Breed library

Shih Tzu

Also known as Xi Shi, Xishi.

Shih Tzu photograph.
Shihtzu (cropped).jpg - Canino21. Public domain. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shihtzu_(cropped).jpg. License: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shihtzu_(cropped).jpg#Licensing. License: Public domain.

Breed overview

The Shih Tzu (, ) is a toy dog or pet dog breed originating from Tibet and believed to be bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.

  • Country of origin: People's Republic of ChinaBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The dogs were favorites of the Chinese royals during the Ming Dynasty and were so prized that, for years, the Chinese refused to sell, trade, or give any away.
  • Empress Dowager Cixi developed a program dedicated to breeding Shih Tzus.
  • The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe (England and Norway) during the 1920s and 1930s.
  • The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club, and the dogs were categorised again as Shih Tzu.
  • The breed spread throughout Europe and was brought to the United States after World War II, when returning members of the U.S. military brought back dogs from Europe and Asia, in the mid-1950s.

Size and appearance

The Shih Tzu is a sturdy little dog with a small snout and normally has large dark brown eyes. They have a soft and long double coat that will tangle and mat easily if not brushed at least every 2 or 3 days. A Shih Tzu should stand no more than 26.7 cm (10") at the withers and with an ideal weight of 4.0 to 7.5kg (9 to 17 lbs). Their floppy ears are covered with long hair, and their heavily hair-covered tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any color, though white and with blazes of grey are frequently seen. A very noticeable feature is the underbite, which is required in the breed standard. The Chinese have described their head shapes as "owl head" and "lion head", and their mouth as "frog mouths" and their lips as "earthworm lips".

  • Body mass reference: 4 - 7.5 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 4 - 7.5 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 4.5 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 8 kgBreed reference body mass. maximum.
  • Height reference: 20 - 28 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 20 - 28 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 20 - 28 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 20 - 28 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 27 cmBreed reference height. maximum.
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Height category: short
  • Weight category: small
  • Weight category: toy

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.03 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.40 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.91 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.02 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.57 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.97 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.58 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.99 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.29 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.78 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.51 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.70 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 1.02 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.23 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Shih Tzu.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: curly

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

In contemporary Mandarin, the Shih Tzu is generally known as the "Xi Shi dog" , Xi Shi being regarded as one of the most beautiful women of ancient China. Shih Tzu was nicknamed the "chrysanthemum dog" in England in the 1930s.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Shih Tzu - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Shih Tzu, revision 1377316371. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shih_Tzu&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Shihtzu (cropped).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Public domain. Shihtzu (cropped).jpg - Canino21. Public domain. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shihtzu_(cropped).jpg. License: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shihtzu_(cropped).jpg#Licensing.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.