Toy group · Small · China (Tibet)
Shih Tzu
Also known as: Chrysanthemum Dog, Lion Dog
The Shih Tzu was bred for a thousand years to do exactly one job — sit on a lap and be delightful — and it remains world-class at it. The honest owner headline: a sturdy, sweet, genuinely low-exercise companion whose coat is a part-time job and whose house-training will test your patience.
Height
9-10.5 in
Weight
9-16 lbs
Lifespan
10-18 years
Coat
Long, dense double coat; hair-like, low-shedding
Exercise
30+ min/day
Puppy price
$1,000-$2,500
AKC popularity
#21
Best for
Apartment dwellers, seniors, and families who want a purpose-built lap companion and will either commit to daily brushing or keep a standing groomer appointment.
Trait Scores
What owners love
- +One of the best pure companion temperaments in dogdom — affectionate with family, kids, strangers, and other pets alike
- +Minimal exercise needs: a couple of short walks and indoor play genuinely covers it
- +Hair-like coat sheds very little, making them one of the more allergy-tolerable breeds
- +Sturdier and less fragile than most toy breeds — a better fit for families with kids than a Yorkie or Chihuahua
- +Long-lived, with many reaching 15+ and the AKC listing up to 18 years
- +Adapts to nearly any living situation; the definition of an apartment dog
What owners warn about
- −The coat is relentless: daily brushing in full coat, or professional grooming every 4-6 weeks in a puppy cut — budget $60-$100 per visit forever
- −House-training is notoriously slow; expect months of consistency and consider it a breed-wide running joke
- −Flat face means snoring, heat sensitivity, and no jogging partner ambitions
- −Prominent eyes are vulnerable — ulcers, dry eye, and injuries are among the most common vet visits
- −A stubborn streak hides under the cuteness; they train fine, but only for payment
- −Tear staining and face gunk need near-daily cleaning to avoid smell and infection
Common Health Issues
How the Shih Tzu Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Shih Tzus hypoallergenic?+
No dog truly is, but Shih Tzus are among the better bets: their hair-like coat sheds minimally and drops less dander around the house. Allergic households should still spend real time with the breed before committing, since saliva and dander allergies vary person to person. Regular grooming helps a lot.
Why is my Shih Tzu so hard to house-train?+
It's the breed, not you — toy companion breeds with small bladders and centuries of indoor living are consistently the slowest to house-train, and Shih Tzus are famous for it. Rigid scheduling, crate training, and treating every success like a lottery win gets you there, usually by 8-12 months. Many owners keep a potty pad as backup insurance for life.
Puppy cut or full coat — what's realistic?+
Unless you're showing, get the puppy cut. A full-length Shih Tzu coat needs genuine daily brushing to the skin or it mats painfully, and most pet owners can't sustain it. A short trim every 4-6 weeks keeps the dog comfortable and cuts home maintenance to a couple of brushing sessions a week.
How much exercise does a Shih Tzu need?+
About 30 minutes a day of gentle walks and play — this is one of the lowest-exercise breeds you can own, which is exactly why they suit seniors and apartment living. Watch the heat closely though: the flat face means warm-weather walks should be short and early. Mental play indoors covers the rest.