🐾 Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu

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Who it is

• Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Family & relatives: A small domestic dog breed in the family Canidae; like all dogs it descends from the gray wolf.
• How to spot it: A small, friendly dog with a long, flowing silky coat and a sweet, round face with big dark eyes.

Its body & abilities

• Size: About 20 to 28 cm tall at the shoulder.
• Weight: Usually about 4 to 7.5 kg (9 to 16 lb).
• Body & adaptations: Its long double coat can grow to the floor, and its short nose gives it a cute, flat little face.
• Top speed: Small legs mean it is not very fast, trotting happily at a gentle pace.
• Strength: Little but brave, it has a big, confident personality for such a small dog.
• Senses: Good hearing and a fine sense of smell, though its long fur can cover its eyes if not trimmed.
• Growing up: Born as a tiny puppy, it opens its eyes at about two weeks and grows into a small adult by around a year.

Where it lives

• Habitat: Cozy homes and apartments; it is happiest indoors close to its people.
• Where in the world: Kept as a pet worldwide; the breed is very old and comes from Tibet and China.
• Territory: A little watchdog that likes to stay near its family and alert them to visitors.

What it eats

• Diet: A carnivore at heart that eats small portions of meat-based dog food and needs fresh water.
• Favorite foods: Good-quality dog food sized for small breeds, plus little healthy treats.
• How it hunts: It was bred to be a loving lap dog and palace companion, not a hunter, and it still loves cuddling most.

How it behaves

• How it moves: Trots along on short legs with a proud little strut and enjoys gentle walks.
• When it is active: Active in short, happy bursts of play, then loves long naps on a soft lap.
• Family life: A pack animal that adores its human family and gets along well with children and other pets.
• How it talks: Communicates with cheerful barks, tail wags, and happy wiggles when its people come home.
• Babies: After about 63 days a mother dog gives birth to a small litter of around three puppies that she nurses and cleans.

Its place in nature

• Role in nature: A cheerful family companion and lap dog that loves gentle play and lots of cuddles.
• Conservation: Domestic breed, kept as a beloved pet worldwide and not at risk.
• Dangers: Its flat face can make hot weather hard, so it needs shade, cool water, and vet care.

Life & legacy

• How long it lives: About 10 to 16 years, a long life for a dog.
• In our culture: Once the treasured companion of Chinese royalty, its name means 'little lion' in Chinese.
• Where to see it: Homes, parks, and dog shows around the world, often with a topknot bow in its hair.
• Fun fact: People often tie the Shih Tzu's long head fur up in a little topknot so it can see and stay cool.