Shih Tzu
Overview
The Shih Tzu is a tiny dog from the Companion group — a fairly laid-back breed with modest exercise needs. In temperament it's intensely devoted and bonded to its family, responsive to training with steady guidance and it tolerates some alone time once settled. With a typical lifespan of 10 to 16 years, the Shih Tzu is a long commitment.
Is the Shih Tzu right for you?
A good match if — you're newer to dogs and want a forgiving breed; you live in an apartment or smaller home; you have children at home; you want a closely bonded companion; you want a sociable dog that greets everyone.
What a Shih Tzu needs from you
Day to day, the Shih Tzu needs a little daily time from you and light exercise. It does best with little space and no special experience.
Living with a Shih Tzu
At home, the Shih Tzu adapts well to apartment living. It's good with children, openly friendly with everyone it meets, fairly quiet, and a tidy, low-drool breed.
Key facts
- Size
- Tiny
- Height
- 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
- Weight
- 9 to 16 pounds
- Life span
- 10 to 16 years
- Group
- Companion Dogs
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | no data yet |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level | no data yet |
Health & what to watch for
The start matters most: get a Shih Tzu from someone who health-tests their lines — ask to see the results — or from a reputable rescue, and register with a vet early. Smaller breeds tend to be more prone to dental disease and slipping kneecaps, so stay on top of teeth and watch for limping or skipped steps. Across every breed the single biggest lever you control is weight — a lean dog lives longer and has fewer problems. Food intolerances usually show as itchy skin, recurring ear trouble or an upset stomach; if that turns up, a vet-guided elimination diet beats guesswork. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — your vet knows your individual dog.
Best toys
Good toys for a Shih Tzu: lighter plush and soft chews for shorter, gentler play. Rotate a few at a time rather than leaving everything out — novelty is half the value — and always supervise a new chew.
Growing up
Mind the small frame — go easy on jumps down from furniture, and start dental care and house-training patiently from day one. The first months are the socialization window: calm, positive exposure to new people, sounds, surfaces and other animals now shapes the adult dog more than almost anything else.
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 6 kg and a ~13-year life, keeping a Shih Tzu works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | |
| Energy | |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | |
| Tolerates alone |
Its presence, grown
Raised with patience and consistency, the adult Shih Tzu settles into a calm, easy-going presence. It devotes itself utterly to its family — your shadow, your second self. It meets the whole world as a friend.
As your partner
Picture it as a grown partner at your side: a relaxed daily rhythm of gentle walks and easy downtime together. It can settle on its own once it trusts the routine.
What makes it unique
What sets the Shih Tzu apart is a heart bred purely for human company — it would rather be at your side than do anything else in the world.