I'm interested — what should I know?
Getting ready for a Shih Tzu.
Made to be a companion, and very good at it. Happy on a lap, happy in a small flat.
Everything below comes from this breed's own traits in our library — what they'll ask of you week after week, including the parts people wish they'd known.
What this dog will ask of you
Honestly, week after week.
Activity
Short, gentle walks
Many dogs of this type settle far better in the house when the walking is regular rather than occasional. Build any distance up slowly, especially with a young or older dog.
Training
Takes a little persistence
Independent thinkers aren't being difficult — they simply need a better reason. Keep sessions short and worth their while.
Food
A small daily amount
Weigh meals rather than guessing, and count treats as food. My Dog can work out a starting portion once you know their weight.
Grooming
Brushing plus professional grooming
Coats like this mat if they're left. Getting a puppy used to being handled early makes the next fifteen years far easier.
Shedding
Sheds very little
Lower-shedding breeds are sometimes easier for people with allergies, but no dog is completely allergy-free and reactions vary from person to person.
Dental
Worth extra attention
Smaller mouths tend to have more crowded teeth, and dental problems are common in middle age. Daily brushing is the cheapest care there is.
Weight
Easy to overfeed
You should be able to feel the ribs easily without pressing. Weight creeps on slowly — a monthly note in My Dog catches it early.
Mental stimulation
A little variety is plenty
A sniffy walk, a chew and a bit of training is usually enough to keep this kind of dog settled.
Home
Usually fine in a flat
What matters most is the walking near your door and the hours you keep, not the number of rooms.
Time alone
Prefers company most of the day
There's no single maximum that fits every dog. Age, training and temperament all change the answer — and being alone is a skill you teach gradually.
Social life
Sociable with most people
Early, calm, positive introductions to people, dogs, traffic and handling shape this more than the breed does.
Health to read up on
Typically lives 12–16 years
Every breed has conditions that appear more often than average. Ask a breeder which tests they do and why, or ask a rescue what's known. Your vet is the right person for anything specific.
The money
What a Shih Tzu tends to cost
€1,100–€1,900
Per year, once they're settled — food, insurance, routine vet care and grooming. Wide on purpose: prices differ enormously by country and city, and this is not a quote.
Before you say yes