Shih Tzu should be socialized at a young age to avoid any anxiety, otherwise they might bark or dig. They are generally happy and sociable with people (and other animals!) of all ages and prefer to not spend their time alone. Shih Tzu are pleasant, energetic companions. Their heads are round with bulbous, expressive eyes. They have long, smooth haircoats, a squished muzzle, a pronounced underbite, and short, floppy ears. They are sturdy dogs, weighing anywhere between 9–16 pounds with an average height of 10 inches. The Shih Tzu is an active and friendly breed. Shih Tzu quickly became popular with the upper class and remain one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. The first breeding pair of Shih Tzu was exported to England around 1930, and the breed made its way to the U.S. Imperial rulers bred this type of dog to alert people of visitors with their sharp bark.Įventually, this breed became a companion animal instead of a working dog, as people in China began breeding them with Western breeds such as Pugs and Pekingese. These little “lion dogs,” as their name means, were associated with Buddhism and, because Tibet did not have indigenous lions, the spiritual leaders bred their dogs to look like lions, according to the Shih Tzu Club.

This breed dates back to the 15th century, though the dogs weren’t formally recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1969. The Shih Tzu is a Tibetan toy breed born to be a furry companion.

Normal shih tzu hip xray