DOG BREEDS
7 min
All About Shih Tzus: Breed Origins, Training, Veterinary Insights
Bringing home a Shih Tzu puppy? Canine expert Shivani K. shares key insights on their breed origins, training, vet care, grooming, and more!
Table of contents
Meet the Shih Tzu! These tiny teddy-bear-like dogs are taking the world by storm. With their adorable faces, big personalities and apartment-friendly frames, it is no wonder that they are becoming a favourite amongst pet parents across the globe.
Are you planning to bring home a Shih Tzu puppy, too? Raising a happy, healthy, and confident Shih Tzu puppy is not the easy walk in the park that social media portrays it to be. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the breed’s origins, their temperament and training needs, as well as veterinary and grooming care. But fret not; let’s learn about this wonderful, little breed together!
Are you planning to bring home a Shih Tzu puppy, too? Raising a happy, healthy, and confident Shih Tzu puppy is not the easy walk in the park that social media portrays it to be. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the breed’s origins, their temperament and training needs, as well as veterinary and grooming care. But fret not; let’s learn about this wonderful, little breed together!
Did you know Shih Tzus have been around for over 1,000 years?
Shih Tzu Origins
The name Shih Tzu (pronounced sheed-zoo) translates to “little lion” in Mandarin. Despite the origins of its name, the Shih Tzu finds its origins in Tibet, not China. The Shih Tzu’s origins are as mystical as its name. According to legend, the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri, was accompanied by a small dog that resembled a lion. One day, the Buddha was attacked by robbers in the forest. The tiny dog transformed into a massive, ferocious lion and terrified the robbers, who fled. As the little dog returned to its original form, the Buddha blessed him for his courage. Today, this blessing can be seen in the form of a white tuft of hair on the Shih Tzu’s head known as the “Star of Buddha” or “Buddha’s Kiss”.
One theory suggests that Shih Tzus descended from a cross between the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso in Tibet. Slowly, they gained popularity across the land and became prized possessions of the Chinese royalty. They were bestowed with the honourable task of sitting beside the emperor’s throne and barking to announce guests and visitors.
In modern Mandarin, the Shih Tzu is often called the “Xi Shi Dog”, after one of ancient China’s most celebrated beauties, Xi Shi.
One theory suggests that Shih Tzus descended from a cross between the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso in Tibet. Slowly, they gained popularity across the land and became prized possessions of the Chinese royalty. They were bestowed with the honourable task of sitting beside the emperor’s throne and barking to announce guests and visitors.
In modern Mandarin, the Shih Tzu is often called the “Xi Shi Dog”, after one of ancient China’s most celebrated beauties, Xi Shi.
Shih Tzu Physical Traits
Shih Tzus are small, sturdy dogs and belong to the toy breed group. They can be characterised by their large expressive eyes, floppy ears, long coat and a plum tail curling over their back. Here’s a closer look at their physical traits:
- Height: Around 9 to 10.5 inches
- Weight: Between 4 to 7.5 kg
- Face: Round & flat with a short muzzle (Typical for a Brachycephalic breed)
- Coat: Double coat with a long, flowing outer layer and a soft, dense undercoat
- Coat colours: Found in various shades, including gold, black, white, and liver
Shih Tzu’s Lifespan
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), a Shih Tzu’s lifespan stretches between 10 to 16 years of age, with proper care. A well-balanced diet, regular exercise, routine veterinary check-ups, and good grooming habits are all key in ensuring they live a long, healthy life. Being a small Brachycephalic breed, Shih Tzus are predisposed to certain health issues, so early detection and preventative care are crucial in their longevity.
Shih Tzu Temperament
The Shih Tzu dog breed is known for its friendly and affectionate temperament. They can be excellent companions for families with or without children, multi-pet households, as well as bachelors. Their small size and moderate energy levels allow them to adapt well to various living environments, from apartments to independent homes with yards. They will While they are generally good-natured and easy to train, they can have a stubborn streak and refuse to respond or indulge in attention-seeking behaviours if clear boundaries aren’t set.
Shih Tzu Training Requirements
Raising a happy & well-behaved Shih Tzu puppy starts with the right training and socialisation. Here are key areas to focus on while training your Shih Tzu puppy:
- Proper socialization: Shih Tzu puppies particularly need to be calm and comfortable around the presence of new people or animals. Since grooming is an integral part of their upkeep, their socialisation plan must include exercises to get them comfortable with human touch, especially around their paws and face.
- Separation training: The Shih Tzu can form strong bonds with their human families and can struggle with being home alone. Teaching them to be alone for short periods from an early age helps prevent anxiety when you're not around.
- Basic obedience commands: Basic obedience commands like Sit, Stay, Go to Bed, and Recall can help set clear boundaries and create structure at home. Use plenty of praise and rewards, and keep training sessions short and engaging to maintain their focus.
