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AKC: Shih Tzu breed overview

Toy group · Tibet and China

Shih Tzu

Also called Lion Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog

A palace lapdog with a lion's name, a topknot and a coat that grows much like human hair.

The Shih Tzu was refined in the imperial court of Beijing as an indoor companion, and it still takes that role seriously. It is sturdy, cheerful and suited to small homes, but the coat is a real commitment: long or clipped, it needs regular attention to stay comfortable and healthy.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

4 to 7 kg

9 to 15 lb

Height

20 to 27 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

10 to 16 yrs

Activity estimate

30 to 60 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

10 months

approximate model input

Life with a Shih Tzu

A Shih Tzu's coat grows in much the same way yours does: slowly, constantly and without a dramatic seasonal shed. That is why the breed turns up on lists of tidy dogs, and also why it has a reputation for high maintenance. The hair you do not find on the sofa is still being lost; it simply stays caught in the coat until you brush it out, or until it knots into a mat.

The breed's roots lie in Tibetan monasteries, which sent small lion-like dogs as diplomatic gifts to Chinese emperors. Breeding inside the Forbidden City, probably with some Pekingese influence, shaped the dog we know. The Empress Dowager Cixi kept large numbers of them in the late 1800s. After the revolution of 1949 the breed all but vanished in China, and the modern population descends from a small group taken to Britain and Scandinavia in the 1930s.

Day to day, a Shih Tzu is easy company. It wants to be where you are, is rarely aggressive, and usually gets along with visitors, other dogs and even cats. It is sturdier and less fragile than many toy breeds, though it has firm opinions and a clear preference for the most comfortable cushion in the house.

What stands out

Grooming

A full coat needs daily brushing right down to the skin, using a pin brush and then a fine metal comb. Work in sections with the dog lying on its side, and mist the hair lightly first, because brushing a dry coat causes breakage. Behind the ears, the armpits and under the collar are the classic trouble spots.

Read the full grooming guide

Illustrative grooming schedule based on our editorial coat-care score. Adjust it to the individual coat and professional advice.

Brushing
Daily
Bathing
Every 3 to 6 weeks
Shedding
Light
Nail trim
Every 3 to 4 weeks

A great match for

flat and apartment living
older adults and quieter households
owners who enjoy grooming or can budget for a groomer
people who are home for much of the day
families with calm school-age children

Think twice if

coat mats within days if brushing slips
flat face makes heat and hard exercise risky
house training can take months
prominent eyes are easily injured
crowded teeth build tartar quickly

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Shih Tzu eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	6 kg	350 kcal	95 g (1 cups)
Female, typical pet	6 kg	400 kcal	110 g (1 cups)
Male, typical pet	6 kg	400 kcal	110 g (1 cups)
Male, very active	6 kg	500 kcal	135 g (1.3 cups)

Full Shih Tzu feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Shih Tzu

Feeding25 cups, split into two meals. That small allowance vanishes quickly once treats, chews and table scraps are added, and these dogs are very good at looking starved.Read more Puppy growthShih Tzu puppies grow quickly and finish early. Most reach about half their adult weight at 16 weeks and are close to full size by 9 or 10 months.Read more ExerciseTwo walks of 20 to 30 minutes plus indoor play is plenty for most adults. Shih Tzus enjoy sniffing routes, short games of fetch along a hallway and puzzle toys, and some take happily to gentle rally or beginner agility.Read more TrainingShih Tzus were bred to keep people company, not to follow orders, and it shows. They pick up tricks readily when food is on offer, but they will happily ignore a cue that brings nothing in return.Read more HealthAs a brachycephalic breed, the Shih Tzu is prone to breathing difficulties linked to narrow nostrils and a long soft palate, and it copes badly with heat. The large, prominent eyes are vulnerable to scratches, dryness and ulcers.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1The name translates roughly as 'lion dog', a reference to the lion figures of Tibetan Buddhism.
2Every Shih Tzu alive today is thought to descend from just 14 dogs used to rebuild the breed outside China.
3A full show coat can reach the floor and takes an hour or more to brush out properly.
4Hair on the bridge of the nose grows upward, which is why the topknot exists.
5Adults weigh only 4 to 7 kg (9 to 16 lb) but feel solid and heavy when lifted.

Shih Tzu questions

Do Shih Tzus shed?

Very little hair lands on the floor, but they do shed. Loose hairs get trapped in the long coat instead of falling out, which is exactly why regular brushing matters: skipped sessions turn that trapped hair into mats. Clipped dogs leave a little more on furniture than full-coated ones. No dog is free of allergens, so anyone with allergies should spend time with the breed before committing.

What causes tear stains on a Shih Tzu?

The prominent eyes and the facial hair that touches them lead to constant watering, and the reddish-brown color comes from pigments in tears and saliva that darken on pale hair. Keeping the hair above the nose short or tied up, wiping daily and drying the area well all reduce staining. A sudden increase in tearing, squinting or a cloudy eye needs a vet, not a stain remover.

Is a Shih Tzu a good dog for a senior owner?

Often an excellent one. The breed is light enough to lift, happy with modest walks and content to spend much of the day on a lap. The main thing to plan for is grooming, which may mean regular salon visits if brushing is hard on the hands, and a lifespan that commonly reaches 13 to 15 years. A settled adult from a rescue can be a very good match.

How long can a Shih Tzu be left alone?

Most adults cope with about four hours, and some manage a little longer once they have a settled routine. Puppies need a toilet break every two to three hours. Because the breed exists purely for company, frequent long absences can lead to barking, accidents indoors and clingy behavior. A midday visit from a neighbor or dog walker helps a lot for full-time workers.

What is the difference between a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso?

They look alike but differ in several ways. The Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet, has a longer muzzle, a heavier and harder coat, and a more watchful, aloof character that makes it a keener alarm barker. The Shih Tzu has a shorter face, a rounder head, a softer coat and a friendlier attitude toward strangers. Both need a similar level of grooming.

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