Shih Tzu
Overview
A friendly, low-energy companion bred purely for company — perfect for flats if you keep up the grooming.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Shih Tzu is good with children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are good for first-time owners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Shih Tzu typically needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (roughly 30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is daily / professional and shedding is minimal. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Shih Tzu should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a small breed will eat relatively little compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Affectionate, calm and well suited to flat living
- +Low shedding and low exercise needs
Things to consider
- –Long coat needs daily brushing and regular professional grooming
- –Flat-faced, so prone to breathing and eye issues
Is a Shih Tzu right for you?
On space, a Shih Tzu is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are good for first-time owners. That makes them a reasonable choice for a committed first-time owner.
Kit that suits a Shih Tzu
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Shih Tzus good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Shih Tzus tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Shih Tzu need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Shih Tzu needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Shih Tzus shed a lot?
Minimal shedding. Coat upkeep is daily / professional — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Shih Tzus easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Shih Tzus are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Shih Tzus good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Shih Tzus suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Shih Tzu can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.