Shih Tzu Breed Profile

This week’s breed in focus is the Shih Tzu, which means Little Lion.  Originating from Tibet, they were bred as companion dogs and warmed the laps of many a Chinese Emperor.

Temperament

Shih Tzus have happy, playful personalities with a friendly nature. They tend to get along with all people and children, as well as other pets, so they’re considered a very sweet dog.

Like many other toy breeds bred for companionship they do tend to demand a lot of attention, so can become a bit spoilt.

Training

They are highly intelligent, so training and games to keep them stimulated is important. They do really well with positive and consistent daily training, and are eager to learn new tricks that can increase their chances of being the centre of attention.

Physical attributes

As with most toy breeds, shih tzu are quick to mature, reaching adult size by about 10-12 months. With their flat faces, they are a brachycephalic breed, so should not be exercised too rigorously, or in hot weather as they can be prone to heat stroke.

Lifestyle considerations

While they do well at obedience and agility, which is great for their brains and bodies, Shih Tzu’s don’t need high levels of exercise, preferring a daily walk or play in the park to keep them active and fit.

You also need to be prepared to look after their luscious locks, particularly if you want to keep their coat long.  This requires regular baths, oiling of the coat to keep matting down and daily brushing.

Health

Shih Tzu’s live on average anywhere from 10 to 16 years and are generally a healthy breed.

However, with their flat face and small mouths they can be prone to overcrowding of teeth and resultant dental disease. Training them early to enjoy or tolerate daily brushing is especially important.

Their large eyes and shallow orbits increase the risk of proptosis (where the eyeball dislodges from the socket), surface injuries and keratitis. They can also be prone to distichiasis (extra eyelashes that irritate the eye).

It’s important to note their eye development from puppyhood and consult your vet if you notice anything unusual like redness, squinting, itching or discharge. Eye problems need to be caught early to avoid the risk of vision loss.

That’s why it is important to always do your research about any breed you are considering and get pet insurance too!

About the Author: Lara Shannon is a NDTF certified dog behaviourist and trainer, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training and boarding business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of Eat, Play, Love Your Dog.