Breed Information for the Shih Tzu
We Specialize in Size Guaranteed Baby Doll Face Shih Tzu's
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Our Shih Tzus come in 6 different sizes: Small Toys, Tiny Toys, Teacups, Tiny Teacups, Micro Tiny Teacups, & Mini Micro Tiny Teacups. "Tiny sizes are more delicate and not recommended for families with small children under 12 years of age"
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If you are looking for the perfect blend of sweet and adorable you may love our Shih Tzus!
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Shih Tzus are unique and come with different coat colors, patterns, facial features, and grooming styles.​
Personality
The Shih Tzu is a wonderful family dog! Their friendly personality combined with their hardy size makes them a fun companion pet for children. The Shih Tzu breed has a lively and playful personality that often enjoys to snuggle and cuddle with their family.
Size
The Shih Tzu is short in stature but hardy in build. Their body type is heavier due to more solid muscle mass, but their short, cobby little legs make them a sturdy small breed dog. We carry Shih Tzu puppies that will range from 4-12 pounds as fully grown adults. The smaller the puppy the more delicate and fragile they will be even through adulthood. When shopping for your forever companion consider a size that works well with your family for the next 15 years. See our Size Chart & Price List for more information.
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Other breeders will offer low price regular and large toy sized Shih Tzus that will grow to be between 15-25 pounds.
We do not offer these larger sizes. However, if a small size is important to you don't settle for a low priced puppy that doesn't come with a written size size guarantee. 98% of teacup puppies sold are counterfeit teacups. This means they can grow to be 2-5 times the size you wanted and thought you were getting. See the Counterfeit Teacups page for more information.
Coat & Color Options
The Shih Tzu is available in parti and solid colors with many different color options. The Shih-Tzu has a thick and soft coat that falls straight to the ground. However, all Shih Tzu puppies are hypoallergenic and non-shedding. They won't leave fur on your clothes or furniture! If you are allergic to dogs, it is unlikely you will be allergic to a Shih Tzu.
Grooming
The Shih Tzu requires regular grooming to keep their curls pretty and soft. Sticking to a regular grooming schedule for your pet will help make their needs more manageable. Brushing your pet's hair every 1-3 days will help fight tangles and mats. As their hair continues to grow a full body groom is needed every 4 to 6 weeks. The shorter their hair is cut the longer it will last in-between grooms. Ask for a “Puppy Cut” to keep their hair short and manageable, but not shaved too short. Shih Tzu’s may also need the hair from their ears pulled as long hairs grow in their ears and may cause infections.
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The Shih Tzu has human-like hair and gentle skin that should be washed with a gentle shampoo. TropiClean Shampoo is a gentle shampoo that uses coconut oil and water to cleanse their coat and skin. Poodles are known to be active and curious. Bathe your Maltipoo every week to keep them fresh and clean! The TropiClean Deep Cleaning Shampoo uses raspberry and mango to provide a deep luxurious clean while oatmeal and coconut replenish natural moisture for a coat that’s soft and huggable!
Health
The Shih Tzu is known to be a fairly healthy breed. However, most small & teacups breeds do face health concerns related to their size.
One health condition to be aware of is an Umbilical Hernia. An Umbilical Hernia looks like a small bump near their belly and may resemble an “outie” belly-button. Most puppies grow out of this, but a veterinarian can help monitor the condition as the puppy ages. Hernia surgery can also remove the bump during spay or neuter if necessary.
Hypoglycemia is also common in small breed dogs. Hypoglycemia is caused by low-blood sugar and is usually the result of a lacking diet. Hypoglycemia is easily preventable by monitoring their feeding schedule. Small puppies should eat every 4 hours to prevent low-blood sugar. A high calorie supplement such as Nutri-Cal is also recommended for tiny puppies. Mix Nutrical in your puppy's water bowl to maintain strong blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Training
Shih Tzus can be slightly difficult to train due to their extremely laid back personalities. To train a Shih Tzu to listen, you will need **consistent rules**, dependable leadership & guidance. They rely on you to create a dependable routine in your household and out in the world.
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Structure is a powerful way to help your dog be the perfect pet you always wanted. When your little dog can rely on a safe routine, and they know that you will take care of them, they begin to learn to calm down and stop overreacting or getting too excited. Yorkies as a breed, and especially those with behavior problems such as separation anxiety, fear, signs of aggression, and many more issues are greatly helped by giving them a consistent routine and commands so they always know what to expect.
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Having clear and consistent rules is extremely important for dogs. Small dogs thrive on clarity. Consistent patterns and expectations create a sense of security and increase a sense of calm and build trust in dogs. Many unacceptable behaviors are reduced or eliminated by simply setting up consistent household rules that your dog can rely on, such as door manners, crate training and command training will build impulse control and help your Shih Tzu's energy levels.
Don’t give them treats because they look cute or because you came home feeling guilty that you were gone all day. Give them treats for good behavior as a reward. They are people pleasers and will quickly learn what earns them a reward and will enjoy pleasing you and seeing you happy.
Diet & Nutrition
Monitor your Shih Tzu’s eating habits, especially during puppy stages. Offer your puppy food every 3 to 4 hours to help prevent low blood sugar. They should be eating roughly ¼ cup to ½ cup of dog food per day based on activity level and how much they weigh. A larger puppy will need more food on a daily basis than a smaller puppy.
A high-quality, small-bite size dry dog food is recommended to maintain their shiny coat, to protect their bones, keep their teeth clean, gentle on their digestive system, and keep them healthy overall. We recommend the brand Royal Canin in their Shih Tzu formula X-Small bites dry dog food. There is a puppy formula for puppies 8 weeks to 10 months old. Then, there is an adult formula for 10 months and beyond. A nutritional supplement, such as Nutrical, may also be needed in teacup and smaller sized puppies to prevent Hypoglycemia.