The Shih Tzu is an affectionate lap companion bred to charm, known for its sweet, outgoing, and friendly disposition.
How the Shih Tzu coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
Caution: A Shih Tzu coat mats easily.
Fine or long hair tangles at the base of the coat, out of sight, where the mats tighten and pull on the skin. Brushing has to reach right down to the roots in sections, not just skim the surface.
Information: A Shih Tzu needs clipping every few weeks.
This coat keeps growing rather than shedding out, so it has to be trimmed every few weeks. Left to grow it mats down against the skin and traps moisture, dirt and heat.
A few of the Shih Tzu profiles members have added to United Pet Club.
The Shih Tzu is a small, affectionate companion dog originally from Tibet. It typically lives 10 to 16 years and thrives as an indoor lap dog in Philippine homes and condo units.
Adult Shih Tzus weigh around 4 to 7.2 kilograms and stand about 20 to 27 centimeters at the shoulder, so the breed sits comfortably in the toy or lap dog category. Filipino owners often recognize the breed right away by its long, flowing double coat and its round, flat face.
Temperament sets the Shih Tzu apart more than its size does. It is friendly, affectionate, playful, and good-natured, and it forms a strong attachment to the household it lives in. Given early socialization, it gets along well with children, visitors, and other pets around the house. The breed was never meant to hunt or guard; it was raised to stay close to people indoors.
The long coat asks for steady grooming, and the flat face means owners need to watch closely for breathing trouble and eye problems, particularly in a tropical climate. With regular brushing, trips to the grooming salon, and a bit of daily exercise, the Shih Tzu settles in comfortably whether the home is a small condo unit or a house with a yard.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tibet |
| Size | Small (about 4 to 7.2 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10 to 16 years |
| Group/role | Toy / companion dog |
| Good with | Families, children, other pets, condo and apartment living |
The Shih Tzu suits owners who want a small companion dog indoors and can commit time, and a bit of money, to coat care. It works well for condo dwellers, families with gentle children, and retirees who prefer a short walk around the village rather than a long run. Owners who cannot keep up with regular brushing or trips to a professional groomer may find the long coat too demanding.
The Shih Tzu traces back to Tibet and was later refined in China as a palace companion, reaching the West and eventually the Philippines in the 20th century.
Small, long-coated dogs kept as companions in Tibet are considered the root stock of the Shih Tzu, and some were reportedly given as gifts to Chinese rulers. Breeders in China later refined the type, raising the dog mainly inside palace walls rather than as a working animal.
The name is usually translated as "lion dog," a nod to both its look and to lion imagery that carries symbolic weight in the region. For generations, the breed stayed within imperial and noble households and was rarely seen elsewhere.
English breeders took up the Shih Tzu in the early 1900s, working from a small founding population to fix the type recognized today. From there the breed spread through North America and, eventually, Asia and the rest of the world through the middle of the century.
The Shih Tzu is now a familiar sight in Philippine homes and ranks among the more popular toy breeds locally. The Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI), the country's national kennel club, recognizes the breed, and its palace dog past still shows in how much it prefers staying close to people indoors rather than roaming a yard on its own.
The Shih Tzu is small and sturdy with a long double coat, a short muzzle, and a high set tail, and it comes in many recognized color combinations.
The Shih Tzu carries a solid, compact build that is slightly longer than it is tall once you look past the coat. Its head is round, with large, dark eyes set well apart, a short muzzle, and a clear stop. The tail sits high and curves over the back. Hair on the head frequently grows long enough that owners tie it up to keep it away from the eyes.
| Trait | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | About 20 to 27 cm at the shoulder |
| Weight | About 4 to 7.2 kg |
| Coat | Long, dense double coat, soft and flowing |
| Colors | Many, including gold, white, black, brindle, and combinations |
| Eyes | Large, round, dark, set well apart |
Underneath the long outer coat sits a soft undercoat, giving the Shih Tzu its double-layered structure. The texture leans soft rather than wiry. Recognized colors and markings span a wide range: gold and white, black and white, brindle, solid black, and liver among them. A white blaze on the forehead paired with a white-tipped tail is common and often prized in the show ring. Owners can keep the coat at full length with frequent brushing, or opt for a shorter "puppy clip," a popular choice among Filipino owners who want lower maintenance in the heat.
