Shih tzu: Dog breed characteristics, care & pictures (2024)

FAQs

What are the best qualities of a Shih Tzu? ›

Shih tzu are renowned for their perky, happy temperaments. They are lively and friendly. Shih tzu tend to get along well with people of all ages and with other dogs as well as other pets of different species. Rarely you will find a snippy shih tzu, but most are very sweet.

The Shih Tzu is known to be especially affectionate with children. As a small dog bred to spend most of their day inside royal palaces, they make a great pet if you live in an apartment or lack a big backyard.

The Shih Tzu is an energetic, vibrant little dog with a surprisingly low-maintenance and easygoing temperament. The only thing they love more than following their humans around their house is being petted and pampered! They'll happily sit in your lap for hours, and can even be prone to laziness.

Shih Tzus are intelligent dogs who are keen to please their owners. However, they can also be stubborn and this can make training a challenge. Keep training sessions short and fun and make sure your Shih Tzu has lots of play time and physical exercise to keep them happy.

Q: Do Shih Tzus get attached to one person? A: Shih Tzus are loyal and devoted family dogs, however, they are overly-attached and overly-affectionate with one family member. It is safe to say that the Shih Tzu is a “one-person dog”.

In regard to housebreaking, a Shih Tzu will need to be about 9 months old before being home alone and holding his/her bathroom needs. Young puppies simply do not have strong bladder and bowel muscles; and this is coupled with the fact that it can take 2 to 3 months to be fully trained.

Shih Tzu's are less demanding and quieter than other small dogs. They don't bark much which makes them a good option for senior living communities. This breed only needs a short walk daily, making them a good match for most seniors.

The Shih Tzu is a breed prone to barking. They tend to bark at people and dogs passing the window, or off in the distance when walking. They love to bark at the front door when visitors arrive as if saying please pet me, bark. Barking while travelling in the car can be a problem that is easily rectified.

Shih Tzus love to cuddle on the couch and enjoy TV, so if you're a homebody and prefer a night in, this breed is a no-brainer. Overall, this happy breed makes a great type of pup for any pet parent.

Shih Tzus can be susceptible to certain health issues, such as eye problems, allergies, skin problems, dental problems, and respiratory issues. They may also be prone to spinal problems due to their short legs and long backs.

What should I know before getting a Shih Tzu? ›

The Shih Tzu has a friendly, sweet, and playful nature. They adapt well to humans and other pets in your home because they're very social. The Shih Tzu temperament is appreciated by dog owners looking for warm companion dogs who love to stay by their side. Mentally they can be bright, curious, alert, and active.

Shih Tzus like a variety of toys. Plush toys, chew toys, and interactive rubber toys all have their place. Which types of toys are best for your Shih Tzu depends on your dog's age and developmental needs. For example, most Shih Tzu puppies will appreciate teething toys that are soft on their developing gums.

How often should you bathe a shih tzu? The thick, curled coat on a shih tzu is more high maintenance than what you'll find on many other breeds. Typically, a shih tzu should be bathed every three weeks to keep its skin and hair healthy and to avoid bad smells from developing.

Shih Tzus are a very lovable breed, but they do have some behavioral issues that can be difficult to deal with. If you're considering adopting a Shih Tzu puppy, make sure you're prepared for these problems before taking on this responsibility.

If your dog follows you everywhere then it's most likely a sign that they love and adore you. When dogs interact with someone they like, the hormone oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is often referred to as the 'love hormone' and makes you feel that warm glow when you're around someone you like.

Researchers think that canines can experience basic emotions, including joy, fear, love, sadness, and anger. Along the same lines, it is thought that dogs can sense these same emotions in their favorite humans.

Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!

Shih Tzus are companion dogs and don't like to be alone for extended times. While they can tolerate short periods alone, they don't do well when left unsupervised for long amounts of time and can suffer from separation anxiety.

Shih Tzus are typically considered to be smart dogs and have even been to assist farmers and tradesmen in the past. However, Shih Tzus can also be stubborn at times. Shih Tzu's intelligence varies from individual to individual, but most people agree they are pretty good problem solvers.

It's recommended that you feed your Shih Tzu at least three times a day when they are of adult age. If they are still a puppy, they may require 4-6 meals a day. This is due to the fact that this breed is susceptible to hypoglycemia. With such a fast metabolism, they lack the ability to hold much of an energy reserve.

Can I leave my Shih Tzu alone for 8 hours? ›

Adult dogs (older than 18 months) can be left alone at home for between 4 and 8 hours. Adult dogs are more than likely used to being alone at home and will probably lie down and sleep until you return.

A Shih Tzu dog – famous for its distinct long-haired coat — will live to approximately 12 to 16 years. It's thought the oldest living Shih Tzu was a dog from Florida called Smokey who lived to be 23-years-old.

They Make You Healthier

Studies show that dog-owning seniors have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol than their petless peers. Having a dog also reduces the risk of heart attack — and boosts your chances of long-term survival if you have one.

Older adults may fear they are too old to get a dog, but with careful planning and strategic choices, seniors can enjoy the many benefits of dog ownership.

