Shih-tzu Characteristics

The shih tzu, which is also rendered as shihtzu, is a small dog breed that was developed exclusively as a companion animal. It is a highly personable dog that can bond very closely with its human owner. Despite its size, it is a highly energetic, very social dog, and learning more about the breed is an essential part of deciding whether this is the right dog for you.

  1. Size

    • According to the American Shih Tzu Club, the ideal height of the shih tzu at the withers is between nine and 10 1/2 inches. Dogs that are taller than eight inches and shorter than 11 inches are disqualified from the show ring. At their mature weight, shih tzus weigh between nine and 16 pounds.

    Coat

    • Shih tzus have long, luxurious fur that can be grown long or clipped back. Show shih tzus may have straight fur or fur that has a slight wave in it. This dog should be groomed daily with a bristle brush, and the hair over the eyes can be tied back in a top knot or clipped to prevent it from falling into the dog's eyes. Shih tzus are very light shedders, and this can make them ideal pets for people who suffer from problems with animal dander.

    Energetic

    • While shih tzus are known for being good apartment dogs, they are also highly energetic and need to be allowed to burn off their energy. They can be taken for a daily walk, and they should also be played with regularly. Shih tzus that do not receive enough exercise can become bored and destructive.

    Difficult to Housebreak

    • Shih tzus can be difficult to housebreak due to the fact that they have small bladders. The shih tzu's small bladder means that it needs to relieve itself more often than other dogs that are the same age. If a shih tzu has enough accidents during its housebreaking training, housebreaking may prove difficult. Alert observation of behaviors that indicate that the shih tzu puppy is going to relieve itself can help an owner know when to take the puppy outdoors, preventing accidents.

    Alert

    • Shih tzus can be alert dogs that make excellent watchdogs. They have keen senses that allow them to figure out when things are happening, and they will alert their owners by barking or yapping. While a well-trained shih tzu will only bark once, a poorly trained shih tzu may bark and yelp constantly with little provocation. Excessive barking can be a difficult habit to break. A shih tzu's owner needs to be willing to properly train and socialize the dog right from the very beginning to prevent bad habits from forming down the line.