Friendly, affectionate, and playful, the Shih Tzu generally gets along with children, strangers, and other pets once properly socialized.
Sweet and outgoing describes the typical Shih Tzu personality. The breed seeks out human company and is often happiest curled up on someone's lap. Good-natured and playful, it does well with short bursts of play followed by long stretches of rest, a pace that suits many households.
Around family the Shih Tzu tends to be devoted and gentle. That suits households with children who know how to handle a small dog calmly. It is generally welcoming rather than wary toward strangers, so it does not make much of a watchdog. Most Shih Tzus get along with other dogs and cats too, especially when they are introduced to each other young.
The breed can be stubborn on occasion, and housetraining sometimes takes extra patience. Some individuals bark for attention, though the breed overall is not especially vocal. Because it was bred purely for companionship, the Shih Tzu does not do well left alone for long stretches and can grow anxious if isolated for hours at a time, something to plan around for owners who work long shifts.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 2 |
| Trainability | 3 |
| Vocalness | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 |
The Shih Tzu needs frequent coat care, moderate daily exercise, and protection from heat indoors given its flat face and the local climate.
The Shih Tzu is an indoor dog through and through and adjusts well to condo living. Its short muzzle makes it sensitive to heat, so it needs a cool, well-ventilated space, ideally with aircon or at least an electric fan, during the Philippines' hot and humid months. Never leave a Shih Tzu in a parked car or out in the yard under direct sun. The breed prefers to stay near its people for most of the day.
The Shih Tzu needs a measured, balanced small breed diet split into two daily meals, with care taken to avoid overfeeding and toxic foods.
A complete, balanced diet made for small or toy breeds suits the Shih Tzu well. Since the breed is small and not especially active, portion control matters: extra weight makes breathing and joint problems worse. Small kibble or moistened food tends to go down easier given the short muzzle and crowded teeth. Fresh water should always be within reach.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2 to 6 months) | About 1/2 to 1 cup, by weight and product | 3 to 4 |
| Puppy (6 to 12 months) | About 1/2 to 1 cup | 2 to 3 |
| Adult | About 1/2 to 1 cup | 2 |
| Senior | Adjusted down for activity | 2 |
Limit treats to about 10 percent of daily calories and factor them into the day's total. A healthy adult already on a complete commercial diet usually needs no extra supplements. Talk to a veterinarian before adding anything for joints, skin, or coat, and adjust portions if the dog starts putting on weight.
The Shih Tzu typically lives 10 to 16 years but is prone to eye and breathing issues tied to its flat face, along with some joint and dental problems.
Shih Tzus tend to live long lives, typically 10 to 16 years. Most of the breed's health concerns trace back to its short muzzle and large eyes. Responsible breeding and routine vet visits lower both the risk and the severity of many of these conditions. This matters even more in the Philippines, where the climate stays hot and humid year round and poses a genuine heatstroke risk for a brachycephalic breed like the Shih Tzu.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brachycephalic airway issues | Noisy breathing, snoring, exercise intolerance | Linked to the short muzzle; avoid heat and overexertion |
| Eye problems | Redness, cloudiness, squinting, excess tearing | Large eyes are prone to injury and dryness |
| Patellar luxation | Skipping steps, intermittent hind-leg lameness | Kneecap slips out of place; common in small breeds |
| Dental disease | Bad breath, tartar, loose teeth | Crowded small jaws need regular dental care |
| Ear infections | Head shaking, odor, scratching | Hairy ear canals trap moisture and debris |
The Shih Tzu is smart but can be stubborn, so it responds best to short, consistent, reward-based sessions, with housetraining usually the slowest part.
