Shih Tzu
A sturdy, friendly lapdog of Tibetan and Chinese heritage with a long flowing coat and an easy-going nature.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- 20–27 cm
- Weight
- 4.5–8 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–16 years
- Exercise
- 30–45 min a day
- Grooming
- Every day
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- Most colours
- Bred for
- Companionship
- Country of origin
- China
- FCI
- Group 9, no. 208 · Companion & toy dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 4/5 – High |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 2/5 – Low |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 2/5 – Low |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 5/5 – Very high |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 5/5 – Very high |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 1/5 – Very low |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a friendly, sociable lapdog
- live in a flat
- don't need a sporty dog
Think twice if you …
- want to avoid grooming costs
- live somewhere hot
- want a running companion
Care
Temperament
Friendly, affectionate and outgoing, usually good with children and other pets. It is playful but not demanding.
Exercise
Daily short walks and play sessions are enough; keep activity gentle in heat.
Grooming
A full coat needs daily brushing; most pet owners choose a short clip every four to six weeks. Shedding is low.
Training
Can be stubborn; short, positive sessions work, and house training may take time.
Health
Breathing problems linked to the short face, eye problems, patellar luxation, kidney disease and dental issues are seen in the breed. Ask the breeder for eye, knee and breathing checks.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
- Breathing (BOAS)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Shih Tzu developed from small dogs brought from Tibet to the Chinese imperial court, where they were bred alongside the Pekingese. After the fall of the empire only a handful reached the West in the 1930s, and the FCI standard is held by Britain.
Shih Tzus are cheerful, friendly and easy to live with. They enjoy people of all ages, adapt to small homes and are content with modest exercise. The long coat is beautiful but demanding, so many owners keep it in a shorter trim. Like other short-faced breeds, they need care in hot weather.
Did you know?
Shih Tzu means lion in Chinese, linking the breed to the Buddhist lion imagery of its homeland.