According to legend, Buddha owned a dog that had the ability to turn into a lion. The Shih Tzu comes very close, at least visually, with its stocky physique, rounded head and lush fur. In terms of character, however, the small dog has little in common with the wildcat: Shih Tzus inspire with their cheeky, cheerful nature and devotion. The lovable four-legged friends expect full attention from their humans.

Shih Tzu as an ancient race from Tibet

The origin of the Shih Tzus goes back a long way: As early as the seventh century, Tibetan monks kept the animals as temple dogs. The breed probably originated through crosses of small Lhasa Apsos with Pekingese. About a thousand years later, the Shih Tzu became fashionable among the Chinese nobility. After Shih Tzu breeding came to a standstill in China under Mao, dog lovers from other nations took on the preservation of the breed. Since 1929, Great Britain has held the patronage for the recognized breed.

Shih Tzu: Character and Temperament

The Shih Tzu temperament can be described as friendly, cheerful and affectionate. Shih Tzus are dogs that always want to be the center of attention and love to play and romp around. They are ideal as family dogs, but also as therapy animals. However, they are also said to have a certain “arrogance”, because the Shih Tzu has retained an independence that is more likely to be expected from cats. He does not like to be dominated.

At the same time, the dog masters all the tricks to wrap its human around his paw and manipulate him. Don’t fall for the little charmer, otherwise he will dance around on your nose. The hunting instinct is only slightly pronounced.

Education and attitude of the Shih Tzu

Due to their adaptability, Shih Tzus are suitable for indoor keeping, as long as they get enough exercise every day and can explore their surroundings. They do not like to be alone – it is ideal if a member of the family is always close to them.

Is a Shih Tzu suitable for beginners?

A Shih Tzu is also suitable for beginners due to its sweet and open-minded nature. Before you decide on a Shih Tzu, however, you should deal with the topic of dog training and the special characteristics and needs of this breed.

One of the hurdles in the education of the Shih Tzus is a certain tendency to stubbornness, which you should face with patient consistency. Other dogs of this breed, on the other hand, are too playful to take training attempts seriously. So a high degree of perseverance is required. It can also be a long way to housetrain. In addition, there is a breed-typical peculiarity: Many Shih Tzus eat feces – a habit that you should strictly prevent when training your dog. If your first dog chooses a Shih Tzu, it makes sense to attend a dog school with him. Here you will learn many helpful training tips from a professional – the best conditions for a harmonious coexistence with your four-legged friend. Shih Tzu puppies also learn in puppy school how they behave socially in contact with other dogs.

Who is a Shih Tzu suitable for?

The Shih Tzu is suitable for almost everyone, whether for singles, families or older people. In any case, it is important to pay sufficient attention to this dog. The temperament of the Shih Tzu, its playfulness and docility should be accommodated by its owners with appropriate games and tasks. Well behaved, your Shih Tzu can accompany you almost anywhere. The small dog does not require any special space, so keeping it is not a problem even in a smaller city apartment. The Shih Tzu definitely attaches importance to regular walks, sufficient exercise and romping in the meadow. As an owner, you should be prepared to invest time in grooming the Shih Tzus every day. If you like to go on holiday in the south, it is also worth knowing that dogs of this breed are not particularly heat-tolerant. Therefore, it is advisable to think about a loving holiday accommodation for your dog at an early stage – preferably before a dog moves in with you.

ProfileShih Tzu

Are Shih Tzus allergy-friendly dogs?

Sometimes the opinion circulates that a Shih Tzu should also be well suited as a dog for allergy sufferers. However, it is important to note that allergy sufferers react to substances that are found in skin components and in the saliva of dogs, i.e. they occur in every dog. Dogs like Shih Tzu, however, which lose little hair, distribute the allergens less strongly than those that shed heavily.

How much do Shih Tzus shed?

The Shih Tzu has a special coat: On the one hand, it hardly loses any hair, on the other hand, its coat requires extensive care. The coat consists of particularly long, smooth, silky top hair, underneath there is relatively little undercoat. The Shih Tzu does not shed its coat – this is the reason why it sheds so little.

Caring for the Shih Tzus

Since Shih Tzus do not change their coat naturally, the smooth or slightly wavy top hairs simply keep growing. To keep the coat silky, clean and knot-free, particularly intensive care is necessary: You should brush it daily and have it trimmed regularly to a practical length. Otherwise, there is a risk that your dog’s coat will become matted. The inside of the legs and the ears are particularly at risk of matting.

