An ancient companion lapdog bred for Chinese and Tibetan nobility, with a flowing double coat and a sweet, outgoing temperament. The Shih Tzu lives to be with its people and makes an affectionate, adaptable family pet—though its flat face brings real welfare cautions.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Apartment or small home with daily walks
Apartment + 2× daily 30-min walks
A small dog adapts well to apartment living with two structured walks a day plus indoor enrichment. Crate-train for alone-time and give supervised free-roam of the household when settled. Brachycephalic — avoid heat and high-intensity exercise; air-conditioning is non-negotiable in warm weather, and short flat-faced breeds can collapse from heatstroke quickly.
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Recommended
Home with secure yard + daily routine
House + fenced yard + 45 min daily exercise
A house with a securely fenced yard, two structured walks per day, and indoor enrichment (chews, training, puzzle feeders). Most small breeds settle well as household pets when this baseline is met.
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Ideal
Household companion with varied enrichment
House + fenced yard + sport or hobby
A household companion that joins family activities, has a secure yard, and engages in a hobby suited to the breed — earthdog, scent games, trick training, mini-agility. Mental work matters as much as the walks.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Excellent apartment and city dog with modest exercise needs—short daily walks and play (about 20-40 minutes) suffice. No yard required. As a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, they overheat and struggle to breathe in heat, humidity, and exertion; keep them cool, avoid strenuous exercise in warm weather, and use a harness (not a neck collar) to protect the airway.
Diet
Feed a complete diet portioned carefully—small size means obesity creeps up fast and worsens breathing and joint strain. Two small meals daily. A short muzzle can make eating messy; some do better with appropriately shaped kibble or moistened food. Keep the beard clean after meals to prevent skin issues.
Behavior & temperament
Friendly, affectionate, and people-oriented—bred purely for companionship, so they dislike long isolation and can develop separation distress. Moderately trainable with positive methods; housetraining can take patience. Energy is low to moderate. Generally good with gentle children and other pets, though tiny size means supervision around rough play to prevent injury.
Health
As a brachycephalic breed, prone to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) and heat intolerance; prominent eyes risk corneal ulcers and proptosis. Also predisposed to dental crowding/disease, patellar luxation, intervertebral disc issues, ear infections, and renal dysplasia. Recommended screening: BOAS/respiratory assessment, ophthalmologist eye exam, patella evaluation, and dental checks. Choose breeders selecting for open nostrils and a functional muzzle.
Tips, DIY & hacks
The long double coat mats easily and needs daily brushing if kept long; most pet owners use a 'puppy clip' for easy care. Keep the face clean, trim or tie up hair around the eyes, and clean tear-staining and the beard regularly. Routine ear cleaning and frequent tooth brushing are important. Low-shedding but high-maintenance. Watch for any breathing noise, snoring, or exercise intolerance and report it to your vet.
