The Shih Tzu is a classic, cuddly companion breed. These small dogs are very affectionate and tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great fit for families. Here are a few more facts about the Shih Tzu:

1. Shih Tzu Have Royal Origins

Shih Tzu originated in China over 1,000 years ago and are one of the small dog breeds that were specifically developed by the Imperial family. Imperial breeders crossed their ancestors with the Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, and Pug to create the Shih Tzu.

Much like the other breeds, these small dogs were bred specifically to be royal lap dogs within the palace. They still remain one of the smallest dog breeds and are still quintessential companion dogs.

2. They Didn’t Go Global Until the 1930s

Because the Shih Tzu was developed within the palace for Imperial royalty, they were not often found outside of the palace walls. On top of that, the breed almost disappeared in 1908 when the Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi passed away. She supervised the Shih Tzu breeding program and it fell apart when she died.

Between the Communist Revolution and the lack of a breeding program, it took a while for the Shih Tzu to recover. They were relatively unknown outside of China until around the 1930s when they started to gain global recognition.

Due to the dwindling numbers of the breed, every Shih Tzu that is alive today can trace their ancestry to one of 14 dogs that were used to rebuild and repopulate the breed. The breed started to make it to the United States around the 1950s when soldiers brought them back with them. It would take until 1969 for the AKC to recognize the Shih Tzu as a member of the Toy Group. Now, they are considered one of the most popular dog breeds.

3. Shih Tzu Tend to be Quiet Dogs

The Shih Tzu is one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are quintessential companions that love nothing more than being around their favorite people and receiving attention and affection from them. Because they crave attention and thrive on affection, they absolutely love being around people.

In addition, they tend to be quiet dogs. Although they are alert and lively little dogs, they do not tend to bark a lot. However, they can be accidentally or purposefully trained into barking, so you do want to be careful about what behavior you are rewarding in a Shih Tzu puppy.

4. First-Time Owners May Want Training Classes

Shih Tzu are intelligent dogs that are eager to please and are in tune with their owners. But, they also have a stubborn streak and are sensitive to harsh tones. They are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners, but they can be challenging at times.

They are known to use their cute face to try and push boundaries, which can result in inconsistent training and undesirable behavior if an owner rewards those behaviors. Because of this, training classes are recommended for first-time owners. There are many benefits of puppy training classes, so they tend to be a good idea even if you don’t necessarily need them for help with training.

Classes can help keep training consistent and reinforce it while also strengthening the bond you have with your Shih Tzu puppy. Plus, training classes tend to offer opportunities to socialize a puppy and may even host safe puppy play sessions too.

5. Their Face Shape Resembles Chrysanthemum

Shih Tzu are beloved for their small size, cuddly personalities, and adorable faces. Coincidentally, their face shape and hair growth patterns kind of resemble the pattern on the chrysanthemum plant. This earned them the nickname of the “chrysanthemum-faced dog” during the 1930s in England.

6. Shih Tzu Coats Can Change

Shih Tzu are considered one of the fluffiest dog breeds. Although they are low-shedding, their coat required a lot of maintenance to stay healthy and looking great. A Shih Tzu coat is two distinct layers, can come in a variety of colors, and the coat can also vary from dog to dog, which can make perfecting the right grooming for an individual Shih Tzu a process.

It may take some trial and error, but you will get there, especially with a great dog groomer on your side. Also, their coats can change as they grow. This usually occurs when Shih Tzu puppies are 10-12 months old.

Shih Tzu coats are often kept in a long clip, especially for shows. Keeping it shorter in a “puppy cut” is an option. Daily brushing is required to keep their coat free of tangles and mats. They’ll also need bathing every 3-4 weeks and grooming about every two months.

7. They Can Be Great Athletes

Although Shih Tzu are companion dogs, they can also be great athletes as well. Despite being a brachycephalic breed that is sensitive to heat, Shih Tzu can still be active and hardy little dogs. Keeping an eye on temperature, working in short bursts, and taking breaks are ways to safely exercise flat-faced dogs.

It’s important to note that brachycephalic breeds can excel in athletic competitions too; it just depends on the dog and the event. Not every dog is a good fit for dog sports like agility, but agility training can be a great activity. And, Shih Tzu have won agility competitions before.

In fact, a Shih Tzu named Peyton won double titles in 2014 for agility and conformation. He won a MACH title in agility and a Champion title in confirmation. Even though Peyton was also the first Shih Tzu to win an AKC Coursing Ability title in 2012, 2014 was the first time a Shih Tzu won both titles. Way to go, Peyton!

Is a Shih Tzu Puppy Right For You?

These are just a few facts about the Shih Tzu. These little dogs love to be an involved member of the family and tend to be a good fit for single owners and families who can give them the attention and affection they crave.

If this sounds like the right dog breed for you, learn more about them, and then check out the available Shih Tzu puppies. Who knows? You could end up finding your new best friend and the perfect addition to your family!