- Excessive Barking: The Shih Tzu dog breed is known for being vocal, often barking for attention or at unfamiliar sounds. Working on desensitising them to these triggers, teaching them a "quiet" command, and avoiding reinforcement of excessive barking can help keep the noise levels at home in check.
- Picky Eating Habits: Shih Tzus are prone to picky eating habits if given too many food choices or frequent treats. Establish a feeding routine with balanced meals, avoid hand-feeding, and don’t replace meals with treats if they refuse to eat. Teaching them to eat what’s served helps prevent future mealtime struggles.
Shih Tzu Grooming
Regular grooming is essential for a Shih Tzu’s overall health and well-being. But whether it becomes a bonding ritual or a constant struggle will depend on the pet parent. It is essential to get your Shih Tzu puppy used to being held and groomed from a young age to ensure they can tolerate it without stress in the future.
While bathing can be done at home or at a grooming salon every 15 days, it is also important to brush their double coat every two or three days to avoid tangling & matting. A slicker brush is great for detangling and removing loose fur, while a pin brush can help fluff and smooth the coat.
For quick clean-ups, pet wipes or a soft cotton cloth dipped in warm water can be used to gently wipe their paws, face, eyes, and ears. A stainless-steel comb is useful for fine grooming, especially around the face.
While bathing can be done at home or at a grooming salon every 15 days, it is also important to brush their double coat every two or three days to avoid tangling & matting. A slicker brush is great for detangling and removing loose fur, while a pin brush can help fluff and smooth the coat.
For quick clean-ups, pet wipes or a soft cotton cloth dipped in warm water can be used to gently wipe their paws, face, eyes, and ears. A stainless-steel comb is useful for fine grooming, especially around the face.
Shih Tzu Health Concerns to Watch Out For
Like any pedigree breed, the Shih Tzu dog breed is also predisposed to certain health conditions such as breathing issues, cardiovascular problems, recurring eye and ear infections, etc. Educating ourselves about these health conditions can help us spot the early warning signs and seek treatment immediately. thePack veterinarian Dr Tanaya Pai recommends the following veterinary care advice for Shih Tzus:
- Prevent overheating: Avoid intense, high-energy physical activities or games that involve a lot of jumping. Ensure that you give them ample time to recover and catch their breath during play time.
- Groom them regularly: Shih Tzus can be prone to skin and coat issues, too. Ensure that you brush their coat daily so that you can notice any abnormal rashes or bumps immediately. Maintain their dental hygiene by brushing at least 2-3 times per week.
- Maintain their weight: Weighing in at just 4 to 7 kgs, Shih Tzus don’t require a lot of food to sustain themselves. Consult a canine nutritionist or speak to your veterinarian to ensure you are feeding your dog a well-balanced and well-portioned diet at every stage of their life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q) Is a Shih Tzu a good dog to own?
Yes, Shih Tzus are friendly and affectionate dogs and can be great companions for families, multi-pet households, and bachelors. They can also adapt very easily to apartments as well as larger houses. However, they do require regular grooming, early training, and regular veterinary check-ups to ensure that they are happy & healthy
Q) Does a Shih Tzu need AC?
Shih Tzus do not necessarily require air conditioning. While Shih Tzus are prone to overheating, they can thrive in a cool and well-ventilated home. Additionally, extra fans, cooling mats, etc., can be used to help them feel cool and comfortable during hotter days.
Q) Are Shih Tzus easy to train?
Shih Tzus can be easy to train with the right training methods and rewards. However, they are usually intelligent and stubborn, so training requires both patience and consistency. Short, fun training sessions with positive reinforcement work best. Early socialization and obedience training help them develop good manners and reduce unwanted behaviours.
Shih Tzus are adorable and affectionate dogs that can thrive in most homes with proper care. From early training and socialisation to regular grooming and health check-ups, meeting their needs can ensure that they grow up to be happy and well-adjusted dogs. With enough love, patience, and understanding, your Shih Tzu puppy is bound to be an integral part of your family!
Happy pet parenting!
Q) Does a Shih Tzu need AC?
Shih Tzus do not necessarily require air conditioning. While Shih Tzus are prone to overheating, they can thrive in a cool and well-ventilated home. Additionally, extra fans, cooling mats, etc., can be used to help them feel cool and comfortable during hotter days.
Q) Are Shih Tzus easy to train?
Shih Tzus can be easy to train with the right training methods and rewards. However, they are usually intelligent and stubborn, so training requires both patience and consistency. Short, fun training sessions with positive reinforcement work best. Early socialization and obedience training help them develop good manners and reduce unwanted behaviours.
Shih Tzus are adorable and affectionate dogs that can thrive in most homes with proper care. From early training and socialisation to regular grooming and health check-ups, meeting their needs can ensure that they grow up to be happy and well-adjusted dogs. With enough love, patience, and understanding, your Shih Tzu puppy is bound to be an integral part of your family!
Happy pet parenting!
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