Shih Tzu: Dog Breed Information

The Shih Tzu is a small, long-haired dog that originated in Tibet. It is a robust, cheerful fellow who is easy to train with a little loving consistency. It can be kept well in a city apartment and is also suitable for dog beginners.

Origin and history

The Shih Tzu originally comes from Tibet, where it was bred in monasteries as Buddha’s lion puppies. The dog breed continued to be bred in China – the current breed standard was set up by English breeders at the beginning of the 20th century. Historically, the Shih Tzu is closely related to the Lhasa Apso.

Appearance of the Shih Tzu

With a maximum shoulder height of 27 cm, the Shih Tzu is one of the small dog breeds. It’s a tough little guy with a long coat that requires a lot of grooming. If it is not shortened, the fur becomes so long that it drags on the ground and can get very dirty. The top hair on the head is usually tied up or shortened, otherwise, it falls into the eyes. The hair grows straight up the bridge of the nose, creating the characteristic “chrysanthemum-like” expression.

The Shih Tzu’s posture and gait are generally described as “arrogant” – carrying his head and nose high and his tail curled cheekily over his back. The ears are hanging, long and also very hairy so that they are hardly recognizable as such due to the strong neck hair.

Temperament of the Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a friendly and playful little dog with an effervescent temperament and a large dose of canine personality. It gets along well with other dogs and is open to strangers without being pushy. It is very attached to its caregivers but likes to keep its head.

With loving consistency, the intelligent and docile Shih Tzu is easy to train and therefore also makes a novice dog happy. It feels just as comfortable in a lively family as in a single apartment in the city and can also be kept as a second dog. If you decide to get a Shih Tzu, however, you have to spend some time on regular grooming. Daily careful brushing and regular washing of the hair are simply part of it, as long as the fur is not shortened.