The Shih Tzu is a small Tibetan toy dog that originated over 1,000 years ago. In China, it is called shih-tzu kou , meaning “lion dog,” because of its hairy face and long, flowing hair. The Shih Tzu is longer than it is tall, sturdily built, and short-legged, with a short muzzle, hanging ears, and a heavily haired tail carried over its back. Its dense coat comes in a variety of colors and falls over its eyes, forming a beard and whiskers on its face. Shih Tzus are outgoing and playful and can transition from playmate to sofa companion. The breed is ideal for gentle older children and seniors. Exercise needs can be met in a small yard or apartment with supplemental daily walks. The breed prefers temperate weather.

What does a Shih Tzu look like?

The Shih Tzu is a Tibetan toy dog with a long-haired, sturdy build, known in Chinese as "lion dog" for its hairy face and flowing hair. They are longer than they are tall, short-legged, and characteristically active and alert. Their dense coat, which comes in various colors, falls over their eyes and forms a beard and whiskers on their face. The breed stands about 10 inches tall and weighs between 9 and 16 pounds. Shih Tzus need regular grooming, including combing every day or two, and benefit from regular bathing to reduce tangling.

Where did the Shih Tzu breed originate?

The Shih Tzu originated in Tibet over 1,000 years ago. It was developed from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso breeds. In Chinese, the name Shih Tzu Kou means "lion dog," which refers to the breed's hairy face and long, flowing hair. The lion is an important symbol in Buddhism, the religion of Tibet, where monks frequently gifted the dogs to Chinese royalty. The breed was nearly extinct because they were killed during China’s Communist Revolution due to their association with royalty. Every Shih Tzu alive today can be traced back to 14 dogs used to repopulate the breed in the 1930s.

What type of personality does a Shih Tzu have?

The Shih Tzu is a popular toy dog known for being outgoing, playful, and easily adaptable as a playmate or a relaxed sofa companion. They are typically bold yet friendly, often getting along well with strangers, other dogs, and pets. Their playful nature and small size make them great companions for gentle older children and seniors, though caution is needed due to their potential as a tripping hazard. Shih Tzus have fairly high energy levels and can be exuberant. While they may be slow to obey initially, they can learn quickly once they decide to cooperate. Shih Tzus make alert watchdogs but are not suitable as protection dogs due to their small size.

How should you care for a Shih Tzu's coat?

To care for a Shih Tzu 's coat, you should comb it every day or two. Bathing and conditioning the coat regularly will cut down on tangling and matting. While show dogs need their hair wrapped carefully, companion Shih Tzus can have their coats clipped to a more manageable length. The hair around their eyes should be cropped or styled in a topknot to prevent vision issues.

What health problems are common in Shih Tzus?

Shih Tzus are prone to certain health issues, notably patellar luxation, where the kneecap shifts out of alignment, causing hind-leg skipping. As a brachycephalic breed with a short muzzle, they are susceptible to brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS). BAOS can result from small nostril openings, a narrow windpipe, and a long soft palate. Most Shih Tzus have BAOS to some degree, and severe cases can lead to overheating and respiratory distress, especially in hot weather or during exercise. Owners should consult a vet to assess potential BAOS issues. Additionally, their long hair can obstruct vision if not properly cropped or styled.

Shih Tzu

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Shih tzu dog with long black and white fur sitting on green grass, facing the camera.

Shih tzu dog with a long, flowing, groomed coat and topknot trots on grass, its hair brushed smoothly for the show ring.

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Related Topics:: teacup dog; toy dog

On the Web:: World Animal Rescue Network - Shih Tzu (Nov. 08, 2026)

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Shih Tzu

breed of dog

Also known as: Chrysanthemum Dog, Little Lion, shih-tzu kou

Written by

Caroline Coile

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 8, 2026 •History

Top Questions

What is a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu is a small Tibetan toy dog that originated over 1,000 years ago. In China, it is called shih-tzu kou, meaning “lion dog,” because of its hairy face and long, flowing hair. The Shih Tzu is longer than it is tall, sturdily built, and short-legged, with a short muzzle, hanging ears, and a heavily haired tail carried over its back. Its dense coat comes in a variety of colors and falls over its eyes, forming a beard and whiskers on its face.