With the Shih Tzu, the average life span is 13 years, though this can range from 12 years to 16 years; for this reason, Shih Tzu dogs are considered to be seniors by the 10 year mark. If a Shih Tzu has certain health issues, the veterinarian may make this declaration a year or two early, at the 8 to 9-year mark.

This particular breed is not generally known for having that "dog smell" that some breeds carry. Since they are indoor dogs, they will also not often pick up outside odors and bring them in. However, there are several reasons why even a well taken care of dog or puppy may have Shih Tzu odor.

Your Shih Tzu will need an hour exercise every day to stay fit and healthy. This should be split into a couple of short walks with lots of time to sniff, explore and play off-lead in a secure area.

Though a Shih Tzu's intentions will be to offer comfort during long-term stressful times, the daily tense atmosphere can eventually be wearing on them, and as days turn to weeks, and weeks turn to months, dogs can start to feel the same stress and worry that their humans do.

Shih Tzu enjoy walks through the yard and time outdoors with family, but they are not built to spend lots of time outside. They cannot tolerate heat, and their long coat may mat, tangle, and catch burrs. Shih Tzu should not be expected to spend time outdoors alone.

Male and female Shih Tzus can both be territorial. They can be protective of their home and their family. They're very intelligent dogs, though this doesn't always mean that they're easy to train. They tend to be mouthy especially as puppies, and they never lose their playfulness and mouthiness even as they age.

Can Shih Tzus get jealous? ›

“It is too early to say whether dogs experience jealousy as we do, but it is now clear that they react to jealousy-inducing situations, even if these occur out-of-sight.”

If you are looking for a larger breed avoid breeds that can be rough, like Boxers, as they can accidently hurt Shih Tzu's during play. Choose a calmer breed like the deerhound or gray hound, Labradors are also a good choice but they can be quite boisterous up until the age of 3 before they calm down.

Are Shih Tzu dogs easy to train? Yes! This dog breed's high intelligence makes them very trainable. Young children can train these affectionate, friendly, and charismatic dogs that make great therapy dogs.

One unique characteristic of the Shih Tzu is their undershot bite. Their lower jaw is slightly wider than the upper, and the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, rather than outside, when their mouth is closed. Legends regarding the Shih Tzu abound.

Called 'polyuria and polydipsia' (PUPD), they frequently appear in combination. In general, increased production of urine is the primary cause, and dogs drink more to make up for the water being excreted. Hormone imbalance from endocrine disease and kidney failure are the most common reasons for polyuria.

The paws can become caked with mud, the coat can look a mess, the face can be stained, urine can splash up and soak into hairs, and odors can develop before you can say 'what's that smell? '. So, this article will cover the 8 ways to keep your Shih Tzu super clean, looking good and smelling great.

Dogs can eat hard-boiled or scrambled eggs. The main objective is that the eggs need to be cooked. Do not feed raw eggs to dogs. Eggs are good for dogs as they provide an excellent source of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and protein.

Shih tzu are renowned for their perky, happy temperaments. They are lively and friendly. Shih tzu tend to get along well with people of all ages and with other dogs as well as other pets of different species. Rarely you will find a snippy shih tzu, but most are very sweet.

How often do Shih Tzus need haircuts? ›

How often does a Shih Tzu need a haircut? As a general rule, Shih Tzus should be groomed every 4 to 6 weeks. That said, every dog and every coat are different. Factors such as the weather (how hot or how cold it is) and how quickly the dog's hair grows will influence how often it needs to be groomed.

Carefully remove your Shih Tzu from the tub, place them down into the center of a towel, allow them to shake, and then gently wrap them up. Do not rub the coat, the goal will be to pat them dry (more ahead) before air-drying or blow-drying.

If there's anything negative about the Shih Tzu's natural temperament, it's that their people-oriented tendencies can make them very clingy. While this is a toy-dog that can fit in even the smallest of apartments, their desire to love and be loved can turn to extreme separation anxiety in the absence of their owner.

Shih Tzus are known for their short snouts and large round eyes, as well as their long coat, floppy ears, and short and stout posture. They are well known for their playful personality and their calm and friendly temperament. They can adapt well to different situations.

Shih Tzus are alert, lively watchdogs. Most of them believe their sworn duty is to protect the house from intruders. Typically, when your dog barks, they are alerting you to some perceived danger or threat. Barking is your pup's way of communicating with the world, so don't expect them to give it up overnight.

Your dog explores their environment by chewing on the objects around them. Puppies will chew as a way to help alleviate the pain they feel when they are teething, whereas adult dogs chew to help keep their teeth clean and jaws strong.

The short answer is yes, dogs do know their names. On average, dogs can understand 165 words. More intelligent dogs can learn 250 words. If your dog is trained to recognize their name as such, they understand that you are speaking to them specifically when you use it.

Will it be close to all the family members? Shih Tzus are family dogs and are going to close to all members of the family. However, they tends to have a favorite person and it is going to be the one that pays more attention to it and plays with it regularly.