Shih Tzu

Coat and looks how to spot one

long, dense double coat

A sturdy little dog cloaked in a long, flowing top coat over a moderate undercoat; a slight wave is fine but the coat should never feel woolly. Hair on the muzzle grows upward and outward, framing the face in a way often compared to a chrysanthemum flower. The eyes are large, dark and round, and a well-plumed tail curls up over the back.246

Personality what they are like

Bred purely to keep people company, the Shih Tzu is cheerful, outgoing and affectionate, and tends to greet strangers as friends. It is bright and alert with a streak of independence, carries itself with a proud, almost self-important air, and usually gets along well with other pets. It is more of a lap-and-sofa companion than a guard dog, though it will happily announce visitors.2457

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Modest. Hill's suggests under 20 minutes of exercise a day and the Royal Kennel Club up to an hour; short walks and indoor play keep it fit. As a flat-faced breed it is best walked in the cooler parts of the day in hot, humid weather.73

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

High. A full coat needs daily brushing to stay tangle-free, plus regular bathing; many pet owners keep the coat clipped short for easier care. Facial hair is usually tied up in a topknot or trimmed so it stays out of the eyes. The coat sheds very little.376

Home where they are happiest

Well suited to a flat or apartment in town or country; a small to medium garden is plenty. It is an indoor companion that wants to be where its people are.3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete food portioned for a small, fairly low-energy dog. Keep treats in check, as the breed gains weight easily when spoiled.7

Company who they like around

High. The breed exists to be a companion and bonds closely with its family, and it usually mixes well with other people and animals.74

The story where it all began

The Shih Tzu's roots lie with small 'lion dogs' kept in Tibet, which were sent as prized gifts to the Chinese imperial court. In the palaces of Peking they were bred for centuries, probably with some mixing with Pekingese or similar Chinese dogs, and in the 19th century Dowager Empress Cixi ran a careful breeding programme for them. After China became a republic in 1912 a few dogs reached the West. Lady Brownrigg brought a black-and-white pair to England in 1928, and a third dog went to Ireland in 1933; with a handful of imports to Scandinavia these became the foundation of the breed abroad. First shown alongside Lhasa Apsos, the Shih Tzu was separated as its own breed in 1934, its club took the Shih Tzu name in 1935, and it gained its own Kennel Club register in 1940. In 1952 a single Pekingese cross was made in England to broaden the gene pool. The breed became rare in China after 1949, so the modern Shih Tzu descends from the dogs taken to the West. American servicemen brought dogs home from Europe, the American Shih Tzu Club formed in 1963, and the AKC recognised the breed in 1969.8926

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard No. 208, Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 5 (Tibetan breeds); definitive acceptance 16 Dec 1957; current standard published 22 Aug 20171

The Royal Kennel Club

Utility Group; shown as a separate breed from 1934 and given its own register in 19408

AKC

Toy Group; entered the AKC Stud Book in 1969; standard approved 9 May 19899

UKC

Companion Dog Group; recognised 19665

Popularity Ranked 21st of AKC-registered breeds in 2025 (20th in 2024)106