The Shih Tzu is bright and people-focused, qualities that help with training, though its independent streak can come across as stubbornness. Short, upbeat sessions tend to work better than long drills. Housetraining is often the toughest part and can take extra weeks of patience plus a consistent routine. Early exposure to people, other dogs, and everyday household sounds helps the breed grow up confident and friendly.
Shih Tzu litters are small, usually two to four puppies, and the flat-faced build often calls for close veterinary oversight during whelping.
Female Shih Tzus reach physical maturity before they are ready to be bred, so responsible breeders wait until the dog is fully grown and has cleared health testing. Gestation runs about 63 days from conception, and litters stay small, commonly two to four puppies.
Because the breed is brachycephalic and puppies can carry relatively large heads, whelping difficulty comes up more often than in many other small breeds, and some litters need a cesarean section under veterinary supervision. Close monitoring of the mother through late pregnancy and delivery matters a great deal.
Newborn puppies are tiny and need a warm, clean space to grow. Weaning onto solid food starts gradually around 3 to 4 weeks, and most breeders keep puppies with their mother and littermates until about 8 to 12 weeks so they get proper socialization. Eyes and breathing should be checked early on. Breeding pairs should be screened for hip, knee, eye, and breathing problems before mating, and buyers should ask to see those results, ideally alongside PCCI registration papers.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Sexual maturity | About 6 to 12 months (breed later) |
| Gestation | About 63 days |
| Average litter size | 2 to 4 puppies |
| Weaning | About 3 to 4 weeks |
| Go-home age | About 8 to 12 weeks |
The city vet office handles the RA 9482 paperwork; a free United Pet Club record is what a finder anywhere can actually search for your Shih Tzu.
The Anti-Rabies Act, Republic Act 9482, tells every dog owner to register with the city or municipal veterinary office and keep the anti-rabies shots current, and that covers the local paperwork for your Shih Tzu. What the city record cannot do is tell a finder two provinces away how to reach you. A free United Pet Club profile fills that gap for life. Registering your dog costs nothing to start and nothing later.
The clinic's part ended with the implant; the tracing part is yours. File your Shih Tzu's 15-digit number with United Pet Club and every scan leads to your phone: free for life, all brands accepted, updates free every time your details change. Microchip registration plus a free account finishes the job.
Open a free United Pet Club account, add your Shih Tzu's details and a photo, then save the profile. It stays free for his whole life and sits alongside the city vet office registration RA 9482 requires.
Type the 15-digit chip number into your free account together with your mobile number and address. The lifetime plan charges nothing for the registration or for any update, whatever brand the clinic used.
Yes, RA 9482 requires dog registration with your city or municipal veterinary office, along with current anti-rabies vaccination. The United Pet Club profile is the searchable half: free, worldwide, and tied to your current mobile.
Nothing. The free lifetime plan covers the profile, the microchip record, and every update, with no renewal fees at all.
Common questions about the Shih Tzu cover its size, temperament, grooming needs, lifespan, and suitability for Philippine homes.
The Shih Tzu is a small toy breed. Adults usually weigh about 4 to 7.2 kilograms and stand around 20 to 27 centimeters at the shoulder.
Yes. The breed is friendly, affectionate, and sociable, and it generally does well with calm children and with other dogs and cats, especially when socialized early.
Exercise needs are light, but grooming takes real effort. The long coat needs daily brushing and a trip to the groomer every 4 to 6 weeks, or a shorter clip to cut down on upkeep.
The typical lifespan runs 10 to 16 years, and good care plus a healthy weight helps a dog reach the longer end of that range.
Yes. It is an indoor companion that adjusts well to condo units and small spaces, though it needs protection from the heat because of its flat face and does not do well left alone for long stretches.
The Shih Tzu is one of the more common toy breeds locally and is widely available through breeders and rescue groups. Look for breeders who health test for eye, breathing, and joint problems, and check that the litter is registered with the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI).