Shih Tzus are outgoing and playful and can transition from playmate to sofa companion. The breed is ideal for gentle older children and seniors. Exercise needs can be met in a small yard or apartment with supplemental daily walks. The breed prefers temperate weather.
1 Britannica Source
1. Shih Tzu
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What does a Shih Tzu look like?
The Shih Tzu is a Tibetan toy dog with a long-haired, sturdy build, known in Chinese as "lion dog" for its hairy face and flowing hair. They are longer than they are tall, short-legged, and characteristically active and alert.

Their dense coat, which comes in various colors, falls over their eyes and forms a beard and whiskers on their face. The breed stands about 10 inches tall and weighs between 9 and 16 pounds. Shih Tzus need regular grooming, including combing every day or two, and benefit from regular bathing to reduce tangling.
1 Britannica Source
1. Shih Tzu: Care and upkeep
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where did the Shih Tzu breed originate?
The Shih Tzu originated in Tibet over 1,000 years ago. It was developed from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso breeds. In Chinese, the name Shih Tzu Kou means "lion dog," which refers to the breed's hairy face and long, flowing hair. The lion is an important symbol in Buddhism, the religion of Tibet, where monks frequently gifted the dogs to Chinese royalty. The breed was nearly extinct because they were killed during China’s Communist Revolution due to their association with royalty. Every Shih Tzu alive today can be traced back to 14 dogs used to repopulate the breed in the 1930s.
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1. Definition of shih tzu
2. Shih Tzu
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What type of personality does a Shih Tzu have?
The Shih Tzu is a popular toy dog known for being outgoing, playful, and easily adaptable as a playmate or a relaxed sofa companion. They are typically bold yet friendly, often getting along well with strangers, other dogs, and pets. Their playful nature and small size make them great companions for gentle older children and seniors, though caution is needed due to their potential as a tripping hazard. Shih Tzus have fairly high energy levels and can be exuberant. While they may be slow to obey initially, they can learn quickly once they decide to cooperate. Shih Tzus make alert watchdogs but are not suitable as protection dogs due to their small size.
1 Britannica Source
1. Shih Tzu: Temperament
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How should you care for a Shih Tzu's coat?
To care for a Shih Tzu's coat, you should comb it every day or two. Bathing and conditioning the coat regularly will cut down on tangling and matting. While show dogs need their hair wrapped carefully, companion Shih Tzus can have their coats clipped to a more manageable length. The hair around their eyes should be cropped or styled in a topknot to prevent vision issues.
1 Britannica Source
1. Shih Tzu: Care and upkeep
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What health problems are common in Shih Tzus?
Shih Tzus are prone to certain health issues, notably patellar luxation, where the kneecap shifts out of alignment, causing hind-leg skipping. As a brachycephalic breed with a short muzzle, they are susceptible to brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS). BAOS can result from small nostril openings, a narrow windpipe, and a long soft palate. Most Shih Tzus have BAOS to some degree, and severe cases can lead to overheating and respiratory distress, especially in hot weather or during exercise. Owners should consult a vet to assess potential BAOS issues. Additionally, their long hair can obstruct vision if not properly cropped or styled.
1 Britannica Source
1. Shih Tzu: Care and upkeep
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Shih Tzu, Tibetan toy dog developed from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso and called in Chinese shih-tzu kou (“lion dog”) for its hairy face and often long flowing hair. The lion is a prominent symbol in Buddhism, the religion of Tibet, where the breed was developed more than 1,000 years ago and where Tibetan monks frequently gave the dogs as gifts to Chinese royalty.

