can use the information on dog food packets as a guide, taking your dog’s individual needs into account.

Your dog's body condition is helpful for deciding how much food to give your dog. You can find more about body condition scoring from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WVASA). If you’re not sure, ask your vet for advice. 

Signs your dog may be under the idea body condition

Ribs, vertebrae (spine) and pelvic (hip) bones are prominent or visible and very easy to feel
Not able to feel and fat layer over the ribs
Possible loss of muscle mass
Obviously thin waist

Ideal body condition

Ribs can be felt easily
Minimal or thin layer of fat covering the ribs
When viewed from above, the waist is obviously narrower that the rest of the body
When viewed from the side, the belly tucks in rather than being rounded

Signs your dog may be over the ideal body condition

Ribs are hard or impossible to feel under body fat
Waist is not obvious when viewed from above
Fat deposits at the base of the tail, the neck and on their legs
Rounded abdomen

How much exercise does a Shih Tzu need?

Shih Tzus usually need daily walks, but they might not manage tough exercise like long walks or mountain hikes. They'll need plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they w...

Shih Tzus usually need daily walks, but they might not manage tough exercise like long walks or mountain hikes. They'll need plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they will need training and will benefit from daily enrichment.

Shih Tzus are also at higher risk of developing heat stroke. Take a look at our warm weather advice for more information.

If you enjoy regular relaxing strolls, this breed could be a great match for you.

Things that you need to think about when exercising your Shih Tzu include their:

age
health
personality.

For example, young or growing dogs might need a few shorter walks each day, rather than one long one. Older, injured or ill dogs will have different exercise needs which should be tailored to them based on advice from your vet. Some dogs will need peaceful walks, without many other people or dogs around. Others will enjoy meeting new people and play dates with their furry friends.

Check with your vet if you need advice on exercising your dog. 

How much grooming does a Shih Tzu need?

As they have long hair, your Shih Tzu will typically need brushing every day. You can also choose to have a Shih Tzu’s hair clipped. A professional groomer can do this every 6 to 8 weeks.

To help your dog feel c...

What size crate do you need for a Shih Tzu?

When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to:

sit and stand up at their full height
turn around without touching the sides
lie down fully stretched out
comf...

Shih Tzu behaviour and training

Even if you think you know about Shih Tzu types, it’s important to remember that every dog has their own personality.

What’s the temperament of a Shih Tzu?

Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So every Shih Tzu temperament is different. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own...

Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So every Shih Tzu temperament is different. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own likes and dislikes and learn to respond to situations in different ways. 

For example, some dogs might like meeting other dogs and some may not. Some might like new experiences and others may need to go slowly. 

Are Shih Tzus easy to train?

You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! It’s all about positive learning. Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Whether it’s treats, toys or lots of praise, training with ...

You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! It’s all about positive learning. Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Whether it’s treats, toys or lots of praise, training with rewards is the best way for your dog to learn.

As dogs are clever animals, they need suitable mental and physical exercise so that they don't get bored. Learning useful life skills such as recall, loose lead walking and settling are just as important. This ensures that you and your dog can spend enjoyable time together, both at home and out and about.

Are Shih Tzus good with children?

Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. They’ll have their own likes and dislikes and will respond to situations in different ways. However, there are som...

Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. They’ll have their own likes and dislikes and will respond to situations in different ways. However, there are some universal ways to behave safely around them and treat them with respect.  

As this is an important skill for the whole family — adults included — why not book one of our family workshops on living happily together? It’s suitable for children aged seven to eleven.