Shih Tzu: size, coat and temperament of the breed

The Shih Tzu is one of the best-known companion breeds in the world, and much of what is said about it is repetition. This guide uses the official FCI breed standard as its reference — the document that describes what the breed is.

Origin: Tibet, developed in China

The standard gives the origin as Tibet (China), where dogs of this type were kept and developed. The first recorded importation to Britain was in 1931, and the breed was recognised as separate from other Oriental breeds in 1934.

A common mix-up is with the Lhasa Apso. They are different breeds; the standard itself opens by noting that people tend to confuse them.

Under the FCI, the Shih Tzu belongs to Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 5, Tibetan breeds. The American Kennel Club places it in the Toy Group.

Size and weight under the standard

Trait	FCI standard
Height at withers	Not more than 27 cm
Weight	4.5 to 8 kg
Ideal weight	4.5 to 7.5 kg

Dogs sold as “micro”, “teacup” or “imperial” are not a recognised variety. Forcing a breed below its normal size tends to bring health problems with it.

Coat and the chrysanthemum face

The outer coat is long, dense and not curly, with a moderate undercoat that is not woolly; a slight wave is permitted. The chrysanthemum look of the head comes from hair growing upwards on the muzzle, radiating around the face.

Three lines of the standard are about welfare, not looks:

• The hair must not affect the dog’s ability to see.
• The length of coat should not restrict movement.
• It is strongly recommended that the hair on the head is tied up, without adornment.

In other words, coat care is not vanity. Frequent brushing, eye hygiene and trimming when needed are part of basic care for this breed.

Temperament

The standard says: intelligent, active and alert; friendly and independent. In practice, “independent” usually means a dog that bonds well without being clingy and responds better to short, rewarded training sessions than to repetition.

The health point that matters most

The Shih Tzu is brachycephalic. In dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, the anatomy of the upper airway increases resistance to airflow, and the reduced, turbulent airflow limits panting — the main way a dog cools itself. A peer-reviewed study of affected dogs links the syndrome to noisy breathing, obstructive sleep disorders, impaired thermoregulation and signs of exercise intolerance.

That changes daily routine:

• Walk in the cooler hours of the day, never in strong sun.
• Use a harness rather than a collar, which presses on the windpipe.
• Keep weight under control — extra weight worsens breathing limits.
• Never leave the dog in a closed car, even briefly.
• See the vet if you notice noisy breathing at rest, quick fatigue or bluish lips and tongue.

The eyes deserve attention too: a flat face and prominent eyes expose the cornea more, and any cloudiness, heavy tearing or rubbing at the eye calls for a prompt exam.

Who the breed suits

People who want a small, companionable dog that adapts to apartment life and who are willing to keep up with brushing and hygiene. It is not a breed for running, long hikes or activity in the sun — the limit there is anatomical, not a matter of training. Compare it with the Maltese and other small dog breeds.