Shih Tzus are true companion dogs. Bred for centuries to be just that, it’s no wonder that Shih Tzu puppies are among the most popular toy breeds. If you are thinking about bringing a Shih Tzu puppy into your life, read on for some cool facts and pictures about the breed.
Their name isn’t pronounced like a swear word
This has nothing to do with the breed’s sweet temperament, their proud stance, or their unbelievable loyalty. We just think your new furry friend would like you to pronounce their breed name correctly.
It is pronounced “Sheed Zoo,” which roughly translates to “Lion” in Chinese. The Shih Tzu was bred as early as the 14th century to be a companion and lapdog to royalty in China. Given that, they’re far too dignified to tolerate curse words.
They’ll have one coat, then two
The Shih Tzu has a luxurious double coat that consists of a rougher outer coat and a soft inner coat. Your puppy will have one soft, manageable coat until around the age of 7 months when the second one will start to grow in.
Grooming won’t be too difficult in the early stages but prepare for regular grooming once your Shih Tzu grows up.
They’ll be at home anywhere as long as they’re with you
Shih Tzu pups are very adaptable when it comes to living spaces. Whether you live in a studio apartment, a dog-friendly condo, or the sprawling countryside, this pup will love their home, as long as they’re with you.
Again, Shih Tzus were specifically companion dogs. They are no good at hunting or herding, but they are great at loving their humans.
Be sure to give your Shih Tzu puppy lots of one-on-one attention to build a strong, beautiful relationship.
They’re friendly with everyone
Shih Tzu puppies are easily one of the most cordial types of pups out there. They generally get along with their human’s human friends, children, and other dogs and cats.
If you have a larger animal in the house already or rambunctious kids, be sure to monitor them while they play with your Shih Tzu puppy. Shih Tzu puppies can be as small as 2 1/2 pounds at eight weeks, so they are incredibly delicate.
Fortunately, Shih Tzu puppies grow quickly and can reach their adult size of 10 to 16 pounds as early as seven months.
Their adorable faces can lead to breathing issues
One of the most lovable parts of a Shih Tzu puppy is their cute, smushed face. This face shape has the ability to send any human into cuteness overload mode, but it can also lead to some issues down the line for your puppy.
Snoring and wheezing can occur during sleep and be nothing more than a new part of your nighttime soundtrack, while issues as serious as heat stroke can occur because of this brachycephalic face shape.
Be sure to keep your Shih Tzu’s intense sunbathing to a strict limit during the hot summer months, and grab yourself some earplugs if you feel like adorable soft snores are not your jam.
Remember that you can get just about any kind of dog, including Shih Tzu puppies, from shelters and rescues.