Breed data

Also called: Little Lion, Chrysanthemum Dog
Area of origin: Tibet
Breed group: Toy
Height at withers: About 10 inches (25 cm)
Weight: 9–16 pounds (4–7 kg)
Life span: 10-18 years
Did you know?: According to the AKC, every Shih Tzu alive today can be traced to one of the 14 dogs (seven males and seven females) used to repopulate the breed beginning in the 1930s.

The breed nearly went extinct. As the American Kennel Club (AKC) reports, during China’s Communist Revolution (1927-49), the dogs were widely killed because of their association with royalty and the wealthy. An earlier contributing factor, adds the AKC, was the 1908 death of Cixi (the Dowager Empress Tzu His), “who supervised a world-renowned breeding program of Shih Tzu, Pekingese, and Pugs. When she died, the breeding program fell apart, and it became nearly impossible to get a Shih Tzu.” The breed was exported first to Britain and from there to other countries in the 1930s; American military personnel returning from service overseas also brought them home to the United States in the 1940s and 50s. The Shih Tzu was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1969.

This longhaired, characteristically active and alert little dog is longer than it is tall, and it is sturdily built and short-legged, with a short muzzle, hanging ears, and a heavily haired tail carried over its back. Its dense coat, which may be a variety of colors, falls over its eyes and forms a beard and whiskers on the face.

Various retriever dog breeds sitting in a row. L-R: curly coated retriever, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, duck tolling retriever, flat coated retriever. hunting sporting dogs

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Care and upkeep

The Shih Tzu’s exercise needs can be met by a small yard or even an apartment if supplemented with daily walks. The breed prefers temperate weather. It may not do well in hot conditions, because of its short muzzle, and the dog’s small size makes it susceptible to the cold as well as to unwanted attention from larger dogs, wild predators, and items in the household that could fall on the dog.

The Shih Tzu enjoys playing games and will chase balls but may not return them. Although most Shih Tzus live pampered lives of leisure, they also enjoy participating in canine sports such as obedience, agility, and trick-dog training. The Shih Tzu is one of the few breeds that can fit in a carrier purse and accompany a person around town; however, Shih Tzus have their limits as to how much time they will tolerate close confinement.

Caring for the Shih Tzu’s long coat is a challenge, requiring combing every day or two. Regular bathing and conditioning reduce tangling and matting. Although the extremely long coat of show dogs requires careful wrapping of hair in tissue paper and rubber bands, the coats of most companion Shih Tzu dogs are clipped to a more manageable length. Owners should note that in this breed the hair can grow long enough to hang in front of the eyes and reduce vision and thus should be cropped or styled in a topknot.

Like most very small breeds, the Shih Tzu is prone to patellar luxation. The condition occurs when the kneecap shifts out of alignment, causing hind-leg “skipping.” The Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic breed (that is, it has a very short muzzle), which makes it susceptible to brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS). BAOS may be caused by abnormally small nostril openings, a narrow windpipe, and an excessively long soft palate in relation to the head. Most Shih Tzus have BAOS to some degree, and those with severe cases are prone to overheating and respiratory distress in hot weather or when exercising. Owners should have their dog examined by a veterinarian to determine whether BAOS could become a problem in their pet.

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Temperament

The Shih Tzu has earned its place as one of the most popular toy dogs in the world. It is generally outgoing and playful, easily transitioning from playmate to sofa companion. It is bold but friendly, many Shih Tzus getting along easily with unfamiliar people, dogs, and other pets. The breed’s playfulness and size make it an ideal companion for gentle older children as well as seniors, although their small size could pose a tripping hazard. The Shih Tzu is fairly high-energy and exuberant. Like most ancient Asian breeds, it is slow to obey, but it can learn quickly once it decides to be cooperative. The breed is an alert and adequate watchdog but, given its small stature, a poor protection dog.

These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.

Caroline Coile The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Shih Tzu

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Care and upkeep

Temperament