Shih Tzu dogs Breed Profile
Quick Guide
Shih Tzu dogs Fact File
Group: Toy
Class: Toy
Country of Origin: Tibet
First Registered: 1969
Height: 8 - 11 inches
Weight: 8 - 15 lbs.
Colors: All colors.
Coat Type: Long, dense, not curly with a good undercoat
Health Concerns: Kidney disorder, otherwise no major health problems.
Temperament: Gentle, loyal, proud
More Shih Tzu Resources
This little dog is very active and playful. They are a people dog , they love children and love to play .Very easy to train.
I read Margie’s comment and I own a Shih Tzu. I have to agree that he is GREAT with my 3 kids (ages 5 and 2 year old twins). I cannot understand why this site lists the breed as less suitable for children. If anything, he is best with children and less tolerant of strangers and adults
Our ShitZu is the greatest. She is so smart , and a great traveler, she is kind of bossy, and makes us laugh all the time. She goes everywhere with us. We would not have it any other way. Our lives would be less joyful without our furry girl. And OH!! Those dark brown eyes!
My Quentin will be 9 at the end of August. He is particular – meals MUST be on time, and the water bowl MUST be full. He can be cranky – he can keep his " little" sister Layla out of a room with a glance. He is a shih tzu -dignified and regal. Don’t try to make him work – you are there to love and spoil him, and DON’T interrupt his naptime. He is also a good snuggler, but aloud snorer!
They are just the best dog to own great with everyone she brings so much joy to the family.
I have a 1 year old shih tzu who is an absolute joy. However, the breed does have some characteristics that people may find hard to tolerate: they can be very difficult to housetrain and taking up to 1 year is not unusual. They are very stubborn and while learn quickly, they decide if they will be obedient. They can be very demanding and bossy, but I have never met another breed with more "personality". We love our shih tzu and can’t imagine life without her!
My female shih tzu is the greatest thing that has happened to our family. She is smart, obedient, lovable, spoiled, and cute as a button! She had been very easy to potty train and rarely chews on anything but her toys. She wrestles and chews on our chocolate lab for hours, they are buddies. She is very affectionate, she follows me everywhere I go, even to the shower!! She loves bathes and getting groomed (very hard to keep hair clean and without tangles). She gets a bath and groomed at least twice a week. I would recommend this breed to any one.
I have a male that is just a little over a year old… I own a bowling center and my Shih Tzu is Very good at "work" and loves all of the attention he gets from children and adults alike. I have NEVER had a problem with him. They are just loving animals.
This is the greatest dog there is and I have bred a good many kinds, they are the smartest and the most loving, they are great with people and if kids are well behaved and good with dogs they are great with them, you could not get a better dog.
I love my little 6 yr old "Oscar", but he is a pill. He is great with kids and babies, but he does not play well with other fur babies. He thinks he is the king of the world. He is the smarted being I have ever encountered. He does not do tricks because he does not see the point. He is as stubborn as the day is long and he only obeys when HE thinks it would benefit him. BUT……I love him! He is so funny with all the attitude of a Hollywood Diva. He is really sweet, when he wants to be, but a brat most of the time. He runs away because he likes to be chased. He will look me right in the eye and pee on the floor and he refuses to be contained in any way.
My Shih Tzu’s Mom-Bridget, Dad-Bernie and their baby girl-Bailey are the sweetest little family you’ve ever seen. Bernie always lets Bridget eat first, they all sleep together and Bailey is the most lovable little thing. She loves the cat too, although Bernie wants to be his friend he is a little afraid. Bridget is the queen. She has had 3 litters and was a wonderful mother every time. We kept Bailey and had Bernie neutered after her third litter was over. Bailey sings with my husband (a high pitched I wuv you). They love to run and play in the back yard, they explore and hop and chase each other, then come flying back inside panting and sprawl out on the cool floor for a nap. They love treats and also have a toy basket in the den. It is mostly Bailey playing with them now. Bernie and Bridget are 5 years and 8 years. My husband gets home from work before I do, and he says around 6:00 p.m. they all three line up at the front door and watch for me to come down the road. I can’t imagine our family without them. They bring so much joy to our lives.
I too am not sure why this site lists the Shih-tzu as being unsuitable for children. Mine is the most gentle, loving little animal and she loves children of all sizes and activity levels. She is my second Shih-tzu, and both dogs were fantastic with children.
Over the years, we have had a total of 5 shih-tzu’s and I can’t imagine even thinking of getting a different type of dog. They are the best. And all of the one’s we have had have been extrememly gentle with kids. We have two right now, and they bring such joy to our lives. Although, our "Pokey" does keep us up from time to time with her loud snoring! I always recommend them to people who are looking for a dog. I jsut love looking into those big brown eyes!
We have two shih tzu’s 6 and 8 called Sushi an Yumyum . Sushi is great with everyone including other animals whereas Yumyum is a little wary especially of young children , she also is totally blind with both eyes having been removed at different times because of infections after a cyst and a detached retina . Sushi is paranoid of banging doors , backfiring cars , fireworks and some background music on the TV whereas Yumyum doesn’t get put out by any of those things .They are so inteligent and do have their obstinate ways sometimes but mostly they are really good . I would and often do , recommend them to anyone , we love them to bits. Sushi waits outside the shower door until I come out and he loves the surfboard in the pool . Because of Yumyum’s blindness , she is so aware with her hearing , she still chases things when you throw them and generally finds them with a lot of sniffing .We came on this site because one of them was snoring for the first time this morning and we are no longer concerned .
I need some help with my little Shuh Tuz, Rocky. He is 4 years old and he’s a huge lover. The problem that we’re having is that he is very fearful of other dogs. I’ve had him since he was 8 weeks old and he didn’t used to be this way. There has been no event (dog biting, etc) that I can blame for his fear towards other dogs. My boyfriend wants to get a dog of his own and really wants a german shorthair. I worry about how Rocky will react to another dog in the house. Can anyone share any advice as to how I can make this experience less traumatic for Rocky? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
My shihtzus Manchu & Sugarfaye are so much fun!! Extremely smart affectionate, they love to be with you, regardless where you are going. they love all kids and other dogs. they are with me all the time. Make sure you do groom daily, they really do need it-easy to get a routine established-plus the dogs enjoy feeling brushed & cleaned.