There is a little less maintenance if you have your Shih Tzu cut a short hairstyle.

If you prefer an exclusive long hairstyle for your Shih Tzu, the effort increases. The coat must be washed more often and treated with special care oil. It then falls silky soft down to the ground on the dog’s sides.

To prevent the top hair on the head from falling into your little four-legged friend’s eyes and causing irritation there, it is recommended to either tie it up or cut it.

Can you leave the Shih Tzu alone?

Like almost every dog, the Shih Tzu doesn’t like to be alone for too long. As pack animals are, he is happiest when his humans surround him. In general, dogs should not be left alone for many hours a day – the animals are simply not made for that. Nevertheless, it should be possible to leave the dog at home for a while from time to time. Whether you succeed in doing this depends largely on a suitable habituation. You should never simply leave your dog at home unpredictably. Otherwise, fear of loss is inevitable. Get your Shih Tzu used to it very gradually and in small steps, for example by leaving the room for a short time at the beginning or closing the bathroom door behind you for a moment so that he cannot follow you. When you return, refrain from an effusive greeting – after all, it should become a matter of course for your dog that you are not there for a short time. You can gradually increase the training, for example with a short walk to the mailbox. But even if your dog has learned to stay alone, you must not strain his patience too much and stay away for more than two to three hours.

Is a Shih Tzu a yapper?

The Shih Tzu is not a yapper. Even if people who are not familiar with dog breeds sometimes consider smaller breeds to be barkers, the Shih Tzu does not show any particular barking. Ultimately, however, it is also a question of education whether a dog develops a disturbing bark or not.

How much does a Shih Tzu cost?

Do you want to buy a Shih Tzu? The price of a dog of this breed can range from 800 to 1,500 euros. However, if you want to buy a Shih Tzu puppy, look less at the price and more at its origin. One option to buy such a dog is to find a Shih Tzu breeder.

Buying a Shih Tzu: What you should consider

If you want to buy a Shih Tzu from a breeder, be sure to pay attention to their trustworthiness.
But how do you recognize a reputable breeder? A trustworthy breeder, for example, will show you not only the puppies but also the parents. In addition, he will patiently answer your questions about the breed and his breeding and will be happy to pass on his Shi Tzu experiences to you. He also does not pressure you to buy and you are allowed to visit the puppies several times before you decide on one of the dogs. But maybe a Shih Tzu mix is also an option for you? Popular mixes are, for example, crosses of Shih Tzu and Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier or Havanese. If you are not necessarily looking for a Shih Tzu puppy, you can also look for a Shih Tzu in need at the animal shelter or animal welfare.

Shih Tzu: Typical diseases of the dog breed

There are some factors associated with the short muzzle and overbite that can cause health problems. Please take special care of your Shih Tzu on hot days: The dogs are susceptible to heat stroke, and you should generally avoid spending time in the blazing sun with him. Furthermore, Shih Tzus tend to have problems with the teeth and breathing due to the short skull. In addition, as with many small breeds, dislocations of the kneecap (patellar luxation) are more common. You should therefore only purchase pedigree dogs such as a Shih Tzu from a responsible breeder. The Association for the German Canine Society (VDH) has corresponding lists available.

How old do Shih Tzus get?

A Shih Tzu has a comparatively high life expectancy: Dogs of this breed can grow old between ten and 16 years, sometimes even older. However, how old a dog gets in each individual case always depends on its living conditions. Poor nutrition, obesity and lack of exercise, as well as inadequate veterinary care, are factors that can shorten a dog’s life. Therefore, make sure your dog has a healthy body weight by adapting the diet to your dog’s needs. Have your Shih Tzu routinely examined by the veterinarian at least once a year and make sure that he receives recommended vaccinations and parasite treatments.

You should also check out these small dog breeds:

• Bichon Frisé: Lovable fuzzy from the Canary Islands
• Bolonka Zwetna: Charming sunshine with a lot of power.
• Bolognese: From the lapdog of the nobility to the cheerful family companion.
• Chinese Crested Dog: Cheerful mini sleuth with an extravagant look.
• Japan Chin: Adorable companion dog in handbag format.
• Lion: Mini lion with heart and charm.
• Pomsky: The lovable miniature husky from America.
• Chihuahua: Small dog with a big ego.
• Miniature Poodle: Shrewd clown with many talents.